Case Studies

The starting point
As the Greek telecom market reaches maturity, operators have a dilemma of how to handle their heavy distribution network, which in most cases, includes an extensive (and expensive) mono-brand retail chain, which is set up to cater for a growing and not a mature market.
We were called upon to assist the operator’s high-level management in redrawing a strategy for its channels and to work together with middle management in designing mechanisms to facilitate efficient decision-making in the medium and long term.

The journey
Our team worked closely with the client in delving into the available data and coming up with structured ideas and proposals which facilitated a review of the overall strategy and a revision of the existing commercial policy. At the same time, we developed a range of tools for the client’s future use, such as a monthly-produced channel report pack.
We also introduced new concepts such as a channel management action plan, outlining a team, a process and a flagging-up tool to make periodical suggestions for improving channel management.

The impact
Our client pioneered a new approach and a new franchise model, (subsequently adopted by competitors) which served it well in the new market conditions.
The channels enjoyed positive key performance indicators and additional sales, generating significant value for themselves and the company and the client successfully expanded its offer to new product lines.

The starting point
Energy prices in Egypt are heavily subsidised. As energy prices increase internationally, the burden of these subsidies on the Egyptian budget is heavy, whilst artificially low prices impact negatively upon energy use and economic competitiveness.
Price reform entails an assessment of the true costs of production and supply of energy products (oil products, electricity and gas), structuring of full cost recovery prices and assessment of the socioeconomic impact of price changes under different transition scenarios.
The World Bank commissioned us to assist the Egyptian Government to undertake the above steps and formulate a new national energy pricing strategy.

The journey
Our team worked closely with six ministries to collect and analyse cost and revenue data across all energy sub-sectors. We also formulated realistic projections of future oil, gas and electricity demand, and associated requirements in terms of new plant and infrastructure investments.
We developed a suite of tools and models to predict economic prices, financial impacts on enterprises within the sector, and impacts on the economy and on vulnerable sectors of the population.
The models were designed so as to enable the client to revisit and refine strategy in future. We provided extensive training to ministry staff to enhance their understanding of the tools.
We proposed transition strategies for price reforms and targeted measures to alleviate impacts on poor consumers and also developed a detailed action plan for strategy implementation.

The impact
Our client now has a clear understanding of the economics of energy production and supply in Egypt, interactions within the economy, and the socioeconomic impact of price reform. This will enable informed decisions on pricing strategies to be made.
The client is able to use models and tools effectively so as to modify and shape strategies that suit its requirements and an action plan for reform has also been drawn up.

The starting point
Research*eu is a European Union research magazine which aims to broaden the debate between science and society. It presents and analyses projects, results and initiatives and is written by independent professional journalists and published in English, French, German and Spanish. Qwentes was chosen by the European Commission Directorate-General for Research to deliver the content for ten issues a year of the magazine for a period of 4 years. We re-branded “RTD info” as “research*eu” and reinforced its editorial line.

The journey
Our editorial team produced an attractive and scientifically rigorous magazine which covered current research issues in Europe and contributed to bringing science and society closer. Its compelling articles invite the reader to explore science and the European Research Area. Interviews and portraits tell the stories of people in the world of research. We worked closely with the client and have developed a smooth and effective workflow, allowing both sides to exchange ideas for content.

The impact
From a run of 20,000 copies per issue in 1994, research*eu reached a total of 126,000 copies in 2010, and is now considered the flagship periodical publication of the European Commission. The readership increased from 600,000 in 2004 to 1,000,000 in 2009 and the magazine is distributed to 150 countries. A large number of letters to the editor express great satisfaction with the clarity, attractiveness and accessibility of the publication. In a 2008 Eurobarometer survey, research*eu content was described as professional, scientific but also accessible for a wide audience.

The starting point
The project’s goal was to determine the causes and effects of capital cost overruns in infrastructure projects in the engineering construction sector, which were co-financed by the EU. Projects covered included "Modernisation of the railway line E-65, section Warsaw-Gdynia, stage II", which was co-financed by the Cohesion Fund and implemented in three regions: Mazowieckie, Warmińsko-Mazurskie and Pomorskie along with other selected infrastructure projects in Poland.
Our team of consultants selects projects in consultation with a client, analyses them in detail so as to include them as representative samples of the engineering construction sector. Further analysis should focus on identifying changes in the value of contracts within the selected projects, in relation to what was planned in the feasibility study and tender documents and during public procurement procedures.

The journey
PKP Polish Railway Lines SA aimed to increase the funds available for the project by making it eligible for funding under the Operational Programme Infrastructure and Environment. Changes in market conditions and macro economic situation could justify an increase in the proportion of the project costs eligible for reimbursement.

PKP PLK thus hired Kantor to draw up a document entitled "Analysis of horizontal investment cost overruns in some infrastructure projects in the engineering construction sector, including the analysis of investment cost overruns in the project "Modernisation of the railway line E 65, section Warsaw-Gdynia, stage II No FS 2005/PL/16/C/PT/001”” which will be submitted to the European Commission as a justification of that proposal.

The impact
Kantor analysed the economic situation of construction sector in Poland in the period 2000-2008, including changes in macroeconomic conditions and prices of building materials, with particular emphasis on the civil engineering sector. Consultants then analysed changes in value of investment in selected infrastructure projects implemented in the civil engineering sector (co-financed with EU funds). This led them to perform a cause and effect study, investigating relationships between changes in the construction market and rising investment costs of the projects; taking into account the impact of macroeconomic conditions.
Tasks included: