Download PDF

Work experience

Nov 2006Present

Managing Partner Asia Pacific & Board Member

Solidiance

Solidiance is a marketing and innovation strategy consulting firm with focus on growth in Asia Pacific. We are devoted to working side-by-side with our clients to outpace the competition, close gaps in growth and deliver breakthroughs in performance and profitability. Our Asia focus provides our clients with a better understanding of intrinsic regional issues. We enable our clients to: * Identify and capitalise on market opportunities * Stay ahead of competitors * Instill innovation at the core

* Accelerate growth We are positioned between the traditional management consultants and the externally focused market research firms. This combination ensures that we present a unique combination of creative and analytical capabilities which in turn ensure that we always provide our clients with practical, implementable recommendations. Our offices in China, Singapore, Thailand and India enable us to execute hands-on strategy work and to provide a relevant Asia perspective. We are fast growing and we are recruiting ambitious talent in Asia. We have opportunities for experienced consultants from leading management consulting firms and engagement experience in Asia.

20002006

Managing Director Asia Pacific

Synovate Business Consulting / Ipsos Business Consulting

Synovate Business Consulting was the market intelligence arm of market research player Synovate (Owned by London listed Aegis PLC). Took over unit in 2002. Turned around a humble unit with 32 staffs and USD 2.2 million of revenue to 106 staffs and USD 9.4m in revenues four years later during adverse market conditions. Led the opening and turnaround of 10 new offices and managed 12 Business Consulting offices across Asia (Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Bangkok, Mumbai, New Delhi, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, Tokyo, Taipei) and as well as one the US (Boston). Responsible for delivering PBIT target, achieving double-digit YOY growth, and the overall Business Unit strategy. Reported directly to the Asia Pacific Chairman.

19952000

Owner, Manager

Artemis Asia

Artemis Asia, a Vietnam-based boutique market intelligence consultancy I set up this company in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to help foreign investors to invest in Vietnam in a market where information was scarce. Expanded office to Thailand in 2000. Managed client-specific research projects, mainly in the area of consumer products, agribusiness, industrial goods, hospitality, education, chemicals, and infrastructure. I was responsible for securing new business as well as all aspects of project and office management. Successfully turned a start-up into a well-established 12 staff consultancy firm with regular MNC clients from Europe and Japan as well as several foreign trade commissions.

Education

19931994

Dipoma of Business

RMIT

Skills

Asia Marketing and Growth Strategy Advisory
Asia disruptive innovation strategy & implementation consulting Asia market entry strategy - Expansion strategy Benchmarking, Asia Competitive intelligence and strategy Market research Asia, Market sizing, opportunity analysis & market feasibility Sales & demand forecasting, Customers acquisition & loyalty, New product development Distribution & value-chain optimization, Industrial B2B branding Partner evaluation & selection, M&A due diligence - valuation Marketing & Corporate strategy Asia Pacific emerging markets Asia Innovation Conference speaker ASEAN, Indonesia - Malaysia - Myanmar - Thailand - Vietnam markets

Portfolio

Portfolio

Portfolio

Tested on humans...

“Visionary leader with big picture thinking. Fun and inspiring to work with.”

Andrew Tan  -  Senior Consultant, Risk Advisory - PwC Australia

"He is passionate about what he does, he solves problems, and he has a track record of steady success. He is definitely the kind of person that you want to have on your team when facing adversity."

Nathan Midler - Manager, Market Intelligence - IBM Greater China

"Damien is an exceptional leader with a true entrepreneurial mind-set. He pulled the company upwards, away from the mediocre toward the exceptional."

Doerte Sennecke, CEO - 7CHEN

" I have witnessed his unusual perseverence and optimism in the face of adversity, trials and tribulations associated with the tough world of management consulting."

Uyun Wong, Vice President Asia Pacific - Ivory Investment Management Asia

"Damien is a visionary and entrepreneurial-minded leader. He is a rational risk-taker, and demonstrates true shrewdness in his decision-making."

Karlson Wong, Strategic Planner - Ogilvy & Mather Beijing

"During one tough period, Damien was customer oriented, pro-active, and created additional value add to the client."

Kari Harteva - Regional Director, Asia Ceiling Tiles Business Unit - St Gobain

"Damien accepted a challenging assignment and was able to deliver as promised. I also found Damien easy to work with, even under pressure."

Edward Gwinn, VP Strategy Asia - Michelin Asia Pacific

"Damien is dedicated, focused, driven and innovative in the way that he approached his business and projects."

Seck Yee Chung, Partner - Baker & McKenzie Vietnam

"Damien is an outstanding leader, capable of transforming businesses while keeping his team motivated to achieve a shared vision."

June Fong, Strategic Marketing Manager - Bosch

"Damien brings along all the positive energy and willingness to make this the best company to be a part of."

Mark Lee, Principal - Solidiance 

www.solidiance.com

"He is one of my most trustful man in my business."

Satoshi Komaki, Managing Director Singapore - Nikkei

"A natural business man who handles clients very professionally, Damien is able to even lure the top Fortune 50 companies with charm that these have become repeat long term clients." Figin Seng Regional Director / Director, Human Capital - Primeforte

"Ethics and team spirit are important assets when leading teams to success and Damien has both. Damien is a truly exceptional manager."

Heiko Bugs, Director China - Solidiance 

www.solidiance.com

"Damien demonstrated outstanding capabilities and leadership with an appetite for hard work."

Peter Snell, CEO - Synovate Business Consulting

"Damien is the expert on Competitive and Innovation Strategy. Damien was a great teacher, team leader, and a cool boss"

Deizy Latizia, Manager Market Intelligence - Bakrie Telecom Indonesia 

"Damien Duhamel is influential and charismatic facing Fortune 500 senior executives client, knowledgeable and professional in front of leading media, revolutionary and successful leading a regional consulting business, well-loved and highly respected to subordinates, and, also importantly, with a good sense of humour! What more do I need to say?"

Tina Chan, Business Development Manager - PwC Hong Kong

"It was a pleasure working with you on our project. In the meantime I will not hesitate to recommend you and Solidiance as a reliable and very professional business partner" Daria Stasinska, Marketing & Supply Manager -Roxul Asia Sdn Bhd

Interests

Asia Innovation conference speaker

Innovation: books,blogs and conferences

Spoke about Innovation in the Automotive Industry at the Asia Automotive Innovation Forum 2007

Spoke about Disruptive innovation at the Asian Business Leader Forum in November 2007 and at the Singapore National University (NUS) in September 2008

Spoke about Investing in Vietnam at the Singapore German Chamber of Commerce in December 2007, at the Singapore British Chamber of Commerce in October 2008 and at the Euro Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai in November 2008

Spoke about Redefining innovation in times of economic uncertainties at the Asia Business Forum R&D Conference in Singapore in January 2009

Spoke about Rules of Innovation at the Forum on Globalization and Innovation Services in Singapore in July 2009

Angel / seeds investor & incubator in start-ups with disruptive business models potential.

Keen collector of pre-1920 Singapore and Indochina postcards

Electronic music and my I-Pod

Practices Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) - Mua Thai & Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

About me

Corporate strategist with extensive Asia-based management & operational experience. Manages the long-term strategic planning of the organization. Responsible for multi-country team management, PBIT and revenue growth, geographical expansion, processes, IT, M&A, business development, key staff recruitment, business unit strategy and innovation. Speaks English, French, Vietnamese and "Survival" Japanese. In Asia Pacific for the past 23 years and in Singapore for the past 12 years.

Created withVisualCV