Strategy Solutions

Strategic Business Development & Data-Driven Transformation for Institutional Banking

Challenge

An APAC universal bank's Strategic Business Development, within its Global Institutional Banking Coverage (GIBC) division aimed to strengthen governance, data transparency, and performance alignment across Institutional, Corporate, and Natural Resources client ecosystems.

The challenge centered on modernising how strategy was governed and executed:

• Fragmented governance and inconsistent reporting across multiple CIB product lines.

• Limited integration between business strategy, financial planning, and operational performance data.

• Inadequate real-time visibility for senior executives into initiative progress, benefits, and risk status.

• Need for an executive-level leader to embed a culture of continuous improvement using data-driven insights.

Solution

Harmonic structured a Strategic Business Development & Performance Enablement Framework to elevate how the GIBC division defined, executed, and measured its strategy.

1. Governance & Strategic Alignment

• Designed a CIB-wide strategic governance model, consolidating initiative oversight, risk tracking, and benefit realization across Institutional, Corporate, and Transaction Banking units.

• Introduced an Integrated Leadership Cadence — linking Steering Committees, Operations Forums, and Performance Councils to enable transparent escalation and accountability.

• Created standard templates for SteerCo packs, initiative updates, and financial tracking to ensure reporting consistency across regions.

2. Data-Driven Performance Management

• Developed a Performance Insights Dashboard that integrated financial, operational, and workforce metrics into one unified analytics layer.

• Implemented data models to track milestones, risks, and benefit realization against strategy targets.

• Enabled continuous improvement by embedding feedback loops with key decision-makers using data storytelling and root-cause analytics.

3. Strategic Planning & Execution

• Supported leadership in defining annual and 3-year business commitments with measurable outcomes.

• Built business case templates that integrated forecast, budget, and benefit assumptions to support funding approvals.

• Partnered with GIBC executives to re-prioritize initiatives in response to macroeconomic shifts and regulatory developments.

4. Capability Uplift & Leadership Enablement

• Led a capability uplift program to train senior managers in data-driven decision-making, KPI interpretation, and operational analytics.

• Fostered a “speak up and learn” culture, promoting constructive collaboration and innovation without fear of consequence.

• Mentored business managers and analysts on integrating strategic insight with operational execution.

5. Risk & Issue Management

• Built an Issue Escalation Framework to fast-track decision-making and unblock strategic initiative dependencies.

• Introduced risk heatmaps and proactive mitigation models, ensuring leadership visibility of high-impact risks before they materialised.

Key Deliverables

• Strategic Business Development Framework for Institutional Banking.

• Integrated Governance & Reporting Model with consolidated SteerCo templates.

• Performance Insights Dashboard (financials, milestones, workforce, and risk metrics).

• 3-Year Strategic Roadmap & Business Case Toolkit.

• Leadership Capability Uplift Plan embedding data-driven performance culture.

Client Benefits

• Unified governance and performance oversight across all Institutional Banking business lines.

• Improved strategic decision-making through real-time data insights and benefit tracking.

• Greater transparency for senior executives through automated performance dashboards.

• Enhanced leadership alignment around shared priorities and measurable business outcomes.

• Strengthened execution discipline and data-informed culture within GIBC.