In New "Downturn" Video Series, Experts Tell Companies How to Generate Cash and Capitalize on the Upturn
Four-Part Series Features Insights From The Boston Consulting Group and Wharton Faculty
BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - September 30, 2009) - Companies can take specific actions to generate
cash, make competitive gains in an economic downturn, and position
themselves more strongly for the upturn, say experts from The Boston
Consulting Group (BCG) and the Wharton School in a new video series. The
first two segments of the four-part series, titled "Winning in a Downturn,
Accelerating in the Upturn," are being released today by Knowledge@Wharton,
the online publishing venture of the Wharton School. The final two segments
will be released October 7.
"Ambitious companies see the opportunities that a downturn presents," says
Harold L. Sirkin, a senior partner in BCG's Chicago office and a featured
expert in the series. "Whether it's targeting new markets in rapidly
developing economies, taking the time to develop new products that better
meet customer needs, or focusing on strengthening core areas of business,
the key is being prepared to win in the upturn."
The video's four segments are:
-- Generating Cash. This segment offers seven cost-cutting and
cash-generating actions, such as rethinking current activities, tightly
managing working capital, reviewing the customer and product portfolios,
and optimizing the asset base.
-- Finding Strategic Opportunities. Ambitious companies that want to
capitalize on a downturn can choose from a range of strategic moves, such
as altering their business model in game-changing ways or attacking the
profit stronghold of competitors.
-- Managing in Turbulent Times. In difficult times, leaders must balance
discipline and accountability with emotional support for their people. This
segment shows how to minimize declines in productivity and build confidence
in the future.
-- Outlook for Global Markets. In this, the final segment, experts from
BCG and the Wharton School discuss opportunities and threats on the horizon
for multinationals competing in global markets.
"We advise companies to build a series of downturn scenarios, ranging from
moderate to worst case, that are activated when certain trigger points are
reached," notes Reinhard Messenböck, a partner in BCG's Berlin office and
another featured expert in the series. "With defined targets, companies can
focus with laserlike clarity and speed on generating cash and making
strategic moves."
To obtain a link to the video series or arrange an interview with one of
BCG's featured experts, please contact Eric Gregoire at +1 617 850 3783 or
gregoire.eric@bcg.com.
About Knowledge@Wharton and the Wharton School
Knowledge@Wharton is a free biweekly online resource that captures
knowledge generated at Wharton through such channels as research papers,
conferences, books, and interviews with faculty on current business topics,
and distributes that knowledge online to a global business audience. The
Knowledge@Wharton network includes more than 1.31 million subscribers and
contains more than 2,000 articles and research papers in its database, with
more added every week. The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
-- founded in 1881 as the first collegiate business school -- is recognized
globally for intellectual leadership and ongoing innovation across every
major discipline of business education. The most comprehensive source of
business knowledge in the world, Wharton bridges research and practice
through its broad engagement with the global business community. The school
has more than 4,600 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral
students; more than 8,000 annual participants in executive education
programs; and an alumni network of more than 81,000 graduates.
About The Boston Consulting Group
The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is a global management consulting firm
and the world's leading advisor on business strategy. We partner with
clients in all sectors and regions to identify their highest-value
opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform their
businesses. Our customized approach combines deep insight into the dynamics
of companies and markets with close collaboration at all levels of the
client organization. This ensures that our clients achieve sustainable
competitive advantage, build more capable organizations, and secure lasting
results. Founded in 1963, BCG is a private company with 66 offices in 38
countries. For more information, please visit www.bcg.com.