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Corporate Interlink |
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The Types of Assignments Conducted
Corporate Interlink conducts a wide range of assignments for business and business associations. The assignments all have a common consultancy skill background of:
Corporate Interlink has been engaged by many businesses and business associations to interpret current policy developments and predict likely changes in government policy. Corporate Interlink understands the importance of Government policy on the activities of business, the value of reliable and objective judgments about the achievables in policy, its development, and how the proposed policies and regulations or their administration can be incorporated into the marketing, business planning and management processes of business activity. Clients often come to Corporate Interlink with a specific Government policy or regulatory 'problem'. Initial discussion and review will usually place the apparent 'single issue problem' in a wider context of other economic and industry policies, and consequently indicate a broader range of solution options. Corporate Interlink initially develops an assessment of the issues facing the business or industry and then outlines the realistic options open to achieve the fundamental objectives of the business or industry. We specifically seek to demonstrate what might be the achievable outcomes that are of benefit to business - rather than simply extolling the virtues of some public [and costly] 'lobbying' campaign. Examples of the assignments we have completed are:
Regulatory initiatives by Government, often buried in the detail of administrative arrangements for legislation, can have major impacts on specific businesses. Prompt and detailed submissions to the initiating authority can often achieve desired results. Government is now committed to conducting 'regulatory impact reviews' of any initiatives it may take, and this provides business with the opportunity to ensure that legislation and regulations does not unnecessarily cause commercial damage to its activities. Developing a regulatory impact assessment often requires a fair degree of economic and industry research - if a quantifiable cost effect is to be developed. Additionally, the Government has a renewed focus on conducting a rolling review of all existing regulations which impacts on business. This commitment provides business with the opportunity to seek the modification or elimination of regulation that is unnecessarily costly - however it requires comprehensive argument by a business sector if de-regulatory objectives are to be achieved.
Much of the processes of Government that impact on business are preceded by some form of consultation or public inquiry, eg:
Submissions to such inquiries require more than simply and appeal for the result desired by a business - it requires a tailoring of business sector objectives to Government industry, often negotiation with other businesses in an industry sector in order to develop an 'industry position', and an appreciation of the relevance of broader economic policies and political objectives of Government - if a reasonable chance of success is to be achieved.
Environmental policies and regulations are now having a major influence on the operations of business, both in the production processes, in product design, in marketing, in packaging and distribution, in human resources and training, and ultimately in the financial planning of the business. 'Due diligence' requirements now mean that directors and general management have personal legal responsibilities that cannot be 'delegated'. Corporate Interlink represents industry associations and businesses in the often long running negotiations that occur when Government proposes new environmental policies and regulations. As practising management consultants involved in business and marketing plan through our associated consultancy The Business Planning Group we have an in-depth appreciation of how Government initiatives can effect the operations of business.
Quarantine policy and regulation has become an increasingly significant factor in the import and export of processed food products. Inter-action with the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service [AQIS] requires and appreciation of the AQIS procedures and a technical understanding of quarantine concepts, the construction of import protocols, and risk assessment procedures.
The extent of food regulation by the Australia New Zealand Food Authority [ANZFA] continues to increase - regardless of an on-going commitment by Government to review and reduce food regulation. Proposals to reduce the level of regulation on a specific food standard require an extensive commitment to detailed negotiation and representation to the ANZFA, in Canberra. The review process can take many months, if not, years and can be a time consuming and costly process for any business seeking to participate in the process from out of Canberra.
Business considering export markets will usually seek to initially assess specific countries as target markets. The extensive statistical base in Canberra can facilitate initial assessments. It usually requires, however, a fair degree of analysis and interpretation to draw out the type of information specifically required by a business. Corporate Interlink and The Business Planning Group have conducted major trade studies for both industry and Government. We are AusIndustry certified consultants in export marketing planning.
Strategic and marketing plans for business need to take account of economic and industry/market trends. The Departments and agencies of Government are a vast repository of studies and statistics which can be utilised to develop reasoned strategic forecasts - if one knows where to look and how to interpret the mass of information available. Corporate Interlink is skilled in developing detailed strategic forecasts utilising the extensive data base of information available in Canberra.
While the substantial reductions in tariffs and various forms of direct assistance have eliminated much of the need for inter-action between business and Government on policies and regulations administered by Australian Customs there are still many areas of complexity in import regulation, such as trade description regulation, labelling regulation, food inspection procedures, 'project by-laws', classification of goods, etc which can require detailed negotiation and representation to Australian Customs.
Anti-Dumping inquiries usually require the co-ordination of a number of businesses that would substantially represent 'the industry' that is experiencing dumping competition. The submissions to Australian Customs must respond to all of the issues covered by the Anti-Dumping Legislation. The preparation of the submission and supporting arguments is a substantial task that should not be under-estimated. Before an application is filed it is desirable to seek to negotiate with the importer creating the dumping situation - with a view to seeing whether the problem can be resolved on a private non-legal basis. Conversely, companies considering a significant import initiative into the Australian market often seek to ensure their pricing policies are not perceived to contravene the Anti-Dumping Act and result in anti-dumping inquiries that disrupt their marketing activities. In conjunction with its associated consultancy, The Business Planning Group, a wide range of assignments have been completed covering all aspects of business and marketing planning process:
We are particularly skilled in converting the policy and regulatory initiatives of Government, and domestic and international economic studies and forecasts, into quantifiable assessments specific to a particular industry or company, and presenting them in a manner which is readily understandable and useable as part of the business/marketing planning process.
Our associated consultancy, The Business Planning Group has completed a large number of diagnostics and business plans for small to medium enterprises. We emphasise the transfer of skills that we achieve, through the use of our extensive written methodology.
Not all businesses require an exhaustive assessment and a fully ‘written-up’ business or marketing plan. Increasingly businesses are seeking real-time on-location advice and guidance on the practical implementation and de-facto training of management in the implementation of business and marketing planning functions.
The development of business networks requires, in effect, the integration of the business plans of participating organisations, the defining of a common vision and goals, and a considerable amount of 'mentoring' of each participating organisation in order for the network to launch itself on a longer-term sustainable basis. The Business Planning Group has extensive practical experience on the planning and mentoring of business networks.
The Business Planning Group has developed a broadly–based expertise and consulting practice in Environmental Management. Our presence in Canberra, and our involvement in some of the key policy forming forums in Australia in the field of Environmental Management, has given our consultancy a thorough understanding of the spectrum of issues which are either established or emerging as major factors influencing environmental management. We were commissioned by CCH Australia to develop a comprehensive model of Environmental Management [Manual of Environmental Management & Auditing] as a publishing venture. Our focus here is to assist clients to understand their needs, and to design and assist in the installation of an Environmental Management System [EMS], which pro-actively deals with those specific needs. Equally, we can assist enterprises, which have started down the environmental management path, to improve on existing systems. |
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