Benoit Ams

Partner & Managing Consultant, Since September 2007
Partner & Associate Consultant (Stationed in P.R.C), December 2002- August 2007

CONSULTATIVE PROJECTS
• Market Entry and Market Development Strategy: Conducted qualitative and quantitative research and feasibility studies; analyzed operations, identified partners in China and Hong-Kong; and completed management plan/recommendations reports. More than 20 projects completed in the past 5 years.
• Business Development: Established corporate structure for European Clients in China and in Hong-Kong. Formulated the companies' business and operating models, designed marketing, communication, and management plans and ensured companies set-up. More than 12 projects completed in the past 5 years.
• Organizational Enhancement and Crisis Management: Acted as a facilitator between overseas clients and local business structures (subsidiary, J.V., agent, importer). Analyzed such problem areas as organization, sales and marketing, personnel, operation procedures and policies to determine needed modifications or improvements. Assisted in the development and implementation of procedures for improvement of the organizations. More than 7 projects completed in the past 5 years.


TRAINING & COACHING PROJECTS
• Designed and delivered training programs for top-level managers in various industries (including banking, insurance, automotive industry) on successful cross-cultural management techniques. Topics covered include “Doing Business in China”, “Managing a Chinese Team”, “Cross Cultural Communication” and “Crisis Management in China”.
• Provide coaching on cross-cultural issues to managers in various industries.
• Recognized for designing challenging training programs resulting in team members achieving higher level of efficiency.
• Act as a local partner for several established European based training firms.

• Managed a structure of import and distribution of premium food products from Europe in Mainland China and reported directly to Mother Company in Europe.
• Directed all operations including financial, budgeting, operating, legal compliance, purchasing, marketing, human resource, and administrative functions. Ensured timely execution of quarterly financial reporting, operating forecasts, cash flow planning and order planning to Mother Company in Luxembourg, and held full P&L accountability.
• Prepared, implemented and managed comprehensive marketing and sales plans for key brands in portfolio and report to M.N.C. brand owners (including Inbev, Scottish and Newcastle and Kraft Food) on quarterly basis.
Selected Contributions:
-Profit improvement: Delivered solid, verifiable two-digit profit increases per year.
-Turnover Growth: Doubled the sales of the company between 2002 and 2005.
-Operational enhancements: Redesigned logistics chain and reduced level of inventory by 25% (days of inventory) and drastically decreased shortages issues through implementation of efficient supply-chain management tools.
- Structure Development: Successfully developed the structure from a single-staff office in Hong-Kong, dedicated to the management of independent distributors in Mainland China to a fully operational import and distribution structure for premium imported food products in Mainland China with offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong-Kong (35 employees).
- Business Development: Designed, implemented and launched a concept of chocolates corner stores in Mainland China with five stores operational and profitable in one year.

• Worked directly for domestic and foreign SME’s helping them to implement international partnership as well as a sub-contractor for established consulting firms in Belgium. Key assessments included qualitative and quantitative market research, branding strategy and identification and negotiation with distributors in Belgium and abroad.
• Intervened as invited professor in commercial management at EPHEC (Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes Commerciales) in Brussels.
• Wrote several articles about international marketing, in business publication, in Belgium and abroad and collaborated with Solvay Business School for business case writing.

Directed a business development project in Australia and New Zealand on behalf of a group of Belgian companies.

Set up a foundation for the promotion of photography and organised two national photo events.