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About WolfWorks

I founded WolfWorks Consulting in 2012, following 18 years of marketing and market research experience across several client service and company-side roles.  My goal is to solve complex marketing and business problems, for and alongside smart and engaging people, across a variety of fascinating industries and types of assignments.
CORE PRINCIPLES

  • STRATEGIC:  Approaches research with a consultant’s mindset.  Excels at combining fact bases with strategic thinking and actionable ideas.

 

  • VERSATILE:  Comfortable acting as both fact-finder and advisor.  Easily blends multiple research methods.  Seamlessly integrates findings.

 

  • COLLABORATIVE:  Adaptable on-the-fly to changing projects needs or impact of emerging learnings.  A trusted, true partner.

 

  • ENERGETIC:  Exceptionally client focused.  Passionate about quality.  Seeks creative solutions.  Goes above and beyond to deliver superior work.

BIO:

Steven J. Wolf

Founder & President

Steve Wolf is a seasoned market researcher and marketing strategy consultant.  Across 18 years in the field he has led over 150 research and consulting assignments, across industries including healthcare, technology, financial services, hospitality, automotive, professional services, education and non-profit. 

 

Steve’s research experience spans primary and secondary methods.  He has conducted hundreds of qualitative interviews, moderated scores of focuses groups, and facilitated many client workshops – across topics from internet security needs to cardiovascular medication prescribing to people's attitudes towards money.  He has also led dozens of secondary research assignments, ranging from market environment assessments to competitive analyses, industry “beacons”, emerging innovations, and customer profiles.

 

Steve is also a highly experienced marketing strategy consultant.  His core areas of expertise span market entry analysis and brand positioning development to target segment activation, multi-channel strategy, marketing planning, and customer experience strategy and improvement.

 

Prior to founding WolfWorks in 2012, Steve led engagements at two Washington D.C.-based research and consulting firms:  HawkPartners (where he was a Partner from 2008-12) and MarketBridge.  Previously, he analyzed e-commerce in Toyota’s strategic planning group, led brand name development and research at the agency Interbrand, and worked in consumer marketing and sales at Wenner Media (publisher of "Rolling Stone" and "Us Weekly").

 

Steve earned a B.A. in Economics and Communication with honors from the University of Michigan, and an M.B.A. from the University of North Carolina (Kenan-Flagler Business School) as a Jenrette Fellow. 

 

Steve is an active volunteer.  He is the marketing advisor to the non-profit Carbon Offsets to Alleviate Poverty (COTAP.org), serves on UNC Business’ Alumni Council which advises the Dean (where he was Chair from 2012-13), and is a board member of the Clara Barton Center for Children. 

 

He enjoys film, biking, tennis, photography and world travel.  Originally from Los Angeles CA, Steve lives in Bethesda MD with his wife, two young children and Plott Hound.

  My work is driven by three inherent traits:

 

  • Curiosity to discover:  WolfWorks focuses on market research because I love to learn and discover.   Whether the task is to outline the nature of a technology market, how Millennials differ from other customer types, how social responsibility films are best marketed, or why a particular value proposition resonates more than others, I enjoy the process of discovery.

 

  • Desire to solve problems:  Fact finding is only half the battle.  To be useful, knowledge must be interpreted based on an understanding of the marketplace, client objectives, and the organization’s strengths and limitations.  Through these factors, I turn information into insights and recommendations.  I’m a critical thinker who relishes attacking clients’ issues and helping solve their problems – making them more successful and their customers or partners happier.

 

  • Passion for the customer:  Today’s times are exciting because customers are newly empowered.  Factoring in that products are increasingly commoditized and the viral nature of today’s social media, customers must now be prioritized in everything providers do.  I am passionate about understanding customers’ ever-evolving needs and improving customer experiences.

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