Tag Archives: Magistral Consulting

Introduction

Corporate Finance is a subfield of finance concerned with how corporations handle funding sources, capital structuring, accounting, and investment decisions. Corporate finance is frequently charged with increasing shareholder value through long-term and short-term planning. Corporate finance activities range from capital investment to tax considerations.

In addition to capital investments, they are also given the task of monitoring cash flows, accounting, and preparing financial statements. Besides this, they carry out valuable activities like which investment activities need to be pursued. How do we pay for these investments via debt or equity etc? Also, decisions such as which shareholders should receive dividends and to what extent, fall into the purview of corporate finance.

How does Corporate Finance Work?

As it has been seen earlier corporate finance usually deals with maximizing returns to the shareholders of a company and its stockholders. Hence, it is but natural to observe that they are entrusted with organizational budgeting, investments, and capital allocation.

Functions of Corporate Finance

To illustrate this for example the corporate finance division may be given the task of computing capital requirements in order to acquire assets as well as find the most efficient sources of this capital acquisition. A key aspect of this decision-making is how do we finance this decision whether it be through debt or equity or both. At the same time, it requires one to make decisions that optimize working capital requirements.

It is necessary here to make a distinction between corporate finance and corporate accounting. The main difference here is that the corporate finance team is entrusted more with the strategic aspects of a decision such as a strategy formulation, planning, and directing while the corporate accounting team is entrusted with the day-to-day management of business and activities such as maintaining accounting records and preparing financial statements.

Principles of Corporate Finance

There are a few principles that guide the corporate finance function. They are as follows:

Principles of Corporate Finance

Investment principle –

This emphasizes the importance of weighing risk versus return. The evaluation of an investment proposal should be based on a hurdle rate that serves as a benchmark. It is important to ensure here that the risks do not overtake the returns.

This primarily requires thoughtful planning and deciding where to invest from a long-term perspective. This means deciding after a careful analysis as to whether or not to pursue an investment activity and whether to invest in a manner such that the highest risk minimized returns are got by the company. To accomplish this financial accounting tasks such as identifying capital expenditures, estimating cash flows, and comparing planned investments with projected income are used. Besides, financial modeling is also used with the help of techniques such as IRR and NPV to compare projects and choose the right ones

Financing principle –

It emphasizes on maximizing returns from a given investment. Here the task is to assess which financing technique to use namely debt financing, equity financing, or a combination of both. Important considerations here are factors such as business structure and goals, cost of financing, interest rate calculation, and access to the equity market.

This activity is mainly associated with delving into which is the optimal way of financing a given project. The decisions include assessing factors whether to use debt, equity, or a mix of both. In the end, it is the job of corporate finance professionals to optimize the company’s capital structure by reducing its weighted average cost of capital (WACC).

Dividend principle –

In this the key question is whether to streamline surplus towards business or distribute the dividends amongst the shareholders. Retained earnings that are not given back to the shareholders can be used to fund a business’s expansion and are one of the best sources of funds as it does not lead to accumulation of debts nor does it lead to a dilution of equity by the issuance of more shares. Similarly, another key decision could be to distribute dividends so as to create wealth for the shareholders thereby leading to better brand equity.

Types of Corporate Finance

There are a number of types of corporate finance for growing businesses. Some might prefer bank overdrafts, fixed term loans or others might prefer trade finance, leasing, venture capital, partners, etc. These are majorly defined in two types of corporate finance:

Short-term corporate finance:

These are the tools used when a business requires funds for a short period of time, say less than a year. These are commonly one-time loans and are beneficial when one is not able to get loans for a long tenure. Some of the examples of short-term corporate finance are:

-Bank Overdrafts

-Trade Credits

-Accrual Accounts

-Financial Lease

-Operating Lease

-Hire Purchase

Long-term corporate finance:

These are the loans that one repays over a period of one year or much longer than that, generally month-to-month installments. The benefit is that one gets the loan at minimum rates as well as minimum monthly payments as it spread out over the years. Some of the common long-term corporate finances are:

-Bank Loans

-Merchant Loans

-Debentures

-Equity Issuance

-Floatation

-Stock Dilution

Magistral’s services on Corporate Finance

Some of the services that are associated with corporate finance that are offered by us are as follows:

-Fund Strategy: Finding growth potential, investment activity, investment sizes, and macro-economic factors for a specific industry, geography, or an investment philosophy

-Investor profiling: Finding out the set of right investors for your fund or other investing opportunity and profiling it for further actionable details

-Investor communication: Periodic update of MIS, reports, fund-performance, valuation metrics, fund-raising progress, and others for Boards and Investors (LPs and GPs).

-Content marketing: Creation of well-researched Thought Papers, PoVs, Case Studies, Market Reports, Industry Reports, Company, and News analyses.

-Modeling and valuations: LBO and DCF Modelling, Precedent Transaction Analysis, Merger modeling, Sum of Parts Analysis, Sensitivity Analysis, Equity Analysis, Comparable analysis

-Real estate financing models: Rent Vs. Sell Analysis, Rent Vs. Buy Analysis, Rent Roll Analysis, Property Price Trends, Sell Vs Construct and Sell Analysis

Typical outcomes of our financial modeling services are –

– Independent and insight-based asset valuations

-Reduction in operations costs

-Leverage to negotiate a better valuation

-Exhaustive analysis to get other co-investors for an asset

About Magistral Consulting

Magistral Consulting has helped multiple funds and companies in outsourcing operations activities. It has service offerings for Private Equity, Venture Capital, Family Offices, Investment Banks, Asset Managers, Hedge Funds, Financial Consultants, Real Estate, REITs, RE funds, Corporates and Portfolio companies. Its functional expertise is around Deal origination, Deal Execution, Due Diligence, Financial Modelling, Portfolio Management and Equity Research.

For setting up an appointment with a Magistral representative visit www.magistralconsulting.com/contact

About the Author

The article is Authored by Marketing Department of Magistral Consulting. For any business inquiries, you could reach out to prabhash.choudhary@magistralconsulting.com

Introduction to Equity and Country Themed Reports

Foreign securities account for a significant part of many investors’ portfolios. This selection requires a thorough examination of numerous mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and stock and bond offerings, yet investors sometimes overlook a critical first step in the foreign investing process. The first step in deciding to invest abroad is to assess the volatility of the investment environment in the country in question. Equity and country-themed reports for hedge funds are created to find any country risk associated with the economic, political, and business risks peculiar to a particular country and could result in unanticipated investment losses. In general, countries are divided into three categories based on their level of development: frontier, developing, and developed markets, with decreasing levels of national risk. Various criteria and studies can assess country risks, such as sovereign credit ratings and independent sovereign risk reports.

Factors in Equity & Country Themed Reports for Hedge Funds

Following are the factors in Equity & Country Themed Reports for hedge funds-

Factors in Equity & Country Themed Reports for Hedge Funds

Economic Risk

Economic risk is the ability of a country to repay its obligations without any difficulties. A country with sound finances and a thriving economy should be able to give more trustworthy investments than one with shaky finances and a poor economy. Examining a country’s economic and financial foundations is crucial in deciding on an investment. Different analysts use different metrics when assessing an investment abroad, although most experts look at a country’s GDP, inflation, and consumer price index (CPI) readings. Investors should also consider the country’s financial market structure, the availability of appealing investment options, and the recent success of the local stock and bond markets.

Political Risk

This risk is linked to a country’s political policies that could result in an unexpected loss for investors. While economic risk is often defined as a country’s ability to pay its obligations, political risk is its willingness to repay loans or keep an investment-friendly environment. Even if a nation’s economy is good, the country would not be a worthwhile investment candidate if the political atmosphere is hostile to outside investors (or grows hostile).

Sovereign Risk

There is the danger that a foreign central bank would change its foreign exchange laws, lowering or cutting the value of one’s foreign exchange contracts significantly. Both equities and bond investors receive help from analyzing sovereign risk variables, while bond investors may benefit more directly.

A sovereign risk analysis can help create a macroeconomic portrait of the operating environment when investing in the shares of specific companies in a foreign country, but most research and analysis will need to be performed at the company level. If an investment is to be done directly in a country’s bonds, though, assessing the country’s economic state and strength can be an intelligent approach to assess a bond investment. The country’s potential to grow and create revenue is the underlying asset for a bond.

Social risks

The investment world in recent times has recognized that poor management of environmental and social issues and poor governance practices associated with business activities can create business risks and various difficulties for the financial institutions financing it. Environmental and social risk assessment and risk management have been needed. Production delays, accidents, threats to operating licenses, unplanned expenditures, and unwanted publicity can result from a business’s environmental and social risk impacts, whether real or perceived. Distinct investments have different environmental and social hazards based on the sector and country. The IFC Environmental and Social Performance Standards point out a minimal degree of environmental and social responsibility obligations in developing nations. The emphasis is on the methodical management of environmental and social challenges, which often needs the implementation of a customized environmental management system.

Credit Ratings

Countries get credit ratings the same way firms do to figure out their ability to repay debt. Every investable country is given ratings by Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s (S&P), and other significant rating agencies. A country with a better credit rating is regarded as a more secure investment than one with a lower credit rating. Examining a country’s credit ratings is great when evaluating a potential investment.

