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			Back to Top Service Line: Strategy Development The Engagement: Our client, a major water company, was facing a number of challenges created by the effect of industry deregulation, competition and business environment pressures. They needed a consultancy to help them develop clear and shared objectives and strategies across all levels of management. The role: rbz Group was commissioned to facilitate a series of strategic planning workshops and to prepare a strategic plan for a leading Metropolitan Water Wholesaler. Using our interactive approach to strategic planning, rbz Group facilitated a series of workshops to gather input into the plan and to achieve ‘buy in’ across the business. Through leading strategic planning workshops with senior management, the executive and the board of directors, rbz Group was able to capture and incorporate the strategic focus of the business into the plan. The workshops were structured to examine how the drivers of change may shape the water industry and to articulate the strategic objectives of the organization in a practical manner. rbz Group introduced its strategic planning methodology to ensure that the plan very clearly articulated links between the over riding vision of what the organization wants to be, the strategic objectives of what its wants to achieve and the high level strategies of how it will get there. rbz Group authored the plan and worked closely with the organization to ensure that the document remained true to the businesses philosophy and strategic intent. The plan was completed with a triple bottom line focus of commercial, environmental and social performance. The Outcome: At the completion of the engagement, the client had a clear and agreed set of high-level objectives and strategies to address the issues and opportunities arising from a changing business environment. Through rbz Group’s proven methodology and structure to the planning process, management attention was focused on key industry issues and a long-term strategic outlook was adopted in the setting of strategies. The client ended up with a strategic plan that had a practical implementation focus and addressed the key industry and business strategic issues and opportunities. The strategic plan was successfully completed with a triple bottom line focus and was adopted by the board.
			Back to Top Service Line: Transaction Support The Engagement: Our client, a Multi-National Energy Company, was examining the potential acquisition of a major Australian generator. Because of a US/European focus they required a consultancy that had an in depth understanding of the Australian energy market. The client required extensive assistance and advice on NEM, strategic and market specific issues to support their bid team in its pre acquisition review of the target company. The Role: rbz Group was engaged to provide extensive pre-acquisition transaction support to an acquisition team that had come to Australia from Europe to examine bidding for a major Australian generator. As part of this exercise, the client asked that rbz Group provide assistance in highlighting the following key areas: • An analysis and greater understanding of the National Electricity Market bidding strategy and dispatch of the acquisition target • Detailed National Electricity Market spot market price forecasts with the development of additional pricing scenarios • An analysis of the acquisition target’s contracting strategy, the interaction of this bidding strategy with the operation of the National Electricity Market, and the historical performance of the power plant’s outturn operation against internal business plans and targets • Consideration of future contracting strategies of the acquisition target and likely competitor responses • An audit of the model used by the client to value the acquisition target and an assessment and validation of various model inputs • An evaluation of the trading and marketing operations of the acquisition target including: an assessment of the capabilities of the operations, the organisational structure of the trading and marketing team, the internal processes, procedures and controls, the bidding processes, the trading systems, the credit management policy, its forecasting systems, its routes to market, typical contract terms, and communication with dispatch, engineering and planning • A valuation of the current trading book and an analysis of the mark to mark value (both on a mark to market and a mark to pool valuation) • Provide wide-ranging support during data room access The Outcome: As a result of the transaction support provided, our client was able to make an informed and rational decision on its acquisition bid. The client elected to withdraw from the bidding process and the generator remains unsold to date.
			Back to Top Service Line: Market Anlysis The Engagement: Our client, a major Australian generator, required a greater level of understanding of the Australian gas industry. In particular, our client needed a consultancy with the knowledge and skills to identify and analyse how the changing Australian gas market may affect the wider electricity market and specifically impact on their business. The client needed to identify important issues and quantify potential impacts to allow it to make informed decisions about its future business strategy in the NEM. The Role: rbz Group was commissioned to prepare a comprehensive study of the Australian Gas market, and in particular its effect on the electricity market. The study placed particular emphasis on the Victorian market and covered: • A comprehensive overview of the gas market including supply & demand, industry structure, reforms and key players • An analysis of the development of new fields and possible extensions to interstate interconnections • An analysis of electricity pool prices under a number of gas scenarios • An analysis of new entrant prices under each scenario The Outcome: The client benefited from rbz Groups detailed understanding of the Australian gas market. The study enabled the client to understand the likely effects of the gas market would have on the prices received in the electricity market over time. This information enhanced their ability to make informed strategic decisions about the future of their operations, particularly with regard to new business opportunities and expansion.
			Back to Top Service Line: Strategy Development The Engagement: Our client, a major national transmission company, needed the assistance of a skilled consultancy to evaluate the potential for it to offer its intellectual property in the form of consultancy services. The client needed assistance to identify commercially viable opportunities and to determine the most appropriate way of exploiting these. Because they have historically been a government owned, engineering based organization, the client required assistance in identifying strategies to achieve a commercially orientated culture for the new venture while still retaining strong links with the core business. The Role: rbz Group was commissioned to prepare a commercial feasibility study that evaluated the potential for the client to commercialise its intellectual property into a consulting offering. As part of a comprehensive assessment of commercial feasibility, rbz Group: • Interviewed 21 stakeholders to identify potential services lines, market opportunities and potential issues • Performed an analysis of the commercial attractiveness of potential markets • Articulated intellectual property, skills and knowledge into viable service lines • Identified the viable consulting models and specific decision points in determining key attributes • Put forward a preferred approach with detailed reasoning to support the overriding objectives identified for the venture. This preferred approach covered both establishment and initial operating stages • Identified key success factors for the venture • Identified risks to consulting generically and risks specific to the proposed model • Provided a high level implementation plan • Provided indicative cash flow requirements for establishment and initial operation The Outcome: The client received a comprehensive study that addressed both practical implementation and commercial considerations. rbz Group were able to add significant value to the client through providing a clear and logical examination of the feasibility of commercializing IP through consulting. The report provided a high level of insight into the practical and cultural requirements for a public sector, engineering based firm to transition to a commercial consulting environment. Because of rbz Group’s implementation focus, we were able to ensure that recommendations were structured so the venture was equipped to deliver on the strategic objectives set for the project.