Boosting analyst productivity through PowerPoint design outsourcing for HFS Research
March 20, 2025 | 3 min read
The situation
HFS Research is a global research and consulting firm that offers insights and strategies to help businesses tackle challenges, make bold moves, and bring big ideas to life.
HFS has been growing steadily since its establishment in 2009 but in 2021, they witnessed a significant growth in terms of clientele and project volume.
While their analysts were phenomenal with data and subject matter, they needed support in design and visualization capabilities. With their present skillset, volume of work, the branding shift, their current documents were not consistent in terms of presentation.
To visualize and streamline the entire report publication process, they needed an expert PowerPoint presentation partner. Not just any provider would do—they sought one with proven experience working with management consulting and research firms, and a deep understanding of their branding journey.
It was time for us to chip in.
The Qcept approach
Qcept’s senior leadership brings over 30 years of combined experience from leading management consulting and Big 4 firms such as Everest Group, Kearney, and KPMG. In their previous roles, they led Visual Arts teams and established streamlined processes for PowerPoint presentation production at an organizational scale.
The leadership’s extensive industry experience became a catalyst for deeply understanding HFS’s unique style, vision, aspirations, and goals. This strong foundation not only simplified core tasks but also ensured impactful and effective results.
As a CEO, I look for partners who not only deliver consistently high-quality work but also allow my team to operate at their best. Qcept has become exactly that for us. The results speak for themselves—sharp, polished deliverables that elevate our brand and support our pace of execution. Nitin and his team bring a rare combination of speed, reliability, and creative precision. They understand our standards, integrate seamlessly with our workflows, and enable my team to focus on what matters most—driving impact. That kind of support is invaluable.
Phil Fersht
Qcept then developed a holistic strategy and implemented the following solutions:
- Streamlined report designs: Refined the visual structure of research publications, enhancing graphic readability and comprehension.
- Customized report templates: Designed bespoke templates for different report types to ensure brand consistency and efficiency.
- Corporate PowerPoint template: Created a comprehensive corporate PowerPoint template to empower analysts to develop presentations quickly while adhering to the brand’s guidelines.
- Efficient workflows: Set up scalable workflows to manage the increasing volume of design and presentation needs effectively.
The outcome
Our approach has positioned Qcept as HFS’s trusted PowerPoint partner, delivering a range of impactful results:
- Quick turnaround: Our typical turnaround time is overnight, ensuring analysts can focus on their core work without disruptions.
- Cost efficiency: HFS saves the expense and commitment of maintaining an in-house design team by leveraging our plug-and-play model, paying only for tasks as needed.
- Scalable flexibility: We provided the agility to scale our resources in line with HFS’s growing project volume. Whether for tight deadlines or large-scale deliverables, we adapted seamlessly to meet their evolving demands without compromising quality or timelines.
As HFS scaled, they undertook two major branding overhauls in 2022 and 2024. As their PowerPoint partner, we seamlessly supported these transformations, reflecting the new branding in all their reports and presentations. This ensured consistency and alignment, leaving no gaps in their visual identity.
The Impact
90%+ of requests delivered overnight
Nitin and the Qcept team make us look good. They’re responsive, efficient, and creative. I’ve known Nitin for nearly two decades; his clarity and understanding of content truly stand out. Since 2021, Qcept has been our go-to partner for all PowerPoint presentations and research publications. They operate like an in-house team that just gets it. It’s been a fantastic partnership.
Saurabh Gupta
We use storytelling and design to build high impact presentations for leading brands
PowerPoint design
services and outsourcing
Enterprises, analysts, consultants
Investor pitches
and fundraising narrative
Founders, fund managers
Sales presentations, proposals, and collaterals
Sales & marketing teams
PowerPoint template and visual slide bank
Enterprises, advisory & research firms
CXO presentations
and thought leadership
IT-BPO services & consulting firms
Financial, ESG,
and annual reports
Financial services, large enterprises
Training – PowerPoint design and visualization
Sales team, analysts, consultants
Conference and event presentations
Keynote speakers, event managers
