08012007.Professiona Link Briefing Material.Palmer.Ap

Client_________

Vice President, Strategy

August 1, 2007

ProfessionaLink1301 Connecticut Avenue, NW

Third FloorWashington, DC 20036

Briefing Information

Our clients’ industries are extremely competitive, and, as such, the confidentiality of their plans and data are obviously critical. ProfessionaLink will protect the confidentiality of all such client information.

Similarly, management consulting and business research is a competitive business. We view our, and our partners’, approaches and insights as proprietary and therefore look to our clients to protect ProfessionaLink’s interests in our presentations, methodologies and analytical techniques.

Copyright © 2007 ProfessionaLink

Confidentiality

Why ProfessionaLink?

ProfessionaLink helps many of the largest companies in the world to identify, evaluate, and place consulting firms on projects spanning a wide variety of verticals and functions.

We apply our deep knowledge of the consulting marketplace along with rigorous due diligence (research, interviews, scoring, reference checks, examination of relevant project history and client lists) to ensure we present the best consulting resources with relevant experience and capabilities to help ensure successful projects.

Our continued success hinges on long-term partnerships with consulting firms for whom we provide new incremental business and access to vetted projects sponsored by high-level decision makers at leading companies.

Benefits of our service- A terabyte of data on more than 100,000 consultants, experts and specialists- Specialized expertise with customized research services for your project- Powerful results in a confidential setting- Rapid deployment of search for expertise and quick delivery of results- Low cost/High value proposition

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Focus on execution, operational resultsUse of predefined templates, solution sets and models based on prior learningPL brings specialists in process improvements, pricing, R&D assessment vs. KPMG, ATKearneyoffering deeper process expertise, faster path to results often at much lower cost

Focus on supplemental staffing needsFirms generally do not have standard approach or methodology Examples: DGS, StaffPro, Skills Village

Focus on strategy, analytical problem solving & direction settingBenefits from deep knowledge of industry and/or functions such as pricing, new markets etc.PL identifies focused firms with deep industry background and strategic knowledge against McKinsey, BCG, Bain: sound, experience based advice and strategic insight

PL provides specialist options in all categories

Availab

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kill

Set

Range of Service Offerings

Unique

Skills

Expansive

Commodity

Limited

Staff Augmentation

StrategyFirms

ExecutionFirms

What’s more important for your project:

relationship or expertise?

known brand or results?large teams or fewer

experts?

Specialist Firm Options from PL

ExpertiseFirm

Project approved & budgeted

Feedback Loop

Result

We provide:

PL role typicallymodest, but availableto help

PL role typicallymodest, but availableto help

Provide in-depth execsummariesof firms’capabilities(1-3 pages)

Provide feedback & assist insharpening up projectspecs

Discuss project need& advise onconsultingoptions

Post-project evaluation

Client selects firm

Firms prepare proposals

3-4 consultants presented

One-Page project request

RFI/RFPSpecs

Identifyconsultants

Evaluateproposals

Agree terms,deliverables

Monitor results, quality, satisfaction

Need for Project

Collect andsummarizeclient feedback foruse in futureplacements

Convenience, Accuracy and Speed

Note: additional help available for a fee on case-by-case basis

Better Value for Money: specialist boutique firms cost 25-50% less than large generalist firms

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50

75

100Pro

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Cost

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100%

50-75%

Typical bid from

large generalis

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Typical bid from

specialist boutique

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ScopeHigherOutput

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Corporate Clients

• ProfessionaLink assists Fortune 500 clients across a wide variety of verticals and functions. These clients’ needs are often focused on strategy; operations; IT; finance; HR; marketing & sales; M&A; and, distribution. Our clients seek expertise outside their normal scope of business activity and when they have limited internal expertise. The seek consultants with significant depth of expertise, and often engage firms for extended engagements.

