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The Consultancy Group Company ⓔ Brochure 20142015 16 First Avenue, Subryanville, Georgetown, GUYANA | +592 225 8771, 225 8773 | [email protected] | www.theconsultancygroupguyana.com
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The Consultancy Group
Company ⓔBrochure 2014-‐2015
16 First Avenue, Subryanville, Georgetown, GUYANA | +592 225 8771, 225 8773 | [email protected] | www.theconsultancygroupguyana.com
[ISSUE] Preface
TCG was started with no grand design. In 2009, we were two qualified professionals who returned home from working internationally and wanted to find challenging work that contributed to a country and region that we love. At the time we had very little capital, no assets and a single client – following our first successful bid. We now have a small office, an amazing group of people we call our “staff and associates,” and have seen an exponential increase in our client base. Over the past five years, we have worked many late nights, spent a lot of time in small planes, in canoes, on rocky roads, with a single goal in mind, to deliver durable solutions to our clients. Our aim is to be technically innovative, respected and to produce work that makes a difference. We have built TCG one client at a time and we are proud of the body of work that we have produced, some of which is highlighted in these pages. We are especially proud of the capacity that we have built, especially among our recently graduated university staff – Shanna, Kevin, Anil and soon Sarina. This document captures both the work and experiences that have shaped us so far, and it outlines that the direction in which we are planning to go. Our aim is to expand our clientele within the private sector, to revamp our in-‐house IDEAS Forum, and to continue to build partnerships regionally and internationally. As from the first day of our formation, we continue to value every decision to use our services. Thank you for bringing us this far. We look forward to working with you in 2014 and beyond! Sincerely,
TCG is a company founded on trust and friendship. TCG’s Directors (Esther McIntosh and René Edwards) have been friends since they were aged one and two years old!
CONTENTS
2014-‐2015
En Route to Community Consultation Kamarang (2012) Photo © Esther McIntosh
Who is TCG? Page 4
Our Approach
Page 5
Our Expertise Specialist Sectors
Page 6 Project Management
Page 7 Monitoring and Evaluation
Page 6 Market Research
Page 7 Business Support & Investment Services
Page 8 Research and Training
Page 10
Highlights Page 11
Quality Reporting
Page 12
Our Clients Page 13
Where We Work
Page 14
Established in 2009, The Consultancy Group (TCG) is a professional consulting firm committed to excellence in the delivery of technical expertise. Based in Georgetown, Guyana, TCG was founded by Directors René Edwards and Esther McIntosh. From the very beginning we had a vision for the way we wanted to approach our work and that was as a group of like-‐minded professionals. A small office staff supports our work and a network of local, regional and international associates who make up TCG.
Most of our associates hold at least a master’s degree from international and reputable universities, and have local, regional and international experience. TCG strives to keep abreast with the latest approaches and tools and to support knowledge generation on key issues through in-‐house programs such as our IDEAS Forum. TCG has developed a reputation among our clients for delivering high quality products and services. So who is TCG – that’s easy, we’re a team!
Celebrating five years of Team
Who is TCG?
I AM TCG Sarina Kawall – Programme Assistant
I AM TCG René Edwards – Founder/ Director
I AM TCG Tim Laing Senior Associate -‐Environment Economics
I AM TCG Dr Nicholas Waldron Senior Associate
I AM TCG Mena Carto-‐ Senior Associate -‐ Social
I AM TCG Timothy McIntosh Senior Associate -‐Economic
I AM TCG Shanna Boodhoo -‐ Research/ Social
I AM TCG Roxana Kawall Senior Associate Researcher/ Editor
I AM TCG Ray Sam Senior Associate -‐ Data/MIS
I AM TCG Esther McIntosh Founder/ Director
I AM TCG Dr Rory Fraser Senior Associate -‐Environment
I AM TCG Troy Thomas Senior Associate -‐Research
TCG views development as being complex and multidimensional; as such we’ve adopted an approach that allows us to integrate the skills of various experts on one assignment. TCG assesses every assignment to determine what the needs are and the types of skill sets that will be required – at no extra cost to our clients we are able to draw on the expertise of multiple persons on each assignment. We also utilize international technical experts in our network for advice and support. We conduct regular peer reviews and have working sessions to determine the best approach and tools for each assignment. Therefore, we are able to offer our clients tailored approaches and a team that has been pulled together specifically to meet their needs.
