ZeusThink:See Around Corners. Reframe Growth. Turn Culture Into An Edge.
- Early trend recognition (5–15 years before others):
Index Investing (1970) · African Consumer Markets (1978) · China Manufacturing (1982) · Global Economy’s Asia Shift (1991) · Cloud Computing (1999) - Strategies that move the needle:
- Helped a $2.7B industrial company identify a path to quadruple its growth rate by concentrating on ten high-growth sub-sectors with a TAM of $100+B.
- Repositioned a European PE recruitment firm's US entry around a differentiated value proposition: its roster of C-Suite executives experienced in foreign markets uniquely positions it to reduce risk for US PE firms going abroad, where cultural fluency determines success or failure.
- Redesigned a major institution's PE strategy by shifting focus to secondaries (23-31% net IRR for 2020-2021 vintage vs. 7-14% for primary commitments), niche managers with top performance in smaller, inefficient markets, and Asian markets growing at 4-5% annually vs. 1.8-2.1% for the US, enabling the institution to restore, if not increase, its return assumptions.
- Global execution:
Closed deals on six continents, turning cultural insights into leverage where others saw barriers. My professional, academic and alumni networks (Princeton, Harvard Business, Harvard Law) let me readily initiate relevant relationships.
We assist clients as a Senior Advisor, Board of Directors, or as a Consultant for “short sprints”. See Working Together.
What Executives Say
“I have known and worked closely with Jeff for almost 20 years across a number of different and challenging business situations. In all cases, Jeff’s strategic insights, analytical ability, and extensive network of contacts helped in a material way to improve the outcome. On top of all of that, and importantly, Jeff is a terrific human being, fearless and a great partner.”
Jeff StieflerFormer President & Director | American Express
Director & Former Chairman | FIS/WorldPay
“Jeff Balash provides a rare combination of deep strategic knowledge with an understanding of the people side of the organization. He is one of the most creative people I have met!”
Marshall GoldsmithAuthor / Executive Coach
The only two-time Thinkers 50 #1 Leadership Thinker in the World
“Jeff has a rare combination of strategic vision and practical ability in capital raising, deal experience, and business development. He has a unique ability to grasp novel trends, generate innovative ideas, and adapt his experience to new environments and business situations. He is a terrific collaboration partner all around.”
Jordan BlashekPresident, COO, and Co-founder | America’s Frontier Fund
“Jeff has tons of contacts and tons of insight. He uses them both right when you least expect it. And it works! Lots of experience in one seemingly unassuming gentleman.”
Kevin SuraceChairman and CTO | Appvance.ai
Inc. Magazine’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 2009
“Jeff Balash is a creative thinker and a brilliant analyst. There is no better problem solver available.”
Burton MalkielAuthor | A Random Walk Down Wall Street
“I have known Jeff for more than two decades. He is a man of great character, great intelligence and great integrity. He is an amazing resource of knowledge. His commitment to excellence is truly inspirational!”