Assessment in Industry Reports for Hedge Funds

Apart from the equity and country-themed reports for hedge funds, industry reports are also sort after as they give a better understanding of their working territories for hedge funds. They also get detailed information on all the concerned datasets essential for their operations to assess and manage them in a better way. The equity and country-themed reports for hedge funds, and an industry report will give much data for their consideration so that they do not make any errors in the early assessment period and conduct their operations smoothly. The industry report will have information on country-themed various aspects of their trade, while the critical points they cover are briefed below:

Assessment in Industry Reports for Hedge Funds

Assets under Management

The rise in hedge fund assets under management can be attributed to several variables. This exercise has included more jurisdictions, making the results more reflective of the global hedge fund sector. Furthermore, market forces are likely to have influenced this increase. Because most hedge funds focus their strategies on equity markets, the rise in valuations, particularly in equities markets, may have boosted the Assets under Management of some hedge funds. When considering the increase in the number of funds, a more significant increase in total Assets under Management might have been predicted.

Investment Strategy

Hedge funds are a broad umbrella term. Funds will seek specific investing strategies within that broad group—most of these fall into one of a dozen or more primary strategy types. Short positions are still under pressure as markets have continued to increase over the last few years. With rising losses, long/short strategies have shifted to align with long bias, yet they still are popular. Another factor contributing to the fall in long/short strategies is the internal “onboarding” of long/short strategic decision-making as large institutional investors look to bring such management in-house. As a result, many long-term hedge fund investors are no longer interested in such product offers.

Investment Exposures

The disparity between hedge funds’ short and long positions, said as a percentage is known as net exposure. A lower degree of net exposure reduces the risk of market changes affecting the fund’s portfolio. A fund’s net exposure should be examined alongside its gross exposure. Overall, sovereign bonds and cash equities have the highest long and short exposures in cash securities, excluding IR and FX derivatives, while equity derivatives have the most extensive derivatives exposures owned by funds. On a gross basis, interest rates and foreign exchange futures are the most significant exposures owned by qualifying hedge funds worldwide.

Leverage

Hedge funds use leverage to expand their investment exposure. Leverage allows a fund to raise its potential gains (and losses) by increasing the fund’s market exposure beyond its net asset value by employing financial instruments or borrowed money. Leverage can take many forms, including debt borrowing (also known as financial leverage) or certain types of derivatives (also known as synthetic leverage), and hedge funds are typically exempt from strict regulatory leverage limits and other soft “leverage requirements” such as asset concentration limits.

Services offered by Magistral Consulting on Equity and Country Themed Reports

The Equity and Country themed reports for Hedge Funds provided by Magistral Consulting offer a complete analysis of the above-said areas while also supplying a detailed and structured take on the entire target country that is to be sought after for the investment. This report will most importantly help reduce the operations costs for the hedge funds as the detailed report will help them make thoughtful decisions on their operations, moving away from those investments that are considered a liability for them. The equity and country-themed reports will also improve their alpha as the return of investments for the hedge funds will increase from the report’s input, positively changing them.

About Magistral consulting

Magistral Consulting has helped multiple funds and companies in outsourcing operations activities. It has service offerings for Private Equity, Venture Capital, Family Offices, Investment Banks, Asset Managers, Hedge Funds, Financial Consultants, Real Estate, REITs, RE funds, Corporates and Portfolio companies. Its functional expertise is in Deal origination, Deal Execution, Due Diligence, Financial Modeling, Portfolio Management and Equity Research.

For setting up an appointment with a Magistral representative visit www.magistralconsulting.com/contact

About the Author

The article is Authored by Marketing Department of Magistral Consulting. For any business inquiries, you could reach out to prabhash.choudhary@magistralconsulting.com

Introduction

A strategic method of business development known as account-based management (ABM) includes concentrating sales and marketing efforts on a small number of high-value accounts. B2B businesses frequently employ this strategy because fewer accounts can account for a sizable part of income. Instead of employing a one-size-fits-all strategy, ABM enables businesses to customize their marketing and sales efforts to the unique demands and problems of each customer. Through deeper ties with key accounts, this can increase revenue.

Applying an account-based management strategy can assist produce a greater return on investment (ROI) per dollar of sales, even though initially it might make sense to use a general marketing plan for your target clients. Account-based management, when compared to other management strategies, reportedly produced the highest returns on investments.

Benefits of an Account-Based Management Strategy

Obtaining a new account is getting more and more challenging in the modern era. The marketing and sales team can more efficiently target their clients by identifying imperative accounts and using a combination of traditional and digital techniques. This is achieved by creating customized account-based management strategies and deploying targeted customized ads to individually target these accounts.

Benefits of Account-Based Management

The benefits of account-based administration include some of the following:

Better coordination between marketing and sales: With ABM, marketing and sales teams collaborate to create custom plans for each account, which can aid in enhancing communication and teamwork between the two groups.
Higher conversion rates: Businesses can improve their chances of effectively converting accounts into customers by focusing their marketing and sales efforts on the unique requirements of each account. For example, accounts that are more likely to make a purchase.
Improved relationships: ABM helps businesses develop stronger, more meaningful relationships with their most important clients, resulting in stronger relationships with key accounts. Longer-lasting business relationships and higher consumer loyalty may result from this.
Revenue growth: Businesses can increase the revenue from their major accounts by concentrating on high-value accounts and adjusting their strategies for each account specifically.
Better use of resources: Instead of dispersing their efforts thinly across many accounts, ABM enables businesses to concentrate their resources on the accounts that have the highest revenue potential. The return on investment for sales and marketing activities can be increased in this way.

Implications of Account Based Management

There are some implications of account-based management. Like:

Resource-intensive: Implementing an ABM approach can be time- and labor-intensive due to the need to thoroughly research and identify key accounts, develop individualized campaigns, and monitor and assess results.
Limited scalability: ABM is typically more successful when targeting a few high-value accounts as opposed to a lot of lower-value accounts. The method’s ability to scale may be constrained by this.
Limited flexibility: Because ABM needs extensive planning and coordination to execute successfully, it can be less flexible than other systems. This may make it challenging to adapt to market or consumer demand changes.
Requires support from a variety of stakeholders: ABM needs the support and buy-in of numerous internal stakeholders, including teams from sales, marketing, and customer success, to be effective. Especially if there is a lack of coordination or communication between various organizations, it may be difficult to do this.
ABM might not be appropriate for all company models or industries: It is so because it demands a high level of personalization and customization, which isn’t always possible or necessary.

Strategy Planning in Account-Based Management

Before we proceed further it is important to note why is an account-based management strategy important. This is important because of the necessity of ensuring that the campaigns are used to target the right market segments, all the teams are also aware of what is expected of them and that each campaign is designed to specifically address that market campaign for management.

Strategy planning in Account-Based Management

Let’s now look at the steps involved in account-based management.

Step 1: Discover your high-value accounts: Using Pareto’s 80/20 principle key accounts that need to be targeted are identified in this phase. Consider factors such as their size, industry, and growth potential.

Step 2: Identify key stakeholders: Quite often it happens that there might be several decision-makers working in different departments of an organization. Each of them may then need to be targeted by multiple contacts each time there is a decision that needs to be made. This step ensures that the hierarchy of decision-makers is laid down in writing to ensure better coordination amongst the various departments of an organization.

Step 3: Design customized content: This step ensures that customized campaigns are designed to target individual, specific accounts of an organization which in turn leads to better ROI.

Step 4: Determine marketing channel for targeting: Not only are the campaigns customized for delivery, but it is also ensured that proper marketing channels are used to target individual accounts on a one-on-one basis. This could involve creating customized content or events, using personalized communication channels, or deploying targeted ads.

Step 5: Ensure effective execution: The key to effective account-based management is the detailed execution of campaigns. Unless the execution is precise, the efforts in planning goals may not be effective.

Step 6: Measure and optimize – Assess the performance of your ABM strategy frequently and make any modifications. This can assist you in figuring out what is and isn’t working so you can adjust as needed to better your outcomes.

Magistral’s Services on Account-Based Management

Some of the services that are associated with account-based management services that are offered by Magistral consulting are –

Researching and profiling accounts:

It includes the identification of major accounts with the potential to produce considerable income or strategic value for the business. It is vital to learn about these accounts, including their unique needs, difficulties, and objectives. To do this, we may need to do some research on the business and its sector and speak with the important decision-makers there directly.

Campaigns for each client:

We create and execute marketing campaigns that are specifically suited to the requirements and preferences of individual accounts. Reach and engage the right audience, this may entail crafting tailored marketing messages and materials as well as targeted online and offline marketing campaigns.

Individually tailored sales outreach:

This might include making phone calls to key decision-makers within the organization, sending emails with targeted messaging and offers, or even scheduling in-person meetings to discuss business objectives and opportunities in more depth. By taking a personalized approach to sales outreach, we ensure stronger relationships with key accounts, better understand their needs and challenges, and develop mutually beneficial solutions that drive long-term success.

Planned account collaboration:

This entails carefully considering the requirements and objectives of each unique account, followed by the joint development of a strategy outlining concrete actions and approaches to accomplishing those goals. Setting up clear benchmarks and goals for success, creating regular check-ins and reviews to assess progress and adjust as necessary, identifying potential barriers, and creating backup plans are part of our services.

