Emerging Issues in Asian Trade

Used secondary research and contact with key informants to identify key issues in Asian trade and how they related to the product offerings of a global bank.  This information was used to inform bankers, as well as providing the starting structure for a dialogue with the bank’s most valuable corporate clients in Asia.  

Strategy for the Commercial Health Market

Identifying profitable growth opportunities in the Canadian commercial healthcare market was the focus of this strategy study for a major Canadian bank.  The work involved extensive use of secondary databases, as well as interviews with key informants.  A future-oriented look that included changes in licensure and scope of practice formed part of the work.   

Appetite for Foreign Investment
 
Discussions with half of all mid-sized Defined Benefit plans in Canada looked at current investment inside and outside of Canada, including investment in alternative asset classes.  Looking to the future, the study assessed the likely changes in US and international investment over the next two years.  Countries and regions with specific investment appeal were identified. 

Future of Healthcare in Canada – Funding, Finance, Insurance & Benefits

Why is integration of healthcare the biggest issue for the next decade?  How will demand and capacity management improve the patient experience?  How will emerging labour shortages force our healthcare system to change?  How will technology change healthcare in the years to come? These topics and more are addressed in this opinion leader study based on in-depth personal interviews with the most influential people shaping the future of the public sector, as nominated by their peers. The study identifies how healthcare will develop over the next 5-10 years and why this will happen. Royal Bank of Canada and Manulife Financial sponsored the work. The study includes a special report on funding & financing issues, as well as a special report on insurance & benefits. For a brief Overview of Findings, click here.  For a copy of the full report, please contact lori.bottrell@brondesbury.com .

Global Assessment of Credit Default Insurance

This study began with a detailed review of the websites of major competitors in the business including both ECA and private trade insurers.  This was combined with interviews with suppliers and senior bankers to develop a clear view of future trends in the market, as well as identifying gaps in needed products. 

Trade Satisfaction, Loyalty & New Product Development

On behalf of a major bank, we evaluated client satisfaction and use of trade products, as well as client loyalty. We also identified how well current trade products meet underlying needs and what new products should be developed to meet future needs.

Retirement Lifestyle Segments

Using sophisticated analytical methods, we created a set of retirement lifestyle segments based on activity patterns of people age 60 and over, as reported in a Statistics Canada database.  After extensive profiling of each segment, we created a quiz with a decision support tool that allows people to identify the segment that is most likely to fit their behaviour and attitudes.

One-Stop Real Estate Shopping Holds Strong Appeal

One-stop real estate shopping envisages a market where new home buyers can get all of the home-buying services they might need through their real estate agency. Responses of some 1,000 consumers point to a market that is keen on the convenience this offers and Century 21 is the real estate company setting out to deliver this service.

Customer Views of Branch Service

One-third of customers that gave a bank a high rating for service quality have real criticisms of the bank’s service. These are missed by the ratings. Using specialized software for analyzing comments, we identified the real story behind the numbers.

Mortgage Buying & Renewal

This study interviewed over 1,000 home buyers about their selection of a mortgage provider and mortgage features. We identified the subjective utility value of a number of mortgage and provider features and their impact on purchases and renewals. To assess the economic cost to our client, we also looked at past and likely future exercise of economic features.

Equipment Financing More than a Commodity

Equipment financing is a highly competitive business, particularly when the equipment is ‘factory floor’ rather than office equipment. Our recent study of competitiveness commissioned by GE Capital Equipment Financing (Canada) highlights and quantifies the impact of service and pricing on winning bids and retaining clients. The ‘six sigma’ approach to quality promoted by GE clearly yields big revenue benefits in the market proving that equipment financing is far more than a commodity.

Growing Potential for Plan Member Education

A careful look into the market for independent education programs for plan members in defined contribution plans and group RRSPs. The study identified the size of the market and the ideal targets, as well as identifying pricing for success. A careful analysis of potential course content also pointed to the series of programs most likely to meet employee needs.

Zurich Improves its Position

The international market for large corporate property & casualty insurance is both complex and competitive, but within a country, cross-border business is highly concentrated. Zurich Insurance commissioned us to assess their position in the market by speaking with a select group of consultants that dominate the business. The study pointed to dramatic improvement in Zurich’s position in the market over the past five years.

Rising Demand for Environmental Liability Coverage

Insurance consultants for large corporate property & casualty insurance point to increasing need for Environmental Liability coverage among their cross-border clients, as one of many product areas that are expected to grow.