2008 Annual Report Via Consultants : Home

Annual Report 2008
- Prepared for Stakeholders -
Prepared by VIA Group
January, 2009
Copyright © 2009 VIA Group, Vienna
This document was prepared by VIA Group team and may not be used for other purposes, or disclosed to other parties without the written permission of
VIA Group, Vienna

Table of Contents
Slide
Word from the VIA Group Partners
3
What happened in 2008
5
Plans for 2009
16
Closing Remarks
21
Appendix
24
VIA Group© - Annual Report 2008
Slide 2

Word from the VIA Group Partners
VIA Group© - Annual Report 2008
Slide 3

Dear Stakeholders
2008 was an extremely exciting and positive year for the VIA Group. Many tasks were undertaken in
order to turn an initial idea into a real business. It fulfills us with great joy to announce that two
companies have been established (‘VIA Consultants’ in Vienna and ‘ILIA Group’ in Tehran), and that
we have moved into our new headquarters on the Webster University Vienna campus.
“It is not the critic that counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the
doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the
arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes
short again and again; because there is no effort without error and shortcomings; but who does
actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends
himself in worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at
the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those
cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.” – Theodore Roosevelt
The credit belongs to the team, who through their great ambition and belief in a common goal, kept us
believing and striving for the seemingly impossible. The team is the essence of the VIA Group, and
this annual report shows what we have achieved and what our next steps are.
Hossein Nabavi
Marlon Jünemann
VIA Group© - Annual Report 2008
Slide 4

What happened in 2008
VIA Group© - Annual Report 2008
Slide 5

Webster University Vienna has kindly agreed to act as business incubator
for VIA Group
Office Space
Contacts
Access to Professors
Access to Students
VIA Group
VIA Group© - Annual Report 2008
Slide 6

Partners founded two companies under the umbrella of VIA Group
• Legal Form: Sole
• Legal Form: Limited
Proprietorship
• Established: 28.07.08
(Consultancy license)
• Located: Unit 207,
• Established: 01.10.08
No. 310, Mirdamad
• HQ: Berchtoldgasse 1,
Blvd., Tehran, Iran
1220 Vienna, Austria
• Registry No.: 327277
• UID-No.: ATU64432313
• Team Members: 3
• Team Members: 8
• Webpage:
• Webpage:
www.ilia-group.com
www.via-group.com
VIA Group© - Annual Report 2008
Slide 7

VIA Group moved into the new office space at Webster University Vienna,
kindly sponsored by ‘Daneshgar Architects’
VIA Group© - Annual Report 2008
Slide 8

Two management consulting projects have been completed
• Company: GM Powertrain Aspern
„VIA Group was
• Task: Knowledge Management Concepts
comparable to
• Time Frame: 01.02.08 – 04.06.08
renowned
General
• Project Hours: 1.000
management
Motors
• Methods: Best practice research and interviews, general internet
consultants and
Powertrain
reserach, current state analysis consisting of focus groups, 25 employee
we highly
Aspern
interviews, questionnaires, status report and final presentation in front of
recommend this
the management board
firm to other
• Team Members: Professor Newman (Sponsor), Darko Gacov (PM),
companies.“
Alexandra Ruths, Ligia Bogdan, Hossein Nabavi & Marlon Juenemann
• Company: WESTFALIA Metal s.r.o.
„At all times, the
• Task: Design a Holistic Human Resource System
VIA Group
• Time Frame: 01.07.08 – 11.08.08
displayed
• Project Hours: 250
impressive
WESTFALIA
• Methods: Best practice research and interviews, general internet
commitment to
Metal s.r.o.
research, Dr. Haslberger input (Webster University HR Professor), in-
the task at hand,
house analysis consisting of focus groups, employee interviews, status
acting with the
report and final presentation to management board
utmost
• Team Members: Marlon Juenemann (Sponsor), Alexandra Ruths (PM),
professionalism.“
Lucas Jakobsson, Ivan Apostolov & Ipek Arseven
VIA Group© - Annual Report 2008
Slide 9

Three on-going projects have been initiated
The management cockpit is our first standardized consulting
product. We compile the client’s Excel sheets and use off-the-
Management Cockpit
shelf software (Xcelsius Present), in order to visualize the data in
the form of an interactive dashboard. Currently the first pilot
project with a small Austrian bank is being negotiated.
Gozdno GP is a Slovenian wood producer amongst other things.
GGP wants to introduce one of its products, namely its “shuttering
panel”, to the Iranian market. This project includes: Market
Gozdno GP
research, a feasibility study, a marketing plan, and eventually the
implementation of the marketing plan.
VIA Group is attempting to raise capital from sponsors, in order to
pay for a smart card ID system that is to be introduced at the
Smart Card
clients building. In return the sponsors can print their logo on the
issued ID’s.
VIA Group© - Annual Report 2008
Slide 10