Reviewing accounts and monitoring progress:

We evaluate the status of major accounts and monitor their success in achieving their objectives. This entails checking in with important clients regularly to gauge their progress and spot any obstacles or openings that may have appeared. We also keep track of important metrics and indicators that show how well the account is performing.

About Magistral Consulting:

For setting up an appointment with a Magistral representative visit www.magistralconsulting.com/contact

About the Author:

The article is Authored by the Marketing Department of Magistral Consulting. For any business inquiries, you could reach out to prabhash.choudhary@magistralconsulting.com

Introduction

Custom Research refers to the process of performing in-depth research and analysis on elements of a company’s supply chain to discover potential risks and vulnerabilities in the context of supplier risk intelligence or supply chain management. A team of supply chain management specialists with the expertise and experience to recognize and evaluate a variety of risks that could influence a company’s operations often conducts this kind of study.

Planning, coordinating and managing the motion of merchandise, services, and information from raw materials to the final consumer is the supply chain management process. To locate areas for improvement and maximize the overall efficiency of the supply chain, custom research may entail analyzing several supply chain components, including the sourcing of raw materials, production procedures, distribution routes, and logistics. Companies can better understand their supply chain and find methods to enhance operations, lower costs, and boost efficiency by doing specialized research.

Custom Research vs Syndicated Research

Custom research and syndicated research are both approaches or tactics that organizations can use to gather information about their suppliers and other stakeholders in the supply chain. However, they differ in terms of the scope, focus, and purpose of the research.

Custom research is research that is specifically tailored to the needs and objectives of a particular company. It is usually conducted on a one-off basis and focuses on a specific set of questions or issues that are relevant to the business enterprise. Custom research can be created to meet the unique requirements and objectives of the organization and can be used to obtain comprehensive information about a specific supplier or a group of suppliers.

Syndicated research, on the other hand, is research that is conducted on a more general, ongoing basis and is typically focused on gathering broad, industry-wide data and insights. It is usually conducted by research firms or market research organizations and is intended to be used by multiple clients. Syndicated research is often less focused and customized than custom research, but it can provide valuable insights and information about industry trends and best practices that can be useful for supply chain management.

Overall, custom research is typically more targeted and focused than syndicated research, and is better suited for gathering detailed, specific information about a particular organization’s suppliers and supply chain. Syndicated research, on the other hand, is more general and broad-based, and is better suited for gathering broader industry insights and trends.

Benefits of Custom Research

Because it enables businesses to acquire precise, targeted information on their suppliers that can help them identify and manage potential vulnerabilities, custom research can be a useful tool for managing supplier risk. Custom research has some advantages in supplier risk management, such as:

Benefits of Custom Research

-Identification of potential risks:

Using custom research, businesses can discover potential dangers posed by their suppliers, such as unstable finances, poor quality, or supply-chain interruptions.

-Better decision-making:

Organizations may choose which suppliers to deal with and how to reduce potential risks when they have access to more thorough and pertinent information on their suppliers.

-Enhanced risk assessment:

Custom research can offer more current and thorough information about the operations, financial standing, and other risk-related aspects of a supplier. This can help businesses determine the risk posed by a given supplier more precisely.

-Enhanced transparency:

Custom research can give businesses more insight into the methods and policies of their suppliers, enabling them to spot possible problems and respond to them.

-Improved supplier relationships:

Organizations can develop stronger, more cooperative relationships with their suppliers, which can contribute to an increase in the overall stability and resilience of the supply chain, by closely collaborating with them to gather information and identify potential risks.

Management of supplier risk through custom research

The process of managing supplier risk includes identifying and assessing potential risks that could result from a corporation’s usage of suppliers in its supply chain as well as creating strategies and plans to reduce or cast off the dangers. Custom research can be a crucial component of this process since it enables businesses to acquire in-depth information and analysis on elements of their supply chain, spot feasible risks, and create efficient risk management plans. Launching new products is usually a big ask for companies. It requires not only keeping a pulse of the market but also involves getting precise information about likely competitors’ moves. Hence, the requirement for custom research services to address this issue.

There are several ways that custom research can be used to manage supplier risk:

-Determine and assess potential risks:

Custom research can assist in determining and assessing the dangers that might result from the use of suppliers. Risks associated with the supplier’s financial stability, environmental or ethical standards, or other issues, as well as the caliber and dependability of the supplier’s goods or services, may be included. Companies can better understand the possible effects of these risks and create plans to reduce or eliminate them by collecting and evaluating data.

-Construct risk management plans:

Custom Research can also be used to create risk management plans that include precise steps that can be taken to reduce or eliminate hazards that have been discovered. The implementation of risk management rules, modifications to processes or procedures, or sourcing from other suppliers are a few examples of these programs.

-Monitor and review risks:

To make sure that identified risks are being effectively handled and that any alterations or updates to the supply chain are being properly addressed, custom research can also be utilized to routinely review and monitor hazards. Data about the performance of suppliers and the efficacy of risk management techniques may need to be gathered and analyzed to do this.

Magistral’s Services on Custom Research

Magistral Consulting is an established player in the financial services sector and now plans to foray into the logistics and Supply Chain Management space. The off-shored extended team ensures no knowledge is lost for similar projects across companies and multiple projects in multiple companies can run at the same time, prioritized as per the schedule of board meetings.

Magistral’s Services on Custom Research

Some of the services that are associated with Custom Research that are offered by Magistral consulting are –

-Bespoke Market and Custom Research Services:

Our services are made to assist businesses in finding actionable insights that might provide them with a competitive advantage and help them make better decisions regarding their operations and plans. We offer insightful analysis and suggestions that can assist our clients in better managing the present industries’ conditions and positioning themselves for success by utilizing our extensive understanding of competitors.

-In-Depth Assessment Research Services:

We can assist clients in comprehending the complexities and prospects by utilizing our comprehensive research capabilities, enabling them to make wise decisions about where to allocate their resources.

-Ecosystem Monitoring and Information Provision:

We provide timely and accurate information on the supplier risk through reports of our analysis.

-Opportunity Identification and Performance Metrics Frameworks:

We help clients harness new opportunities faster.

-Customized Solutions in Niche Domains:

We provide customized solutions for improved output.

-Flexible Working Models:

At our company, we understand that everyone’s needs, and circumstances are different. That’s why we offer a flexible working model that allows our employees to tailor their work schedules to meet their unique needs and preferences. This can include options such as working remotely, flexible start and end times, and the ability to take breaks as needed.

Overall, through custom research we help organizations gain a competitive advantage and better manage their supply chains by providing them with detailed, relevant information about their suppliers and the markets they operate in.

About Magistral Consulting

Magistral Consulting has helped multiple companies to reduce operations costs through its offerings in Procurement and Supply Chain.

About the Author

The article is Authored by the Marketing Department of Magistral Consulting. For any business inquiries, you could reach out to prabhash.choudhary@magistralconsulting.com

Introduction

The activity of gathering and evaluating data on competing firms, industry trends, and consumer preferences to obtain a competitive edge in the market is known as competitive intelligence. It is a crucial component of business strategy since it aids organizations’ in comprehending the competitive environment and choosing how to position themselves inside it. Monitoring competitors’ offerings and pricing, keeping tabs on consumer trends and market dynamics, and examining media coverage and industry statistics are just a few of the activities that can be included in competitive intelligence. Companies can discover opportunities and challenges, create successful marketing and sales strategies, and make wise business decisions by acquiring and evaluating these data.

Using a range of business intelligence tools and strategies helps to acquire a complete view of the market. For instance, market research can offer insightful information about customer behavior and tastes, while financial analysis can assist companies in understanding the financial standing of their rivals. Combining these different strategies can result in a more thorough and complex understanding of the market and the competitive environment.

Types of Competitive Intelligence

There are several different types of competitive intelligence that businesses can use to inform their decision-making and stay ahead in a rapidly changing market:

-Strategic intelligence: This type of intelligence assists in strategic planning and decision-making by focusing on the long-term aims and objectives of the company.

-Tactical intelligence: It is a subset of general intelligence that focuses on urgent, short-term demands and supports daily decision-making and operations.

-Market intelligence: It is the collection of information about the market, such as consumption patterns and preferences, monetary situations, and regulatory developments.

-Financial intelligence: It entails obtaining and analyzing data regarding the financial performance and health of adversaries, including details regarding income, profitability, and debt.

-Product intelligence: It is the collection and analysis of data about the goods and services provided by opponents, including details on their costs, attributes, and performance.

-Competitive analysis: To spot opportunities and dangers, this sort of intelligence entails examining the strengths and weaknesses of competitors.

Benefits of Competitive Intelligence

For firms, competitive intelligence has a variety of benefits, including:

Benefits of Competitive Intelligence

Improved decision-making:

With competitive intelligence becoming increasingly important in today’s business landscape, companies must understand how to gather and analyze information about their competitors and the market. Companies can stay ahead of the curve and make informed decisions that drive success by leveraging the right tools and techniques.

A recent survey found that 92% of companies believe competitive intelligence is important for their business, and 77% have a dedicated competitive intelligence function. With the global competitiveness expected to increase in the coming years, this trend is expected to continue.

