Powerful expertise at your service
Our client projects usually require a combination of different analytical techniques to get to the right answer. Our consultants are trained in a variety of quantitative and qualitative skills, giving them a strong all-round ‘tool kit’ of expertise for each assignment. Our analytical tool kit contains:
ANALYSES
We are experts in analysing data: to spot trends, anomalies and correlations, to compare or benchmark company performance, to segment customer sets and draw insights about customer behaviour. We are equally comfortable manipulating large data sets or unpicking the economics of sector or company performance from statutory and management accounts. Our analyses always pass the ‘so what?’ test, which ensures they are relevant and incisive.
INTERVIEWS
We interview customers, suppliers and other industry stakeholders to identify the root cause of business performance. Interviewing is an underrated skill, which requires extensive preparation, adaptive thinking, economy and clarity of expression as well as empathy, diplomacy and a human touch. In niche markets, where published research is non-existent, our experience shows that interviews are the only way to find the information required to solve the case. In addition to supporting research, we also use interviews to gauge customer and supplier satisfaction, and to test hypotheses.
RESEARCH
The markets our clients operate in are often poorly researched – either because they are too niche, or because the published research is unreliable or out-of-date. Fairgrove’s consultants are experts at sizing, segmenting and analysing industries, markets and sectors through a combination of primary and secondary research. We are trained in sourcing hard-to-find data from the public domain. Where no published data exist, we build our own research programmes based on interviews, surveys, and other investigations.
MODELLING
Our advanced Excel skills mean we are able to build bespoke models for clients. These can include valuation models and sales disaggregation models, which allow businesses to report revenues and gross profits by any combination of geography, sector, customer, product or service.
CONCEPTUAL THINKING
Wherever possible, we seek to simplify things for our clients. This often requires us to present complex industry structures, business models or processes – as well as abstract ideas – in a concise and intelligible way. Our ability to consider commercial issues from a fresh perspective, coupled with our access to a broad range of conceptual frameworks, means we are frequently complimented by our clients for ‘story-boarding’ dense or difficult material.
“The level of analytical detail and the depth of customer insight in Fairgrove's report was phenomenal. Their findings will prove truly valuable as we go through the next stage of our development”
CEO, Ship Repair Business
“Fairgrove provided us with an excellent basis for our strategy. We thought their ability to piece together the story from so many sources was exemplary. The resulting value chain analysis provided us with a coherent picture of our clients’ business, and has shown us, quantitatively, where to focus our resources. The balance between analytical rigour and a focus on commercial application was tremendous”
Chairman, Tier 1 Automotive Supplier
“This was a complex deal in a niche market, characterized by little publicly-available information to support the investment case. Fairgrove demonstrated tenacity and rigour in getting under the skin of the business, and validating the opportunity. In summary: a tough assignment, which Fairgrove really delivered on”
Partner, Mid-Market PE Firm