Our Fortune 500 clients need consulting firms with the following general characteristics:

- Specialist (industry or functional) expertise - Dedicated market analysis or business intelligence consulting

practice - Experience working with corporate clients

LBO and Alternative Investment Clients

• ProfessionaLink works with the largest private equity and investment firms in the world. ProfessionaLink has advised these firms on hundreds of transaction-related projects in a broad array of industries. Investment firms have recently made increasing use of consulting firms to augment internal expertise and capabilities.

• Our private equity clients seek our guidance for their market assessment, competitive analysis and acquisition due diligence needs because we are able to locate consultants with project expertise, transaction experience, and clear functional capabilities. In the world of private equity where deal timelines are often limited, ProfessionaLink identifies, evaluates and presents firms to our clients - often within 48 hours, and the consulting firms we present are often engaged the same week.

Our Private equity clients need consulting firms with the following general characteristics: - Specialist (industry or functional) expertise - Dedicated market analysis or business intelligence consulting practice - Transaction experience (detailed and time sensitive quantitative need)

Our Experience in the Chemicals Industries is Broad and Deep

ProfessionaLink has assisted LBO and industry participants on more than 50 market evaluations in specialty chemicals; petrochemicals; plastic resins and materials used in synthetic fibers; agrochemicals; and paints and coatings. Projects range from wet process electronic chemicals to surfactants and zeolytes to engineered rubber to specialty gases.

Market Evaluations and Competitive Landscape

Chemical Logistics and Distribution

LBO carve out of 3 divisions of specialty chemicals player required they understand the downside risk of potential freight expense increases subsequent to acquisition. Consultancy provided explicit guidance on likely line rates increases and how our client could maintain full truckload shipments based on analysis of shipping volumes and destinations. LBO purchased divisions.

Manufacturing Cost Benchmarking

Strategic Issue Project Case Study

New Product Development

Flavor and fragrance industry participant sought to reconfigure the product development process from concept through cash to optimize efficiency and effectiveness. Consultancy aided in the complexity reduction; helped to simplify internal processes; improve speed and velocity of development while reducing material cost. All in support of the meaningful goal of faster sales profitably and improved competitive advantage.

In a highly competitive environment, our client (an industry participant) sought to benchmark their manufacturing costs to other major players in the market. Consultancy provided detailed competitive benchmarks of cost to manufacture surfactants on a global basis enabling our client to reduce costs in labor and negotiate better terms with raw materials suppliers ultimately making them more competitive in the market..

Our Experience in the Industrial area is broad and deep

Crafted an “actionable” strategic plan to help large Industrial client better penetrate the Chinese market. Identified firms with a disciplined approaches with which our client could penetrate the highly fractionalized market. Work included detailed customer, competitor and economic analysis to identify opportunities and develop a detailed strategic platform.

Chinese Market Growth Strategy

Process Mapping & Redesign

Assisted client is mapping the current state of operations for a large scale manufacturer of industrial machinery to identify areas where process improvement could be utilized to lower the need for a strictly IT solution to their current operations.

Segmentation and Competitive Market Research


Performance Improvement

Assisted large apparel client in analyzing their current performance and developing metrics to allow for a full scale benchmarking project to incorporate best practices into their sourcing and manufacturing operations.

Assisted client in segmenting and defining the market for air tools and the impact of Chinese imports on the domestic as well as global market. Analysis of the competitive positioning of the various firms in the sector and how they compared with the Client’s offerings.

Our Experience in Strategy is Wide and Varied

A multinational FMCG client sought assessment, development and implementation in the delivery of a $200M cost savings program. Consultancy provided deep subject matter expertise to drive improvements in product rationalization, supply chain management, logistics and distribution, and overall cost saving programs. Consultant developed and monitored regional plans indicating major efficiency projects & programs. Defined products for regional and global manufacturing rationalization (i.e. can height/ diameter, bottle shape or footprint, formula, fragrances etc.). Identified the elements, benefits and capital requirements from standardization, and recommend an efficient and flexible manufacturing and supply chain network, in addition to Identifying logistics and distribution savings opportunities both nationally and globally.

