Raab Associates, Inc. provides independent consulting in marketing vendor selection and technology analysis. We work with the sole aim of identifying the most effective solution to each marketing and database problem. Because we do not sell software or implementation services, we are free to consider all options that are available to our clients.

End-User Consulting

Raab Associates, Inc.’ primary business is helping companies to select marketing systems. A typical engagement includes one or more of the following tasks:

• business assessment: drawing on a combination of formal protocols and extensive consulting experience, Raab Associates, Inc. interviews management, marketing, and technical staff to understand the goals and constraints affecting a proposed project. Because of our specialization in marketing systems, we are able to quickly identify the critical issues relating to each project. We use this understanding to narrow our research to important areas, allowing us to move more quickly–and at much lower cost–than less focused consultancies. Once the research is complete, Raab Associates, Inc. advises its clients on the opportunities and dangers facing their projects and makes detailed, practical suggestions for how best to move ahead.
• technology briefings: Raab Associates, Inc. can provide an objective, vendor-neutral overview of existing technologies and the total infrastructure required to meet customer relationship goals. Such briefings can be tailored to any audience from senior executives to corporate IT staff. They provide the shared vision and vocabulary necessary to move ahead with complex, interdepartmental projects. Because the information is presented by a respected outside expert, these sessions often help achieve agreement to proceed in ways that would otherwise be rejected.
• needs analysis: converting business objectives into prioritized requirements may be the most difficult task in any system project. Success requires understanding what functions marketers and customer relationship managers will need in the future; which of those functions are rare or common in today’s available systems; and, what technical issues are likely to pose significant obstacles in the client’s current and future environment. While many consulting firms apply the same requirements to every project, Raab Associates, Inc. can draw on its marketing and technology background to limit its list to the few items that are truly important in each client’s unique situation. This simplifies and speeds the evaluation process, while ensuring an appropriate result. Raab Associates, Inc. is further able to divide the project into logical stages, so it can deliver the greatest initial benefit for the least initial cost without losing sight of long-term objectives.
• vendor selection: a successful vendor selection project must do more than yield a sound decision. It must also be conducted efficiently, lead to agreement within the project team, and be documented to show senior management that the process was thorough, accurate and objective. Raab Associates, Inc. has developed time-tested procedures that ensure every project we run meets all these requirements. While all selection projects follow a similar outline, Raab Associates, Inc. is able to deploy–or, if necessary, invent–different techniques to suit each client’s situation. Our clients also benefit from the objectivity of our position as a company outsider, as well as our years of on-going contacts with industry vendors.
• ROI justification: investments in marketing and customer relationship software are increasingly subjected to strict financial scrutiny. Raab Associates, Inc. works with its clients to identify the costs and benefits from each proposed investment, including the hidden items that are easily overlooked. Our archive of non-confidential case histories and ROI studies provides data for assumptions and bolsters the credibility of the project business case.

Vendor and Investor Consulting

Drawing on its unique industry perspective, Raab Associates, Inc. assists vendors and investors with critical business decisions. While Raab Associates, Inc. is pleased to provide such services when possible, we limit the work we will do for vendors to avoid any actual or apparent conflict with our objectivity and independence.

• market and competitive analysis: Raab Associates, Inc. provides custom reports on marketing software industry segments, with special focus on campaign management and real-time interactions. These analyses are distinguished by the in-depth understanding of industry trends, user needs, vendor capabilities and technical issues derived from Raab Associates, Inc.’ primary consulting and research.
• technology evaluation: Raab Associates, Inc. provides investors, product planners and senior managers with objective reviews of existing and projected products. These evaluations include interface assessment, functional capabilities and high-level architectural reviews. They do not extend to lab-based performance testing, although Raab Associates, Inc. can arrange for such services. Our assessments are particularly useful at determining whether the unique attributes of a product are likely to offer significant competitive advantage.
• due diligence: Raab Associates, Inc. helps potential acquirers assess the existing capabilities and potential of target firms. Due diligence analysis can cover existing systems, staff capabilities, business processes, sales and marketing methods, and opportunities for new services. It is often combined with competitive and technology assessments. Raab Associates, Inc.’ ability to move quickly and confidentially is extremely valuable to our clients.
  
  
  914-241-2117 info@raabassociates.com