Providing guidance and advice isn’t just a passion for Joe C. Lopez, CEO and founder of Anchora Advisory, it’s a way of life. Combining art and science to deliver timely, necessary guidance to executives across a wide range of industries, Lopez knows how important it is to not only tailor your message to the audience but also how to adapt in the moment. Bringing a versatile, open mindset to business is just the beginning, however, as Joe explains both curiosity and a dynamic need for growth and change all power the business process. Identifying this energy and harnessing it for synergies across the organization is just part of the job for Lopez, but it is also a calling and a life’s work that he continuously works to perfect.
This explains Anchora’s holistic approach to advisory, starting from inception to final delivery whether it is process refinement, product launch, or even firm-wide reorganization. Formed by alumni of the Saïd School of Business at Oxford University, Anchora dives deep, plays hard, and takes full ownership while working in partnership with client organizations. Motivated by the idea that people are at the core of any firm, Lopez structures his work around this fundamental principle. Focusing on internationalization and diversity of skills and experience, Lopez highlights how these elements are found in every successful team and business.
Looking ahead, Lopez sees emerging markets and a greater international presence as keys to Anchora’s future and points to the vast sea of innovation and opportunity that awaits in these markets. Beyond the high-paced life of business consulting, Joe also makes time for family and friends, reminding us all that with success comes other responsibilities, both to one’s self and others. Emphasizing the need for health and wellness in addition to connectedness with loved ones, Lopez explains how his approach to life tries to accommodate the many competing energies he grapples with on a daily basis and how, rather than be overwhelmed by it all, it is a source of constant pride and energy for him as he moves about the world of international business.
Joe, can you start off by telling us about Anchora Advisory?
Anchora is a Boutique Advisory Firm. We are one part management consulting firm and two parts global advisory. Most of our clients reach us to help their business grow across borders, sectors, and boundaries. Want to grow, globally? Contact us.
What customers should expect from the company?
Advisors who both listen and simply put -deliver- for our clients. We have assembled an impossible team of seasoned executives who span from former CEO’s of large companies, policy makers, financial professionals from the world’s biggest banks, business leaders in Africa, and other emerging markets. Our company culture contains a deep intellectual curiosity which leads us to see open issues which our clients unknowingly live with every day.
Tell us about the services your company offers
The main reason why our clients love us so much is we DO the work. What do we mean? Many in the advisory and consulting industry (we love and respect you all) tend to deliver strategy with little follow up or follow through. We assist any way we can to help our clients execute their growth strategies. While we are focused on growth globally, much of the work we do is diagnosing our clients’ needs and helping in all sorts of areas such as; new product development, branding, sales, future scenario planning, and more. We believe in being flexible to help our clients win.
Some of our clients have a need to break into emerging markets. Africa, the middle east, south america and asia. Many of these markets require working with the local governments to gain access to their markets. We offer this type of global service, we call it Commercial Diplomacy. Many of our clients consider us a bridge from the private sector to gain entry to a market through local government/ non market factors.
How did the team at Anchora come together
Anchora was founded in the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford by a group of executives in Graduate school studying international business, global affairs. We found a need to service mid market businesses in helping them grow.
What is your motivation as an entrepreneur
Helping people. My father (a former Military Officer and later IBM Sales executive) taught me early to listen and connect with people on a personal level which leads to authentic relationships. Clients describe me as a creative business leader who looks for the win-win for all parties. My employees are long time people which I value and at the end of the day I fundamentally believe a business is nothing more than the people in it.
I have been described as unrelenting as an advocate for my clients. When I reflect on this, it comes from me feeling personally accountable for my clients to make sure they succeed.
