Overview

Absolute Business has teamed with Outlook Analysis Corporation (OAC), a Silicon Valley-based research and analysis firm, to provide information discovery and outlook analysis services to our clients.   These services are described below along with examples of the work performed. 

Information Discovery

OAC's analytical tools and research methodologies allow them to scan and rapidly collect a broad array of information on almost any subject –– company, people, technology, market and/or activity –– and in any location around the world.  To appreciate the scope of these scans, we invite you to click on the links below to view sample questionnaires that form the basis for discovery projects.

·         Company Scans delve into specific information about a company such as its goals and objectives, competitive plans and strategies, status of internal operations, major developments that might affect their performance, and so on.

·         Business Security Scans explore internal company operations, looking for illegal activities such as theft, fraud or industrial espionage.

·         Personnel Scans provide in-depth background checks and due diligence reporting for people in or about to be hired for key positions in the company.

Situation Assessment

Discovery is only part of the value provided by OAC.  Their highly skilled and experienced analysts take the information collected and "connect the dots."  They provide incisive, comprehensive analyses the probe for the things that matter most--negotiating strategies, hidden agendas, undisclosed facts or issues, and so on.  Again, the following links to sample questionnaires demonstrate the depth and richness of OAC reports.

·         Negotiation Assessments peek behind the curtain and explore the inner dealings and deliberations of the opposing team.  These reports identify motivations, issues and other factors affecting the course of a negotiation and the things that must be considered to achieve a successful outcome.

·         Business Development Scans provide an in-depth look at the people and companies you may want to do business with.  The reports also suggest ways to pursue the relationships and how to structure deals to achieve the most favorable outcomes.

A sample Situation Assessment Report is available for download to illustrate the type of information that is often uncovered in a discovery project.  It also shows how this intelligence can play a critical role the decision to proceed and in negotiating the contract for a transaction.  (Note: While this example is based on an actual OAC project, the report has been modified to protect the identity of the client and the specific transaction investigated.)

Outlook Analysis

Outlook Analysis is what truly sets OAC apart from other research organizations.  OAC analysts move the Situation Assessment to the next level by forecasting likely outcomes.  The team brings in wealth of other factors and intelligence--economic, technology and industry trends; competitive trends; environmental and political factors; and other relevant information--to develop Outlook reports that provide tremendous insights into the situation and can play a pivotal role in a company's decision making process. 

Typical OAC Engagements

OAC's sophisticated research capabilities are best employed on projects involving large capital investments and/or projects where the level of risk and cost of failure are high.  Examples include:

·         Merger/acquisition projects

·         Strategic partnership negotiations

·         New product development initiatives

·         Executive hiring

·         Sarbanes Oxley projects (particularly related to Sections 404 and 409 compliance issues)

·         Internal security projects

Dedication to Customer Satisfaction and Confidentiality

We work closely with our clients through every phase of investigation.  Once a project has been defined and accepted, a research team is assigned to develop a questionnaire that addresses the specific needs and issues of the client.  Then, discovery begins; the client receives frequent updates describing the progress of the team and their key findings.  These interim reports often raise new questions and lead to new lines of inquiry by the team. Once a project is complete, a summary report is prepared with the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the research team. 

OAC can often respond to client requests on very short notice.  When necessary, a preliminary report can be delivered within 72 hours.  Information is current to the time when the project commences, and updates can be provided every 24 hours.

All research is performed in-house by highly skilled OAC analysts.  In this way, we control the quality of our work and insure total security for our clients.  Further enhancing security, OAC's research tools and methodologies are virtually undetectable by outside parties. 

For more information or a confidential discussion of a potential project, please call Tom Eckmann at 206-441-2067 or email Teckmann@AbsoluteBusiness.com.

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