how we are different

As I meet with our existing and new clients, I realize I walk among some of the brightest in industry. This was a deliberate industry choice for Acclaro Growth Partners. As a team of seasoned consultants, operating executives, and world-class business intelligence experts, we belong among private equity investors and their portfolio company CEOs. It’s where we feel challenged to deliver actionable recommendations. And private equity is where our clients enable us to go beyond evaluation of data and to focus on what really matters – how do we steer clear of risks and take advantage of the most appropriate opportunities for us? After my tour of duty as a U.S. Army Military Intelligence Officer, having an impact, delivering actionable results and collaborating with the client – these are important to me.

When people ask me, “How is Acclaro different? What do you do better than your competitors?” The answer is always easy. I don’t say that to be boastful because we know we have formidable competitors around us. The answer is clear because it came from someone we work with on a regular basis. We’ve obviously mastered the basics of conducting quantitative and qualitative research and we know how to do this on your schedule not ours. We are proud of the tremendous experience, integrity, passion and quality of our team, as any consulting firm would be. And, we challenge ourselves to think differently and “own” each engagement as if it were our own -- to walk in your shoes. But, you’ll hear these same claims from many of our competitors. The comment I will never forget, which made me proud to continue to do what I do is:

“Acclaro delivers the truth that matters, the preponderance of truth, which is the prerequisite for good decision-making. You not only find the truth, you deliver it in a package that can only be described as truth very well told. A storyline which is focused, relevant, meaningful and actionable -- not an aggregation of data or facts or quotes. Many firms can deliver well-executed research quickly with irrefutable accuracy. But you do it in a way which proves to me that you get it. You get what your clients face every day.”

We do not take on routine market research engagements. Our clients bring us the most demanding, sensitive challenges (Go/No Go, for example) which deserve our complete dedication, urgently. The issues that we analyze require a high degree of skill, experience, creativity, speed and sometimes intuition that only comes from doing this for decades. Our role, after all, may be to challenge your preconceptions with courageous, actionable options and recommendations.

Our performance depends on our people and our culture. We have developed a culture of service excellence which is based on a desire to win for our clients -- a tenacious, uncompromising devotion to delivering the truth that you need. We have the team and the culture to uncover fact-based truth about private companies in obscure niches, where little or no information is available.

I’m proud that Acclaro continues to set itself apart and has developed a reputation for client success. This is the reason why, despite the inevitable attrition and retirements included, we still enjoy an 80% client repeat rate. It hit me recently after I made what can only be described as a bone-head statement to a client: When your clients can openly laugh at you, and yet come back for another important engagement, you know you’ve got their trust and respect – as long as you keep those comments to a minimum!

We look forward to hearing about what’s keeping you up at night.

All the best,
Christopher "Kit" Lisle
founder and managing partner
acclaro growth partners