These case studies have been listed with the approval of the companies they concern, while still keeping names and other identifying details confidential.
No more working 24/7
The husband and wife owners felt overwhelmed. They had taken a series of personal knocks and felt they had no option but to work 24/7. Many small problems compounded, and they realised they needed help to get out of a rut.
Our solutions
- I helped our clients set a strategic plan with targets and goals, reviewed every 90 days, focusing on one goal at a time.
- The clients agreed to stop keeping a constant eye on competitors, freeing them to concentrate on their own business, especially staffing and structure.
- To meet new standards we set, the business team paid careful attention to their “Moments of Truth” — key interactions that form customers' opinions of the company.
- I also helped our clients identify key performance indicators to constantly measure their business against.
- Alongside these KPIs, the clients now work to 10 basic characteristics of business that they ensure are in place.
The result
My clients now have focus, direction, and a thriving business. Their average customer spend is twice the industry average. They also now have more free time and a more relaxed lifestyle.
Helping new business leaders to lead
A tradesperson inexperienced in running a company needed guidance on running a successful business.
Our solutions
- I helped the client set goals for the first 12 months, clarifying what was needed to strengthen the company’s brand.
- I helped him implement systems to improve efficiency, grow business revenue nationally, and increase the company’s net profit.
- I helped him to clearly see what the business is best at, to achieve the owner’s vision.
- Together we aligned the marketing strategy with the company’s plan to ensure growth.
- We brought in automated manufacturing and upgraded business systems to be highly software-based.
- We implemented a long-term strategic plan covering the basic characteristics and strategic fundamentals of a business. The owner’s main goal was to expand overseas.
The result
The client is enjoying his improved lifestyle, and has a successful business now exporting. Net profit is extremely healthy and revenue has grown at 25%, compounding year on year. The company is pursuing more opportunities and is still growing at 25% per year.
Turning low profit to high growth
My client was frustrated that he worked 7 days a week and still made poor profits. He was unsure of why this was, or of how to grow his business.
Our solutions
- I helped the client find out why profits were low, and where profits should be coming from. I helped him identify niche markets the company was suited to, and expand into these.
- We laid foundations for long-term company stability, providing a platform for starting to grow the company.
- We implemented software so customers could view their projects' status 24/7. This highlighted their savings from using the client's services.
- Long-term growth strategies were put in place.
The result
The first 12 months saw a 47% revenue increase and a 133% increase in net profit. For the second 12 months the company had a further 34% increase in revenue and 26% increase in net profit. Growth is continuing. The client now works 4 days a week rather than 7.
Achieving growth despite declining markets
The business owner was worried by the fast-changing market and the company’s fast-decreasing sales revenue.
Our solutions
- I helped the client restructure the business, reducing costs while still developing and capitalising on opportunities.
- I helped him clearly understand his team's strengths, and build extremely productive strength-based teams.
- Together we identified what the business does best, to build on that.
- We identified clear opportunities for company growth.
- I helped the client establish a strategic plan to keep the company direction and goals clear.
- I am helping the client to achieve business goals through daily goals.
The result
The downslide was reversed, overheads slashed, and internal efficiency improved. Profitability has returned. The business now expanding internationally, and the client is enjoying some freedom.
Finding space to tackle big-picture issues
The owners were overloaded with work. They realised the business needed an overhaul, but felt overwhelmed by the question of where to start.
Our solutions
- We researched where the business growth was coming from, how much profit was being produced, and where that profit was coming from.
- A strategic plan was put in place to grow the client base, to enter selected niche markets and increase net profit.
- We identified “Moments of Truth” which define successful customer interactions, and developed consistent standards for making these moments successful.
- After identifying which marketing strategies were working, I put a marketing plan in place which was aligned to the strategic plan, to attract new clients.
- The clients installed custom and standard software to streamline operations and administration, and to provide data for measuring the business.
The result
Our clients’ company grew constantly over 4 years, doubling staff numbers and tripling revenue. Net profit increased in the first year from 11% to 25.4%, a level maintained over the next 3 years. The owners frequently worked 4 day weeks, and enjoyed regular holidays. They sold the company at this 4 year point, and retired financially independent.
Creating exit strategies for owners
Company directors no longer felt aligned to the business direction and wished to sell. There was low staff morale, low productivity, low profit and zero growth. The hard decision was made to bring director numbers down to two directors/owners, but these two wished to move on.
Our solutions
- Together we identified the right direction for the company, implementing a strategic plan.
- The company was restructured to align it with the new strategic direction.
- I helped the clients identify the true key point indicators, to measure the businesses progress in line with its strategy.
- Restructuring was essential. The directors had to know who to encourage to stay and who should be encouraged to leave.
The result
The business is leaner, and profitable again. My clients now have their lifestyle back, enjoying family time and sports. Now they are in a position where they can sell. But because they feel aligned with the company's new direction and are enjoying their work, they have chosen to stay on.
Reducing stress through overwork
My client was working so many hours, his new marriage was suffering. Despite this, the business was not growing as it should. He felt trapped, stressed, and in need of a lifeline.
Our solutions
- I helped the client clarify his company’s strategic plan, and break it down into manageable goals.
- I helped him align his business and supply chain according to the direction and the goals of the company.
- Together we identified key point indicators to predict the future for the company.
- I helped him identify his core key point indicators and measured these regularly.
- Teams were rearranged according to their strengths, to enhance productivity and reduce stress within the organisation.
- The sales team's remuneration was restructured.
- Company staff were empowered to take on more responsibility and decision-making, and a general manager was appointed.
The result
The business became a leader in its industry. The owner regained his work/life balance and could take regular holidays while the company ran smoothly in his absence. The business has grown rapidly, experiencing a healthy net profit.
