Strategic Business Consulting & Advising
Looking for an “outside-in” perspective on your business? Sound advice on a strategic issue or opportunity?
Based near Seattle, Ian McKerlich has decades of leadership and strategic experience in several technology-based industries during disruptive change. Ian has been a leader for two successful private company exits, served as CEO of a SAAS company for 7 years, led a joint venture board of directors between two Global 500 multinationals, and served as a global business leader in European based multinational.
An Olympian for Canada in 1988, Ian earned an electrical engineering degree in Canada as well as his MBA from Harvard. Ian began his post-MBA career at McKinsey serving clients in Canada, US and Europe.
Areas of Practice
Fractional Chief Product Leader
Many strong companies run into a stall in their growth trajectory. Sometimes, initial adoption segments become saturated and often product market fit needs to be addressed as new players enter the market. This is common in fast moving tech enabled markets and it’s also common in industrial and other markets. Which adjustments are required to improve fit and drive continued growth?
Pre Transaction Diagnostic
Private company considering a sale process? Or, just looking to get a fresh set of outside perspectives on priorities to improve? An outside diagnostic can help set priorities, start moving in the right directions while improving alignment. Also, how do you clarify and communicate your growth story to your teams and or buyers to maximize shareholder value?
Senior Executive Coach
An organization’s senior team needs to be a cohesive unit. However, these individuals often are torn between their senior team responsibilities and investing time in their own teams. In the extreme, silos and finger pointing become a problem. How can the senior leader ensure constructive disagreements and cohesive execution?
Lean Business Process Optimization
As many companies evolve and grow, the business processes of customer journey and solutions delivery often become too complex - usually adding cost while reducing throughput and agility. How can teams reduce friction, cost and improve quality and throughput?
Product and Services
Portfolio Optimization
If your organization has been in business several years, you’ll have a wide range of revenue engines. Which of these products/services (or channels/market segments) are the most profitable and mostly likely to have highest growth-oriented return on marginal investment?
This is just a partial list - please contact me if there is something else I may be able to help you with!
“One that continues to thrive is the one that is best able to diagnose, adapt and adjust to the changing environment..”
– adapted (heavily) from Charles Darwin
Get in Touch
Ian will be happy to connect with other business leaders about potential engagements.