Examples of Polaris Impact

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Several months to several years

Over 18 months, helped Inc. 5000–listed $10 million company execute on its founders’ vision and continue its rapid growth by optimizing strategy and operations, including: 

- Determining where to focus and how to best execute

- Capitalizing on emerging opportunities while stabilizing / scaling existing operations

- Evolving planning and operations to a systematic approach

- Creating investor materials (Polaris introduced company to its first external equity investor)

Two to twelve months

Evaluated industry landscape and acquisition targets, and advised on strategy and operations, for private equity firm’s proposed roll-up in a fragmented industry (four months)

Teamed with venture capitalist on industry assessment and due diligence of a potential investment (three months)

Determined the market opportunity, best practices, and potential challenges for a multi-billion dollar company to launch a corporate venture capital operation. Created a comprehensive business plan and gained board approval. Generated deal flow from entrepreneurial and venture capital communities. Reviewed 70+ investment proposals nationwide and determined which to pursue based on investment fundamentals and strategic fit with the company's objectives. Led all aspects of the first investment - sourcing, due diligence, gaining entry to the existing group of investors, and negotiating and structuring the deal. Supported portfolio company with advice and contacts. (eight months)

Created multi-year strategic growth plan (organic and through acquisitions) for patient monitoring company later acquired by major global healthcare company (four months)

Delivered strategic insights and tactical recommendations for $300 million software / hardware company, including how to avoid pitfalls that led to competitors’ declines; exploring potential acquisitions; identifying and prioritizing emerging geographic opportunities; extending the brand; developing performance metrics; and positioning some operations for possible sale (five months) 

Advised a technology company on a potential acquisition, including the strategic fit and how that acquisition would need to be integrated into its overall operations to achieve the desired impact. Conducted due diligence and negotiations, and created an integration plan. (six months)

Created comprehensive business / strategic plan for $300 million division of a $2 billion business services company, to maximize impact of a recent major acquisition and increase revenue from existing customers. (five months)

Assessed opportunity for a digital health business venture by $12 billion healthcare provider. Shaped the product. Crafted a detailed business plan. Venture spun out with $15 million of venture capital in two rounds and was acquired by a $50 billion health plan. (eight months)

Helped a top five nationwide health plan determine how digital innovation using mobile devices could improve health outcomes, increase member satisfaction / loyalty, and increase operating efficiency / margins. Created strategy, use cases, and financial / operating models. Collaborated to map customer journey. Ensured efforts were aligned with corporate goals. (six months)

Advised largest US provider of a specialized corporate and consumer service on its digital transformation. Created a business plan to guide internal operations and support its conversations with potential investors. (four months)

For a $25 million fast-growth sales force automation SaaS company, delivered multiple projects targeting areas with highest potential to accelerate revenue growth and ensure customer satisfaction (four months)

Worked closely with the management team of a venture capital-backed real-time digital video communications company to write a comprehensive business plan on a tight timetable (two months) 

Provided co-founders of an enduring successful pioneer of online health coaching with significant input to the original business plan including recommendations on additional due diligence and early operations (six months)

Provided road map for a strategic renovation of the website, and created niche-specific case studies and sales materials, for $5 million venture capital-backed SaaS provider of real-time sales intelligence and related content and services (three months)

Improved young venture capital-backed business software company’s customer experience and marketing, sales, and support capabilities by determining gaps and creating materials and programs (including partner training and website) (three months)

One to two months

Ten discrete brief projects for the CEO of a fast-growth young SaaS company. Delivered assessments, recommendations, insights, and plans that turbocharged growth and improved some sub-optimal operations. 

Several months to several years

Part-time interim Chief Marketing Officer roles for two resource-constrained companies, operating as a full member of the executive team for functional leadership and overall company strategy / planning:

At one, grew multi-million dollar sales of new products by differentiating company in crowded market and pursuing new segments (one year) 

At the other, drove revenue 139% over prior year / 21% over plan through improved plans and better execution. Identified and gained access to a coveted Microsoft partner program and attained highest tier of partner benefits.  (two years)