VIA Group and ILIA Group have launched new WebPages
www.via-group.com
www.ilia-group.com
VIA Group© - Annual Report 2008
Slide 11

A ‘Corporate Charter’ has been defined
Building trustworthy, long term business relationships
Striving for business excellence in all areas – at all times
Treating customers and employees with the utmost respect
Values
To cope with laws and other relevant legal issues 100% at all times
Respect cultural differences and learn from each other
Individual and personalized treatment of our clients
It is our mission to
provide the most
To become the most influential Austrian based business intermediation
efficient approach
Vision
and trading partner for business deals between the Middle East and
towards consulting,
Central Eastern Europe
business
intermediation
and trading projects
To differentiate by modeling all opportunities of a business idea
To bridge cultural business gaps by applying transparent professionalism
To timely measure the potential of a business opportunity
Strategy
To focus on profitable and / or strategically important projects
To make use of professional project management
Excellent analytics, high process speed, sustainable presentations
VIA Group© - Annual Report 2008
Slide 12

VIA Group co-founder Darko Gacov has temporarily left the team
VITA
Competencies
Education
Focus
• Knowledge Management
‘05 – ’08
Webster University Vienna
- BA Business Admin
• Process Management
• Finance
Awarded a Scholarship for
academic excellence
Darko Gacov
(1985)
Partner
Professional Experience
Key Projects
01.06. – 30.08.05
• GM Powertrain Aspern (PM) –
Pro Agens Consulting – Consultant
Knowledge Management
01.06. – 30.06.04
Konfekcija Trend (Manufacturing) –
Production Line Supervisor
VIA Group© - Annual Report 2008
Slide 13

The following team members have left the VIA Group – without their
invaluable contributions we would not be where we are today
Ms. Alexandra Ruths
Ms. Ligia Bogdan
• Nationality: Romanian
• Nationality: German
• Position: Senior
• Position: Project Manager
• Education: BSBA, BA in Marketing
• Education: BA Media and Management
• Projects: GM
• Projects: GM and WESTFALIA metal s.r.o.
• Current endeavors: Market Analyst
• Current endeavors: Redaktion Pro 7
Intern at Interconnection Consulting in
• Personal Statement: I strongly doubt that
Vienna
there is any other company that deals
• Personal Statement: Working for
VIA
with its clients and its co-workers in a more
Group defined
the standards for my
professional and respectful way than the
professional
endeavors:
team
spirit,
VIA Group does,
while at the same time
professionalism, competence, drive.
delivering a continuous high quality output.
The quality of work derives from the determined and
innovative minds of the committed and idealistic professionals
that make this company a great business partner and
Mr. Lucas Jakobsson
challenging place to work. While working for the VIA Group I
could grow in every sense, as a professional, as a leader, as a
team member and as a person.
• Nationality: Slovenian / Swedish
• Position: Senior
• Education: BA Media and Marketing
• Projects: WESTFALIA Metal s.r.o.
• Current endeavors: Community
Manager / Editor at the Lomographic
Society International in Vienna
• Personal Statement: The degree of
professionalism at VIA Group never
fails to impress me.
VIA Group© - Annual Report 2008
Slide 14

The new VIA Group Team
Hossein Nabavi
Marlon Jünemann
•
Partner
•
Partner
•
Country: Iran
•
Country: Germany
•
Major: Management
•
Major: Business Admin
Jesse Aden
Ivan Hadjov
Elif Sabani
•
Junior
•
Junior
•
Junior
•
Country: USA
•
Country: Bulgaria
•
Country: Macedonia
•
Major: Management
•
Major: Business Admin
•
Major: Business Admin
Andreea Niculae
Marjan Martinoski
Amir Roghani
•
Intern
•
Intern
•
Intern
•
Country: Romania
•
Country: Iran
•
Country: Macedonia
•
Major: Business Admin
•
Major: Industr. Engineering
•
Major: Business Admin
Please refer to Appendix I for detailed information on how we hire our student consultants and the VIA Group hierarchy
VIA Group© - Annual Report 2008
Slide 15

Plans for 2009
VIA Group© - Annual Report 2008
Slide 16

Goals for 2009
Determine and test business concept(s) for Iran
Sell and develop management cockpit further
Establish strategic partnerships
VIA Group© - Annual Report 2008
Slide 17