Greater competitiveness:

Competitive intelligence can assist companies in identifying opportunities and risks in the market, enabling them to react to shifting conditions more effectively and maintain an advantage over rivals.

The benefits of competitive intelligence are clear. In a survey of over 400 businesses, 85% of respondents reported that competitive intelligence helped them make better business decisions, while 73% said it helped them stay ahead of the competition. In addition, 66% of respondents reported that competitive intelligence helped them identify new business opportunities, and 59% said it helped them avoid potential threats.

Reduced risk:

By being aware of the advantages and disadvantages of competitors and the market, firms can lessen the likelihood that they will make costly errors or misjudge the state of the market.

Improved reputation:

Companies can improve their reputation as thought leaders in their sector by keeping abreast of market trends and competitive activities.

Efficiency gains:

Companies can improve their overall performance and streamline their operations by using competitive intelligence to find best practices and efficiencies.

The Cycle of Competitive Intelligence

To make informed business judgments, the cycle of competitive intelligence refers to the procedure of gathering, examining, and sharing data about opponents and the market. The cycle typically consists of the following steps:

-Planning: Planning entails determining the precise information requirements of the company and creating a strategy for data collection and analysis.

-Collection: Data is collected from a variety of sources, such as social media, business reports, and public records.

-Analysis: Reviewing and evaluating the data to spot trends, opportunities, and potential dangers are the process of analysis.

-Dissemination: This process entails presenting the analysis’ conclusions and suggestions to the organization’s top decision-makers.

-Implementation: This entails incorporating the conclusions and suggestions into business planning and decision-making.

Competitive Intelligence Analysis with Porter’s Five Forces

Porter’s Five Forces is a framework created by Harvard Business School professor Michael Porter for analysing an industry’s competitive forces. The five forces are as follows:

Competitive Intelligence Analysis with Porter’s Five Forces

-The threat of new competitors: This refers to how easy it is for new businesses to enter the market and compete with established ones.

-The threat of substitute goods or services: This refers to the possibility of substitute goods or services to those provided by the current businesses.

-Buyer bargaining power: This refers to a buyer’s ability to negotiate lower prices or demand better terms and conditions from sellers.

-Supplier bargaining power: This refers to a supplier’s ability to negotiate higher prices or better terms and conditions with buyers.

-Rivalry among potential competitors: This describes how fiercely existing businesses in an industry compete with one another.

Magistral’s Services on Competitive Intelligence

Magistral gets insights into the competitive moves far better than the internal sources. These insights are fact-based and free of bias. Our CI services only recommend the strategies worth going for and not every fad the competition tries to follow. Sometimes the noise from the competition can be disturbing, and we help you differentiate the signal from the noise.

Some of the services that are associated with competitive intelligence that are offered by Magistral consulting are –

-Bespoke Market and Competitive Intelligence Services: Our services are made to assist businesses in finding actionable insights that might provide them with a competitive advantage and help them make better decisions regarding their operations and plans. We offer insightful analysis and suggestions that can assist our clients in better managing the present market conditions and positioning themselves for success by utilizing our extensive understanding of markets, industries, and competitors.

-In-Depth Assessment Research Services: We can assist clients in comprehending the complexities and prospects of a particular market by utilizing our comprehensive research capabilities, enabling them to make wise decisions about where to allocate their resources.

-Ecosystem Monitoring and Information Provision: We provide timely and accurate information on the market through reports of our analysis.

-Opportunity Identification and Performance Metrics Frameworks: We help clients harness new opportunities faster.

-Customized Solutions in Niche Domains: We provide customized solutions for improved output.

-Flexible Working Models: At our company, we understand that everyone’s needs and circumstances are different. That’s why we offer a flexible working model that allows our employees to tailor their work schedules to meet their unique needs and preferences. This can include options such as working remotely, flexible start and end times, and the ability to take breaks as needed.

About Magistral Consulting

Magistral Consulting has helped multiple companies to reduce operations costs through its offerings in Marketing and Strategy Support.

About the Author

The article is Authored by the Marketing Department of Magistral Consulting. For any business inquiries, you could reach out to prabhash.choudhary@magistralconsulting.com

Introduction

Private equity is a term used in the finance sector to describe investments made directly into a business by some investors and private equity organizations. Institutional investors typically make private equity investments in venture capital funding or leveraged buyouts. Private equity can be used for various goals, including technology upgrades, business expansion, acquisitions, and even the revival of a failed organization.

Private equity investors often have a 5-7-year investment horizon and expect to leave after making a significant return on their investment. Private equity investors might use various exit strategies to get their money back. Private equity (PE) has been the expansion engine for a while. The primary goals of this industry are evolution and productivity. Private equity refers to capital that is not traded on a public market and is invested in a long-established industry that is not functioning well or is about to fail. Venture Capital, Growth Capital, Leveraged Buyout, Mezzanine Debt, and Distressed Debt are the five main types of PE. A venture capitalist, often known as a “venture capitalist,” comes to their aid by offering risk-bearing funds. Institutional and individual investors contribute funds to private equity, which can be used to fund innovative technology, boost working capital, or consolidate a balance sheet.

Standard Modes of Private Equity’s Exit Strategy From Portfolio Companies

Exits are of crucial importance to Private Equity investors, and they consider a variety of different exit strategies to realize their return on investment. Some of the most common Private Equity exit strategies include:

Standard Modes of Exit Strategy

Initial Public Offer (IPO)

One frequent method is to launch a company’s public offering and sell its shares to the public as part of the IPO. Depending on the situation, shares might be sold at once. Shares assigned can also be sold when the company is listed and the shares begin trading on the exchange. Because of the required costs, stock market flotation may only be employed by giant corporations, and it must be financially sustainable.

Strategic Acquisition

A strategic buy or trade sale is another choice, in which the business is sold to a different suitable company and a portion of the sale earnings is received. One of the most typical methods for private equity funds to exit is this one. The buyer will typically profit strategically from purchasing this business because their strengths may compliment one another. As a result, the buyer frequently pays more to purchase such a business.

Secondary Sale

The private investors can sell the acquired stake in the company to some other private equity group in a secondary sale. The secondary sale might happen for a variety of reasons. For example, the business may demand additional funds above the current equity fund’s capability. Alternatively, the company may have reached a point where the earlier private equity investors wanted it, and additional equity investors wanted to take over.

Repurchase by the Promoters

It is another effective exit plan in which the company’s management or promoters buy back the equity position from private investors. For both investors and management, this is an appealing exit option.

Liquidation

It is the least desirable choice, but it may be necessary if the company’s promoters and investors have been unable to run the business successfully.

Key Considerations and Trends in Private Equity’s Exit Strategy From Portfolio Companies

Key Considerations and Trends in Exit Strategy

Preparing the Portfolio Company for Sale

Private Equity investors, being financial investors with an investment philosophy of creating returns on their investments, typically keep a close eye on the company’s performance and engage in strategic choices that may affect valuation (especially as their investment horizon approaches). Furthermore, as part of a portfolio company’s ‘clean-up’ prior to an impending sale, another emerging trend is to refinance or repay the company’s existing debt to be able to, among other things:

-Displaying a solid balance sheet to potential incoming buyers

-If any, obtaining a release of encumbrances over shares of other shareholders that may be relevant for a bulk sale.

Partial Exit

Retaining a majority interest or control rights in a publicly traded firm after a partial exit may expose the Private Equity investor to be classed as a promoter or “co-promoter.” Partially exiting from a private firm carries the risk of the Private Equity investor losing control and piggybacking on the founders’ or private equity’s exit strategy from portfolio companies.

Use of Insurance Product

Most Private Equity investments are made through funds with a short life expectancy and internal constraints on taking general indemnity obligations, including uncapped indemnities. As a result, using an insurance product to supplement, and in some circumstances completely replace, the indemnification structure that sellers may provide in such transactions is becoming increasingly prevalent.

Severance Payouts or Compensation Arrangements

Without the approval of the board and non-interested public shareholders, a Private Equity investor cannot enter compensation or profit-sharing arrangements (including severance payout arrangements) with the promoters, directors, or key employees as part of its exit strategy from a publicly traded company to incentivize them by sharing returns beyond a hurdle rate.

Guaranteed Returns

Much debate has surrounded the question of whether a foreign investor’s exit option can be at a pre-determined valuation while still guaranteeing returns. Indian courts have recently demonstrated a greater willingness to uphold indemnity and damages claims, even when the underlying contractual commitment conflicts with Indian exchange control prohibitions on guaranteed returns.

Tax Considerations

There may be different tax implications depending on the cost of buying shares and the difference between the purchase value and the final sale price. To minimize further tax implications, ensure those indemnification payments are not treated as income and are instead adjusted as capital gains. Exit structures must also be implemented to minimize tax exposure and prevent violating India’s “general anti-avoidance regulations.” In transactions involving selling shares by a non-resident private equity investor to another non-resident private equity investment, indemnities for potential indirect transfer taxes become an essential part of the share purchase agreements.

