Facilitating Strategy and Data Driven Insights for a National Food Distributor
A national food distribution company had just completed six acquisitions and sought to unify the brands. They approached Stonehill for assistance and requested that it help with developing and implementing a post-merger strategy. Stonehill accepted the challenge and prescribed an engagement that included the development of a growth strategy and the development of a Project Management Office (PMO) to ensure ease of integration and the successful implementation of this strategy.
The engagement began with Stonehill consolidating key financial information, marketing plans, and industry data. This was followed by comprehensive interviews with management, investors, and primary customers to gather insights. The collected information fueled a series of design thinking sessions led by Stonehill to craft a coherent strategy.
The strategy encompassed various integration, business development, and operational initiatives. Stonehill collaborated with the company's management to create specific charters for each initiative and execute the PMO. A pivotal tool in this process was the integration of data driven scorecard developed by Stonehill. The scorecard included both leading and lagging indicators, providing a comprehensive view of performance.
Over a six-month period, Stonehill guided the strategy, managed its implementation, and provided analysis of the resulting data. The scorecard, introduced by Stonehill, continues to be a central tool for forecasting and managing business performance, demonstrating the lasting impact of their strategic guidance. The PMO was transitioned to management who continues to leverage the management practices established by Stonehill.
