Optivance 360 is a multidisciplinary management and franchise consultancy, situated in Sydney, Australia, that helps organisations attain their full potential.It does so by adopting a holistic and creative approach to situations and solutions. In many instances outcomes are greatly enhanced through the fusion of strategic, analytical and creative elements.Its founders Stan Zets (CA), and Alan Kaplan (PhD), as well as its highly skilled consultants, all have over twenty years experience in senior capacities. Optivance 360 also excels in Non- Executive Management roles and mentoring, and has enormous depth in the franchise area. More comprehensive information is available from our website, www.optivance360.comWhen it comes to client and stakeholder relationships, Optivance 360 knows that people are our greatest asset. In this regard our 'client for life' program significantly enhances our service offering. Optivance 360 consultants have diverse experience ranging from SME's, (such as Royal Copenhagen and Driving Miss Daisy) to blue-chip multinationals, including: Qantas Loyalty, Agrevo, Aventis, Sakata BASF, Shell (Agri), Ciba, Minolta, and World Vision, etc.Furthermore, we also work with professionals, such as lawyers, to assist with key elements of their practices. This includes assistance with communications, including providing professional content.Our ethos embraces a culture of integrity and respect, across all stakeholders.My personal areas of expertise include: brand development & strategy, marketing, communications, market research, management & project management.In addition, our preferred Group advertising & marketing agency is able to implement our recommendations and provide a full set of digital and traditional services to our clients in a seamless and cost effective manner.Whilst retired from full time work you are welcome to contact me: alankaplan@optivance360.com with queries relating to branding and professional writing.

Consulted in Australia on brand development and strategy, as well as in marketing and communications, with exemplary outcomes.Projects included FMCG, finance, education, paints, thoroughbred racing, and others. During this period clients were also referred to me by one of Australia's iconic retailers, from the perspective of assisting them to enhance their in-store sales performance and retain their listings.

CEO of a niche advertising and marketing agency in Johannesburg for 16 years. Clients included: BASF, Agrevo, Aventis, Mayford-Sakata, Dow, Kynoch, Minolta Cameras, Shell (Agri), World Vision, AC Nielsen and others. Supplied a full range of above and below- the- line services, as well as personally providing senior consulting advice.Examples of work undertaken include: Played a substantial role in taking Agrevo, (later Aventis, following the restructuring), to the number one spot in environmental sciences, in a mature market, as acknowledged in writing.Successfully planned, launched and grew a major gardening range jointly for Agrevo and Sakata-Mayford, into a highly competitive and complex market by pinpointing and promoting a major point of difference at the forefront of consumer needs, i.e. ease of understanding and product use. In addition successfully launched a new range of consumer products for both Dow and Kynoch respectively.Assisted World Vision with the planning and implementation of major brand and marketing research, interpreted the findings, successfully uncovered the challenges and implemented the strategy and tactics, with excellent outcomes. Undertook a similar research and development exercise for BASF but on a much larger scale and assisted the company to enhance their outcomes in key areas. This was attained by isolating the most important elements for the target market, by utilising Factor Analysis, and other techniques.

National Magazines is part of Media 24, one of the largest media Groups in South Africa and listed on the JSE.Responsibilities included: Developing new, and reinforcing existing, company brands, advising on editorial content and covers, (based on interpreting in-depth market research), as well as initiating and implementing change management procedures.In addition initiated multiple market research panels on a wide spectrum of magazines, interpreted findings and presenting these on behalf of Media 24 to senior management, and to major clients of Media 24. Also responsible for new business development and staff workshops.Outstanding outcomes include: Building existing and developing new magazine brands, growing advertising revenue (17%p.a. on average), as well as developing considerable goodwill, and improving operational issues in many key areas.