The Forbes Group

What The Forbes Group does

The Forbes Group is a Calgary, Alberta-based boutique management consultancy specializing in value chain strategy, supply chain optimization, sustainability compliance, and operational excellence for large enterprises. The firm serves primarily Fortune-class corporations and multinational organizations — with named energy-sector clients including Shell, Chevron, TC Energy, and Cenovus — along with C-suite executives, founders, and supply chain professionals. Offerings are organized around a horizontal segmentation model and span strategic consulting, executive coaching, workshops, ongoing advisory services, and international keynote speaking. Founder and CEO Stephanie Forbes, a nationally recognized value chain authority with approximately 25 years of industry experience and Board Chair of Supply Chain Canada West, is the central figure of the firm.

The firm's core intellectual property is the proprietary GAINS Framework, a five-pillar methodology covering Gaps Identification, Audit, Internal Systems Optimization, Negotiations, and Supplier Compliance. Service delivery follows a structured five-step process (Initial Assessment, Leadership Engagement, Strategy Development, Implementation Support, Ongoing Evaluation) and is supplemented by add-on services (executive coaching, workshops, ongoing support) and the published book 'Global Wealth, Local Impact,' distributed via Simon & Schuster through Amazon, Indigo, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and Target. The firm has expanded its portfolio to include Value Chain Protection (anti-fraud frameworks), ERP & Systems-to-Strategy Alignment, and Reporting/Government Compliance & Sustainability Consulting.

The Forbes Group generates revenue through professional services fees on customized consulting engagements (typically multi-year contracts), executive coaching, workshops, keynote speaking, and book sales. Consulting pricing is quote-based with no public disclosure; book retail ranges $26-$37 USD depending on channel. The firm operates with 1-10 employees under a sales-led go-to-market targeting enterprise buyers across North America (Canada and USA), engaging clients through direct sales, referrals, and industry networks, with a complimentary 30-minute consultation as initial touchpoint. Note: source documents contain a founding-year conflict — firmographics list 2022 while company history references 2000 — likely reflecting either a re-incorporation or a sourcing discrepancy.

Name

The Forbes Group

Legal name

The Forbes Group

Website

https://theforbesgroup.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Forbes Group is a Calgary-based boutique consultancy providing value chain strategy, supply chain optimization, sustainability compliance, and operational excellence advisory to large enterprises — primarily in energy — using its proprietary GAINS Framework.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Management Consulting

NAICS

Other Management Consulting Services (541618)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Organization Design & Operating Model Consulting (BPAHAGAB)

Keywords

• Supply chain consulting
• Value chain strategy
• Sustainability advisory
• Risk management consulting
• Executive coaching services

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Strategic Consulting Services: Comprehensive consulting engagements delivering data-driven strategies customized to client challenges. Engagements include operational efficiency, leadership alignment, and value chain transformation. Revenue generated through project-based professional services fees.
2. Executive Coaching: Personalized one-on-one or small-group coaching for executives and leadership teams focused on decision-making, communication, and performance under pressure.
3. Workshops and Training: Dynamic, hands-on educational sessions for teams covering collaboration, productivity, and innovation with actionable tools.
4. Ongoing Advisory Services: Long-term mentorship and advisory services with regular check-ins, progress reviews, and strategic recalibration to maintain transformation momentum.
5. Book Sales: Publication and sale of 'Global Wealth, Local Impact: How Supply Chains Build Thriving Companies, Cultures and Countries' through major retail channels including Amazon, Indigo, Barnes & Noble, and others. Price points range from $26-$37 USD depending on retailer.
6. Speaking Engagements: Keynote speaking services on international stages covering supply chain strategy, value chains, and leadership topics.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Forbes Group is a boutique consulting firm that delivers value chain strategy, supply chain optimization, risk management, and sustainability compliance advisory services to large enterprises. Engagements are customized around the proprietary GAINS Framework and span consulting packages, executive coaching, workshops, and ongoing advisory relationships. The firm also publishes the book "Global Wealth, Local Impact" and offers keynote speaking engagements.