Enforceability of IPO provisions

Given that all the business’s directors sign the IPO offer documents, the directors’ fiduciary duties may prevent the company from conducting an IPO on terms dictated by Private Equity investors if the directors believe the IPO was not in the shareholders’ best interests. In addition, the corporation must have a proven record of profitability and net worth and a minimum amount of net tangible assets, among other requirements. As a result, the enforcement of IPO requirements in shareholder agreements has yet to be proven.

Locked-box vs Completion Accounts

There are two methods for making post-completion adjustments: completion accounts or a locked-box approach. A locked-box method is efficient since it ensures pricing certainty and saves management time and effort to prepare completion accounts. However, under a locked-box system, the negotiated post-signing interest that must be paid together with the purchase price may not be enough to balance the impact of intermediate activities that must be reflected into completion accounts.

Number of private equity and venture capital exits across India

Value of Private Equity anad Venture Capital Exits

Value of Private Equity and Venture Capital Exits

Magistral’s services on Private Equity’s Exit Strategy From Portfolio Companies

Magistral’s successful exit strategy specifies existing owners’ procedures to separate themselves from the company. The extended off-shore crew also assures that no expertise is lost across firms for similar projects and that numerous projects in several companies can run simultaneously, prioritized according to board meeting schedules. Unanticipated events may necessitate the implementation of a corporate exit strategy.

About Magistral consulting

Magistral Consulting has helped multiple funds and companies in outsourcing operations activities. It has service offerings for Private Equity, Venture Capital, Family Offices, Investment Banks, Asset Managers, Hedge Funds, Financial Consultants, Real Estate, REITs, RE funds, Corporates and Portfolio companies. Its functional expertise is in Deal origination, Deal Execution, Due Diligence, Financial Modeling, Portfolio Management and Equity Research.

For setting up an appointment with a Magistral representative visit www.magistralconsulting.com/contact

About the Author

The article is Authored by Marketing Department of Magistral Consulting. For any business inquiries, you could reach out to prabhash.choudhary@magistralconsulting.com

Introduction

Investment banks utilize pitchbooks, which are sales books, to pitch potential clients as well as sell goods and services. It gives a general picture of the company, including historical information, financial strength, and services offered to potential customers. The sales crew of a company will utilize a pitchbook as a form of field guide to remember key benefits and to make clear crucial points. A pitch book should contain the crucial information required to persuade a potential investor, client, or business partner. Therefore, avoid using too many words and focus on the most critical things. Key topics covered in a typical pitch book include details on the investment highlights, significant financial data, the company’s core clients and customer base diversity, obstacles to entry for competitors, ability, and plan to meet future projections, future growth opportunities, management team strength, scalability of functions, prospects in the external market place, and known risks. The information provided in the pitchbook is used by an investment bank’s sales team to market its services to potential customers. Pitchbooks can be very helpful for companies, investment bankers, investors, and other stakeholders.

Types of Pitchbook

There are four different types of pitchbooks, which are explained below:

General Pitchbook

A general pitchbook offers a wide picture of the organization and includes significant details such as past profitable investments, present transactions, trends in the market, and profit metrics. Additionally, it includes details on the company such as its history, size, key executives, and global outreach.

It includes a client list broken down by various sectors, along with the relevant services offered to each client. Finally, the pitchbook might also include information on the firm’s rivals. It gives a general overview of the company’s top rivals, their performance, and the firm’s market position in relation to them.

Deal Pitchbook

For specific deals, a pitchbook is created that emphasizes how the investment business can offer services that satisfy the client’s financial demands. Graphs are used to display market rates, trends, and a description of the firm’s valuation. A list of prospective purchasers, financial institutions, purchases, and a brief summary is also included. A summary of advice and ideas for achieving the client’s objectives is also included in the deal pitchbook.

Management Presentation

After the business closes an agreement with a client, management presentations are used to pitch to possible investors. The presentation provides details on the client’s business, along with its investment requirements, financial metrics, and information on the project that needs to be financed. The client’s goods and services, a market analysis, a list of the company’s key personnel, a financial performance history, and potential future expansion are all examples of specific data.

Sell-Side M&A Pitchbook

A sell-side M&A pitchbook’s principal goal is to persuade the customer to choose the investment bank to conduct the transaction. It includes a list of prospective purchasers for the client’s business, an overview of the valuation, suggestions, information on the bank’s profitable transactions in the client’s sector, etc.

Challenges faced by companies in the creation of a Pitchbook

While creating the pitchbook, various challenges are faced by the companies as discussed below:

Streamlining, Structuring, and Customization

Often, companies face challenges in understanding their prospective clients/ customers, and hence collating, customizing, and structuring the Pitchbook is not efficient. Selecting the right data metrics and presenting them in a structured manner is quite an arduous task that is faced by the management throughout various stages.

Challenges faced by companies in the creation of a Pitchbook

Time-consuming and Labour-intensive

For firms, it is a challenge, as it takes a lot of time to build and finalize the framework and create a pitchbook in tandem with all the requisite information. A business team working on a Pitchbook devotes its bandwidth to requirement gathering and other tasks related to Pitchbook, eventually losing focus on other priority tasks and core competencies, which can be detrimental to the organization’s growth.

Consistency and Upgradations

Continuously upgrading pitchbooks with respect to changing market scenarios/customer requirements is a must. The companies shall incorporate new ways and develop new methodologies to work and update pitchbooks regularly to better transpire and communicate the information to its stakeholders.

Managing various Stakeholders

Many people, including the managing director, vice president, associates, and analysts, are involved in the pitchbook preparation. To outperform the competition and persuade the client that they are the greatest in the market, the company must ensure that they are utilizing the most recent industry facts. The areas that require successful management include collaboration and coordination.

Understanding Client Requirements

An effective pitchbook must be able to focus on the important details while also meeting the client’s requirements. Understanding each aspect of a unique client and deciding what information to include and exclude presents a significant challenge for businesses.

Benefits of Pitchbook Support

Below are some of the major benefits of pitchbook support:

Focus on core competency

Pitchbook assistance can allow businesses to focus on their core operations rather than devoting time to creating a Pitchbook in which they lack expertise. As a result, prioritizing the main job is critical.

Benefits of Pitchbook Support

Better Analysis and Structure

Pitchbook Support will better manage and coordinate various tasks while creating a Pitchbook. It will highlight the strengths, and showcase how the organization is different from its competitors in terms of experience, expertise, and modus operandi.

Cost and Expenditure control

You can convert fixed costs into variable prices with pitchbook support, meaning you only pay for the services you utilize. Consequently, adopting a support service can enable you to cut costs on a range of expenses, such as staffing, purchasing software, expertise, etc.

Better Branding and Messaging

Materials with inconsistent or poorly thought-out messaging could be detrimental to the brand’s reputation. Given the fierce competition in the market, having a brand and pitchbook approach that is compliance-focused is essential. Pitchbook support services help present your market position, strengths, and goodwill in a meaningful way.

Better Presentation

Pitchbook support services can help to exercise brevity and incorporate various Charts, and graphs which makes the data metrics easy to understand. Moreover, it may also take up various cases to explain various elements to its prospective clients/customers.

Magistral’s Services on Pitchbook Support

By having a Pitchbook support service, an organization can save both time and costs, along with focusing on its core competencies. It can provide a platform where it can understand the needs and requirements and offer tailor-made support services as you deem appropriate. At Magistral, in addition to providing an extension to your employees to assist with your particular needs, we give the strategic knowledge you want to assess change. To provide the most effective and cutting-edge financial solution for every client requirement, we draw upon the multi-function knowledge base and experience of professionals in many market segments. Magistral can help in Pitchbook support in various ways such as:

Enhancing Service Requirements:

Provide tailor-made services as per the needs and requirements of the customer. Taking into consideration of various stakeholders and employing various recommendations provided by them.

Data Management:

Cleaning and filtering out the data and ensuring that significant information is showcased in tandem with the graphical representations. Employing various data metrics and collating information as per the client’s requirement

Compliance and Research Management:

By merging information from internal, external, and third parties, we have a strong knowledge of the opportunities and challenges facing your firm. Insights on markets, categories, competitors, and consumers that we have carefully chosen will help your commercial and marketing teams make better strategic decisions with respect to compliance requirements.

Analysis and Execution:

We have a dedicated team of experts for handling respective operations for creating a Pitchbook. Having exposure to diverse fields and expertise in handling various functions handling in an efficient manner.

About Magistral Consulting

Magistral Consulting has helped multiple funds and companies in outsourcing operations activities. It has service offerings for Private Equity, Venture Capital, Family Offices, Investment Banks, Asset Managers, Hedge Funds, Financial Consultants, Real Estate, REITs, RE funds, Corporates, and Portfolio companies. Its functional expertise is around Deal origination, Deal Execution, Due Diligence, Financial Modelling, Portfolio Management, and Equity Research.

For setting up an appointment with a Magistral representative visit www.magistralconsulting.com/contact

About the Author

The article is Authored by the Marketing Department of Magistral Consulting. For any business inquiries, you could reach out to prabhash.choudhary@magistralconsulting.com

Introduction

The Sourcing Strategy is a process of data gathering, expenditure analysis, market research, negotiation, and contracting. In the 1980s, General Motors started employing systematic strategic sourcing. It strives to establish long-lasting, cooperative relationships with suppliers, who are seen as essential value partners. To ensure that the organization’s demands are consistently and effectively satisfied, the customer-supplier loop is evaluated at every point in its lifespan. Therefore, strategic sourcing is a lengthy process that requires qualified employees, effective technology platforms, and tools for execution.

