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Home / Case Studies

The research, the work, the result.

Case studies from engagements led by Variant1's partners, anonymized at our clients' request. Each one covers the situation, what the research found, what we did and what changed.

Case Study 1

Need

$30B+ in revenue global professional services firm identified a strategic need to transform its existing global competitive intelligence function. Primarily tactical in nature, it needed to become a world-class market, competitive and client intelligence function capable of providing insights and advisory recommendations to the firm’s C-suite and Board at a global level.

What was done

Assessed the function’s current state and development needs, then developed a three-year transformation strategy covering processes, deliverables, people, culture and technology. The strategy drove significant changes and substantial investment, while building alignment across the global function and 20+ country-level teams.

Outcome

The result was a world-class intelligence function that became the go-to insights provider and advisor to the C-suite and Board on global strategic initiatives, marketing programs and operational decisions, such as those concerning the firm’s operating model and learning and development programs.

Case Study 2

Need

An innovation fund with over $1 billion in assets under management was expanding into impact investing. It needed insights into the latest trends and support building critical connections and relationships within this new investment ecosystem.

What was done

Combined conference intelligence with primary and secondary research to produce market insights. Generated leads and arranged meetings with fellow investors around a global conference. Planned, organized and managed a dedicated conference side event for the client, attracting more than 100 relevant attendees, including prominent figures in the investment community.

Outcome

The client gained a deeper understanding of impact investing, became part of several global investor networks and gained access to investment opportunities. It also established several key relationships to advance its investment objectives in this space.

Case Study 3

Need

One of the world’s largest technology companies was developing a new product. Its product marketing team needed an external perspective as it finalized decisions on targeting and positioning, with a particular focus on the product features needed to support its intended positioning.

What was done

Assessed the market opportunity by analysing market size and growth, key trends, segments, use cases and competitors. Examined how buyers select solutions, compared competitors’ capabilities against use case requirements, and identified their points of differentiation. Based on the findings, recommended how to target and position the product and which capabilities to add or enhance.

Outcome

The product marketing team received concrete, actionable recommendations on targeting and positioning. The analysis and recommendations influenced selected product features, supporting the product’s positioning in its target segment.

Case Study 4

Need

A global data and analytics company with multibillion-dollar annual revenue needed to understand the competitive landscape for automotive dealer lead generation, scoring and management, including dealer spending patterns and the trends influencing that spending.

What was done

Conducted secondary research into dealer spending, market trends, lead management practices and CRM integration. Profiled 18 vendors, comparing their capabilities, lead generation methods, scoring criteria and differentiation. Mapped partnerships and the use of integrated and standalone solutions.

Outcome

The research gave the client a clearer understanding of dealer spending, lead management practices and the competitive landscape. It provided a basis for assessing where its data and analytics capabilities could add value, how to differentiate its offering and which partnerships to explore.

Case Study 5

Need

A non-profit organization had secured research funding to explore establishing and operating a social enterprise incubator. It needed to understand incubator best practices and impact investors’ expectations to develop a business case and funding application for a pilot.

What was done

Combined phone and in-person interviews with extensive secondary research and observational research through multiple site visits across the U.S. and Europe. Identified incubator best practices and examined what impact investors wanted from an incubator to inform program development. Delivered a comprehensive report with recommendations for the incubator’s operating model.

Outcome

The research supported a business case that secured significant funding and a city partnership for a two-year incubator pilot. Findings informed the operating model and programs, reflecting observed incubator practices and investor expectations. The research and relationships developed also helped establish an ecosystem of investors and service providers.

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