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[About SMG]

Simon Management Group:

Management Consulting for Technology-based Companies

Simon Management Group is dedicated to helping technology-based companies achieve their growth objectives. Based on externally validated facts and compelling analysis, our work helps management teams make well-informed decisions that significantly improve business performance.

The first step to building a successful business often involves creating innovative new products and services. But sustained success depends on clearly understanding and capitalizing on market-related opportunities. Addressing current customers, target markets, distribution channels, pricing, partnerships, competition, emerging technologies, and even regulatory issues, Simon Management Group delivers clear findings and recommendations using proven, world-class analytical skills.

We work for companies of all sizes and stages: established, emerging, and startup businesses. Our clients market a wide range of Web-based services, software, hardware, and communications products.

A Unique Approach

Bringing hands-on, senior management experience in technology-based companies to each project, Simon Management Group delivers accurate and objective information, provides practical solutions, and communicates frequently and effectively with each of our clients.

Our seasoned approach provides an important edge. We help clients exploit opportunities and navigate industry challenges, such as technology and product shifts, emerging markets, evolving distribution channels, and changing competition.

Each client represents a unique set of products, services, resources, competitors, and market dynamics. Critical challenges and decisions vary from company to company. Simon Management Group provides valuable and actionable recommendations specifically designed for each client’s needs.

Principles

Simon Management Group is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards in its client relationships. The firm strictly follows three principles:

· All project work is undertaken for and belongs to the client.

· Simon Management Group will not work with companies that directly compete.

· Simon Management Group maintains absolute confidentiality with regard to client information and projects.

Simon Management Group: clear, practical analysis for business growth.

[Typical Projects]

Simon Management Group conducts primary external research, collects third-party information, and builds on client knowledge and experience to identify, evaluate, and analyze the issues that are critical to achieving our clients’ goals. Our recommendations are clear, practical, and designed for implementation.

Our work addresses a variety of issues, including:

· Product and Market Assessments - The core of our practice is devoted to aligning products and services with the customers most likely to value them. Objectively assessing requirements and competitive offerings is essential to developing achievable business plans and optimally deploying a company's limited resources. We undertake a variety of projects, including:

- New product opportunities and customer acceptance verification

- Pricing analysis

- Customer segmentation and target market profiles

- Distribution channel options and feedback

- Product launch tactics

- Competitive analysis and positioning

- New technology assessments

- Financial modeling of business alternatives

- Product and marketing plan reviews

· Development of Business Strategies and E-Commerce Initiatives - Market-data driven business assessments form the foundations of effective business growth strategies. The Internet provides a new platform for companies to reach broader markets, but careful planning is still required. We help companies evaluate their options and create achievable plans through our experience in many areas, including:

- Analytical support for business plans

- Identification and evaluation of corporate partnerships

- New products and services adoption rates

- Geographic expansion strategies

· Acquisition and Divestiture Assistance - At times, achieving strategic goals requires the purchase or selling of technologies or businesses. We assist companies with:

- Valuations

- Assessing corporate and strategic fit

- Financial modeling and impact

Projects typically require one to several months. They are often conducted in phases to enable the firm and the client to adjust the approach based on the findings of the project as it proceeds.

Client projects address many product-markets and technologies, including:

· Web-based Services - The Internet has become the platform for a variety of new services. We help companies capitalize on many of these new opportunities, including:

- Application Service Providers (ASPs)

- Messaging Service Providers (MSPs)

- Secure communications and transactions

- Business-to-business and business-to-consumer portals

· Communications Infrastructure and Equipment - Communications networks, and the amount and types of information they transmit, continue to grow rapidly. Through in-depth research and analysis, we forecast market penetration rates and develop customer segmentation strategies for many products, including:

- DSLAMs

- Remote access devices

- Optical multiplexers

- VSATs

· Software Solutions - Since our founding, a significant portion of our engagements has focused on software applications and tools. We assist clients with pricing, competitive positioning, and market sizing in many areas, including:

- Vertical and horizontal business applications

- Application servers

- Databases

- CAD

- CBT and educational software

- Systems performance measurement

· Personal Communications Devices - Our projects most often involve products and services for businesses. However we also undertake a variety of work on products for consumer markets, including:

