The IQ Business Group today announced a strategic alliance with NASDAQ listed The Hackett Group, Inc., a global strategic advisory firm. The alliance utilises IQ’s presence to provide Hackett’s industry-leading benchmarking and business advisory programs to organisations in Sub-Saharan Africa. The new relationship, through which IQ will position Hackett benchmarking and advisory services as a region partner, expands Hackett’s channel presence beyond the US and Europe, where it has established itself as a global leader in enabling world-class performance. Over the past few years Hackett has successfully established similar relationships in the Nordic Region and in Asia and has now centred its expansion plans on Africa.

The IQ Business Group, headquartered in Rivonia, South Africa, provides consulting and business solutions through specialist teams located in South Africa, Australia and the USA. IQ has built a significant and expanding client base that values its local market knowledge and expert resources. The Group has a solid track record in implementing practical solutions, bridging the gap between planning and doing.

Benchmarking has grown as a worldwide trend where organisations evaluate various aspects of their processes in relation to best practice companies' processes, usually within a peer group defined for the purposes of comparison. IQ believes South African companies are following this trend although are yet to demonstrate their standing against best practice standards, some of which could be borne by SA companies themselves. Hackett's database is the most comprehensive in the world and contains data and best practices from more than 4,000 individual benchmarks. This alliance facilitates the participation of South African companies, and enables companies to map themselves against world-class performers.

According to The IQ Business Group Global CEO Dirk Ackerman, “Hackett’s brand commands tremendous respect around the world, and its empirically-driven approach is unique in its ability to drive efficiency and effectiveness in Finance, IT, Procurement, HR, and other areas. We believe Hackett’s offerings will be very attractive to our clients, and to other businesses throughout the region.”

Hackett Chairman and CEO Ted A. Fernandez added, “We continue to see a great opportunity to expand internationally. Our alliance with The IQ Business Group will allow us to bring our benchmarking and best practice implementation insight to a new market. They are a proven consulting partner to some of the largest companies operating in their region which will strongly value our joint value proposition.”

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About The Hackett Group

The Hackett Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: HCKT), a global strategic advisory firm, is a leader in best practice advisory, benchmarking, and transformation consulting services, including shared services, offshoring and outsourcing advice. Utilizing best practices and implementation insights from more than 4,000 benchmarking engagements, executives use Hackett's empirically based approach to quickly define and prioritize initiatives to enable world-class performance. Through its REL brand, Hackett offers working capital solutions focused on delivering significant cash flow improvements. Through its Hackett Technology Solutions group, Hackett offers business application consulting services that helps maximize returns on IT investments. Hackett has worked with 2,700 major corporations and government agencies, including 97% of the Dow Jones Industrials, 73% of the Fortune 100, 73% of the DAX 30 and 45% of the FTSE 100.

Founded in 1991, The Hackett Group was acquired by Answerthink, Inc. in 1997. Answerthink was renamed The Hackett Group, Inc. in 2008. The Hackett Group has global offices in the United States, Europe and Asia/Pacific.

More information on The Hackett Group is available: by phone at (770) 225-7300; by e-mail at info@thehackettgroup.com; or on the Web at www.thehackettgroup.com.

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About The IQ Business Group

The IQ Business Group combines strategic, operational and technical expertise with proven methodologies and approaches to make businesses more efficient.

We pride ourselves in our practical experience, aligning people, technology and processes. We deliver and implement solutions to the financial services, employee benefits, healthcare, government and telecommunications industries utilising a full range of skill sets.

Set apart by our pragmatic delivery terms, our success is attributed to our ability to evolve and align value propositions with industry dynamics. IQ directs intellectual muscle at the business process and technology layers to unlock value for clients.

Founded in 1998, The IQ Business Group is headquartered in South Africa and has offices in the United States, Europe and Australia.

More information on The IQ Business Group is available by mail info@iqgroup.net or on www.iqgroup.net

For additional information, please contact:Leanne Gitlin, IQ (011) 259 4000