Shaw Strategies – “Art & Science”
I launched Shaw Strategies to build on what I’ve been doing for the last 30 years:
- working with commercial leaders who have a growth-mindset and a bias for action
- exploring possibilities and what if scenarios
- developing growth strategies that are realistic and actionable
- building customer-centricity and creating brand fans
Recently, while exploring the splendor of Southwestern US, I came upon this idea of changing it up – to augment traditional growth consulting with business and leadership coaching – and rethink how I collaborate and work with my clients. I describe it as the art of coaching coupled with the science of consulting.
I created Shaw Strategies to allow me to be more hands-on and "present" for my clients. Shaw Strategies is a consultancy built to meet my client’s needs – nimble, high impact, and a great value. One that customizes solutions and avoids over-engineered or cookie-cutter approaches. One that helps my clients move forward and creates organizational capability for sustained success. Ultimately, one that allows my clients make faster smarter decisions and achieve better business results.
Brad Shaw – My Experience
Over my 30 years of professional experience, I have developed expertise across the entire growth value chain – from data & insights to strategy to commercial execution. This unique skill-set creates a “sweet spot” capability that gives me a holistic perspective on problem-solving and opportunity-vetting for my clients and businesses.
BIG DATA, ANALYTICS & INSIGHTS
During my tenure at Ipsos and IRI, I worked at the intersection of brand, retail, and media as a trusted advisor to marketing, sales, and insight leaders within CPG. My mission was simple: to help my clients grow. I learned the critical role big data, analytic rigor, and insights play in developing effective strategies – knowing what questions to ask and what answers are needed to make faster, better decisions in consumer and retail activation, innovation, marketing, and media targeting.
STRATEGY – MANAGEMENT & BRAND CONSULTING
While working at two top-tier strategic consultancies – Prophet and Zyman Group, I saw how having a sound strategy grounded in customer-centricity and strong brand positioning was imperative to improving brand relevancy and achieving sustained success. And how an aligned strategy for businesses and brands is the foundation for successful market activation in both B2C and B2B environments.
MARKETING, COMMERCIAL EXECUTION AND ACTIVATION
I spent the first decade of my career on the client-side in general management, marketing, and innovation at progressive levels with consumer-facing brand companies like SC Johnson, Best Foods, and World Kitchen. I loved building cohesive high-performing teams, developing and executing annual plans, and reacting and responding to market dynamics. It’s an understatement to say that organizational alignment and strong culture of trust is imperative to win against competitors and deliver top and bottom-line growth.
Brad Shaw – Coach & Advisor
While insight, strategy and execution excellence are critical, the importance of leadership and organizational capacity cannot be understated. Strong, high-performing leaders, teams and culture are needed to enable, facilitate, and operationalize growth.
Throughout my career, I've led commercial teams through good times and tough challenges. I've most enjoyed being a coach and mentor to help improve performance and team effectiveness. I've also helped many individuals develop their own "leadership brand" in support of career growth.
Not coincidentally, the most satisfying part of my consulting career has been collaborating directly with my clients. That personal connection and in-the-moment impact – the ability to affect the client in a positive way and help move them forward – is one of the reasons why I became a certified executive coach.
As a coach who’s navigated the same situations my clients have faced, I bring a empathetic outside-in perspective to my client relationships – one based on real-world experience, rather than theories and textbooks. As such, I'm better able to coach and advise my clients on their most pressing challenges and opportunities.