Strategic Sourcing is becoming more common as digital transformation changes supply chain and procurement procedures. Analyzing what an organization buys, from whom, for what price, and in what quantity is required. The primary justification for purchasing a strategic sourcing suite, according to Gartner’s Magic Quadrant, is to transform sourcing within the company (74%). Businesses’ top motivations for engaging in strategic sourcing were greater significant savings (61%), and higher efficiency through automation (65%). A better understanding of supplier marketplaces can help companies identify potential risk factors and develop sourcing strategies to mitigate them.

Depending on the business, supply chain expenses, which primarily include transportation and procurement, can vary from 50 to 70% of sales. Therefore, investing a lot of effort in creating your organization’s strategy is essential. You may accomplish desired results and maintain alignment with corporate objectives by routinely assessing your sourcing strategy. A detailed grasp of a company’s business strategy, the resources needed to execute that plan, and the market dynamics and specific risks involved with managing techniques are necessary for successful sourcing.

The size of the worldwide supply chain analytics market is anticipated to reach USD 22.46 billion by 2030, showing a CAGR of 17.6% from 2022 to 2030 in a recent analysis by Grand View Research, Inc. As the need for handling massive amounts of corporate data and its insights for strategic applications develops, supply chain analytics is becoming more common.

Benefits of Sourcing Strategy

It, as we all know, simplifies business operations. Some of the benefits are listed below:

Benefits of Sourcing Strategy

Better Cost Savings:

Organizations may save money by having a legally established and well-defined sourcing strategy. You might start by choosing a few vendors who provide the best value. You may bargain for cheaper unit costs when making large purchases. Finally, the investment considers outside variables, such as market circumstances, optimizing earnings, and providing a competitive advantage.

Reduction and Mitigation of Risk

To mitigate potential hazards, strategic sourcing employs a cost-focused methodology. Businesses may do quality, financial, supply, and customer support risk assessments by looking at suppliers’ overall amount and value. Maintaining good ties with your suppliers might help you stay one step ahead of potential supply chain disruptions.

Continued Room for Improvement

It demands that the strategic sourcing procedures be continually assessed and revised. It is a constant cycle of improvement. As a result, they are allowing managers or executives to pinpoint problem areas and develop solutions around them. It also enables stakeholders to decide with confidence on matters like the future evolution of the business model, taking advantage of market possibilities, and maintaining competitiveness.

Enhancing and Identifying Ideal Suppliers

Strategic sourcing emphasizes profiling suppliers by assessing their core competencies and concentrating on the purchase cost. Through this method, businesses may identify the providers that best meet their needs for the maximum value creation or addition at the most affordable price.

More solid supplier relationships

Businesses set the groundwork for trust when they invest in improving their relationships with their suppliers. Companies may encourage their suppliers to deliver on the organization’s goals by including them in sourcing choices and making them feel appreciated.

Steps to Create an Effective Sourcing Strategy

Identifying and Classifying spending profiles

The sourcing efforts for each spending area will be prioritized with the aid of categorization. The criteria that better meet the needs of the business can also be devised, for example, direct vs. indirect spending. To assist in prioritizing and creating solutions in these situations, it is crucial to do a risk analysis of the selected spending categories.

Developing a Sourcing Plan

This entails determining the business unit needs that call for expenditure and setting goals, targets, and matching deadlines to meet the requirements. This calls for developing a communication pipeline so that all parties involved in the relevant sourcing initiatives know impending developments.

Market Study of the Suppliers

It examines the present and potential suppliers to comprehend and rate pertinent supplier profiles. It is necessary to investigate supplier market share to understand their position in the market, their level of industrial performance, and the threats and possibilities facing the supplier market.

Information Request to Supplier

Request for information (RFIs), request for proposal (RFPs), and request for quotation (RFQs) from vendors is the next stage after finishing the supplier market research. It is crucial to convey the business’s specific requirements, as well as its end goals and performance expectations, to ensure that suppliers fully comprehend what the organization requires.

By identifying suppliers and carrying out the contracting process

This stage is to pick the suppliers that can provide the maximum cost savings while offering quality once the selection criteria have been determined. The contracting procedure begins to onboard the vendors after supplier selection for the pertinent sectors.

Evaluation and Regular Monitoring of Supplier Performance

Accurately assess how suppliers perform in comparison to the needs and goals of the company. It is crucial to monitor supplier performance regularly and pinpoint development opportunities. Organizations may use this information to evaluate supplier risks better and develop plans to minimize potential supply chain interruptions.

Principal Motivators for Automation of Sourcing strategy

An Increase in Data Transparency

Strategic sourcing tools and platforms generate data on spending patterns, supplier performance, and supply chain risk assessment. This information, provided in reports, enables a comprehensive evaluation of all sourcing operations. Additionally, these discoveries may automatically start additional procedures depending on the business flow and legal environment.

Principal Motivators for Automation of Sourcing strategy

Active Management

Automating the sourcing strategy procedures enables categorizing different expenditure activities using rule-based classification. Additionally, this procedure may be done in real-time, and the records will be updated immediately. As a result, you may have a single dashboard that shows the most recent, classified spending for the whole company.

Data-Driven Risk Evaluation

Every supply chain is prone to risks and failures in various ways. Businesses must be ready to respond to this risk, whether it manifests as interruptions, quality, or availability issues. An accurate risk assessment model is required to mitigate the harms brought on by internal and external threats, and an automated strategic sourcing method meets these criteria.

Greater Accountability

The flow of the sourcing process and any bottlenecks are shown on eSourcing platforms, which have a specified workflow mapped onto them. Greater accountability and improved compliance by all the parties involved in the sourcing projects are made possible by increased openness.

Magistral’s Services on Sourcing Strategy

Magistral has extensive experience in research and analytics, which can aid in cost reduction through sourcing strategy. Some of the services are as follows:

Spend analytics:

Review expenditure profiles from the past and the future to find potential for supplier consolidation and tail spend optimization.

Cost and price analytics:

It guides informed judgments and creates scenario-based, predictive cost models and pricing estimates.

Supplier analytics:

Develop supplier sustainability scorecards, track supplier performance against Service level agreements, and create scenario models for bids and tenders.

Risk analytics:

Pay early alerts for category risks and supplier-related risk signals. With unique analytics that blends internal and external data sources to unearth hidden insights, you may advance your goal of digital procurement transformation.

Real-time recommendation:

Be a strategic partner to the company by recommending fresh, successful approaches to risk management, innovation, and cost reduction.

About Magistral Consulting

Magistral Consulting has helped multiple companies to reduce operations costs through its offerings in Procurement and Supply Chain.

About the Author

The article is Authored by the Marketing Department of Magistral Consulting. For any business inquiries, you could reach out to prabhash.choudhary@magistralconsulting.com

Introduction

An Investor Profiling summarizes an investor’s financial goals, situation, time horizon, and risk tolerance. It can assist individuals in making appropriate investment decisions. How much risk one should be willing to assume is determined by an investor profile. For example, a more conservative portfolio may be suitable if someone needs to preserve their money and have a short time horizon. If someone wants to expand their monetary liquid asset (cash) and has a longer time horizon, a more aggressive equity-based portfolio may be appropriate. The most essential quality of an investor is temperament, not intellect quoted to Warren Buffett.

The first step in creating a wealth plan is to analyze the ability to take financial risks. Risk tolerance is determined by duties, objectives, personality, and various other factors. A risk profile is created to accurately understand an individual’s ability to assume financial risk as part of their investment portfolio. There are two crucial components of an investor’s profile: risk appetite and risk tolerance. Risk tolerance is the amount of risk that a person’s finances can endure, whereas risk appetite is the amount of risk that a person is willing to take.

Importance of Investor Profiling

Risk Profiling is vital for an investor. Before investing in the market, one thing which usually troubles every investor is risk. People are concerned about losing their investment capital or receiving less than expected returns; nevertheless, the risk is generally a mathematical figure, such as volatility, that can directly impact your investment capital.

Each investor’s tolerance for market volatility will be different. This disparity is caused by various variables such as income, obligations, age, etc. The quantification of investor profiling is risk-carrying capability and capacity.

Investment decisions are made on the risk-reward trade-off that an investor is prepared to make in the face of precarious financial markets. It is critical to assess your financial position before making an investment. Take into account your financial goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon to help you determine the investments that are best for you.

Risk factors involved in Investor Profiling

The three major risk factors involved in investor profiling consist of Risk need, Risk-taking ability, and Behavioral loss tolerance.

Risk factors involved in Investor Profiling

Risk need

The amount of financial risk that someone, as an investor, can safely accept depends on their circumstances. An investor who may be short on funds during retirement and wants to sustain their monthly cash flow may need to take certain risks to achieve their end goal. As a result, risk requirement is about how much risk you “need to take” as an investor. This capability varies depending on their age and other things. For obvious reasons, the risk-taking capacity decreases as age increases. If someone has a target goal and can save according to that, then he will need an annual return. The rate of return will define how much risk one can need to achieve their target. During investor profiling, financial advisers must calculate realistic potential returns and market risk environment for all assets based on historical growth rates and the current market situation. Failure to accomplish a goal should motivate you to save more money or work for extended periods.

