Consulting engagements are designed to analyze investment firms (and the investment functions of organizations with other missions) and help the leaders of them to identify current areas for improvement and future developments that should be the focus of examination and discussion.
Some are narrow in scope, while others are holistic. Project-based engagements can address targeted needs or provide an overall independent evaluation of an organization, while referral arrangements can be responsive to a range of organizational concerns and needs. See some examples below.
Tom Brakke has worked with and analyzed asset owners, asset managers (including OCIOs), research firms, consultants, and advisory firms of different kinds.
General services for all organizations
Services across organizational types have included:
Independent reviews: Balanced, unbiased evaluations of the strengths and challenges for an organization or specific functions within it.
Innovation strategy: Every organization needs an R&D mindset that spans a number of dimensions.
Investment process: An assessment of the gaps in current practices and opportunities for improvement.
Human capital: Structuring and developing investment teams and committees.
Communication: Improving internal and external communication practices, ghostwriting, and content curation.
Advice and coaching: Outside perspectives for leaders and key decision makers.
For allocators
Due diligence: In addition to due diligence training, other services include assessments of existing processes, as well as bespoke evaluations of existing asset managers or OCIOs, including second opinions, searches, and joint investigations with your staff.
For asset owners
Governance and beliefs: Creating a proper governance structure for a given set of circumstances, developing investment policies, and helping to discover the intersecting investment, organizational, and mission beliefs to guide strategy and implementation.
For asset managers
Prospective client experience: The diligence expertise of Tom Brakke can inform marketing efforts by identifying what kinds of materials and interactions with allocators will help you stand apart from the rest of the crowd.
Engagement details
In-person, virtual, and hybrid engagements are available.
Because each engagement is customized according to an organization’s purpose, resources, beliefs, and goals, recommendations often differ between organizations that are outwardly similar in structure and purpose.
Retainer fees are based upon the projected range of services and adjusted over time in response to a level that meets the experience. Project work is performed for a flat fee determined in advance, which includes all expenses, since that eliminates any uncertainty about the total cost for the client. If the client prefers, fees can be charged on an hourly basis.
The names of clients are not divulged to others, except at their request or by mutual agreement, so the work occurs behind the scenes.
The work is guaranteed as to quality and timeliness.