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Research, Planning & Strategy

Our team of business leaders have decades of global, board-level experience and understand the benefits of using external expertise to support senior leaders, bringing insight and clarity to your current strategy.

With a head for business and a heart for the customer, our experts provide the highest level of insight, to create transformational, customer-focused strategies that deliver results.
We engage with organisations across five key areas of business, which helps to solve their challenges both analytically and creatively. Understanding that each individual organisation has its own unique challenges, our approach keeps the vision and the customer at the heart, ensuring the business understands its purpose and delivers a meaningful customer/client experience. 

Click an area

of our approach model to see how we work.

Click an area
Transforming the Commercials Transforming the People Transforming the Vision Transforming the Proposition Transforming the Brand

Transforming the Commercials

Driving sales, improving margin and controlling the costs of delivery are critical in every business. Managing the finances and seeking ways to improve the profitability of the business are therefore priorities for every leadership team.

How we do this:

  • Sales and margin improvements
  • Cost management
  • Performance tracking
  • Forecasting and planning
  • Process and efficiency

Transforming the People

Your people are the most valuable resource in your business and are pivotal in driving change. We work to successfully engage with teams at all levels, delivering transformation through building, managing and engaging with the right individuals to make a difference.

How we do this:

  • Transformation and change management
  • Cultural change programmes
  • Integrated operational people plans
  • Delivering high performing teams
  • Turning on talent through engagement

Transforming the Vision

Transforming the Vision
We with business leaders and senior managers to create or refine the strategy, goals and direction of the business helping to deliver clarity of purpose and momentum across the organisation.

How we do this:

  • Strategy definition and refinement
  • Creating a compelling brand vision
  • Leadership team development and coaching
  • Direction and business momentum

Transforming the Proposition

A compelling proposition is essential to building and growing a successful business. We partner clients to ensure they have the right products, in the right place at the right time, supported by the right service.

How we do this:

  • Synergistic CSR programmes
  • Improved store and product
  • Coherent product range and offer
  • Supply chain improvements
  • Extraordinary customer service delivery

Transforming the Brand

We’re at the forefront of consumer trends and help organisations identify their customer’s wants and needs, ensuring they deliver a genuine and human brand experience.

How we do this:

  • Brand development and refinement
  • Delivering profitable marketing
  • Identity transformation
  • PR & Communications that work
  • Customer engagement
related case studies

  • "Kate’s unique insight into the retail landscape was timely and on target to help our community understand the challenges ahead."

  • "The team brought their commitment, passion and expertise to bear in a way that really helped these businesses when they were facing really challenging times. Our team also learnt from the partnership and we will take this forward in or work"

    Eve Roodhouse, CO Economic Development

  • "Many thanks for your contribution once again to the business session at conference – I have had some great feedback from delegates and you left them wanting more!! We have been very pleased with the feedback and we received of 99% Excellent or Good from delegates.”

    The Advantage Travel Partnership

  • “As an association committed to supporting Farm Shops across the UK, it’s been really helpful to be part of the Access for All scheme. Being able to connect our members with Kate’s expertise and knowledge has been a fantastic resource – especially throughout the challenges that 2020 had to offer! The insights have helped our members take a fresh look at their businesses and make positive plans for the future.”

    The Farm Retail Association

  • "Kate is the ultimate professional. With a serious amount of knowledge, coupled with the ability to debate the industry's biggest trends and challenges, she was the perfect host for Seamless Europe this year"

  • "As a start up, with a challenging story to tell, DiaryDoll are so grateful to Insight with Passion - and their Access for All scheme - they have helped us open doors and minds, thank you! "

    Diary Doll

  • “It was a pleasure to collaborate with Kate & the team at IWP, from the initial brief through to the successful completion of the project, their customer centric approach was exemplary.”

    Seiko

  • "I take my hat off to you for making this feel like I was listening a friend talking to a friend. Very natural but so so interesting & inspiring"

  • "Kate’s presentation and speaking style are both very natural and professional and she combined personal anecdotes, practical concepts, tools and advice with sage advice that was interesting, insightful and relevant."

  • "Kate’s presentation and speaking style are both very natural and professional and she combined personal anecdotes, practical concepts, tools and advice with sage advice that was interesting, insightful and relevant."

  • “IWP have helped us take a fresh look at our business and brand. Their retail expertise, coupled with a real understanding of consumer marketing have been an invaluable asset to make impactful changes to our business strategy.”

    Matthew Easter, Managing Director Trutex Ltd

  • “The Retail Queen - Kate Hardcastle”

    Radio 4

  • "Kate’s unique insight into the retail landscape was timely and on target to help our community understand the challenges ahead."

  • "We have many emails from delegates, staff and local businesses, telling us that they really enjoyed listening to Kate and found her inspiring. She helped us put on a fabulous Conference"

  • "IWP have worked really closely with multiple areas of the business, visiting hubs and depots, listening into calls and spending time with agents and managers across a number of months ... they have been friendly, approachable and accessible throughout our journey"

  • "Kate Hardcastle has supported Financial Times conferences as a panellist, host, and interviewer. She is a skilful moderator and speaker who livens-up the drier topics and invariably contributes a fresh take on the critical issues facing the retail industry."

    Jeff Wagner, Head of Content, Financial Times