David Bartenwerfer, Founder of Quantum Consulting, on Driving Profitable Growth with Analytics

Interview with David Bartenwerfer, Founder and Partner at REALbasis - West  Hollywood Weekly

With over three decades of experience, David Bartenwerfer has made a significant impact on major organizations including The Boston Consulting Group, Charles Schwab, Verizon, Genesys Technologies, Yahoo!, eBay, Webvan Group, and the US Department of Defense. His expertise across strategy, technology, product management, and operations has played a pivotal role in shaping and driving the success of these organizations.

Bartenwerfer’s educational background is equally impressive. He holds an MBA from Stanford University and a BS in Systems Engineering with high distinction from the University of Virginia, where he also minored in applied mathematics and economics. This strong academic foundation has helped propel his career.

Right after college, David Bartenwerfer joined a defense contractor, where he earned Top Secret clearance and developed analytical tools to build defense systems and quantify risks in cost/benefit estimates for major IT initiatives. He was also instrumental in creating systems to support joint military operations.
Bartenwerfer managed $70 million projects within the defense sector, overseeing budgets, forecasts, and analytics for over 20 sub-projects, consistently receiving high ratings from Department of Defense auditors. He started his career as a finance and operations manager at SRA International in the early 90s before pursuing his MBA at Stanford University and joining The Boston Consulting Group.

David Bartenwerfer: A Trailblazing Business Executive
After his time at The Boston Consulting Group, David Bartenwerfer’s career soared as he took on executive positions in various major companies. In 2006, he founded Quantum Consulting and Technology in San Francisco. His leadership has been vital in helping organizations apply innovative quantitative methods and strategic thinking to drive profitable growth, achieve competitive advantages, and improve operational intelligence.

In 2021, Bartenwerfer co-founded REALbasis Inc., a real estate asset management firm, where he serves as the Chief Technology Officer. His work in this venture helps investors achieve superior returns by using advanced quantitative techniques to identify top markets and cash flow-generating real estate assets.

QuantumCT assists product and marketing organizations in optimizing impact and ROI using economic and financial modeling with customizable algorithms and technology, delivering actionable insights swiftly and effectively.

Bartenwerfer’s contributions extend beyond traditional business sectors. He has worked with professional sports franchises and regional sports networks, developing analytical frameworks that quantify factors contributing to synergies within conglomerates.

Bartenwerfer’s Launch of REALbasis Inc.
In 2021, David Bartenwerfer co-founded REALbasis Inc., a pioneering real estate asset management firm. As the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, he has played a crucial role in helping investors identify profitable real estate markets and assets. His work includes the development of innovative solutions that continue to make a significant impact in the industry.

His advanced algorithms have been instrumental in identifying optimal micro-markets that produce above-market returns. He also designed a simulation model using Monte Carlo simulations to evaluate risks and assess the likelihood of meeting investment thresholds.

Bartenwerfer’s continued efforts focus on optimizing processes and ensuring continuous learning within the investment sector, improving both efficiency and effectiveness.

Innovative and Strategic Leadership
David Bartenwerfer is celebrated for his exceptional leadership in competitive environments. His collaborative approach and problem-solving skills have consistently delivered exceptional results. His use of advanced analytics to shape business strategy has earned him a reputation as an innovative and strategic thinker.

He has created nested algorithms to identify prime micro-markets and developed predictive models like multi-variate regression models to predict pricing for residential real estate. His expertise also extends to building simulation models to assess project risks, showcasing his technological innovations.

As a thought leader, Bartenwerfer’s work in marketing ROI and technology investment has provided valuable insights, influencing industry standards and inspiring colleagues with fresh perspectives.

David Bartenwerfer on the Hidden Risks in IT Projects and How to Address Them
In his article “Why IT Projects Are Riskier Than Planned and What to Do About It,” David Bartenwerfer highlights the need for a more robust approach to technology investments beyond traditional ROI analysis.

“Technology investment is critical,” he writes. “Whether to reduce costs, generate revenues, or outpace rivals, investment in technology is an integral part of most corporate strategies. Successful investments can be game-changers for companies, but colossal failures can be equally transformative. Unfortunately, too many technology investments go badly wrong, destroying profits, careers, and sometimes entire companies.

“While successful investments deliver benefits that outweigh the costs, the popularity of return on investment (ROI) analysis often needs to be improved, particularly for technology initiatives. Business leaders who want to increase the likelihood of success should think beyond ROI and employ a more robust process that drives organizational clarity and accountability while uncovering the potential for both hidden profit and hidden risk.”

David Bartenwerfer on the Importance of Marketing ROI
In his four-part series “Marketing ROI 2.0,” Bartenwerfer delves into the critical role of marketing ROI in the evolving digital landscape. In the article “Why Marketing ROI Is So Important,” he discusses the challenges and opportunities presented by the rise of new channels such as social media, search engines, and keywords.

These platforms have transformed consumer-brand interactions, prompting marketing teams to reconsider how they allocate resources amid intense competition for limited funding.

Bartenwerfer emphasizes that marketing ROI is more complex than other departments’ ROI analyses. Unlike straightforward ROI analyses used for product investments, marketing efforts require a nuanced approach due to their interdependent nature. He points out that it can take multiple customer “touches” before a purchase is made, which calls for integrated and synergistic marketing programs.

He writes: “Marketers spend a lot — global spending on media is expected to reach $2.1 trillion in 2019. And, as senior management applies increasing pressure to deliver evidence justifying marketing investments, marketers are also likely to objectively measure the ROI of their efforts. As a result, Marketing organizations today must adapt by optimizing their resources across the new spectrum of marketing objectives. However, even though marketing budgets are high, over 40% of businesses say their top marketing challenge is proving marketing ROI. And without an ROI, businesses cannot determine if their marketing dollars are well spent.”

Bartenwerfer stresses that measuring ROI is most effective when employing both top-down and bottom-up approaches.

David Bartenwerfer’s Insights on Marketing in the Digital Age
Bartenwerfer highlights how consumer behavior has shifted, particularly when purchasing major appliances. Consumers now conduct extensive research and often make decisions before ever visiting a store, reducing the influence of traditional advertising and in-store promotions. This shift underscores the need for marketers to focus on the evaluation stage of the consumer decision journey.

He also points out the growing influence of social media, where consumers can either advocate for or criticize brands, further complicating marketing strategies. Marketers are often unable to control these conversations, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive ROI approach.

Bartenwerfer advocates for a detailed measurement of marketing ROI, highlighting several key benefits:

Justification: Understanding the incremental cost and value-add of each marketing initiative at both granular and overall levels helps demonstrate the impact of marketing on profitability.
Decision-Making: Granular ROI analysis helps identify high-return efforts, guiding future resource allocation.
Accountability: Marketing teams are encouraged to justify every dollar spent through rigorous analysis.
Credibility: Clear ROI reporting builds credibility with executives, showing marketing’s tangible contributions to profitability.

By using appropriate metrics and understanding their interrelationships, marketing organizations can better quantify their impact and drive value through informed decision-making.

Moving Forward
David Bartenwerfer’s career exemplifies the intersection of innovation and strategic execution. From his early work at SRA International to his influential roles in major corporations, culminating in founding Quantum Consulting and Technology, Bartenwerfer has consistently pushed the boundaries of business and technology. His contributions to sports franchises, regional sports networks, and his recent work with REALbasis Inc. showcase his versatility and commitment to excellence. His thought leadership in marketing ROI and technology investment highlights his deep understanding of complex business dynamics, solidifying his place as an industry leader.

Through his holistic approach to analytics and strategic planning, he continues to inspire and guide organizations toward sustainable growth and competitive advantage.