Profit Margin Improvement


Strategic Growth Plan An industrial manufacturer that had achieved superior returns in NA and

held a strong share position sought a boutique strategy firm to identify and assess both organic and inorganic growth opportunities in and outside their core market. Consultancy assessed the potential for them to grow its revenue base within its core market (given their existing model and resources) and assessed the potential (markets) for client to leverage current capabilities, relationships, assets/positions, and skills into a related market in order to create new growth platform(s). Consultancy provided synthesis of findings for new opportunities; assessment of value creation potential of current business; detailed descriptions of the 2-3 most promising new growth paths; and, high level outline of process forward in a Board-ready presentation within 2 months. The same firm was engaged to help implement aspects of the strategy..

Our Experience in Strategy is Wide and Varied

A frequency & timing products in telecom and government network company sought to assess its markets and expand its business both organically and through mergers or acquisitions. The consultancy helped develop a long range strategic plan in conjunction with management to transform the company, where necessary, and to focus on growth associated with core competencies. Consulting firm provided an evaluation of company markets and potential new markets and develop a time phased plan detailing actionable objectives to both grow the company and diversified their business over a three year period..

Market Evaluation and Strategy Development


Pricing Strategy for LBO Portfolio

The client, a large private equity firm with a European portfolio company needed to assess product pricing in a hyper-competitive market. The pricing strategy firm with specialist expertise in the portfolio’s market assessed product and pricing structure considering the competitive dynamics in the industry enabling client to derive quick actions for improving top line growth for multiple segments of the business. The consulting firm afforded guidance and recommendations on pricing structure and price optimization processes in the online packaged products category to help the company achieve a 25 percent growth rate. Further, the pricing strategist assessed pricing in the print product line and helped portfolio company to simplify its pricing structure. Consultancy helped client to achieve main goal to generate sales and increase/maintain existing sales rates and attract lost customers.

Our Experience in IT is Wide and Varied

Client’s IT leadership sought an alternative type of implementation partner that could effectively serve as an extension of the IT organization to manage and execute enterprise (e.g. property) rollouts and implementation projects, largely associated with post-merger integration. Consultancy organized a SWAT team of senior consultants to drive result quickly and efficiently. The scope of the integration was broad, ranging from providing desktop PC support and training to infrastructure changes such as server and network reconfiguration and security, to systems conversion/shutdown/development. Consultancy was able to support and interpret strategic decisions such as cost effective rationalization of systems and desktop replacement decisions while overseeing rapid, seamless and reliable execution of the integration itself.

Post Merger IT Integration for Hospitality client


Web Interface Enhancement

Fortune 500 healthcare provider required an intuitive, easy-to-use interface for their customers that enhanced usability as well as the online experience. Consultancy developed an interface to unite 20 separate points of entry from each plan in a way that was ergonomically functional and aesthetically pleasing for internal and external clients as well as investors. Consultants work included strategy, design, navigation, content areas for all customer types (member, employer, provider, and broker), and transaction areas for members and employers.

Our Experience in IT is Wide and Varied

Fortune 1,000 bottler and distributor sought specialist firm to support full SAP HR implementation after a large generalist exceeded budget by 110 percent and was more than 1 year behind schedule. Specialist firm along with internal client resources quickly levered five senior consultants to drive project and fulfill requirements. Master data/Conversion specialist, HR generalist, payroll specialist and a benefits specialist under the supervision of a seasoned project manager fully implemented and tested remainder of conversion within 8 months.

SAP HR Upgrade


Global, wall-to-wall Physical Inventory

Client sought to perform a wall-to-wall physical inventory of their Physical Inventory-able (Piable) assets on a global basis, and perform the needed reconciliation (data clean-up) on the Time zone (TZ) Fixed Asset Registers (4 world-wide based on TZ assets). Consultancy was able to inventory more than 100,000 assets in 50 countries in Americas, EMEA, Asia, and Australia in 4 months without disrupting client’s business. With a thorough plan to take the physical inventory so as to least disruptive to the business, consultancy conducted the inventory with proven, back ground screened teams familiar with client’s hardware. Once complete, consultancy reconciled the findings with the in country, Fixed Asset register; and corporate to provide approved formats to collect data and formats (and adjustments - ## and $$) of suggested adjustments to the Fixed Asset Register.