- Handheld computers

- Cable and DSL modems

- Games

· Computer Equipment and Local Area Networks - The evolution and deployment of PCs and networks has provided many high growth opportunities for companies with innovative products at competitive prices. We help companies exploit these opportunities in many areas, including:

- Wireless LANs

- Network servers

- Network PCs

- Routers and hubs

[Senior Staff]

Senior Management

Peter Simon, Founder and President

Prior to founding Simon Management Group in 1989, Peter Simon worked for more than fifteen years as a senior manager and consultant for technology-based companies. At Bain and Company, in Boston and London, Peter worked as a consultant and manager on both strategy and implementation projects. Peter served as General Manager of Business Applications at Lotus Development Corporation and as Vice President of Marketing at Banyan Systems. Peter holds an Sc.B. degree in mechanical engineering from Brown University and an MBA from Stanford University.

Mary Kirson, Executive Vice President

Before joining Simon Management Group's team in 1994, Mary Kirson served as the Vice President of Marketing at CrossComm Corporation. In addition, Mary’s fifteen years of marketing and management experience for technology-based companies includes work as a Senior Director of Marketing at Motorola Information Systems Group and as a consultant and manager in the Information Industry practice of Booz, Allen & Hamilton. Mary was also the Director of Product Marketing at Banyan Systems during the period when the company’s revenues grew from $3 million to $80 million. Mary holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Rice University and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Paul Joseph, General Manager

Paul Joseph is the manager of the Austin, Texas office. Paul joined Simon Management Group in 1996. He has served as project leader on a wide range of engagements and has worked closely with client management. Paul has been involved with a broad array of products and services, representing a large number of both established and emerging technologies. Paul holds a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing and management from Cornell University and an MBA from Babson College.

[Careers]

Career Opportunities with SMG

Simon Management Group offers a challenging work environment with strong emphasis on a team approach. Our professionals work with executives of technology-based companies, ranging in size from recently funded ventures to multi-billion dollar companies.

Consultant Qualifications

BA/BS degree and MBA

Demonstrated academic and career success

Superior analytical capabilities

Strong work ethic

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Ability to thrive and ultimately lead in a team environment

Experience in a technology industry preferred

Associate Qualifications

BA/BS degree

Demonstrated academic success

Strong work ethic

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Ability to thrive in a team environment

Experience with technology-based preferred

Current opportunities at SMG

Austin, TX

We are looking for both consultants and associates to work in our new Austin office. If you are from the Austin area or would be interested in relocating, please contact Paul Joseph at pjoseph@simonmanagement.com or (512) 346-9220.

Boston, MA

If you are interested in pursuing a career opportunity at our Boston office, please contact Bruce Stone at bstone@simonmanagement.com or (781) 239-1270.

[Contact]

Contact Information

Boston, MA (map and detailed directions)
Peter Simon psimon@simonmanagement.com
One Washington Street, Fourth Floor
Wellesley, MA 02481

Phone: (781) 239-1270
Fax: (781) 239-0640

Austin, TX (map)
Paul Joseph pjoseph@simonmanagement.com
One Far West Building
3410 Far West Boulevard
Suite 240
Austin, TX 78731

Phone: (512) 346-9220
Fax: (512) 346-9420

[Map and Directions]

Simon Management Group

One Washington Street, Fourth Floor

Wellesley, MA 02481

(781) 239-1270

From Logan Airport

Follow signs to the Sumner Tunnel/Interstate Route I-93.

Go through the Sumner Tunnel, take a hard right and then a left, following the signs to the Massachusetts Turnpike and Route I-93 South.

Get onto the highway and follow it through a short tunnel staying in the right lane. Take the exit just after leaving the tunnel marked Massachusetts Turnpike West.

Stay on the Massachusetts Turnpike West to Exit 15 (I-95). Go south on Interstate 95 (Route 128) for 1/2 mile to Exit 21B (Route 16 West). At the end of the exit ramp, take a right onto Route 16 West. This is Washington Street.