Risk Advisory Services
Market Penetration Strategy
Stakeholder Analysis and Mapping
Strategic Communication
Market & Industry Research
Partner Selection Strategy
Delegation Support
Tailor-Made Reports
Advisory Subscriptions & Retainers
Briefings & Workshops

Market Penetration Strategy

Banking on Success: Appraising International   Banking Operations in Iran
A London-based bank was evaluating the possibility of opening a representative office in Iran. While looking at Iran as an important future growth market, the bank's top management had concerns regarding the type and quantity of short- and medium-term business. That�s when they decided to ask Atieh Bahar to prepare an appraisal of the present state and trend of international banking operations in Iran. In addition, Atieh Bahar developed a detailed market entry concept, based on the client bank's strengths and weaknesses, recommending a concrete list of banking services that could be introduced to the market. The report was followed by a formal presentation and brainstorming session with the top management at the bank's headquarter.

Launching a First: Iran's Mutual Fund
A Middle East-based investment bank was interested to develop the first foreign-based country fund for investing in Iran. Although the client had considerable experience in asset management in the Middle East, its management was not sure how to turn the market potential in Iran into concrete business. Atieh Bahar advised the client on the most suitable mechanism regarding transfer and repatriation of foreign funds, assisted in establishing contacts with key partners in Iran and provided valuable information on the Tehran Stock Exchange and listed companies. Atieh Bahar would guide the client through a period of 2 years from the first idea to launch of the fund.

 Where's the Beef? Setting-up a Cold-Cut Factory in Iran
A group of Iranian and Arab investors got together and created a joint venture which intended to start-up a new cold-cut factory in Iran. But before importing the expensive machinery they asked the right question: is the Iranian market already saturated for these products by the many competitors? If so, are there any profitable niches left? Atieh Bahar was commissioned to conduct a detailed study on the country's meat and meat products market. By identifying the competitors, their products and market shares, we helped the client develop an educated market penetration strategy.

Industry & Market Analysis

Stocking the Shelves: Evaluating Prospects for a Hypermarket Chain in Iran
A major international hypermarket operator was considering expanding its business into Iran. Atieh Bahar provided the client with a number of reports, ranging from competitor analysis and the Iranian real estate market to strategic human resource and labor market issues. The reports where complemented by a series of business trips of the client's executive managers to Iran, which where organized from A to Z by Atieh Bahar. Initially, the client requested several Iranian consulting companies to bid for the project and used in addition for specific areas individual consultants. After winning the tender, Atieh Bahar in short time managed to gain the full confidence of the client, due to its professional and multi-disciplinary approach. In addition, contrary to the other consultants, Atieh Bahar was not seeking a personal interest in the project and could provide unbiased analysis.

Making the Connection: Looking at the Telecommunication Sector
A major European telecommunications company asked Atieh Bahar to study that sector in Iran and find out more about the Second Operator project, with the aim to recommend a suitable entry strategy into this market. Our consultants managed to go beyond providing the requested information and identified other investment opportunities unexpected by the client.

Hard Digging: A Deep Look at the Heavy Construction Equipment Market
A Japanese conglomerate with years of experience in Iran was in the process of evaluating their strategy for the heavy construction machinery sector. Despite being a major player in this market, they realized that they did not have a clear picture of the sector. Understandably so, given the paucity of data and the fact that Iran imports a lot of secondhand heavy equipment. Atieh Bahar was hired to provide them with key information that they needed to come up with their future strategy. Our report not only gave a picture of what the market looks like today, but also reviewed government and corporate policies to paint a silhouette of what the 5-10 year horizon is likely to look like.

Stakeholder Analysis & Mapping

Sustaining a Good Reputation: Decision Makers and Decision influencers in FMCG
A major multinational FMCG client needed to develop a strategy towards the various stakeholders in the country and the industry to position itself to sustain and develop its business in Iran.   Atieh Bahar provided a full analysis of all relevant stakeholders to the company, analyzing their mindsets and the key issues of importance and of interest to each of these stakeholders.    Based on the above data, we formulated the strategy on which stakeholders to engage with and how.

Strategic Communication

Building an image
After a merger, an oil and gas company needed to promote a new image in the Iranian market with governmental stakeholders. Atieh Bahar helped the company enhance their public affairs capabilities in Iran, and to deliver a consistent set of main messages that were Iran-specific to key stakeholders.

Partner Selection Strategy

Our client, an International Oil Company, needed to understand their options for partnership in Iran; Further they needed to identify a local partner.  ABC helped the customer understand the legal framework and its requirements & implication for partnership in Iran.  Further, we identified and analyzed different options for partnership, and several potential local candidates for each of these options.

Delegation Services

Match-making: Identifying and organizing meetings for a trade delegation
   The Head of Economic and Commercial Office of one of the active embassies in Iran, needed to sponsor a delegation of companies, representing a wide range of business interests and sectors in Iran.   Using our in-house database of Iranian companies and organizations, complemented by additional research, we identified the best match for each of the delegates in terms of their objectives.  We sponsored a two-day event, hosting 120+ meetings between the local company and the foreign company.

Tailor-made Reports

Mapping Out the Pipes: Untangling Iranian Oil & Gas Pipelines & Pipeline Companies
A European midstream company decides that Iran could be a good potential market for its services, but needs more information about the nations current pipelines grid. More importantly, it wants to understand how to best approach this market. Is it better to go solo or work along with a local firm as a joint venture? What are the pros and cons of each approach? What does the local capability look like? They hired Atieh Bahar to help them develop the appropriate strategy.

Advisory Subscriptions & Retainers

While ABC's various tailor-made reports and briefings provide an overview of the market, our advisory subscriptions and retainers are designed to keep clients informed of the ongoing developments that concern them.
Subscription clients regularly received customized analyses and news. Most often, subscribers also retainer a set amount of our time, so that they rest assured that they have access to ABC top analysts should a question or concern arise, by reserving blocks of time.
Retainer clients also enjoy a 20% discount on our rates, while getting top priority and attention of our staff on demand. Retainer agreements are arranged to suit client needs. Some clients want written briefs on specific issues, while others prefer regular face-to-face briefings, and yet others a combination of both. The frequency of these reports (weekly, biweekly, monthly, etc.) is entirely up to the client. Most of the international oil and gas companies active in Iran are part of our retainer client list, including: BP, Royal Dutch Shell, Total, BG, Norsk Hydro, Statoil, OMV and Edison.

Briefings & Workshops

Often a written report does not constitute a sufficient means to deliver the project results. Top executives are often too busy to read the document, making a long report impractical. Sometimes the project might require an interactive session with the client, for full impact. Other times, the client needs a quick update on a particular sector or development. In these cases, our consultants present the findings of the report to the client in form of a structured briefing or workshop.
In addition, ABC sometimes conducts a series of workshops on key areas and sectors of interest to foreign and domestic companies, embassies and international organizations. The topics of discussions are presented by top experts in areas relating to Iran's economy, business and political environment. The experts are selected through the diverse pool of ABC's top analysts and international conference speakers. External professionals are invited when necessary depending on the topic of the discussion. These workshops provide an interactive forum for members to stay abreast of current and future development of Iran's business and economic environment.