Business Methods

World Bank: Enterprise Survey

April 1, 2020

A survey for the World Bank covering business environment topics including access to finance, corruption, infrastructure, crime, competition, and performance measures. Methodology: Nationwide corporate survey with 532 enterprises. The study provided statistically significant investment climate indicators that are comparable across countries. It assessed constraints to private sector growth and job creation. The findings were also used to help policy makers better understand the business environment and identify, prioritize and implement reforms of policies and institutions that support efficient private economic activity.
Read more

UNDP CEDRO: Industry Potential and Job Creation in Renewable Energy

May 7, 2018

A study for UNDP’s CEDRO program to examine the status of renewable energy projects, the situation of the industrial sector with regards to the manufacturing, assembly, and import of renewable energy systems (RES), and the physical and economic feasibility of renewable energy systems that can be implemented locally. Methodology: Review available documentation on renewable energy, nationally and internationally. In-depth interviews with stakeholders to identify current projects in the pipeline, support available, and the potential for renewable energy. Mapping players involved in the assembly, manufacturing, and import of renewable energy systems. Companies that import and usually also assemble RES, as well as RES manufacturers were interviewed to assess the supply and demand of renewable energy systems, the availability or lack of labor with know-how in renewable energy, and the available infrastructure among other issues. A review of all renewable energy systems and their economic feasibility was carried out followed by an assessment of the current situation versus requirements across all renewable energy facets.
Read more

EU and GOPA: Promotion of social dialogue

January 1, 2018

A study for GOPA Consultants under the ‘Promotion of Social Dialogue in Lebanon’ project, part of the EU funded ‘Promotion of Social Justice’ program. The program is implemented by the Ministry of Labor (MOL), its Labor Inspection Department, the National Employment Office (NEO), and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The main purpose of the project is building the capacity of MOL, and Lebanese Social Partners and Civil Society to be promoters of social dialogue. Two sectors with high potential for growth and unmet demand with regards to a qualified workforce were therefore selected. In-depth interviews were conducted with 290 firms belonging to those two sectors.
Read more

Benchmarking Residential Real Estate

November 14, 2017

A study for a large regional holding group with specialties in retail, leisure, and real estate. The study aimed at understanding the market situation with regards to residential real estate and to benchmark the service charges and services of existing master community projects in comparison to a project that they are constructing. InfoPro extracted from its own Real Estate Databases, real estate projects that are similar to the project under study. In-depth interviews with the developers and facility community managers of these projects.
Read more

World Bank and GDS: Construction Value Chain

August 7, 2017

A study for the World Bank Group and Global Development Solutions (GDS) to conduct value chain analysis of the construction sector, especially residential building materials inputs. Assess the readiness of the sector to take advantage of the future reconstruction in Syria and determine employment creation opportunities. Survey access to finance among micro, small and medium enterprises. Methodology: Collecting background research and figures on the construction sector. Mapping stakeholders and entities to create a value chain. In total, 282 key players were interviewed.
Read more

Market Study for the Mahmoud Abbas Loan Program

February 28, 2017

A market study for the Mahmoud Abbas Foundation (MAF) to develop a student’s loan program for Palestinian refugees residing in Palestinian camps in Lebanon. Methodology: interviews with 250 Palestinian students, three focus groups, interviews with banks and micro-finance organizations. Designed several loan schemes and conducted feasibility studies in order to assist MAF in selecting the best loan program.
Read more

Tripoli Special Economic Zone: The Knowledge and Innovation City Demand Forecast

September 22, 2016

Assess the feasibility of the Knowledge and Innovation City (KIC)concept at the Rashid Karame International Fair (RKF) in Tripoli, by the Tripoli Special Economic Zone. Methodology: Mapping of Potential Sub-Sectors, Concept Testing and Demand Analysis, and Demand Forecast. In-depth interviews were conducted with potential companies to assess their receptiveness towards the concept and their requirements of the KIC in terms of spacing, amenities, services, prices among other criteria.
Read more

UNDP: Assessment of Voter Registration Public Awareness Campaign

April 1, 2014

The Ministry of Interior and Municipalities (MOIM), with the support of UNDP LEAP, launched a multi-media awareness campaign which informed citizens of their right to inspect the voter register database. The study assessed the impact of the campaign on the general public and to identify the effectiveness of the campaign with regards to reachability and informing the public of their rights. The aim of the survey was to also learn from this exercise in order to better any future communication between the MOIM and the public. Methodology: Survey sample of prospective voters.
Read more

