Before investors place assets, they go through a predictable process with their consultant, starting with education about an investment universe, then recommendations on allocation changes – both of which take place well before a search is approved or announced. Consultant ratings also play a key role in influencing the decisions asset owners make. In aggregate, this qualitative data gives managers insight into broad areas of opportunity, where consultants see certain investment universes favorably. Even more important is the actionable intelligence it gives managers, especially peers that have been downgraded, with click-throughs to their investor client lists.