Maryanne Edwards is one of the Global Marine Business Advisors, a group of 19 marine industry professionals, located on five continents and eighteen countries offering advice to businesses around the world.
Pictured: Maryanne Edwards
Each consultant has unique and extensive experience in the recreational marine industry. Due to this extensive knowledge, networks and contact bases, GMBA has attracted various projects for businesses within the industry.
Some of these projects have involved several GMBA consultants working together, and other projects have been allocated to individual consultants.
Consultants also attract their own clients working individually and are totally free to do so. Confidentiality and integrity in doing business are a cornerstone of the group ethos.
The brand and reputation of GMBA has grown quickly and like most new businesses it generally takes a few years to really make a mark. With 2 years completed and a rocky road for many in the industry since covid, GMBA now has a firm footing in the recreational marine sector. There are many examples that could be outlined in relation to work undertaken by GMBA but a recent example from a very interesting manufacturer that has been highlighted, was for a company in Finland called Remoran. They engaged several GMBA consultants to investigate global markets for one of their products. They were particularly focused on two regions. The appropriate global consultants were engaged, and each developed their specific market proposal taking into account the scope of the clients request. These were individual proposals which were separately forwarded to the client with a uniform price for each consultant. A timeframe in which to undertake this project was also agreed. Each consultant conducted their research separately so as not to provide a skewed report to the client.
The reports were delivered to the client within the agreed timeframe and to the agreed budget. The client was extremely happy with the outcomes defined in the report and has already reviewed parts of their strategy because of this. They are now looking at the possibility of GMBA undertaking further work on their behalf. The important factor in this approach by GMBA is that the client received a timely, practical, cost-effective proposal, the reports were delivered on time and with clear summaries and outcomes. A follow up Zoom call was undertaken with the consultants and the client to enable a frank discussion to be had regarding the results and to allow the client to question the consultants on various points and gain a more in depth understanding of the reports.
Tarita Lindholm, Remoran commented, ““For us as a smaller company, it was difficult to know where to go for the market research project we wished to undertake. GMBA was recommended to us and I have to say it was a great recommendation. The price was competitive, the reports were well written and understandable, the network amongst the group was enviable and we have already changed several aspects of our marketing because of information in the report. In many respects the report was more extensive than we expected providing excellent value for our investment. We had obtained a government grant to undertake this research and the government was more than happy with the GMBA group to be involved. Many small businesses like us struggle to find cost effective consultants to assist us with our businesses. “
The GMBA team’s extensive global network and combined level of accrued knowledge, not available elsewhere, have made GMBA a go to consultancy when businesses are looking to expand their business, obtain market overviews, understand best media outlets for their marketing push, evaluate new initiatives, and a push currently appears to be understanding the boat show market and where various companies need to establish a presence. Whether the GMBA projects are assisting boat manufacturers, equipment manufacturers or marina operators/developers, GMBA consultants have ensured quality outcomes in all projects that have been undertaken.
Recent projects consultants have been involved with have involved developing and leading trade missions, identifying distributors for specific products, scoping the market for new initiatives, assisting with the development of marinas, reviewing various aspects of the boat market, preparing articles on industry topics and developing marketing strategies and award applications for various products and businesses.
The initiative for GMBA started in 2019, with a view to harness the collective experience and networks within the recreational marine industry to support industry players looking to expand or develop their businesses whether it be locally or internationally. To this end GMBA has found their niche and are attracting projects from the global marketplace. GMBA is not a substitute for a trade association GMBA is a commercial consultancy/advisory group.
The team at Global Marine Business Advisors currently reside in the UK, France, Finland, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Singapore, Australia, Dubai, Spain, Russia, Italy, South Africa, Turkey, Poland, Sweden, Croatia and the USA. GMBA have also recently taken on board a technical consultant to assist with the aspects of projects they are getting that require technical knowledge and assistance.
Most people are so busy working in their business, they struggle to find the time to work on their business. This is where a consultancy like GMBA can assist and from feedback received it does appear GMBA prices and quality of work meet the current market needs.
Those wishing to contact GMBA in Australia can do so through MaryAnne Edwards or call +61 412 916 036