Our Experience in Sales is Wide and Varied

Fortune 500 pharma client needed to review its sales support organization and provide actionable recommendations to create a Sales, Marketing and Managed Markets support infrastructure that was well-linked, aligned and resourced to efficiently and effectively meet organizational objectives. The consultancy designed a process map and implemented a participative support process that involved all key constituencies within Sales, Managed Markets, and Marketing. Consultancy also assisted in structural changes and modification of the key process communication plan that allowed all relevant functions to understand how to work with the support functions.

Sales Support Process

Channel Sales Large consumer products company needed a review of its independent retailer sales business model and a newly developed model to exploit opportunities across different channels. Consultant examined client’s current distribution methods (field sales, tele-sales, distribution network and manufacturers rep groups) and made recommendations on a new organization to make the selling organization more consistent, more efficient, and more profitable. New organization enabled client to optimize assets and maximize profitability.


Sales Management Development

Diversified industrial client faced a challenge with developing first line sales managers (FLSM). Consultancy performed a needs analysis and identified key learning opportunities and development programs for FLSMs to build skills and capabilities in sales leadership, customer relations and people-management. Consultancy created modularized program where each module could stand alone or could be linked for on-going training sales leaders.

Our Experience in Distribution and Logistics is Wide and Varied

LBO sought a consultancy to diagnose and benchmark the distribution performance of a $500M European luxury consumer goods portfolio company selling through captive branded and independent retailers. Consultancy assisted in developing appropriate distribution performance and efficiency targets as well as improvement initiatives to close performance gaps. Consultant delivered actionable, specific set of high priority initiatives that enabled LBO to capture a large portion of the available improvement opportunity within a short timeframe that delivered a high return on investment for consulting fees.

European Luxury Goods Retail Distribution

Transportation Cost Reduction

Apparel manufacturer needed to optimize their transportation expenditures as part of an overall effort to reduce margin erosion. Consultancy initially analyzed the client’s transportation strategy and freight costs, and made recommendations to maximize supply chain and achieve cost savings. Consultant designed flow chart of existing decision process for transportation decisions, recommendations for organizational changes, process improvements and cost reductions enabling client to optimize spend.


Distribution and Logistics Strategy for Auto Components Manufacturer

Auto components client that distributes approximately 90% of products to NA market wanted to identify best long term options for distribution operations. Consultancy worked with client to develop a more efficient distribution/logistics strategy that enabled client to rationalize their distribution facilities down to a more manageable level while also ensuring there was no degradation of service to their customers. While reducing overall footprint, consultant enabled client to reduce costs and inventories while improving customer satisfaction and service.

Vertical CoverageAerospace & Defense__Aircraft__Weaponry__SystemsAutomotive__Motor Vehicles__Trucks and other__Components/partsChemicals__Chemicals__Paints & Resins __Polymers & Synthetic FibersCommunications/Media__Equipment__Networks__Telco services (incl. LD, Cellular)__TV & RadioComputers & Office Equipment__Computer Manufacturing__Distribution__Office Equipment ManufacturingConstruction (incl. Materials)__Construction (Comm/Residl.)__Construction (other)__Construction equipment__Construction materialsConsumer Products – Mfg.__Apparel __Appliances__Cosmetics/Personal Care__Electronics, Consumer__Furniture__Household Consumables (soaps..)__Motor Vehicles__Recreational Equipment __Sporting Goods and Toys__TobaccoElectrical & Electronics__Components__Power Generation/Transmission__Power Generation Equipment__MotorsFinancial Services__Banking – Retail__Banking - Institutional__Brokerage__Credit Cards__Consumer credit (excl. cards)__Factoring__Insurance – Life and Health__Insurance – Property & Casualty__Insurance – Brokerage/Agency

