William (Bill) Bean is an affiliate with Schaffer Consulting. He has spent more than 15 years introducing strategic management concepts and tools to the emerging markets of India and China. His expertise in financial services and technology innovation has been instrumental in guiding companies that seek to participate in the explosive growth of these developing economies.
Bill consulted with a global bank in the late 1980s as they introduced the first credit cards to the Indian market. Management leaders needed help identifying and reaching out to the target market, establishing procedures for determining consumer debt snapshots and appropriate credit limits, and educating consumers about this radically new service. The impact on customers was enormous, both economically and culturally. It was fascinating to be involved at the inception of a new industry in a developing economy, and Bill has continued to seek out such opportunities throughout Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
In the mid-1990s, Bill led a major, multinational technology corporation's earliest efforts to establish a software business in China. Much of this work relied on his use of the WorkOut methodology (a proven process for driving rapid and lasting performance improvement that was originally created for GE). Within 5 years, this company was the undisputed market leader in the country.
Bill's recent work with a European bank illustrates the effectiveness of Schaffer Consulting's Rapid Results Approach -building on the success of practical short-term projects-in generating growth results in emerging markets. He coached company executives throughout the design and implementation of an intensive project with an ambitious goal: to increase financial consumer service revenues by 15 million euros in China within 100 days. The challenges included developing new marketing channels, establishing business centers in smaller cities, and educating consumers about various financial services-all within the context of China's incredibly complex governmental bureaucracy. The success of this project demonstrated the untapped potential for achieving positive outcomes, and employees at all levels of the organization are more confident and enthusiastic than ever about new growth and improvement opportunities.
Bill's corporate clients include ING, IBM, Intel, Pepsi-Cola, Fannie Mae, Fidelity Investments, Citibank, Hughes Electronics, General Electric, and Charles Schwab. Clients for whom he has provided economic development consulting include the World Bank, the Clinton Foundation, and the governments of Bolivia, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, and Kazakhstan.
Bill received his BA from Cornell University, his MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and his PhD in Economic Development from Princeton.
Despite the fact that Bill travels almost continuously for professional reasons, he loves to travel internationally for pleasure as well. "Off-duty" travel allows him to study a country's culture, history, religion, and language-all critical, he believes, in developing a true, comprehensive understanding of the people and places he visits.
