In New "Downturn" Video Series, Experts Tell Companies How to Generate Cash and Capitalize on the Upturn

BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - September 30, 2009) - Companies can take specific actions to generate cash, make competitive gains in an economic downturn, and position themselves more strongly for the upturn, say experts from The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and the Wharton School in a new video series. The first two segments of the four-part series, titled "Winning in a Downturn, Accelerating in the Upturn," are being released today by Knowledge@Wharton, the online publishing venture of the Wharton School. The final two segments will be released October 7.

"Ambitious companies see the opportunities that a downturn presents," says Harold L. Sirkin, a senior partner in BCG's Chicago office and a featured expert in the series. "Whether it's targeting new markets in rapidly developing economies, taking the time to develop new products that better meet customer needs, or focusing on strengthening core areas of business, the key is being prepared to win in the upturn."

The video's four segments are:

-- Generating Cash. This segment offers seven cost-cutting and cash-generating actions, such as rethinking current activities, tightly managing working capital, reviewing the customer and product portfolios, and optimizing the asset base.

-- Finding Strategic Opportunities. Ambitious companies that want to capitalize on a downturn can choose from a range of strategic moves, such as altering their business model in game-changing ways or attacking the profit stronghold of competitors.

-- Managing in Turbulent Times. In difficult times, leaders must balance discipline and accountability with emotional support for their people. This segment shows how to minimize declines in productivity and build confidence in the future.

-- Outlook for Global Markets. In this, the final segment, experts from BCG and the Wharton School discuss opportunities and threats on the horizon for multinationals competing in global markets.

"We advise companies to build a series of downturn scenarios, ranging from moderate to worst case, that are activated when certain trigger points are reached," notes Reinhard Messenböck, a partner in BCG's Berlin office and another featured expert in the series. "With defined targets, companies can focus with laserlike clarity and speed on generating cash and making strategic moves."

To obtain a link to the video series or arrange an interview with one of BCG's featured experts, please contact Eric Gregoire at +1 617 850 3783 or gregoire.eric@bcg.com.

About Knowledge@Wharton and the Wharton School

Knowledge@Wharton is a free biweekly online resource that captures knowledge generated at Wharton through such channels as research papers, conferences, books, and interviews with faculty on current business topics, and distributes that knowledge online to a global business audience. The Knowledge@Wharton network includes more than 1.31 million subscribers and contains more than 2,000 articles and research papers in its database, with more added every week. The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania -- founded in 1881 as the first collegiate business school -- is recognized globally for intellectual leadership and ongoing innovation across every major discipline of business education. The most comprehensive source of business knowledge in the world, Wharton bridges research and practice through its broad engagement with the global business community. The school has more than 4,600 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral students; more than 8,000 annual participants in executive education programs; and an alumni network of more than 81,000 graduates.

About The Boston Consulting Group

The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is a global management consulting firm and the world's leading advisor on business strategy. We partner with clients in all sectors and regions to identify their highest-value opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform their businesses. Our customized approach combines deep insight into the dynamics of companies and markets with close collaboration at all levels of the client organization. This ensures that our clients achieve sustainable competitive advantage, build more capable organizations, and secure lasting results. Founded in 1963, BCG is a private company with 66 offices in 38 countries. For more information, please visit www.bcg.com.