Contract to services companies to plan and execute commercial strategy - leveraging the latest tech and AI (All DM's confidential).

Commercial strategy focuses on inflating company earnings valuation via a combination of product, marketing, sales, and distribution initiatives - a mix of core business strategy and functional execution. 

Senior executives often lack access to independent (conflict-free) advice to help optimize the ~7%+ of gross rev they allocate to S&M (or 'growth') each year. This high-risk expenditure often comes with low independent oversight and governance. 

Instead of spending more, changing platforms or vendors, often quicker gains can be had by...

- adding proper strategy into BAU operations 
- better measurement systems
- enhancing internal capability
- direct incentive structures

Engagements typically start with advisory, audits, reviews, workshops, or simple execution oversight. Then custom project work where needed. Once the earnings engine is humming, I then move back into an advisory role.

I've helped hundreds of firms in over 50 sectors, across 4 continents over 17 years.  Professional services, to product, e-com, B2B, B2C and SaaS. From women's luxury apparel, to industrial manufacturing, fine art, plastic surgery, fintech, proptech, education, real estate and more. 

I suit private businesses ($10-200m ARR), PE and forward-thinking corporate brands. Usually reporting directly to the owner, board, C-suite or department heads.

Titles vary from, strategy consultant to fractional CMO, CRO to CGO, CCO, advisor, NED etc. 

In between engagements I work on AI tech of my own. 

You might see me occasionally speak at conferences like WMF or SXSW. Or stumble across articles I've written, heard me on podcasts, seen one of my viral memes on Twitter or completed one of my courses. If you have - cheers!

I also produce a podcast/show called Champagne Strategy which explores all the areas I encounter professionally, featuring world-class practitioners from all around the world. 

DM me to discuss consulting/advisory work, fractional roles and speaking opportunities.

If budgets are tight - follow the link in my bio for pro-bono resources which include:
- the Champagne Strategy podcast
- Hybrency YouTube channel
- A Dose of John *LinkedIn) & Hybrency (Substack) newsletters
- Twitter/X memes
- Brandingmag article series
- Vexpower brand tracking course

TL:DR I enjoy solving difficult business problems for those in need, because everyone wins

John James

RnD360 Advisory Group

Principal

For over twenty years, I was an R&D engineer and project manager in the electronics, software and telecommunications industries. Since 2006, I have specialised as an R&D incentives adviser with KPMG and PwC, working in Australia and Singapore across diverse industries: ICT, electrical, semiconductors, gaming, logistics, chemical, mechanical engineering, automotive, manufacturing, construction, mining, oil and gas, marine engineering, aquaculture and agriculture. I leverage my extensive network to help clients achieve their goals. I enjoy gaining deep understanding of clients’ businesses and R&D and collaborating to reduce risk and build value.

Principal and Co-founder of RnD360 Advisory Group

PwC Australia

Range of responsibilities:
Client Engagement lead. Assisting companies to access the R&D tax incentives:
- Accessing the R&D incentive in Australia
- Assisting clients in identifying projects which meet legislative requirements
- Developing strategy for costing eligible R&D projects and activities.
- Developing risk management strategy for minimising risk of AusIndustry, ATO and/or foreign regulatory audits
- Assisting companies to improve their documentation and collection of substantiation information. 
- Managing client engagements in diverse clients portfolio in wide range of industries - IT, telecoms, electronics and communications, power generations (including wind power), earth sciences, aviation, manufacturing, engineering, construction, mining, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, offshore and onshore Oil&Gas, shipbuilding and primary industries.

Senior Manager. R&D Incentives

Senior Manager

KPMG Australia

Senior Manager - Client Engagement lead. Highly experienced in assisting companies to access the R&D tax incentives, including:
- Accessing the incentive in Australia & Singapore
- Assisting clients to identify which projects might quality against R&D tax legislative criteria
- Maximising expenditure claims on projects
- Minimising risk of AusIndustry, ATO and/or foreign regulatory audits
- Assisting companies to improve their documentation and collection of substantiation information. 
- Delivered positive financial outcomes for a diverse group of clients across many industries IT,telecoms, electronics and communications, power generations (including wind power), earth sciences, aviation, manufacturing, engineering, construction, mining, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, offshore and onshore Oil&Gas, shipbuilding and primary industries.
- Proven business development skills. Industry Networking, Independently Researching and sourcing new clients.

Grey Innovation

Project Engineer/Project Manager.

Was responsible for managing a multidisciplinary group of 5 engineers and technical personnel (electronics hardware, FPGA design, embedded software, PCB layout, mechanical design, component procurement) for development of major subsystems for a secure voice/data communications platform for civilian/military air-traffic control applications. 

This challenging project was delivered on-time against a very aggressive deadline.

Project engineer/manager

APAU Electronics

Developed a range of advanced modular high speed in circuit emulators for application in embedded software development for gaming applications. 
The emulators were used extensively by teams of embedded software developers by a number of leading Australian gaming platform manufacturers for different gaming hardware platforms and were instrumental for these products success in a highly competitive market place.

Independent Consultant

NEC Australia

Senior Systems Engineer.

Notable achievements.
Responsible for managing development of the successful bid by NEC led consortia for a Proof of Concept demonstration and implementation of the Maxi Multi-channel payment solution, a world first Microsoft technologies based e-Government services and electronic payments gateway including Multimedia Kiosks, Internet and Interactive Voice Response (IVR systems). 

Developed a concept and project managed development and implementation of the internal technical document management system for NEC Business solutions division.

Developed a concept and project managed development and implementation of the integrated information display system for NEC National Technical Assistance Centre.

Senior Systems Engineer

Alfatron Pty Ltd

Was involved in conceptualisation and development of a wide range turnkey electronics hardware, embedded  and application software development projects, which covered:

- Data communication equipment (Alfatron A-series)
- Data loggers
- Multichannel multiprotocol multiplexers
- Automotive electronics
- Interface converters
- Printer servers
- High resolution laser plotters
- Integrated local PABX accounting systems
- Secure optical image encoding system.

Electronics Engineer/Senior Electronics Engineer

For over twenty years, I was an R&D engineer and project manager in the electronics, software and telecommunications industries. Since 2006, I have specialised as an R&D incentives adviser with KPMG and PwC, working in Australia and Singapore across diverse industries: ICT, electrical, semiconductors, gaming, logistics, chemical, mechanical engineering, automotive, manufacturing, construction, mining, oil and gas, marine engineering, aquaculture and agriculture. I leverage my extensive network to help clients achieve their goals. I enjoy gaining deep understanding of clients’ businesses and R&D and collaborating to reduce risk and build value.

My secret superpower - I’m a cofounder of Schoolholidays.com.au - website dedicated to everything Schoolholidays.

taplio

The Battle

John James

Alexander Paykin

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?