Product overview

The Forbes Group offers a portfolio of professional consulting services organized around value chain strategy and operational excellence. The core offerings include Global Supply & Value Chain Consulting, Value Chain Protection, Major Projects & Large-scale Implementation, ERP & Systems-to-Strategy Alignment, Reporting/Government Compliance & Sustainability Consulting, and Customized Business Solutions—all delivered through a structured consulting process (Initial Assessment, Leadership Engagement, Strategy Development, Implementation Support, and Ongoing Evaluation). These core services are supplemented by add-on offerings: Executive Coaching, Workshops, and Ongoing Support. The firm also offers proprietary intellectual property including the GAINS Framework (a five-step methodology for value chain improvement) and a published book titled Global Wealth, Local Impact. Together, these services and products help organizations align people, processes, and systems to drive sustainable growth and operational resilience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Global Supply & Value Chain Consulting

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Supply Chain Canada WestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStephanie Forbes serves as Board Chair of Supply Chain Canada West, working to elevate professional standards and strengthen the voice of the supply chain profession. She fosters cross-sector dialogue and strategic alignment, ensuring supply chain leadership is recognized as a critical driver of organizational and national performance.
• Supply Chain CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member of Supply Chain Canada and Alberta Institute. Frequently called upon to share experience and knowledge through industry panels, webinars, and as an international speaker.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• enVista: enVista is a supply chain and enterprise solutions consultancy that advises mid-to-large companies on supply chain strategy, ERP alignment, and operational optimization. Its boutique scale and supply chain focus overlap directly with The Forbes Group's service portfolio.
• Riverwood Solutions: Riverwood Solutions is a boutique management consultancy specializing in supply chain strategy, operations, and large-scale transformations for technology and industrial clients. Its focus on supply chain and value chain advisory makes it a direct niche competitor to The Forbes Group.

Direct peers

• Alvarez & Marsal: Alvarez & Marsal operates a global operations and performance improvement practice with significant energy-sector exposure and supply chain advisory work. It competes with boutique firms on operational turnaround, risk, and complex transformation mandates where senior-led, lean engagement teams are valued.
• West Monroe Partners: West Monroe is a multi-disciplinary management and operations consulting firm with deep expertise in supply chain, operations, and energy-sector transformations. Its boutique positioning and operating-model focus mirror The Forbes Group's value chain and organizational alignment offerings.
• Slalom Consulting: Slalom is a North American boutique-to-mid-market consultancy with strong operations, supply chain, and strategy practices serving enterprise clients across energy and adjacent sectors. Like The Forbes Group, it competes on tailored, senior-led engagement delivery rather than global scale, and overlaps heavily in value chain and operational transformation work.

Broad incumbents

• Bain & Company: Bain's Operations and Supply Chain practices serve global energy and industrial clients on transformation, procurement, and sustainability mandates. As a leading global consultancy it competes for enterprise value chain programs alongside boutique specialists like The Forbes Group.
• Oliver Wyman: Oliver Wyman runs an Operations and Risk practice that advises energy and industrial clients on supply chain risk, sustainability, and operating model transformation. Its global reach and energy-sector book of business make it a credible competitor for The Forbes Group's target engagements.
• Kearney: Kearney's Operations and Supply Chain practice delivers strategic advisory across global value chains, with strong energy and industrial client penetration. As a larger incumbent it competes for many of the same enterprise transformation mandates as The Forbes Group, though at much greater scale.
• McKinsey & Company: McKinsey's Operations Practice and its energy-sector work cover supply chain strategy, ESG/Sustainability, and large-scale transformation. It competes for the same enterprise mandates as The Forbes Group but at materially greater scale, brand, and bench depth.
• Deloitte Consulting: Deloitte's Supply Chain & Operations and Sustainability practices advise major energy and industrial enterprises on value chain transformation, Scope 3, and compliance. It is a direct competitor for the same large-enterprise advisory budgets The Forbes Group targets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-forbes-group

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Forbes Group