VIA Group Partner Hossein Nabavi has gone to Iran, in order to structure
the office in Tehran and to determine the appropriate business concept
Supply European goods to Iran, after finding customers and their
specific demands in Iran and then establishing ties with suppliers
Trading1)
in Europe. VIA Group would implement and perfectionize a
‘standard trade process‘, that ensures customer satisfaction and
allows for standardization.
Provide European businesses that want to enter the Iranian
market with initial research, feasibility studies, marketing planning
Market Entry Consulting2)
and contacts. VIA Group would accompany companies from initial
sales activities up to establishing a production site.
Introduce Iranian businesses to European ones and vice versa.
VIA Group would add value by providing the clients with cultural
Business Intermediation
understanding, language skills, conceptualization and structuring.
This would ensure smooth communication and thus increase the
chances of business cooperation succes.
1) Please refer to Appendix II for a visualization of such a ‘standard trade process’
2) Such a project is currently being undertaken with GGP
VIA Group© - Annual Report 2008
Slide 18

Management Cockpit – initial pilot projects will enable us to standardize
and eventually expand the service
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
Pilot Projects
Specialization
Diversify
•
Test pre-defined project steps
•
Improve product according to
•
KPI mapping and consulting
•
Establish marketing channels
lessons learned
•
Balanced Scorecard
•
Perfectionize acqusition
•
Standardize project steps
•
Strategy consulting
technique
•
Potentially specialize in a
•
Risk Management
•
Clearly define our target
certain industry sector
segment
•
Understand customer demand
•
Build references
Test Product
Improve Product
Expand Product
VIA Group© - Annual Report 2008
Slide 19

Establishing strategic partnerships, in order to capitalize on synergies
Benefits for Strategic Partner
Benefits for VIA Group
• Contacts
• Contacts
• Access to CEE and the Middle East
• Reputation
• Cultural Understanding
• Learning from Startegic Partner
• Languages
• Support with know-how and by
• New ideas
exchanging knowledge
• Professionalism
Win-Win Situation
VIA Group© - Annual Report 2008
Slide 20

Closing Remarks
VIA Group© - Annual Report 2008
Slide 21

Looking forward
The VIA Group team is very much looking forward to the year 2009. It will be the toughest challenge
yet, as our conceptualized business models will be tested to their core. Mr. Nabavi and his team in Iran
will be structuring the VIA Group office in Tehran and will determine which business model(s) can be
put into practice. Mr. Jünemann and his team in Austria will launch the new management cockpit
product, develop it further from experiences and approach potential strategic partners.
VIA Group is confident - whilst also aware of the magnitude of this undertaking - and we will give our
best, which will ultimately lead us to success. A strong team is there to back us up, and many people
that believe in and support us.
2009 will prove if VIA Group is ready to take the biggest step yet, and we are glad to have an influence
on that, by giving it our utmost.
Hossein Nabavi
Marlon Jünemann
VIA Group© - Annual Report 2008
Slide 22

VIA Group feels so lucky to be surrounded by people that believe in us
and that want to see us succeed
Dr.
Without an office space, our creativity and motivation would not be half of where it is now. You
Daneshgar
provided us with a meeting point that puts a smile on our faces every day. Thank you so much.
Mrs.
Your belief in us kept us motivated and your support made us stronger. We thank you for
Hildebrand
believing in us, and for all the advice and kindness you have given to us.
Your belief in VIA Group, bundled with all the support you have provided us with, gave us more
drive to keep going. We are lucky to have a University Director that is so dedicated towards his
Dr. Hirsh
Students‘ success. We could simply not be where we are now, without your support. Thank you so
much for believing and trusting in us. We will never forget that.
VIA Group is so lucky to have found a sponsor that is so dedicated to our business success.
Tough criticism, that leads to improvement, is the greatest gift for ambitious people. Thank you so
Mr. Mühlen
much for sharing your experience and knowledge with us. You are a wonderful teacher, and your
feedback has had great influence on shaping the VIA Group.
VIA Group would like to thank you for helping us to take the first initial steps. The GM project was
Mr. Newman
our first test, which you made possible for us. Your trust in the VIA Group gave us immense
strength.
VIA Group© - Annual Report 2008
Slide 23

