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

I usually work with B2B and B2C companies in three ways:

1. Nordic market entry: Companies entering Denmark, Sweden, and the broader Nordics. Roles typically involve first-person on the ground, country manager, strategic AE, and Go-To-Market (GTM) to help define, implement, and execute the commercial strategy.

2. Sales & partnerships: Built and scaled partner portfolios, affiliate networks, and direct sales pipelines. GTM lead for enterprise AI platforms (LLM-agnostic, governance, EU AI Act). Deal sizes from transactional to six-figure annual contracts. E.g. retail, SaaS, AI, fintech, marketplace, telecom.

3. AI visibility: Most B2B sites are invisible to AI search. Not because content is bad, but because it's not structured for AI to understand. I help build that data layer with content, schema markup, connected entities, and technical foundations.

A bit about me:
20 years scaling companies across the Nordics and beyond. Part of 5 exits (€30K to €25M) as co-founder, employee, or consultant. I’ve lived the zero-to-one mess, the “we need pipeline yesterday” weeks, the board pressure, and the scaling sprints. I've made mistakes and seen what breaks (and work) when you scale.

The companies I work with are usually here:
Ready to expand but maybe not ready to build a full team. Budget is real, not infinite. You've got traction, and you're ready to push into a Nordic market or get serious about AI visibility - fast, focused, no bloat.

How I usually start (quick audit, clear next steps)
• Market readiness: What’s missing for a Nordic launch that won’t stall in month 2?
• Pipeline leaks: Where are you losing qualified leads or wasting spend?
• Buyer intent gaps: What are buyers searching for that you’re not answering?
• AI visibility: Can AI search find you, understand you, and cite you?

Book a 30-minute call: tidycal.com/simon-hemph/30-minute-meeting. 
We'll look at where you are, what's broken, and whether I can help (contract, freelance, or permanent).

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John James

Simon Ruben Hemph

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