Case Study: Thought Leadership Study

A global executive search firm decided to create a thought leadership study which assessed the international capabilities of U.S. corporate board members. The company commissioned MangoStrategy to design and execute research which resulted in a differentiated thought leadership study disseminated widely to the market.

Objectives

  • Develop a differentiated thought leadership study assessing the international capabilities of U.S. corporate board members
  • Leverage thought leadership study to gain positive market exposure and build relationships with search firm's board-level clients
  • Create an approach and dataset which can be built upon going forward

MangoStrategy Approach

  • Worked closely with client to determine project scope, develop initial thought leadership outline and determine appropriate research methodology
  • Identified data items to collect, which included company as well as individual board member data
  • Collected company and board member information from thousands of sources, including company websites, financial disclosure documents, biographical publications and social networking websites
  • Created relational database containing information on the S&P 500 publicly-traded U.S. companies and over 5,400 individual board members
  • Developed and sent board member verification forms to companies, providing each an opportunity to review and validate the information collected
  • Analyzed the research data to develop key findings
  • Partnered with the client, outside editors and graphic design firm to produce final study

Deliverables

  • Produced 50 page thought leadership study, in partnership with client, outside editors and graphic design firm, which included main research findings, graphical charts, and a detailed appendix summarizing the international board capabilities of the S&P 500 companies
  • Delivered a companion presentation, in PowerPoint format, summarizing the key findings
  • Provided client with relational database with information on over 5,400 board members of S&P 500 companies

Impact

  • Disseminated final study widely to senior executives, board members, journalists and other opinion makers globally
  • Featured the study's finding prominently on the client's home page
  • Resulted in positive media coverage in publications like Business Week and The Wall Street Journal
  • Leveraged presentation to engage in discussions which built new and enhanced existing client relationships
  • Resulted in significant market differentiation for client