Appendix
VIA Group© - Annual Report 2008
Slide 24

Appendix I – HR Process
VIA Group© - Annual Report 2008
Slide 25

Talent Acquisition Process
Process Name: Talent Acquisition Process
Process Owner: Human Resource Department
Input
Process Chain
Output
Responsible
Remarks
Standard VIA
Bi-weekly
Human Resource
Group Student
Presentation
Presentation
Hand out
Standard Student
Human Resource
application form
Application Form
Filled-out
Receive filled out
Data will be recorded in the
Standard Student
Human Resource
application form
Student Talent Databank
Application Form
Accept
No
E-mail to student
Human Resource
Student?
Yes
D
List of potential
According to the rank the
Decide Upon
i
responsibilities
Human Resource
student is classified as
Responsibilities
s
and tasks
tasks should be selected
c
List of potential
a
Defined
Standardized content of the
Job Interview
r
responsibilities
Managing Director
responsibilities
job interview
and tasks
d
and tasks
Managing Director and
Agree-
No
Managing Director
student have to come to a
ment?
clearly defined agreement
Yes
Standard Student
Sign
Signed Standard
Managing Director
Signed by both parties
Contract
Contract
Student Contract
VIA Group© - Annual Report 2008
Slide 26

VIA Group Hierarchy
• Lead Functional Department
• Key role in an external project
PM
• Minimum stay with VIA Group: 12 months
• Research Project
• Part of an Internal or External Project
Senior
• Minimum stay with VIA Group: 6 months
• Research Project
Junior
• Minimum stay with VIA Group: 3 months
• Successful Application
Intern
According to the level, employees have to spend a certain amount of working days in the office:
- Intern:
1 full working day (9AM – 5PM)
- Junior:
2 full working days (9AM – 5PM)
- Senior:
2 full working days (9AM – 5PM)
- PM:
3 full working days (9AM – 5PM)
VIA Group© - Annual Report 2008
Slide 27

Trading Process (1/2)
Process Name: Iranian Customer Enquiry
Process Owner: ILIA Group
Input
Process Chain
Output
Responsible
Remarks
Letter of intend
Checked letter of
Forward customer’s
Quick
ILIA Group
(LOI) from
intend (LOI) from
LOI to VIA Group for
Check
customer
customer
archive
Archive
If the order is larger than
Quick check
No
Decision
ILIA Group
amount €x, also check with
Proceed?
findings
VIA Group office
Yes
This LOI does match with our
Positive
Send LOI
Officially approved
ILIA Group
corporate charter and
decision on LOI
to VIA
LOI to VIA Group
business model
Vendor to Advice:
Decide on how to
LOI from
VTA?
VIA Group
When customer appoints the
proceed with LOI
customer
specific supplier(s)
and suppliers
No
Yes
Either from the Webster
List of potential
Approved LOI
VIA Group
Find suppliers
network, our personal
suppliers
network or trade platforms
List of chosen
Approach
Approach
Standard supplier offer
Offer from
VIA Group
suppliers
supplier
suppliers
request form
supplier(s)
Price, time, etc.,
Offer from
Select supplier
VIA Group
what is important to know
suppliers
Best supplier
about suppliers (Checklist)
Offer from best
Contains transport,
supplier
Rewrite Offer
VIA Group offer
VIA Group
insurance, etc.
VIA Group© - Annual Report 2008
Slide 29

Trading Process (2/2)
Process Name: Iranian Customer Enquiry
Process Owner: ILIA Group
Input
Process Chain
Output
Responsible
Remarks
VIA Group adds its profit
Modified offer from
VIA Group offer
ILIA Group Offer to
VIA Group &
margin to the new offer and
best supplier
send to Iran
customer
ILIA Group
also possible additional cost
The first time in this process
New
Customer receives
ILIA Group offer
Send to customer
ILIA Group
that customer receives
comment
an offer
official offer
from
customer
If it is no, we ask for the
ILIA Group offer
No
reason. Perhaps we could
Decision
Customer
Approve?
to customer
implement the new
demands
Yes
It is our policy to receives
Sign order and
Contractual
ILIA Group &
ILIA Group offer
minimum of %50 cash from
transfer cash
agreement and cash
Customer
customer in advance.
ILIA Group transfers the
Cash in hand for
Bank transfer
Transfer money
ILIA Group
money for VIA Group to be
VIA Group
able to order
Signed order
Order from supplier
Goods
VIA Group
VIA Group officially orders
and cash
Depending on the contract
Goods with
Products
Deliver
VIA Group
with the supplier in terms of
Customer
shipping method
VIA Group© - Annual Report 2008
Slide 30

VIA Group
Address: c/o Berchtoldgasse 1        1220 Vienna        Austria
Telephone : +43 664 60 103 134         Fax : +43 (1)  320 26 84
Website: www.via‐group.com         E‐mail: office@via‐group.com
VIA Group© - Annual Report 2008
Slide 37

Document Outline

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