__Investments, Mutual Funds__Leasing__Principal investing, VC/LBO__Private Banking/Trust__Real Estate, Mortgage banking__Securities Trading Food & Agriculture__Alcoholic beverages, spirits__Baked goods__Beverages (non alcoholic)__Dairy products__Food Processing –Equipment__Food Processing and Packaging__Livestock (meat & poultry)__Sugar, confectionery __TobaccoGovernment & Non-Profit __Associations__Defense/National Security__Education__Government – Federal__Government – Other__Other non-profitIndustrial Equipment – Mfg.__Farming & Construction__Industrial, Manufacturing__Photography, Recording__HVAC__Materials Handling__Power Generation__Scientific Instruments, Controls__Transportation EquipmentIndustrial Materials__Aluminum__Iron & Steel__Lumber, wood__Metal Fabrication__Paper, Paper Products__Plastics & Rubber__TextilesInformation Services__Computing__E-commerce__Information Databases__Publishing & Printing__SoftwareLeisure, Travel, Entertainment__Airlines - Consumer__Hospitality and Gaming__Movies and Games__Restaurants__Other recreation

Oil & Gas Extr./Distr., Mining__Mining – Metals, Other Materials__Oil Extraction__Petrochemical Processing__Petroleum, Natural Gas DistributionMedical & Health__Biotechnology__Fitness Centers/Physical Therapy__Health Care Services__Hospitals, HMOs, PPOs, Other__Medical Equipment__Medical Supplies__Medical Staff__Pharmaceuticals – Mfg__Pharma/Medical – R&DPublic SectorReal EstateRetail & Wholesale__Automotive__Food__Clothing__Electrical and Appliances__General Merchandise__Specialty__Warehousing and Distribution__Wholesale – Durable Goods__Wholesale – Non-Durable GoodsServices__Advertising/PR__Business Services__Computer Services__Professional (consulting, legal, acctg., engineering etc.)__Personal Care__Renting & Leasing__Restaurants/Food Service__Trade Associations __Travel/HospitalityTransportation Services__Air Freight__Express services__Passenger Air__Pipeline__Railroad & Bus__Trucking__Shipping, BargeUtilities__Electrical__Gas__Water__Other

Functional Expertise

Change Management__Crisis,Interim Mgmt./Turnaround__Organizational Alignment__Organizational Restructuring__Communications/Culture, Coaching Distribution__Channel Management__E-commerce__Logistics/Transportation Mgmt__Traffic Management__Warehouse ManagementE-CommerceFinance__Audit and Accounting__Budgeting/Cost Control__Business Valuations__Cost Benchmarking__Electronic Funds Transfer__Factoring/FInancing__Fraud Detection__IPO/Spinoffs/LPO__Product/Customer Profitability__Project Assessment, Feasibility__Risk Management__Shareholder Value__SG&A Improvement__TaxHuman Resources__Board Membership__Compensation__Employee Satisfaction/Surveys__Organizational Design, Governance__Performance Measurement/Mgmt.__Procedure Manuals/Forms__Relocation__Succession Management__Training & DevelopmentInformation Systems/Services__Design/Development__EDI__Knowledge Management

__Project Management __Systems Integration__System/Vendor Selection __Security__Maintenance/Troubleshooting__Research, ReportsInternational BusinessGovt. Relations/Lobbying Legal/Dispute Resolution__Arbitration/Alt Dispute Resoln.__Certification,Compliance,Regulation__Deregulation__Expert Testimony, Litigation__Intellectual Property__IPOManufacturing__Automation/Robotics__Complexity Management__Controls/Electr. Systems/Instrument__Engineering__ERP__Facilities Planning/Site Selection__Forecasting and Scheduling__Inventory Management__Materials Management__MRO/Maintenance__MRP systems__Packaging__Research and Development__Manufacturing Strategy Marketing & Sales__Advertising and Promotion/PR__Branding__Call Center__Customer Relationship Mgmt__Data Mining/Data Driven Mktg__Direct Marketing__Internet Marketing__Market Assessment/Planning__Market Resch/Surveys/Focus Grps__New Product Development/Design

