Richard H. Chandler formed his management consulting company in early 2003 in order to assist CEOs and business owners as they wrestle with their most critical challenges—charting new strategies, meeting competitive threats, upgrading management practices, acquiring businesses, restructuring operations, or selling their business. These major, non-routine decisions come up so infrequently that the CEO or owner may have little experience with them or lack the time for a proper, in-depth study. For these higher level issues, it is often unclear where to turn for sound, objective advice.
Strategic Alternatives: Is the company under attack from competitors? Has it defined a clear, focused growth strategy, and are its operational priorities consistent with this? Should the CEO/owner be assessing other strategic alternatives such as entering new markets, pruning product lines, outsourcing functions or expanding internationally? Is a major restructuring or profit improvement effort required in order to make the business viable in today's tough economy? Are the company's core competencies equal to its goals?
Organizational Development: How can the CEO improve the company's management practices, developing them into a coherent management system that will deliver steady profit growth? Would the company benefit from introducing a comprehensive quality management, productivity improvement or team building program? Has the CEO taken a pro-active role in developing a distinctive company culture, one that embodies the common elements of all "championship teams"? Are the proper disciplines in place to attract and develop high potential managers, weed out poor performers, and incentivize the entire organization to accomplish extraordinary things?
Transaction Opportunities: Should the company embark on an aggressive acquisition or diversification program? Does the business need additional outside financing to give it some breathing room? Can it now be sold advantageously, and if so, how should the owner proceed? Is it a candidate for a venture-funded partial buy-out or recapitalization that would let the owner take out substantial cash while still retaining operating control? Should product lines or assets be acquired to enhance growth, or sold in order to repay impatient lenders?
Chandler has had first hand experience with these issues in companies spanning the healthcare, technology, consumer products, retailing and manufacturing industries. His career includes the following accomplishments:
- Division president and, at age 35, group vice president at Sara Lee Corporation, responsible for eight divisions and 5000 employees.
- Led leveraged buy-out and subsequent re-sale of nationwide healthcare distribution business, yielding outstanding investor returns.
- 23 years as corporate CEO and major equity investor in three growth businesses, including 16 year tenure leading a public company (NASDAQ and NYSE).
- Founded two emerging growth companies, raised over $100 million in venture financing, and led IPO and follow-on public offerings.
- Principal in negotiating and executing more than 100 acquisitions and divestitures.
- Recognized as an expert in creating a distinctive, highly energized corporate culture with a commitment to team building, quality management, and continuous productivity improvement.
While his career focus has been as an operating executive, Chandler has also served as a corporate director and trustee of non-profit organizations. A past member of Young Presidents' Organization and the American Business Conference, he has also lectured extensively in business and academic settings.
Partnership with Rolf Benirschke and Legacy Health Communications: In addition to operating independently, Chandler is affiliated with Rolf Benirschke and Legacy Health Communications. Focusing on healthcare companies, Legacy develops communication programs that motivate sales forces, improve customer relationships and enhance the connections to patients whose lives often depend on these products. Where appropriate, Chandler and Legacy will work together on a particular assignment, drawing on their complementary skills to identify value-added opportunities within an organization and then communicate the new directions to employees and external constituencies.
MBA Teaching at UC Irvine: Richard Chandler is also presently an adjunct professor in the Graduate School of Management, University of California - Irvine. He teaches courses on new venture management, corporate strategy, and business dynamics during the 2003-04 academic year.