EU and LFA: Survey of the Lebanese Franchising Industry

February 21, 2014

A study with EU-financed TRANSTEC/EQUINOCCIO consortium in partnership with the Lebanese Franchising Association (LFA). Provide an overview of franchising in the country. Survey of the franchising industry and gather information on franchisors and local and international franchisees and estimate the contribution of franchising to the Lebanese economy, including 1,200 companies. The sectoral assessment included gathering information on employment, revenue and profitability, international expansion, financial conditions and constraints, franchisor-franchisee relationships, and outlook for the future. The study also assessed the barriers hampering growth and development in order to develop informed decisions on strategies that can grow this sector.
Read more

Ernst & Young: Overview of the SME Market

January 1, 2014

A study for Ernst & Young. Provide an overview of the SME market and available financing solutions. Mapping players who provide financing to SMEs and categorized by criteria such as number of employees, geographic coverage, specializations, types of financial services provided, client profile, and sectors covered. InfoPro then conducted in-depth interviews with several of the players in order to obtain more detailed insights of the financing solutions available to SMEs, in addition to information on the conditions, interest rates, commissions and charges, limits and durations of the debt instruments available. In-depth interviews with 150 SMEs.
Read more

Red Cross: Perception Study

October 1, 2013

A study for the Lebanese Red Cross and its key partners (ICRC, the International Federation of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent and The Norwegian Red Cross). Assess prevailing attitudes towards NGOs and donation patterns to be able to devise a new fundraising strategy. A survey evaluated both general public and private business perceptions, awareness levels of NGOs in general and the LRC specifically. Awareness drivers and communication channels were examined, individual and corporate donation patterns, including sums donated and frequency, in addition to the barriers and drivers to donating. Methodology: Nationwide Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI), in-depth interviews, and quantitative surveys of businesses.
Read more

UNEP: Capacity Building for Sustainable Public Procurement

January 1, 2012

A study for UNEP to identify opportunities for the contribution of public procurement to the achievement of national sustainable development targets. The expected results from the pilot project were to develop an SPP action plan and policy draft, creation of a website portraying SPP activities, and reporting on lessons learned. Methodology: Desk research and in-depth interviews with businesses, supply chain partners, and procurement officers in various ministries and experts in sustainable public procurement in local and international organizations. In collaboration with UNDP / UNEP / Institute of Finance, drafted a SPP Policy and Action Plan to achieve the targets and ensure that public procurement fully contributes to sustainable development and a green economy. A workshop was organized presenting the draft SPP policy plan.
Read more

The Effect of Foreign Labor and Minimum Wage on the Labor Market

November 28, 2008

A study initiated by InfoPro. Salary comparisons, benefits and social allowances. Real variations identified in salaries of foreign vs. local labor across skill sets. Reaction of company owners to an increase in the minimum wage and its quantitative impact on business. Methodology: 350 in-depth interviews with companies, economy, and labor experts.
Read more

World Bank: Productivity and Investment Climate Assessment Survey

January 1, 2006

Two studies for the World Bank. The objective is to understand conditions in the investment climate and their effect on firm-level productivity for the private sector. The goal of the studies was to advise the Lebanese government on ways to change policies that are hindering the growth of the private sector and develop new policies that support productivity growth. Interviews were conducted 953company managers. The sectors covered for this study were the following: Food and beverage, furniture, textile, trade, services, construction, and hotels. The studies delved into the following: Evaluation of productivity level of businesses, Assess investment climate constraints to the company, Identify investment in capacity, innovation and learning, Identify obstacles with respect to infrastructure and services, Evaluate relations between businesses and the government, Evaluate the labor status of businesses.
Read more

Salary Scale for local NGO

March 6, 2024

A salary scale study for a large local NGO. Investigation of benefits and allowances in similar environments including education, transportation, housing, meals, medical insurance, profit sharing schemes among other pertinent benefits. Working conditions and discrepancies in providing benefits and allowances across skill set and education were also assessed. Proposed a new salary scale.
Read more

Customer Satisfaction Survey for a Large Insurance Group

March 6, 2022

A large insurance group was interested in carrying-out a customer satisfaction survey in order to assess the satisfaction of their clientele with the services that they are providing. The study measured clients’ satisfaction based on several evaluation criteria such as: Performance, service, credibility, and reliability. The measure of loyalty and switching intentions were also incorporated in the study design. Methodology: Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI) with the group’s clientele.

