Clear direction.
Turning ambition into clear priorities.



Measurable results.
Setting organizations up to deliver.



Clear direction.
Turning strategic ambition into clear priorities.



Measurable results.
Setting organizations up to deliver.
About

About

hiconiQ is the independent advisory practice of Heiner Offenbächer, focused on businesses across consumer and retail, platforms and services & software.

 

Heiner typically gets involved where strategic ambition is broad, priorities are unclear, the organization is not set up to deliver or results are not coming through. What initially looks like an isolated strategy, operating model or performance issue is often a combination of all three. 

 

His background combines 18+ years across strategy consulting at Booz & Company, operating leadership at MediaMarktSaturn and five years of independent advisory.

LinkedIn profile

Relevant experience


18+ years across strategy consulting, operating leadership and independent advisory.

40+ projects across consumer, retail, platforms and services & software, often in a private equity context.

Senior-led impact


Direct senior involvement from start to finish — no junior handoffs.

Direct challenge and honest feedback.

Flexible support


From challenging strategic decisions to driving implementation, independently or alongside your team.

From full-time involvement to targeted, ongoing support.

Relevant experience


18+ years across strategy consulting, operating leadership and independent advisory.

40+ projects across consumer and retail, platforms and services & software.

Senior-led impact


Direct senior involvement from start to finish — no junior handoffs.

Direct challenge and honest feedback.

Flexible support


Support adapts to the situation — from embedded work to standalone advisory.

From full-time involvement to targeted, ongoing support.
EXPERTISE

Clearer direction.
Better setup.
Stronger results.

Strategy & business model

Clearer direction for better choices and faster progress.
View case studies

Strategy & business model

Clearer direction for better choices and faster progress.
  • Strategic direction and priorities
  • Business model choices
  • Value creation plan
View case studies

Operating model

Clear responsibilities, effective decision-making and an organization set up to deliver.
View case studies

Operating model

Clear responsibilities, effective decision-making and an organization set up to deliver.
  • Target operating model
  • Steering & accountability
  • Reorganization
View case studies

Performance & turnaround

Improving profitability through higher productivity and optimized cost structures.
View case studies

Performance & turnaround

Improving profitability through higher productivity and optimized cost structures.
  • Productivity improvement
  • Cost efficiency
  • Turnaround delivery
View case studies

Strategy & business model

Clearer direction for better choices and faster progress.
View case studies

Strategy & business model

Clearer direction for better choices and faster progress.
  • Strategic direction and priorities
  • Business model choices
  • Value creation plan
View case studies

Performance & turnaround

Improving profitability through higher productivity and optimized cost structures.
View case studies

Performance & turnaround

Improving profitability through higher productivity and optimized cost structures.
  • Productivity improvement
  • Cost efficiency
  • Turnaround delivery
View case studies

Operating model

Clear responsibilities, effective decision-making and an organization set up to deliver.
View case studies

Operating model

Clear responsibilities, effective decision-making and an organization set up to deliver.
  • Target operating model
  • Steering & accountability
  • Reorganization
View case studies
Sectors

Deep sector knowledge.
Fast context.
Sound judgment.

Sector expertise means understanding how a sector really works: its business models, economic drivers, operational challenges and the practical trade-offs behind better decisions.

 

With deep experience across consumer and retail, platforms and services & software, hiconiQ brings this understanding from day one, enabling faster assessments, sharper priorities and more informed decisions.

Consumer & retail

  •   Retail
  •   Consumer products

Platforms & intermediaries

  •   Marketplaces & intermediaries
  •   Recurring-revenue models

Services & software

  •   Business services
  •   Software & SaaS businesses
Get in touch
Sector expertise

Deep sector expertise.
Fast context.
Sound judgment.

Sector expertise means understanding how a sector really works — its business models, economic drivers, operational challenges and the practical trade-offs behind better decisions.

 

With deep experience across consumer and retail, platforms and services & software, hiconiQ brings this understanding from day one, enabling faster assessments, sharper priorities and more informed decisions.

Consumer & retail

  •   Retailers
  •   Consumer goods

Platforms & intermediaries

  •   Marketplaces
  •   Intermediaries
  •   Recurring-revenue models

Services & software

  •   Business services
  •   Software/SaaS businesses
Get in touch

Selected organizations served

CASE STUDIES

Work done in real operating situations.

Selected projects delivered for clients.

More case studies
Case Pic - CEO Agenda
Reset strategy and execution priorities for a new CEO
Reset strategy and execution priorities for a new CEO
Evidence and hard choices turned competing beliefs into a focused CEO agenda.
Case Pic - Strategic Repositionning
Pivoted from growth-at-all-costs to profitability
Pivoted from growth-at-all-costs to profitability
Commercial and cost discipline put profitability first.
Case Pic - Strategy Shift
Shifted from hands-off to operating group
Shifted from hands-off to operating group
New strategic direction strengthened operational grip.
Case Pic - TOM
Centralized operating model to cut costs and execute faster
Centralized operating model to cut costs and execute faster
Over €70m in savings budgeted through structural simplification.
Case Pic - Turnaround
Stopped cash burn and restored profitability
Stopped cash burn and restored profitability
Savings reinvested to strengthen the value proposition.
CASE STUDIES

Work done in real operating environments.

Selected projects delivered for clients.

Case Pic - CEO Agenda
Reset strategy and execution priorities for a new CEO
Reset strategy and execution priorities for a new CEO
Evidence and hard choices turned competing beliefs into a focused CEO agenda.
Case Pic - Strategic Repositionning
Pivoted from growth-at-all-costs to profitability
Pivoted from growth-at-all-costs to profitability
Commercial and cost discipline put profitability first.
Case Pic - Strategy Shift
Shifted from hands-off to operating group
Shifted from hands-off to operating group
New strategic direction strengthened operational grip.
More case studies
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

What clients say.

Heiner helped us cut through complexity and focus on what really mattered. We developed a strategy based on thorough analysis, but always with an eye on what we could realistically execute. That combination made a real difference in how quickly we moved forward.

CEO

Platform Company
Our organization wasn't set up to deliver on our strategy, but translating that into concrete changes was difficult. Heiner asked the uncomfortable questions, helped us work through the trade-offs and got the management team behind a new operating model.

COO

Services Company
When I took on my new role, there was hardly any structure, processes were missing and reliable data was scarce. Heiner brought order into the situation surprisingly quickly. Having someone who challenged my thinking and helped me regain control was extremely valuable at that stage.

CDO

Multi-Channel Retailer
Integrating our first international acquisition was a major step for us. Heiner managed to build trust between both management teams very quickly, even where perspectives differed. He made sure we didn't get stuck in endless discussions but actually made decisions and followed through.

CEO

Tech Company
What I particularly appreciated about working with Heiner was his combination of business understanding and a very practical mindset. He doesn't just challenge ideas from the sidelines. He gets involved, works with the team and helps turn discussions into something actionable. I'd happily work with him again.

Regional CEO

Platform
Heiner quickly got to the heart of our problem and identified practical solutions. When stakeholders questioned whether the potential could actually be realized, he led a pilot that delivered convincing results.

COO

Retailer
Contact

Get in touch to discuss your situation.

Let’s explore your needs and how I might help.