Restructuring

The WH Consultancy is currently engaged in a major restructuring process which includes HBI Software and HBI Sales in Bangalore, together with Strategy Analysis Limited in the UK.

Realigning a group of businesses around a product or suite of products, rather than offering explicit third party ICT development services, impacts in a number of ways. It has an immediate impact on management structure and focus, an immediate impact on capital and cashflow, and a wholly new set of business models to absorb.

Add to this the global dimension of the different parts, and the challenge might at first seem daunting. In fact, this is not necessarily the case. Because the different parts are located in significant but distinct geographic regions, it provides the restructured entity with a foothold in several important overseas markets.

Assisting me in this restructuring process has been NZTE and their global network of offices. As part of the due diligence process, I have, over the past few months, had meetings with their representatives in London, UAE, Singapore and Los Angeles.

Last week, I received a Beachhead Programme Application Form from NZTE. The Beachhead Programme is one of the best and, in my view, most useful of NZTE's programmes at assisting NZ businesses engage with offshore markets. It provides accredited NZ businesses with immediate access to a Local Board of experienced practitioners who each have that most invaluable local asset. A network.

Rather than focusing on the challenge of the restructuring therefore, I am focusing on the opportunities that it will bring. The support is there. So is the resolve.