Risk-Taking ability

Risk Capacity refers to an investor’s ability to take risks given his existing and ongoing financial status. That is; his or her net worth in relation to liabilities, financial ambitions, and time horizon for investing. It has the potential to reduce exposure to growth assets. One such sub-factor is the investment horizon. For instance, if someone has five years to reach their objectives, one must invest in safer assets because growth assets have high short-term volatility. Risk capacity, or dealing with financial loss, might also influence risk-taking. In terms of liquidity, if the need for liquidity is low in the stage of capital accumulation, then the risk-taking ability is high and vice versa.

For example, if someone is receiving a pension or has a future income or assets to sustain, and their objective is not fulfilled, they have a higher risk-taking capacity than otherwise.

Behavioral Loss Tolerance

Behavioral Loss Tolerance defines an investor’s psychological capacity to cope with market swings. This covers the reactions and responses to various market conditions, such as a correction phase. Behavioral loss tolerance is measured by exams, interviews, and questionnaires and specifies the utmost uncertainty one can accept. The amount of awareness regarding items and their experience over market cycles is determined by financial knowledge and investor experience.

Higher ratings on these criteria imply that investors can progress to growth assets. Risk composure shows the likelihood of acting irrationally in response to a perceived crisis, leading to losses. A trigger-happy investor sells stocks at the first hint of a market drop, whereas the patient investor holds on.

A better investor profiling strategy is feasible when all three components are reconciled and linked together. The investor’s risk appetite cannot exceed the risk tolerance of the aim. Higher risk-taking capacity may be ignored when both the need and the behavioral loss tolerance are low. When risk-taking capacity and behavioral loss tolerance are Higher, a lesser risk needs may be dismissed.

Combining all of these factors yields a genuine risk profile, which should be used to establish a suitable asset allocation mix or strategy, which may require the assistance of a professional financial adviser.

Types of Investor Risk Profile

Conservative

The protection of capital is the main priority of the investor, and they are ready to take minimal risks in exchange for limited or poor profits. The possible asset allocation is equity of 0-10%.

Types of Investor Risk Profile

Moderately conservative

The moderately conservative investors are ready to take on a little amount of risk in exchange for the possibility of long-term gains. The possible asset allocation is equity of 10 – 30%.

Moderate

Investors are willing to accept a moderate amount of risk in exchange for potentially larger long-term rewards. This type of risk profile is most secure for the investor. The possible asset allocation is equity of 40 – 60%.

Moderately aggressive

To maximize prospective profits over the medium to long term, investors are willing to take on a high level of risk. The probable asset allocation is equity of 70 – 90%.

Aggressive

The investor is willing to take significant risks to maximize long-term prospective returns and is aware that a major portion of their cash may be lost. The possible asset allocation is equity of 90 – 100%.

Magistral’s Process for Investor Profiling

A risk profile indicates the level of risk that an individual is capable and willing to tolerate and accept. The risk profiling process usually starts with analyzing and discussing the investor’s circumstances and the goals the investments or portfolio should achieve.

Standard Process for Risk Profiling

Investors may have various purposes, they may never have thought about or stated their aims in this way before, and they may not be able to capture encapsulate in terms of quantity or time.

Magistral makes sure to entail and enumerate each and every detail related to the client’s needs, and risk considerations during the investor profiling. The process for investor profiling is as follows:

Define Goals

Here we understand what the goals of clients are, in both the short term and long term. Moreover, we also focus on the goals aligned with the current financial status. By having a broad picture, we can then pave the correct way in order to maneuver in the right direction.

Risk Profile Questionnaire

In order to understand the risk-bearing capacity and the willingness of the client to take risks, it is imperative to know the levels of risk exposure of the client. This is done by sending a “Risk profile Questionnaire” to the client. After, filling it out, our team of experts analyzes the questionnaire in order to ascertain the optimum risk exposure of the client.

Scoring the Questionnaire

By having the requisite filter channels, within each category of questions and taking into consideration of various factors, we score each level of questions in tandem with the client’s requirements.

Analyzing and Examining

Careful Scrutiny and analysis of the answers with respective weightage to the client’s needs. We make sure to understand the various needs of the client needs in order to make an optimum risk profile.

Summary Close

Careful Scrutiny and analysis of the answers with respective weightage to the client’s needs. We make sure to understand. While onboarding the client we also deliver a summary of the procedure and the rules of engagement with clients.

Conclusion

Investor profiling is required for determining the optimal investment asset allocation for a portfolio. Because risk appetite is influenced by psychological characteristics, loss-bearing ability, investor age, income and costs, and other factors, each person has a unique risk profile.

Magistral consulting can help you complete a quick risk assessment to determine which risk group you belong to. We can perform the entire investor profiling process and then use this information to determine what percentage of your portfolio should be invested in which asset class.

Why Magistral consulting?

-We provide an exhaustive investor database which is helpful in finding the right kind of investor and beneficial in filtering out the information in concurrence with the existing market scenario and also providing tailor-made support in tandem with client requirements.

-Magistral consulting ensures analyst support at every step of Investor profiling. We have a dedicated team of experts for handling respective operations. In accordance to the client’s demands and specifications, we offer customized services. Considering various stakeholders’ concerns and implementing their diverse proposals.

-We provide a service of target company profiling. It is crucial for us to meet the specific expectations of our customers by recognizing their requirements.

-It also provides Marketing and Communication support. We have a proficient team having experience in a variety of sectors and indeed the ability to handle different tasks effectively. We make sure to understand each and every client’s needs in a comprehensive manner and provide tailor-made services in an efficient manner.

About Magistral consulting

For setting up an appointment with a Magistral representative visit www.magistralconsulting.com/contact

About the Author

The article is Authored by Marketing Department of Magistral Consulting. For any business inquiries, you could reach out to prabhash.choudhary@magistralconsulting.com

Introduction

Inventory management helps the company to decide which and how many goods to order at a particular time. It is the process of purchasing, storing, and selling the stocks of a company. This means managing the process of inventory management from start to end, such as storing raw materials as well as finished goods, keeping them in a warehouse, and finally processing finished goods. It tracks inventory right from purchase to the sale of goods.

In short, it means having the right number of stocks, at the right place and at the right time.

A company’s inventory is the most valuable asset. In retail, manufacturing, industries, and other inventory-intensive sectors, a company’s raw materials, and its finished products are the core of its business. Inventory can also be viewed as a liability due to the possibility of spoilage, theft, damage, or changes in demand. It must be insured, and if it isn’t sold, it must be cleared at a discount.

The Objectives of Inventory management

To gain a better understanding of inventory management it is important that we understand what are the objectives which it seeks to achieve first. Given below are the key objectives of effective inventory management.

Objectives of Inventory Management

-Material availability: The main goal here is to ensure that all types of items are accessible whenever the production department needs them so that production is not hampered due to their unavailability.

-Improved customer service: Having the finished product available at all points of time so that even varying demands of the customers are met satisfactorily goes a long way in ensuring great customer service.

-Avoid waste: When there is no inventory management system in place, it is common for items to be wasted. In addition, theft can also be a major preventable complaint.

-Maintaining sufficient stock levels: Effective inventory management ensures that stocks are available at all points of time to the production department as well as the fact that retailers do not run out of stocks thereby ensuring efficient delivery.

-Cost-effectiveness: Cutting down on costs in terms of inventory hoarding ensures cost-effectiveness for the company.

-Cost value of inventories reduce: Regularly purchasing the stocks in bulk, can help in negotiations and getting discounts on the inventories.

-Optimizing product sales: It helps to determine the volume of the product sales. It helps in understanding the present condition as well as future consumption of the goods.

The Types of Inventories

Inventory has different classifications under different stages of the supply chain. Typically, there are four types:

-Raw materials: This refers to the raw materials which are then turned into finished goods. There are two types of raw materials:
-Direct materials: These are used directly in finished goods, such as leather used in making belts.
-Indirect materials: These are part of the overhead or factory costs, such as glue, tape, and oil, which can be considered indirect materials for the factory.

-Work-In-Process: The inventory that is being used by businesses to create the final goods, whether its direct or indirect inventory, is called Work-In-Process (WIP). For example, the packaging of a finished good is WIP.

-Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO): Inventory is what is needed to assemble and sell a finished product but is not built into the product itself. For example, basic office supplies such as paper, pens, and so on.

-Finished goods: This refers to the finished goods that are available for purchase by customers. This category includes any product that is ready to sell.

The Techniques of Inventory Management

Inventory management techniques can be used to control inventories regardless of the size of the business:

Techniques of Inventory Management

-Bulk Shipments: This method states that the goods are cheaper when they are bought in bulk. This is done when there are high consumer demands. This technique has the downside of keeping the bulk shipments in the warehouse, which results in higher costs overall. On the other hand, it reduces the shipping cost and it works well with the staple goods having long shelf lives.

-Backordering: It refers to the decision of taking orders and receiving the payments in advance for out-of-stock products. It’s a desire for most businesses but can be a logistical nightmare for the ones who are not prepared. Enabling backorders, increases sales and it’s just like a juggling act.

