UpCert Consultancy Services

17/06/2017

UCS & Group is extremely proud to present UCS-ICL an Interactive Case Library, that is solely focused on modelling business challenges into interesting cases and stringing together a great repository of solutions.

Ever wondered how challenging it is to make a business decision? Specially one that could shape the future of an organization?
Well here is the answer. While we model every business situation for you to have a go at, you get an opportunity to put yourselves in the thinking shoes!
As you enjoy the security of a risk free environment, you get to put into perspective, the challenges out there!
Excited?
Join us, now!

http://bit.ly/2sCZhLp

31/05/2017

While UpCert Consultancy Services, remains to be one of our prime offerings, we are expanding and trying out a lot of other interesting processes - all under one name - UCS & Group.

There are a lot of things that are set to come out. The first of which is an Interactive Case Library. (USC-ICL)
For the experts, it is the beginning of some new ideation and for the rookies it's the opening of doors into an all new world of possibilities.
We wish you to be a part of this new upcoming process. We are on the lookout for contributors, who would work with us in putting up a great ICL for UCS & Group.
Doesn't matter if you've already done a lot or you're merely trying to get a feel for it - we have got it all covered.
Do fill out the form. We await your responses eagerly!

https://goo.gl/forms/BFx5rLRlnUTfRZ5l1

A shout out to all the enthusiasts, who are willing to join us in putting together a great case library for UCS & Group. The UCS Interactive Case Library (UCS-ICL) will host a plethora of interesting case studies, which in reality are challenges that many businesses face! Go on, see what's in store!

27/04/2017

To support new growth, businesses have to expand past their initial customer base, an often daunting task for small businesses. However, partnering with another successful company can help businesses reach a new level. Diagnostic Hybrids, specializing in medical diagnostics, did just that, partnering with Quidel, a market leader in rapid diagnostic tests. This partnership allowed Diagnostic Hybrids to enjoy a larger market presence, as well as take advantage of better research and development resources. Although Diagnostic Hybrids was acquired by Quidel, key elements of the organization remain, with the same company president, and operation as a separate subsidiary.

14/04/2017

Elimination begins once adaptability stops!

In 2000, a fire at the Philips microchip plant affected phone manufacturers Nokia And Ericsson. The companies reacted in different ways, and ultimately, Ericsson did not do well, quitting the mobile phone business and allowing Nokia to win over the European market. While Ericsson had tied up all of its key components in a single source and planned to wait out the problem with the fire, Nokia worked to sn**ch up spare chips from other plants and suppliers, as well as re-engineered some of their phones to adapt to different chips from new suppliers. It's not hard to imagine what happened after that. Nokia kept trucking along, while Ericsson suffered from months of lost production and sales, allowing the market to be dominated by Nokia. This incident and fallout is a classic lesson in supply chain risk management.

07/04/2017

It's tough to be the little guy, especially when one of the big guys becomes your direct competition. But at Hangers Cleaners, an offbeat image and good customer service helped them pull through when P&G opened an Eco-friendly dry cleaners in the same town. Hangers differentiated itself through van delivery service, funny t-shirts and hangers, as well as social networking. The company also spent time connecting with the community by partnering with local businesses and charities. Instead of out-pricing or out-spending P&G, Hangers embraced its personality and adopted a culture of excellent service that customers found value in. As a result, Hangers has experienced growth while other local dry cleaners have reported flat or declining revenues.

29/03/2017

You can't be everything to everyone, as Hickory Farms found out. A company that started out with holiday gift baskets including sausage, ham, and cheese at one point had an offering of 2,500 different products, sprawling the company and resulting in a loss of favor with customers. Recognizing this issue, Hickory Farms streamlined itself, slashing their number of products from 2,500 to 300 with more modern visuals, descriptions, and other features, including less packaging and more recycled content. The company also overhauled their website, making it easier to shop online. All of this streamlining resulted in a price reduction of 13% that Hickory Farms was able to pass on to their customers. Brand strategist Jennifer Woodbery believes that this was a smart move, making the most of Hickory Farms' trusted name and image with an effective rebranding of offerings.

18/03/2017

Did you ever think, Starbucks could have messed up? Sounds strange? It may! But that's business for you!
Read On.

In 2008, Starbucks announced that they would be closing 600 US stores. Up to that point, Starbucks stores had added new offerings, including Wi-Fi and music for sale, but started to lose its warm "neighborhood store" feeling in favor of a chain store persona. Harvard Business Review points out that in this situation, "Starbucks is a mass brand attempting to command a premium price for an experience that is no longer special." Meaning, in order to keep up, Starbucks would either have to cut prices, or cut down on stores to restore its brand exclusivity. HBR's case study shares three problems with the growth of Starbucks: alienating early adopters, too broad of an appeal, and superficial growth through new stores and products. Harvard recommends that Starbucks should have stayed private, growing at a controlled pace to maintain its status as a premium brand.
Empathy, Anyone?

12/03/2017

When we did say we had closed down, we sure did mean it. A few days and some thinking - we thought we'll keep social connect in place.
Here's a small piece on strategy and spending. A wise guide.


Advertising costs money, which many businesses find themselves short of these days. But forgoing ad spending in favor of better profits can be a mistake. Experts say that in a slump, one of the best things you can do is adopt or increase your advertising strategy to attract customers. During a recession, this is especially true, as other businesses may be cutting back on their ad spending, making your voice even more prominent to customers. After seven years of growth, building from 30 to 300 locations, Firehouse Subs' growth fizzled, and company leaders realized they had to do something about it. So they returned local advertising fees collected from franchisees, not to put in their pockets, but to take hold of their own local marketing. Sales fell even more, revealing that this was not a good strategy at the time. Instead, Firehouse reclaimed their local marketing fee, and then gave franchisees the option to take part in a new marketing campaign, requiring them to pay double for local marketing, but in return, becoming part of an $8 million advertising campaign poised for success.
Experts commend Firehouse for having the courage to ask franchisees for more money where it was needed, even when times were tough.

28/01/2017

When we started off around 8 months ago, we did so - with a motive!
To understand a very lucrative segment; the in and out of it.
Today, having served just under a dozen startup ventures, a corporate major and a handful of other bygones - We have achieved what we planned to!
In the course of this enthralling journey we have had a very dynamic learning - for the rest of our lives! We move on, with a heavy heart. But we take along the immense value that we've created all along.

Here's a big thank you to all our ! Your inputs and contributions have always meant a lot.

Wishing all of you the very best, for the years to come!

23/01/2017

Change is inevitable. But growth is optional.

Here's announcing our next major undertaking.
We are partnering with a business, to explore immense possibilities in the elusive arena.
P2P lending, personalized investment options and a lot more - we are set to immerse ourselves in this exciting journey!

15/01/2017

"There's a founder sitting in every other cubicle"
- Pitchers!

What's your take? Is it a second tulip-mania in the happening? Is there true value for every creation?
Is starting up the ONLY face of innovation? Is there more?

Let us know in the

Knowing more!

06/01/2017

A belief is not merely an idea that the mind possesses - Rather, it is an idea that possesses the mind!

Our belief in the idea that we embrace has brought us where we are, and bought us many a thing - that otherwise would only have been a distant hope!
As we have fought our way through the challenges that kept coming at us - we have learnt our lessons - the hard way, at times!

Nevertheless, we pride ourselves for the adaptability, we've showcased! Our most recent venturing, didn't pan out as we had expected it to!
We are re-modelling the business, to make it more scalable! - once an add on feature, will now assume the entirety of the premise!