Some further background on me: https://www.anchoraadvisory.com/advisories/joe-c.-lopez
I am a multilingual executive, former venture capitalist, and Oxford University graduate. I am a former VC and began my international business career working overseas for an Asian manufacturer. Along the way, I discovered he had a natural ability to learn new languages and quickly adapt to cultural norms, which enabled him to easily develop strategic relationships spanning the globe. Joe is a sought-after speaker and advisor for the private, public, and nonprofit sectors and has been described as a master connector and networker by international clients. He maintains relationships with some of the largest manufacturers in the world, major institutional investors, Oxford University, INSEAD, World Trade Organization, the U.S. Mexico Chamber of Commerce, and many others. Trusted by venture capital firms, multinationals, private equity firms, and startups around the world, Joe is a valuable partner, board member, and advisor.
What are some lessons you learned about running businesses that led you to starting Anchora Advisory?
Back to people. I believe in the Richard Branson approach of surrounding myself with a team that far exceeds my capabilities and pushes the company forward. I take a broad approach to the business / top down to put the company in the right engagements and investments which help us continue to thrive. Anchora is the sum of 12 executives which all collectively have multiple lifetimes of experience in finance, branding, international business, new product development and global affairs.
Your team focuses on internationalization. Why is that important particularly right now for businesses?
As global business strategists, on a weekly basis, we are asked for an opinion on the state of the global business world and how geopolitics WILL impact business. “What will happen next year with the Tarffis?” We are in a transformational stage currently away from the globalization movement of the past. Nations are pulling inwards and back into regional trading blocs. The hurdles of going global have never been higher in my lifetime. For a company in the EU, for example, who wants to thrive in the U.S. or Africa we will not only create the strategy, but also can execute the initial plan. Our secret to success is we are flexible in “how” we work with clients financially and in some cases we fund new initiatives ourselves to help clients grow in new markets and in others work alongside as consultants. We are a hedge to help our clients grow and win. We call it Commercial Diplomacy – a bridge for businesses to cross into emerging markets which may have been difficult to gain access to do so.
What are Anchora Advisory’s future plans?
We have events every quarter in the UK, US, and middle east to put on panel events where we meet with clients and get the word out. Being Ahead of what is coming is something our clients expect from us and why they want to bring us in to assist. We are focused on the Emerging markets in Africa, the middle east, and South America.
How do you separate work life from personal life? Is it easy to shut off at the end of the day?
The people you end up spending the most time with become your closest friends and friendship is powerful in business. Having said that, it is very important to me to do things that ground me, healthy living, workout / martial arts, and most important family time. I have three young children and being active in their daily lives is humbling and allows for separation for business from personal life. Having said that as an entrepreneur it is not possible to completely separate the two and embracing that leads to a greater happiness as your business is also a big part of your life. Weaving the two together, business travel with holidays, and taking family with you is wonderful. I love what I do, that helps.
What does a day in the life of Joe look like?
Up at 4am for calls with Africa and the middle east. Followed by ANCHORA team meetings to ensure we are in sync, client calls followed by writing. I am in graduate school at the Saïd Business school at the university of Oxford to continue growing. I don’t eat breakfast in the morning, but I do eat it for lunch which is ALWAYS oatmeal with a variety of fresh fruits (I live on a small avocado grove in California when not in the UK). I pride myself on a Harry Potter cabinet filled with tinctures and herbs which allow me to stay healthy. After work, family time and muay thai kickboxing at the end of the day. I try to sleep early – but the truth is I am one of “those” people who don’t need much sleep. I love to read at night if I can!
What is something most people don’t know about you?
I grew up collecting comic books (pre marvel movies) and still have a massive collection. Have also gotten into watches and coins as well.
Choose two of your favorite quotes and write them here
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”
–C.S. Lewis
“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”
-Winston Churchill
If you had the power to change just one thing in the world, what would it be?
Children need to never go to bed hungry. Child welfare around the world is the number one problem for civilization to solve. Once you begin to travel well beyond the U.S., Europe, Australia you see what the real issues of the world are to solve.
To know more about Anchora Advisory and Joe C. Lopez, please visit https://www.anchoraadvisory.com
