BUSINESS CONSULTING

The3rdParty.co's Consulting Group conducts in-depth surveys of consumers and business users in an effort to help clients understand the dynamics of end-user demand for emerging technology products and services. The methodology for each survey is designed based on clients’ objectives, which are discussed in detail during the proposal stage.

Surveys may be either quantitative or qualitative in nature and may be conducted via web, phone, or in person. For quantitative surveys, respondent samples are carefully selected to ensure that they provide the most accurate possible view of demand dynamics within the target respondent group. In some cases, such samples utilize balanced and representative samples for the total population being studied and, in cases where the research objectives require a more targeted group of respondents, careful screening and qualification criteria are applied. As appropriate, The3rdParty.co's Consulting Group’s analysts utilize statistical analysis techniques to provide further insights into respondents’ characteristics and motivations. Qualitative research approaches are typically used to gain clarity on more subjective business questions and may be leveraged either for representative samples or respondents within highly specialized groups of target respondents ranging from consumers to business end-users to industry executives.

Key applications:

• Behavioral Analysis
• Brand or Product Awareness and Perceptions
• Competitive Benchmarking
• Customer Satisfaction
• Customer Segmentation and Profiling
• Demographic and Psychographic Profiling
• End-User Attitudes and Perceptions
• Price Elasticity of Demand
• Product or Service Usage Patterns
• Purchase History, Intent, and Priorities
• Voice of Customer Studies
• Willingness to Pay

The3rdParty.co Consulting Group's competitive intelligence services draw on its analysts’ deep understanding of the market landscape, as well as their strong familiarity with key industry players and product offerings, to provide clients with a clear and comprehensive picture of the competitive field, including assessments of the relative strengths and weaknesses of various companies and organizations. Consulting engagements include market landscape analysis, supply chain and value chain analysis, competitor profiling, benchmarking, and competitive pricing studies.

The agency’s competitive analysis includes both qualitative and quantitative techniques, utilizing both primary and secondary research sources. In its competitive analysis engagements as well as in its broader market research activities,The3rdParty.co Consulting Group adheres to a strict code of ethics and does not engage in research activities that are deceptive in nature, are in violation of domestic or international laws, or which create conflicts of interest.

Key applications:

• Competitive Benchmarking
• Competitor Profiling and Assessment
• Customer Relationship Mapping
• Pricing and Cost Analysis
• Product Evaluation
• Strengths and Weaknesses Assessment
• Supply Chain Analysis
• Technology Assessment
• Value Chain Mapping

The3rdParty.co Consulting Group provides clients with detailed customer profiling services to support a variety of sales and marketing initiatives. These engagements utilize both primary and secondary market research techniques to help clients better understand the characteristics, attitudes, behavior, and motivations of existing and prospective customers alike, including both consumers and business users. The3rdParty.co Consulting Group’s

profiling and segmentation projects provide a tangible return on investment by improving the effectiveness of product design, pricing strategy, brand positioning, communications strategy, marketing campaigns, customer support, customer retention, and sales initiatives.

Key applications:

• Behavioral Segmentation
• Customer Priorities and Motivations
• Customer Profiles and Attributes
• Demographic Segmentation
• Marketing Campaign Optimization
• Pricing Optimization
• Psychographic Segmentation
• Sales Channel Optimization
• Target Market Identification

Market sizing, segmentation, and forecasting is an integral component of the research and analysis conducted by The3rdParty.co Consulting Group’s team of industry analysts, both within the agency’s research reports as well as in custom research engagements. This quantitative analysis provides clients with key inputs into their business planning initiatives including business case development, market opportunity assessment, market entry strategy, market segment prioritization, production planning, and financial analysis, among other areas. In cases where the client has a unique set of market definitions, objectives, or parameters, The3rdParty.co Consulting Group provides customized market models that are tailored to those specific needs.

