Case Studies

Set out below are examples of assignments and projects on which executives and associates of Cairn Executive have been involved at board or executive level.

Performance and profitability improvement
Business turnaround
Management organization realignment
Directed the reorganization of an electronics business to focus on core competencies, product development, business development, cost savings (including plant closures) and becoming more competitive in the marketplace. This has returned the company to profitability and significantly enhanced shareholder value.

Performance and profitability improvement
Management organization realignment
Contract renegotiation
For a satellite pay TV network, undertook a comprehensive overhaul of the business. Revenues were enhanced by negotiating price increases, strengthening distribution arrangements and eliminating unprofitable product lines. The cost structure was rationalized by renegotiating transponder and terrestrial transmission contracts and eliminating headcount and overhead. These actions substantially enhanced the profitability of the business and ensured its survival.

Business systems and process reengineering
Performance and value improvement
Management organization realignment
For an investment holding company, established budgetary, management and financial reporting and working capital management processes including reengineering the back office infrastructure to establish and maintain management and financial control.

Business assessment and turnaround
Vision and strategic review
Management organization realignment
Performance and value improvement
For a privately-held technology investment holding company, replaced the former management team. Undertook a business assessment of each of the portfolio investments and devised an action plan. Responsible for crafting the new vision for the business, an executable strategy and business plan to sustain and grow value including a professional investment approach, corporate governance, organizational realignment and pipeline for new deal flow.

Business start up
Vision and strategic plan
Execution of specified business elements
For an early stage venture, crafted an executable strategy and business plan to build a national sales and marketing organization using innovative guerilla techniques. Identified real estate, plant and equipment, product manufacturing and packaging, technology applications, systems and processes requirements for operating the business effectively.

Business assessment and turnaround
Vision and strategic plan
Management organization realignment
Performance and profitability improvement
Execution
International
For a professional services firm operating internationally, successfully redesigned and implemented new services that focused on fraud, corruption and bad practice. Developed effective programs that focused on revenue protection including fraud, network security and other bad practices for telephone and cable networks. More than tripled the professional team increasing the deliverables to approximately 180 assignments annually and turning the business from losses to sound profits.

Corporate governance
Performance improvement
For a privately-held investment holding company, successfully developed corporate governance provisions for the holding company, its subsidiaries and associated organizations including communication processes and identification of independent directors.

Demerger transaction
Preparation for IPO
Release of shareholder value
For an investment holding company, designed and executed the demerger of a substantial subsidiary grouping in a complex reorganization in order to prepare that company for an IPO.

Joint venture business deal
Financing of venture
For a network affiliate television station, designed, negotiated and executed a fully leveraged and self-financing joint venture involving the satellite transmission of the signal. Generated substantial incremental advertising revenue for the venture arising from the additional households reached.

Reorganization and restructuring
Business turnaround
Release of shareholder value
International
For a telecoms and media group, executed a major reorganization and restructuring including the identification and sale or disposal of nonperforming and non-core businesses.

Business evaluation
Performance and profitability improvement
Joint venture outsourcing deals
International
For the pioneering company in document digitization, directed an analysis of systems and processes, evaluation of costs, productivity and other measures of functions outsourced to Asian partners with a view to drive down operating costs and thereby increase market size and share. Met and negotiated with existing and prospective partners in Asia in order to set expectations of operating and financial performance.

Reorganization and restructuring
Bank refinancing
Business turnaround
For an operating group, designed and executed the financial plan to meet renegotiated bank requirements including the substantial amortization of indebtedness and other liabilities.

Bank refinancing
International
For an investment holding company, raised and refinanced bank debt to fund growth and working capital needs and managed those banking and financing relationships.

M & A transaction
Release of shareholder value
International
For a telecoms group, designed and executed an international cross border disposal of an overseas operation.

M&A transaction
Release of shareholder value
International
For a telecoms and media group, designed and executed a tax-free, cross-border transaction involving the combination of two international companies ultimately leading to public listing of combined entity.

M &A transaction
Preparation for sale
Release of shareholder value
Prepared a software company for sale and then negotiated and executed the sale on behalf of the shareholders for significantly improved price, terms and conditions.

Mentoring inexperienced talented management
Build management capability
Mentored the Chief Executive and founder of a technology company.