-Just in Time: Under this arrangement, finished goods are made available at just the right time. This means that the supplies of raw materials arrive as soon as the finished goods are ready to be shipped. This technique thereby helps businesses meet consumer demand without overfilling inventory and incurring any holding costs

-ABC Analysis: This is a technique based on putting the goods into different criteria in order of high importance, i.e. A being the most valuable and C being the least. Not all products are equal in value, and more emphasis should be placed on more valuable products. It improves time management and resource allocation.

-Drop shipping and cross-docking: This method completely removes the cost of maintaining inventories. When you have a drop shipping arrangement, you can transfer the client orders and shipping details to the wholesaler or manufacturer, who then ships the product.

Key statistics and facts about Inventory Management

The below points highlight some of the key statistics about the global supply chain market.

-The global supply chain market is estimated to be $15.85 Billion.

-The global supply chain is projected to grow by a CAGR of 2%

–43% of small businesses in the United States do not track inventory or do so using a hands-on system

–The #1 cause of U.S. supply chain disruptions is random IT shutdowns which is approximately 68%.

-The average US retail operation has an inventory accuracy of only 63%.

–34 % of businesses have shipped an order late because they sold a product that was not in stock.

-Inventory losses cost an estimated $1.1 Trillion

-Prevention of stockouts can lower inventory costs by 10%.

-As of June 2019, US retailers are sitting on approximately $1.36 of inventory for every $1 sold.

-The number of private warehouses in the US has risen from 15,763 to 18,182 since 2013.

-The industry in the US has moved towards having smaller warehouses – from an average of 400,000 sqft to 50,000-200,000 sqft.

Magistral’s service offerings for Inventory Management

Capital tied up in inventory leads to requirements for higher working capital. Apart from higher working capital requirements, the non-moving list also leads to wasteful inventory carrying costs. Our services span from requirement gathering, ordering, delivery and maintenance to ensure you only carry the inventory optimum for your required performance.

-ABC Analysis: This includes inventory management strategies and the services related to working capital reduction.
–Inventory reduction: Working capital optimization as well as monetizing non-moving items are provided under this head.
–Ordering and Refill: In this minimum order quantity is calculated, also logistics cost optimization is done.

About Magistral Consulting

Magistral Consulting has helped multiple companies to reduce operations costs through its offerings in Procurement and Supply Chain.

About the Author

The article is Authored by the Marketing Department of Magistral Consulting. For any business inquiries, you could reach out to prabhash.choudhary@magistralconsulting.com

Introduction

Supplier Risk Intelligence aims to reduce supply chain interruptions by hastening response to as many possible preset events. We now know that dangers in the supply chain can originate from anywhere. Although some risks occur more often than others, even those that seem less urgent might be harmful. These might include shifting market dynamics, rival companies expanding their market share, cutting costs, or changing consumer preferences. While checking margins, expenses, and quality, businesses must be adaptable and resilient. Customer satisfaction must continue to be a top concern, needing the ability to quickly adapt the supply chain intelligence to meet changing customer demands. No matter how little it may appear, a single supply chain disruption can affect any of these factors. Therefore, each organization that depends on others for its success must conduct a supply chain risk assessment. The main participants in the supply chain include suppliers, distributors, manufacturers, and retailers. Every part—from raw materials to parts and carriers—must function synergistically for the end-user to receive what they expected.

Factors involved in Supplier Risk Intelligence

Companies often undertake supplier risk intelligence tests to learn more about their suppliers, the risks they can present, and the risk management strategies they employ.

Factors Involved in Supplier Risk Intelligence

Regarding suppliers, there is no such thing as zero risk. Not everything is predictable, and every firm has its weaknesses—both internal and external. The goal of supplier risk assessments is to evaluate supplier risks with the company’s risk thresholds and show whether the suppliers are meeting expectations within an acceptable level of risk, not to exclude suppliers that pose any risk. Of course, in some instances, supplier risk assessments lead to a company needing to fire a supplier because there is no workable method to reduce that risk. As many businesses will attest, diversifying the supply chain enables better agility if a supplier arrangement is broken. It is vital to avoid any situations where businesses are forced to collaborate with a supplier that poses a severe risk to the company just because a replacement cannot be found. There are several factors involved in supplier risk intelligence.

Financial Stability

Businesses should create a financial risk score for each supplier using a credit bureau rather than a data source while trying to reduce threats to financial stability.

Insurance Management

Continuous monitoring is recommended for insurance management since it enables businesses to alert their management if a supplier no longer has sufficient insurance due to not paying a premium or canceling a policy.

Reputational Protection

Resources can also be used to protect one’s reputation. Prominent Supplier Risk Intelligence firms search more than 35,000 periodicals globally using adverse global media monitoring to look for reports about bad suppliers. Programs like these can help businesses in expecting lousy press.

Regulatory Compliance

Global watch-list monitoring and document validation are two methods for monitoring regulatory compliance issues. Regulatory hazards are among the concerns a corporation cannot control but should be vigilant about monitoring.

Cyber Security

Cyber security vulnerabilities are among the most significant issues businesses have been looking for help with Supplier Risk Intelligence firms. The ability to create a security rating, monitoring tools, potentially a security questionnaire, and the resources to gather and manage the information are all necessary for Supplier Risk Intelligence.

Document Management

Businesses should concentrate on document management to gather, organize, and authenticate any standardized document. Humans must review essential documents like insurance policies to ensure they are insured.

Social Responsibility

Verifying diversity, promoting sustainability, and analyzing anti-slavery and human trafficking issues should all be part of efforts to tackle social responsibility concerns. It is essential to build ties with suppliers who perform well rather than associating the business with those who do poorly on these metrics.

Health and Safety

Additionally, businesses must gather and manage data, including public safety and health statistics and other materials, to oversee their operations’ overall health and safety.

Processes in long-term Supplier Risk Intelligence

The most important thing to understand about supplier risk intelligence is that it cannot be completed in a single step. Various processes are needed to achieve it.

Processes in Long-Term Supplier Risk Intelligence

Documenting Known Risks

Mapping the supply chains for all the goods and services offered is the most effective method to start any risk assessment exercise. The goal is to understand each link in the supply chain and the risks. Create a risk registry for each supply chain the company depends on so that processes can be prioritized on what to watch. Any areas where risk is uncertain or the lack of data should be noted when finding and recording risks. To find out if these are unknown risks or if the suppliers need to be more forthcoming, they can flag them for further inquiry.

Creating a Framework

When conducting audits, developing a risk management framework is necessary after creating a risk register. Although the framework can be straightforward, it is vital to consistently evaluate the risks to the supply chain and business operations. Consistency allows prioritized actions based on the risk and harm they pose to the company. This strategy covers bases by enabling access to risks associated with the suppliers and the adaptability and readiness of the company to manage any problems.

Monitoring Risk

A strategy for ongoing and persistent analysis is essential once the risk management framework has been built and initial audits have been completed. Continuous monitoring not only serves as a reliable early warning system for foreseeable problems in the supply chain, but it may also strengthen the relationships with suppliers because they will know where to focus the mitigation efforts. Risk measurement and monitoring are now easier than ever, thanks to the development of digital supply chain visibility technologies in recent years. It is now possible to obtain real-time information while tailoring the metrics, watched according to the needs and risk tolerance. The latter can be beneficial if rapidly changing factors like the weather are being tracked because, for instance, a hurricane or typhoon could impair operations at a supplier’s plant.

Implementing Governance

It is excellent practice to ensure a governance framework to help review supply chain risks and continuously watch hazards. Companies choose internal champions to oversee each supply chain node as part of the supply chain governance strategy. When risk levels change, or mitigation is needed, each person would then collaborate with the suppliers to offer ongoing support and follow-up. Creating a governance board for the company that consists of the people in charge of the various supply chain nodes can be done. The governance board might meet regularly to update the company’s risk profile and forecast and assess the risk ratings related to the supply chain. The procurement and sourcing teams would receive help from these efforts since they always have the latest standards when creating questionnaires and other materials for onboarding potential new suppliers and partners.

Magistral’s Services on Supplier Risk Intelligence

Magistral’s Supplier Risk Intelligence delves more profoundly than just financial risk markers. They offer Custom insight dashboards and Flexible solutions to support the business, regulatory, and sustainability goals. Other services offered by Magistral on Supplier Risk Intelligence include:

ESG Scorecard:

This includes evaluating a supplier on 49 detailed ESG parameters and also preparing a carbon footprint for the client.

Compliance Monitoring:

This is the important step in compliance data collection, analyzing, and reporting it.

Dashboards and Visualization:

This consists of preparing risk dashboards and then highlighting the concerns associated, with the client.

Custom Research:

Risk Analysis is done on the customized parameters as suggested by the clients.

Risk Evaluation:

Quantification of the impact of potential risk is done here.

Supplier Monitoring:

This has newsletters, data collection, and reporting, vendor scorecards, etc.

About Magistral Consulting

Magistral Consulting has helped multiple companies to reduce operations costs through its offerings in Procurement and Supply Chain.

About the Author

The article is Authored by the Marketing Department of Magistral Consulting. For any business inquiries, you could reach out to prabhash.choudhary@magistralconsulting.com