Ralph’s recognition as a leading professional in global brand building and strategy transformation is reflected in his appointment as judge in the European Business Awards, numerous conference keynote speaker addresses and several media appearances.
Be consumer-focused.
Be different.Be great.
Arqus inspires companies to go beyond their comfort zone breaking down boundaries.
Arqus focuses on converging Asian and Western management styles for ultimate success.
Be consumer-focused.
Be different.
Be different.
Be great.
Arqus Advisory is a consumer-focused, brand and strategic consultancy that can help your company build and execute the right differentiated strategy for sustainable, profitable growth.
Arqus inspires companies to go beyond their comfort zone breaking down boundaries.
Arqus focuses on converging Asian and Western management styles for ultimate success.
Strategize, differentiate, delight consumers – and win with distinctive competitive advantage
Arqus – Latin for “arch” – symbolizes collaboration and the all-important connections between companies, brands and their consumers. Guided by these philosophies, we create bespoke strategies for success in the global marketplace, and help you to deliver on them.
We bring a wealth of hands-on experience that bridges cultures across North America, Europe and in particular Asia (Japan and China). Leading advisor Ralph Ahrbeck has worked together with Fortune 100 companies and startups alike.
Arqus’ philosophy puts your consumer front and center. We build a bespoke team of expert collaborators necessary to define and achieve your competitive strategy.
For superior profitable growth, higher shareholder value and a global outlook, pass through the Arqus.
We bring a wealth of hands-on experience that bridges cultures across North America, Europe and in particular Asia (Japan and China). Leading advisor Ralph Ahrbeck has worked together with Fortune 100 companies and startups alike.
Arqus’ philosophy puts your consumer front and center. We build a bespoke team of expert collaborators necessary to define and achieve your competitive strategy.
For superior profitable growth, higher shareholder value and a global outlook, pass through the Arqus.
What We Do
We work together with and inspire management to build and execute a differentiated, more relevant brand and strategic focus.
Working closely with management, Arqus formulates insight-led, consumer-focused strategies to build dominant global brands and businesses. And we don’t stop there: We execute these strategies alongside management to ensure success.
With a unique depth of international experience that transcends both Western and Asian cultures and cuts through complex issues, business functions and industry sectors, Arqus has the credentials to leverage best-in-class practices to:
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Deliver measurable, sustainable and innovative growth
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Build and execute your bespoke strategy
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Establish global strategy and vision
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Reposition your brands
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Forge international expansion and alignment
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Drive value-added innovation and implement best practices across industries
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Work with management to deliver on strategy
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Train management to overcome complex organizational challenges
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Build a team of experts just for you
A Different Approach
Win in your market with a consumer-focused strategy.
Arqus has extensive expertise in strategic decision-making, probing the most relevant questions and challenging strategy leveraging industry best practices to build stronger organizations, deliver superior results and drive shareholder wealth.
We believe the consumer is at the heart of everything we do, while a brand is the pivotal consumer touch point for the long-term success of any business.
Our unique approach:
- Redefines consumer focus through cutting-edge brand marketing and differentiated strategies
- Leverages consumer insights as part of effective brand segmentation
- Combines global knowledge with local insight for maximum relevance and impact
- Delivers a holistic perspective that blends internal and external viewpoints
- Enhances consumer touch points through effective digital strategies
- Balances a cultural understanding of Asian (Japanese and Chinese) and Western businesses with an effective “hybrid” management style
- Offers cultural dexterity with English, Japanese, German and French language capability
Expertise
Let Arqus inspire your company to change.
Arqus Advisory was founded by Ralph Ahrbeck, combining his passion for consumer-led strategy with 30+ years’ experience in senior leadership roles at companies as diverse as Shiseido, Kraft, Roche and Alliance Boots including nine years at the helm of his own successful global consultancy practice.
Ralph has tackled the full spectrum of business issues, functions and industry sectors across global regions, including over a decade based in Japan and Asia.
- Consumer Goods
- Beauty / Luxury
- Healthcare / Life Science
Building global, innovative, consumer-focused businesses
As a global citizen, Ralph has lived in eight countries on three continents (10+ years in Japan), enabling startups and creating turnarounds with Shiseido, Alliance Boots, Roche Pharma and Kraft Foods. His passion is building consumer-focused global brands and profitable, innovative businesses.Ralph’s philosophy for success
1. Differentiate for the win:“Complacency is the bane of business – I bring innovative thinking to my clients.”
2. Think global, act local:
“Cultural dexterity requires an intimate understanding of local consumer insights and a dash of global experience.”
3. Keep it simple:
“The only way an organization can provide superior sales and profit growth is to not only decide what to do, but also what not to do.”
4. Know your market:
“Strategy is a set of informed choices that are integrated, different to competition and are choices that you act upon.”
5. Touch consumers with your brand:
“Speak to a targeted set of consumers on an emotional level, through what I call an ‘emotional hook’.”
Read the full Q&A with Ralph, or visit his LinkedIn profile
Biography
Ralph began his career as a Canadian chartered accountant, developing early on an eye for what drives value-added profit. He joined Kraft Foods International in Europe before moving to Tokyo in a traditional Japanese 50/50 joint venture with Kraft. There he earned trust as a capable foreign leader blending Western management style with traditional Japanese values, increasing sales and profits with a strong focus on the consumer.
Ralph then moved to Switzerland as European Head of Roche Consumer Health, spanning 12 countries. His team’s company-wide restructuring program and development of a stable of global brands transformed the fledgling organization into a highly successful and profitable business that was later sold to Bayer.
After working with Alliance Boots in the U.K. in the healthcare distribution/retail industry, he founded Novus Lifescience, a global marketing and strategy consultancy. Working with Fortune 100 companies and entrepreneurs alike, he helped his clients build leading global brands, new business models and market leadership.
In 2014, Ralph was appointed Chief Strategy Officer (Corporate Executive Officer) at Shiseido, where he was instrumental in crafting a rejuvenation roadmap (Vision 2020) to transform this traditional Japanese organization. In 2015 he additionally assumed the post of Regional Head for China.
In 2016, Ralph founded Arqus Advisory, a global marketing and strategy consultancy with a focus on blending Asian and Western management philosophies for successful business transformation.
Ralph holds dual Canadian and German citizenships and speaks English and German proficiently, while functional in French and Japanese. He divides his time between homes in Canada and Germany, visiting clients around the world with his worn and tattered passports.
Client Impact
Arqus delivers profitable growth to global organizations.
Arqus Advisory founder Ralph Ahrbeck has engaged companies ranging from startups to Fortune 100 companies across three continents, including 10+ years in Japan and Asia.
How can we help you?
Contact us to find out how we can transform your company.