Our in depth knowledge and insight of the local search marketplace means we advise on a wide array of projects at a variety of levels for different types of clients.

Akesios provide strategic consulting, program and project management, productisation and go-to market plans including sales training. We also have excellent experience in providing due diligence on acquisitions of digital companies, including post purchase business turnarounds.

Please see below for some examples of the types of work we provide and some relevant case studies.

Digitising Directories

Directory and media businesses are under threat from declining revenues and increasing competition from non-‘traditional’ areas. With a few exceptions, usage – and therefore revenue – continues to decline in printed products where the majority of their revenues reside, and from which they achieve such high EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) contributions. Increasing competition from pure-play Local Search services and Search Engines such as Google threatens their usage unless they continue to invest heavily and cease to rely on their printed portfolio.

Akesios is expert in advising directory companies on Local Search, whether enhancing their IYP offering, or entering new markets such as Search. We have successfully launched Search businesses for directory companies across Europe, making us the de facto consultancy in this niche area. Working with you, we can provide the strategy, methodology and systems to sell all major Search Engines’ proven tools through your existing salesforce and via supplementary channels, for example the acquisition of SEM agencies. For many organisations, we operate their entire Search Engine Marketing business.

Advising SEM Agencies

In a challenging economy and Google taking away its Best Practice Funding program, liquidity issues are not uncommon even in the growing SEM market. Akesios can help by bringing focus to the product offering, create efficiencies in the back office, and renewed vigour to the sales channels. Technology is not without its place in situations like these, and Akesios has a range of tools available to support the business already developed or we can develop bespoke applications for your needs.

Search Consultancy

Whether you’re considering launching Local Search services or want to refine your offer and increase your revenues, we can help, with a range of consultancy services.

These include initial studies, strategic business consultancy, company acquisitions, business development, technical analysis, design and build, project management and bespoke implementations. We can assist with or manage any part of your Local Search requirement, or provide a complete, end-to-end service designed to reduce your management burden and de-risk the process, including marketing, product, pricing, invoicing, training and building your back end system.

We work with many organisations which are aware of the benefits of sponsored Search services, but find that selling them on to their customers couldn’t be more difficult. Many of our clients are directory owners, who continue to reap substantial benefits from our services in the face of crumbling revenues from their traditional products.

We are platform-independent and work closely with all Local Search Engine platforms including WebVisible, MatchCraft etc.

Clients benefit from our consultants’ collective Search experience from blue chip companies including Yahoo!, Overture, Inktomi, Microsoft, Thomson Directories, Sensis, Truvo and European Dirctories – over 50 years in total. See case study.

Local Search Monetisation

Search Engine Marketing has come of age, but Local Search is still a relatively untapped market … one which cannot be underestimated in terms of its size, value or level of demand.

The demand for Local Search services is constantly increasing from both small and medium sized businesses and consumers. Local Search sites attract ample traffic, yet many struggle to achieve their revenue objectives. Coupled with this, delivering Local Search that meets the needs of consumers is becoming increasingly challenging as they become more demanding and social networking continues to grow.

Having helped some of the largest Search Engines to improve their experience outside the US, Akesios has the experience and expertise to help you add new data and increase your income from existing advertisers. We can achieve this either via your own salesforce or a third party, as a standalone search site or as part of an aggregated group – successfully providing a consistent and accurate search experience across multiple entry points and sourcing from multiple content sets.

The result – an improved search experience, increased traffic, greater loyalty from both searchers and advertisers and significantly higher revenues. See case study.

Due Diligence

Operational Due Diligence

We are expert in carrying out Operational Due Diligence for businesses seeking to make acquisitions in the Search sector – for example, when a publishing organisation wishes to ramp up its Search capability by acquiring a specialist SEM agency.

In any sector, the majority of mergers and acquisitions fail to deliver on the financial promise made at the initiation of the process. We de-risk the process by evaluating the target company’s market relevance in terms of the opportunity, sustainable value and sales readiness. We analyse its sales potential – drilling down into forecasts, customer loyalty and win/loss scenarios. Then, we advise on what the acquisitive company can expect over time, and with different investment options.

The result … better post-acquisition integration, improved growth, reduced risk and frequently, a reduced purchase price.

Financial Due Diligence

Akesios are well placed to also bring in relevant accountancy services for more detailed financial due diligence.

Selling your SEM business

For companies wishing to sell their Search business for maximum benefit we can provide advice to optimise the bottom line of the business, delivering the highest possible EBITDA multiple. We can also recommend the Corporate Finance and Advisory services of companies specialising in preparing media and marcoms businesses for sale and marketing them to potential acquirers. See case study.

Business Turnaround

Today's Search businesses face a raft of challenges – not least keeping abreast of rapid technological change, increased competition and global economic uncertainty. The combination of these can rapidly result in what should be a healthy business facing a crisis of survival.

We work alongside you to develop and deliver a viable plan to turn the business round, whilst managing existing processes and stakeholder, client and partner relationships.

Our work includes helping to stabilise financial and operational performance by developing and implementing comprehensive profitability and working capital plans, including reassuring creditors and investors that the correct steps are being taken to address the problems and maximise the company’s value. It also includes Search Consultancy and advice about – and management of – Local Search Monetisation, as appropriate. See case study.

Recruitment

Akesios has the in-depth knowledge of the market, its needs, technical disciplines and geography to be able to fulfil your precise recruitment requirements, whether you are looking for permanent or interim staff at any level, or are seeking employment in the sales, marketing, technical or management areas of Local Search, Akesios has the in-depth knowledge of the market, its needs, technical disciplines and geography to be able to fulfil your precise requirements.

Only in this way can you be sure of the first-time right match between employer and employee, whichever side the desk you’re sitting.