__Pricing Strategy __Revenue Management__Salesforce Management Mergers & Acquisitions/JVs__Due Diligence__Integration Support__Negotiation Support__Strategy/TargetingOperations__Complexity Management__Continuous Improvmt; productivity__Cost Reduction__Cycle Time Reduction__Process Redesign/Reengineering__Purchasing, Outsourcing__Quality, TQM__Route Planning__Safety__Staffing__Supply Chain__Testing & Inspection__Working Capital ManagementPrivatization__Valuation __Transition management, planningProject ManagementStrategy__Business Portfolio Restructuring__Competitive/Market Analysis__Business Model Design__Internet__Policy__Scenario Planning__Strategic Planning__Strategy Implementation/ToolsOther (please specify)

Corporate Clients

• AT&T• Airgas• American Axle• AARP• AGCO• Alliant• American Greetings• Amgen• Ann Taylor• Arch Chemical• Batesville Casket• BellSouth• Best Buy• Biogen• Black & Decker• Boehringer Ingelheim• Brinker International• Bristol Myers Squibb• Castle Rock• Chevron• Cingular• Citigroup• ConEd• Conseco• Corning• Coventry Healthcare• Delta Airlines• Dow• Duke Energy• DuPont• Dynegy• Earthlink• Eli Lilly• Energy East• Exelon• Fannie Mae• General Electric• General Motors• GMAC• Grainger

• Grand Vehicle Works

• John Hancock• Harley Davidson• Harrah's• HARSCO• Heatcraft• Hewlett Packard• Invista• Jockey• JPL• Kennametal• Kimball• Koch• Kodak• Kohler• Lands’ End• Lay-Z-Boy• Lockheed Martin• Lowe's• Marathon Ashland• MarMaxx• Marriott• Masterlock• Mead• MedImmune• Mellon• Merck• MetLife• MMI• New York Life• Norfolk Southern• Oracle• Owens Corning• PF Industries• Pactiv• PEPCO• Pharmacia• Polaroid

• Popular, Inc.• PPG• PPL• Praxair• Progress Energy• Prudential• Rand• Raytheon• Reynolds & Reynolds• RJR• Rohm and Haas• RR Donnelly• SC Johnson & Sons• Schering Plough• Snap-On• Southwest Airlines• Stanley Works• Staples• Steelcase• Stryker• Sun Microsystems• Symmetricom• Telefonos de Mexico• Thermo Electron• Thomson Financial• Tribune• United Rentals• Verizon• Wachovia• Washington Post• Westvaco• Xerox

Investment Clients

• Advent International• AEA Investors• AIG Global Investment

Group• Allied Capital• American Capital• Bain Capital• Baker Capital• Bear Stearns• Blackstone Group• BMO Nesbitt Burns• Carlyle Group• Cinven• Citibank Venture Capital• Clayton Dubilier & Rice• Court Square Capital• Edgeview Partners• Elevation Partners• Francisco Partners

• Gladstone Capital• Goldman Sachs• GTCR Golder Rauner• Hellman & Friedman• KKR• Oaktree Capital• OnCap• Madison Dearborn Partners• Sageview Partners• Schroeder Ventures• Silver Lake Partners• Silverpoint Capital• Texas Pacific Group• Thomas H Lee Partners• Vestar Capital Partners• Welsh, Carson, Anderson &

Stowe• Weston Presidio

For more information contact:

Fletcher Grundmann

Managing Director

[email protected]

(202) 828-6407

mailto:[email protected]

08012007.Professiona Link Briefing Material.Palmer.Ap

Business

fixed asset

dedicated

process improvements

reduce costs

deep knowledge

distribution

physical inventory

made recommendations