Our Values
Our team takes pride in our work. We are committed to supporting our clients to address key challenges of our time, and in promoting growth and development.
We seek to work with respect for our clients, professionalism, excellence, integrity and trust.
We continue to uphold the same values that we always have always had:
Respect for the environment;
Respect for the people and communities in which we work;
Respect for the laws of the countries in which we work.
Our Approach TCG’s approach has not changed much since it first started to operate, we remain committed to the fundamentals of good business – we work hard to get the basics right, we toil to arrive at the most appropriate and innovative approach to problems, and we do not underestimate the complexity of the issues we address. As such we use an integrated and multi-‐sectoral approach. We assess each assignment and assemble a team that matches the client’s needs.
Environmental and social impact assessment (2012)
Specialist Sectoral Expertise
TCG works in four core areas: environment, economic growth, social development, and governance. These are viewed both as stand-‐alone and reinforcing competences that allow for a comprehensive and integrated approach to addressing complex, multi-‐faceted issues. TCG also has a strong background in fostering capacity development and has the capacity to provide specialized training and mentoring support to individuals and organizations. We have also worked with a wide range of marginalized and vulnerable populations including youth, women, the disabled, and indigenous peoples.
Environment Social
Governance
Economic
TCG has the capacity to manage all aspects of the project cycle. Many of TCG’s associates have expertise managing various types of projects including those that are complex and large scale.
As such, TCG has the knowledge, skills and techniques to execute projects effectively and efficiently. We have the competence to support our clients by linking project results to goals.
Our specific expertise lies in: • Designing • Developing • Executing • Monitoring and Controlling • Evaluating
We have also worked in areas such as stakeholder management and providing advice and guidance on quality control.
TCG staff are change agents, who possess the leadership and management skills for successful project implementation.
A key aim for the coming years is to implement projects directly on behalf of our clients and partners.
An emerging area of expertise is in monitoring and evaluation. Our skills in this area are outlined in the following section.
Project Management “Project management can be defined as a way of developing structure in a complex project, where the independent variables of time, cost, resources and human behavior come together.” -‐– Rory Burke
Low Carbon Development strategy engagement (2010)
Community participation component EU-‐Government project (2011)
TCG has a strong foundation in qualitative and quantitative research, which has been used to help our clients assess the outcomes and impact of their work. TCG’s research expertise cuts across various sectors including livelihoods, social development and environmental management. We design tailored tools and approaches based on clients needs. Specialists oversee the development of instruments, data quality, survey execution and analysis, and the use of various ethnographic methods, focus groups, case studies, participatory needs and capacity assessments. TCG has also been involved in application research projects, which sought to measure attitudes and behavioral change as well as in evidenced based reporting.
Summary Conducted baseline surveys, monitored
and evaluated projects in various sectors.
Assessed evidence of the impact of programmes both economic and social;
Supported capability enhancement and capacity development of agencies to carry out M&E activities.
Designed and carried out process, impact and outcome evaluations.
Conducted data audits to ensure quality of data collection and maintain the integrity of data.
Capacity to develop Management Information Systems.
Capacity to provide hands-‐on practical support with setting up monitoring and evaluation systems.
Monitoring and Evaluation “The most serious mistakes are not being made as a result of wrong answers. The truly dangerous thing is asking the wrong question.” -‐Peter Drucker
Dr Rory Fraser: mangrove research project (2013)
Stakeholder consultation for Inter-‐American Development Bank (2012)
TCG is a single-‐source, full-‐service solution for all your market and consumer research needs.
We are fully equipped with the expertise to allow you to identify opportunities to design products, services or strategies for target segments.
In the past our clients have included private sector companies interested in exploring and investing in new markets.
We have also worked with businesses to assess markets and better position themselves. We have also developed business plans for both private sector and development agencies. We can develop high quality business and strategic plans.
Summary Custom research, design and
analysis; Market research for specialized
products/services; Highly competent team of senior
and field researchers; Use of both quantitative and
qualitative (ethnographic) methods of data collection;
High quality reporting and development of business and strategic plans;
Previous work in various sectors; Private sector, government and
non-‐governmental clients.
Market Research Market research is one of the fastest growing sectors within TCG. Our clients include development agencies, large multi-‐national private sector firms and local businesses. Most of our clients are interested in entering a new market or sector, or are interested in optimizing their market share. Whatever your needs, we have the capacity to provide a full range of services.