The3rdParty.co Consulting Group’s analysts utilize rigorous research methodologies to support the creation of detailed market models, the basis of which is current market sizing in terms of unit shipments, unit sales, active users, installed capacity, attach rates, penetration rates, average selling prices, revenue, and any other metrics relevant to the topic at hand. The market may in turn be segmented by technology, geography (at the world region, country, or local levels), end-use application, vertical market, or other applicable segmentation approaches. The3rdParty.co Consulting Group then provides clients with forecasts for the growth of those market segments over a specified time period, together with an analysis of key factors influencing market development and the timing and nature of future market transitions. The agency’s market sizing and forecasting frequently includes the presentation of multiple forecast scenarios, including an assessment of the probability and key assumptions for each scenario.

Key applications:

• Business Case Development
• Custom Data Analytics
• Custom Market Forecasts
• Custom Market Segmentation
• Financial Analysis
• Forecast Scenario Analysis
• Market Opportunity Assessment
• Market Share Analysis
• Market Simulations
• Production Planning

One of the key types of consulting engagements conducted by The3rdParty.co Consulting Group is research and analysis that supports the development of successful strategies for overall market positioning in addition to product development and management, both for individual products as well as at the portfolio level.

The output of the The3rdParty.co Consulting Group's custom market analysis engagements includes strategic and quantitative assessments of market drivers and barriers, business models and product/service offerings, policy and regulatory issues, technology issues, the competitive landscape, value chain mapping, and the dynamics of customer demand. The findings of The3rdParty.co Consulting Group’s market and product strategy consulting engagements are delivered through a variety of means including written reports, visual reporting tools and maps, quantitative datasets, and executive presentations from the team of consultants.

Key applications:

• Brand Positioning and Strategy
• Competitive Differentiation
• Custom Dashboards
• Custom Research Reports
• Executive and Board Presentations
• Market Entry Strategy
• Market Landscape Assessment
• New Product Development
• Product and Service Design
• Product Portfolio Management

The3rdParty.co's Consulting Group provides clients with a variety of go-to-market services that support marketing campaigns and other related initiatives. These consulting services may either represent the essence of a strategic marketing initiative on a standalone basis, or in other cases may provide proof points and supporting content for a broader campaign. The agency’s go-to-market services are designed to provide highly relevant and timely content to a target set of customers and industry stakeholders, utilizing the broad market perspective of The3rdParty.co Consulting Group’s analysts as well as deep knowledge within their respective coverage areas.

Typical custom research services utilized for go-to-market strategies include the development of white papers, webinars and podcasts, infographics and data charts, analyst speaking engagements, report reprints, customer case studies, and video content. Deliverables are coordinated carefully with client representatives to ensure that they meet the key business objectives of the project, however The3rdParty.co Consulting Group’s analysts are diligent in maintaining their research independence and objectivity throughout the course of these engagements, providing relevant context for clients’ marketing activities while at the same time not endorsing any particular company, product, or technology.

Key applications:

• Case Study Development
• Custom Infographics, Charts, and Tables
• Custom Market Metrics and Data Points
• Media and Public Relations Planning
• Sales Training Support
• Speaking Engagements
• Trade Show Support
• Video Presentations and Interviews
• Webinars and Podcasts
• White Papers

For client initiatives that require a highly consultative, real-time dialogue that leverages analyst insights and market expertise, The3rdParty.co's Consulting Group provides strategic advisory sessions, both in person and remotely via teleconference or web conference. These sessions are scaled to fit the individual objectives of the project and may range from a one-hour custom consultation to a full-day session that includes research presentations and roundtable discussions.

As part of strategic advisory sessions, The3rdParty.co's Consulting Group’s analysts serve as a sounding board and provide feedback on new corporate strategy initiatives, product development and launch plans, market messaging, partner development, and client development strategies. They also offer market and technology context that supports business planning activities at the strategic and tactical levels. Where applicable, the analysts present the relevant findings of their research on the subject at hand, providing strategic conclusions and recommendations to assist clients with their objectives. The agenda for each session is coordinated carefully with client representatives to ensure maximum value and return on investment.

Key applications:

• Analyst Roundtable Events
• Competitive Landscape Assessment
• Custom Webinars
• Executive and Board Presentations
• Insights and Analysis on Key Industry
• Developments
• Investment and Transaction Support
• Market Message Testing
• Market Trends and Developments
• Technology Trends Discussion