Commercial Advisory & Representation
A considered approach to opportunities, partnerships and growth.
For selected assignments, I help assess business opportunities, identify relevant partners and carry an agreed plan forward.
Selected Assignments
When I can help
You may be exploring a new market, developing a partnership or deciding how to move a business or project forward. You might need an independent perspective on the opportunity, help preparing a practical approach, or someone to support the conversations and work that follow.
I work with businesses, organisations and destination projects where my experience and relationships can make a useful contribution.
What my involvement can include
The work can begin with a focused review, develop into a practical plan, or continue through agreed advisory and representation support.
01
Assessing the opportunity
Understanding your objectives, reviewing the context and considering where the opportunity may fit. This can include identifying practical constraints, testing assumptions and helping you decide which possibilities deserve further attention.
02
Planning the approach
Identifying relevant organisations, potential partners or buyers, and preparing how to approach them. The work may include refining the proposition, preparing supporting material and setting out a focused plan with clear priorities.
03
Representation and follow-up
Making relevant introductions, supporting early discussions and representing your organisation within an agreed remit. For selected assignments, I can remain involved through outreach, follow-up and progress reviews, helping carry the plan into practical action.
Experience behind the work
St Helena
My work as an international commercial adviser for St Helena involved identifying suitable business contacts and potential partners, presenting opportunities and facilitating introductions and early discussions. It required attention to the island’s circumstances, ambitions and practical constraints.
APK Consultancy
I founded and ran APK Consultancy from 1989 to 2005, working across international business connections, management education and professional networks. Commercial assignments included helping an Indian manufacturer approach relevant contacts at Afrox and retailers in South Africa.
Business leadership
During 19 years as CEO of Way With Words, my responsibilities included international business development, service development, positioning and operational leadership. That experience informs how I assess opportunities and connect strategic decisions with the practical work needed to pursue them.
WORKING TOGETHER
A clear scope for working together
We begin by discussing your organisation, the opportunity and what you need from my involvement. I then assess whether my experience, understanding and relationships are a suitable fit.
An assignment may involve a focused review, a defined project or ongoing advisory and representation support. We agree the objectives, responsibilities, outputs, fees and review points before work begins.
Based in Cape Town, I welcome enquiries from organisations worldwide. My regional focus is Africa, particularly South Africa, with each assignment considered according to the opportunity and the experience and relationships required.
Discuss an opportunity
If you are considering a business opportunity, partnership or market approach, send a short outline of your organisation, what you hope to achieve and the help you have in mind. We can then establish whether there is a useful fit.
Looking for help with positioning, storytelling or creative direction?