Supporting small enterprise development for women (2012)
Capacity Assessment EPA/UNDP (2009)
Private sector and investment support is a relatively small, but very exciting area for TCG. The majority of our clients in this area have been international companies who are interested in investing in Guyana or in the region in a particular sector. To date our work in this area have been linked to other areas such as market research, and is determined by the client’s needs. In some instances private companies have used our services to support the preparation of bids, preparation of documents and personnel
recruitment. Depending on your needs, TCG can provide a range of services (some free of charge) including information, consultation and other services -‐ planning, market research etc. depending on your business needs. We have experience working with multi-‐national firms as well as medium sized companies. Our clients in this area have included international and local/regional companies. Their areas of focus have included natural resources extraction, large-‐scale organic farming and IT firms.
Business Support & Investment Services
Previous clients have included companies seeking to engage in new business ventures
TCG can help you company to strategize effectively for better results.
A key part of what we do is to conduct policy-‐oriented research and analysis focusing mainly on our four sector areas. We have been involved in several important policy reform projects including energy sector reform and the promotion of a greener, sustainable development paradigm. We have supported UN agencies on analysis relevant to the fulfillment of international conventions and policies.
Research continues to be a key and important area of our work and is central to our understanding of how change occurs. We have strong links to research institutions and have a strong team with expertise in conducting high-‐quality research. To date much of the training that we have conducted has been hands-‐on. We have developed both individual and organizational capacity of key agencies to work more effectively. Training is a niche area that we hope to cultivate over the coming years.
Research and Training
Esther making a presentation on participatory Governance (2013)
Andrew supporting community resource mapping (2013)
Research forms the backbone of the work that we do at TCG. In the coming years it is our intention to continue to strengthen the technical quality of our all aspects of our research – design, tools and methods so that they can effectively inform decision-‐making and change. Training is an area where we hope to experience increased growth in the coming years.
Highlights
A summary of some of our proudest achievements over the last five years, including research, our own initiatives, and key milestone projects.
2012
2013
TCG Profiled as a success story on RieNet
Caribbean Week of Agriculture President Jagdeo signs birth registration for all children by 2015
Civil Society Engagement on low carbon development Business plan for Mangrove Women
Producers Cooperative Society
TCG makes two presentations at first Mangrove Conference in Guyana
2012
2011
2011 2011
2011
Launch of our IDEAS Forum
2013
Shanna Boodhoo makes her first major presentation to an international audience
Celebrating Five Years of …
Quality Products and Reporting
Reporting and document development is a central part of our work. We consider accurate, quality reporting to be a central part of our work. Over the years these have spanned business plans, manuals, field reports, national reporting documents and conference reporting. We have maintained one standard for our reports, which have been read by Heads of State, local communities, technical specialists and policy makers. Some of these reports are available on our website under the “Research and Publications” tab.
TCG’s client base span local, regional and international agencies and include government ministries and agencies, multilateral financing institutions, private investors and private companies, local and international agencies.
TCG values the decision of clients to choose our services.
We take a long-‐term view of client relations and seek to build relationships and foster genuine partnerships. Most of our clients are repeat customers to whom we provide technical support to on an ongoing basis.
Our Clients
40%
8% 24%
28%
International Organizations International Financial Institutions
Government Agencies Private Sector Companies
Our Client Base January 2009-‐December 2013
Economic
Environment
Social Development
Governance
Our Sectors January 2009-‐December 2013
Celebrating five years of going where the job demands
Where we Work
TCG is a borderless company. Our main office is located in Georgetown, Guyana. We have worked mainly in Guyana, and within the Caribbean and South America. We have the network and capacity to provide technical support throughout the developing world. Since we conduct extensive fieldwork, we have worked in a variety of contexts including remote, hinterland and rural communities. Our field teams are experienced and supported by logistical experts.
A B
D C
2009: René in Guyana’s North West 2013: Andrew and Esther in the Pakarima Mountains
2011: Kamarang River
The Consultancy Group
Email: [email protected]
www.theconsultancygroupguyana.com
Office address: 16 First Avenue Subryanville Georgetown, Guyana South America +592 225 8771 +592 225 8773
Mailing address: 48 Second Avenue Subryanville Georgetown, Guyana
A proudly Guyanese company