Mystery Shopper for Electronics Retailer

January 24, 2022

A study commissioned by a network of household electronics to assess outlets and personnel performance at all branches. The elements included: External and internal premises, Employee appearance and hygiene, Customer care, Behavior and attitude, and Technical knowledge. Methodology: two waves per year.
Read more

Market Share and Perception Analysis of a Lighting Solutions Company

February 14, 2020

Market share study for a large lighting solutions company. Issues addressed: Positioning versus the competition, Brand perception, Selection process utilized in deciding on suppliers of lighting systems, Message to be communicated, SWOT, identification of unmet needs. Methodology: In-depth interviews with contractors / developers, architects, and electrical engineers and consultants.
Read More

Salary Scale for German NGO

January 1, 2020

A study for The German Development Cooperation (GIZ) involving a comprehensive market review and analysis of salaries by benchmarking with other similar organizations in the Lebanese market. Methodology: Revision of job descriptions, collecting information from similar organizations, interviews and match the benchmarked job across the different levels of responsibility in the client’s salary scale, matching between actual service contract salaries and positions and those of the comparators, recommended new salary scale.
Read more

Market Analysis for the Shouf Biosphere Reserve

March 9, 2019

A study for the Shouf Biosphere Reserve (SBR) to provide it with an overview of the organic and high quality market including the most prominent players and those that can be considered as competitors, market demand and supply, barriers to trade, and market requirements and regulatory framework needed for local and export markets. SBR, which offers around 82 high quality products, harvested by farmers and five cooperatives located in the surrounding areas was looking to focus on products with high potential for growth and job creation. The study provided a macro-economic overview of the organic high quality market, a detailed overview of the agriculture activity Shouf, and (3) a review of fair trade practices. Methodology: Mapping stakeholders and interviews with them. Interviews with 170 small-scale farmers.
Read more

Competition Analysis of Real Estate Assets Management and Valuation

February 15, 2019

A study for a Holding real estate company. The company was interested in developing a software related to Real Estate Assets Management and Valuation. The study assessed the following: The competition in the global and local Real Estate Portfolio Management Software market, the offering of the competition, products available in the Lebanese market. A mapping of the competition was conducted through desk research and in-depth interviews.
Read more

Market Assessment and Feasibility of New Automobile Brand

February 11, 2019

A market study for a car importer looking to introduce a new brand to the market. The study included the evolution of the automotive market in Lebanon, and a comprehensive competitive analysis. A financial study was conducted in order to estimate the feasibility of the models under study.
Read more

Assessment of a Chocolate Coffee Shop Concept

July 16, 2018

A study for an investor considering starting up a high-end chocolate coffee shop in Ashrafieh. The outlet was to import high-end chocolate and also to offer drinks such as coffee and tea with pastries and biscuits. The study gauged the market feasibility of the concept by assessing the competition in the area, prospective client profile, types of chocolate most in demand and upcoming trends, customer habits of high end chocolate and coffee shops. Methodology: Retailers in Ashrafieh were mapped area and gathered key information from those considered to be potential competitors. In-depth interviews with most prominent outlets. Focus groups provided insights on client habits and preferences.
Read more

Salary Scale for Micro-Finance firm

May 31, 2018

A study for a large Micro-Finance Institution (MFI) to evaluate its salary scale for a set number of job positions. Identified direct competitors, defined job positions and descriptions. Investigated financial and non-financial rewards such as benefits and allowances, including education, transportation, housing, meals, medical insurance, profit sharing schemes and other benefits. Working conditions and discrepancies in providing benefits and allowances across skill set and education were also assessed. A new salary scale was presented.
Read more

Market Study on the Soap and Detergents Market

January 15, 2018

Assessing the size and trends of various types of soap and detergents in the market in addition to gauging consumers’ general awareness and usage of the various brands. Methodology: A consumer behavior survey with a nationwide household survey and a market overview entailing a supply/demand assessment by interviewing distributors, local manufacturers and purchase managers of major supermarket chains.

Category: Business Methods