Home maintenance company undergoes major building work
The client
One Stop Group, a Plymouth-based company offering services in property maintenance and electrical contracting, and specialising in home automation technology.
My role
This company required a route and a structure for business growth, development and organisation. To meet these objectives, I:
- Coached and mentored the client through a business plan process, sales forecasting and profit margin monitoring. This involved splitting the original business into the three separate divisions (as described above). I modelled where the profit margin variables lay for each and formed a plan of action to grow these profit centres
- Created a business workflow to implement the active points at which the client could generate more customers, revenues and profits
- Planned and wrote job descriptions for a number of new roles for existing employees and coached the client on how to structure an approach towards future employees
- Wrote several marketing and PR pieces and managed the re-design of the company logo
- Sourced and recommended many new customers and continue to do so
- Advised on a possible acquisition process and screened and sourced legal firms to conduct the Due Diligence work
The results
Business turnover tripled within 4 months. The owners’ roles were successfully migrated from those of technicians to directors – instead of being preoccupied with working on projects, their time is targeted more productively to team management, getting new business, directing finance, organising payroll and marketing, and delivering client-facing customer service.
The client said: “Our business was going nowhere until
we met Tony … now we have a business plan in place which
we are working to and already we are reaping the rewards – the
turnover for our business has already tripled in the few short
months he has been working with us and we have a stretching
but achievable sales target for 2010 which will see our number
of employees increase by at least 400%. We would thoroughly
recommend Tony to anyone who wants to be successful and see
their business grow.”
Clearer image and increased exposure for photo agency
The client
Cultura, a company which produces digital photographic content for global sale through the leading online stock photograph agencies such as Getty Images and Corbis.
My role
The client required me to provide an ongoing role in achieving sales growth, business development, brand presence, and marketing its product globally. To meet this brief, I:
- Constructed a model and a plan for significant sales growth and the global distribution of the company’s collection of photographic works
- Continue to develop relationships with a raft of leading partners to increase sales and online brand presence
- Work to expand the reach of the collection to cover a broader geographic range and wider client groups
- Prepare and negotiate all new and renewed contracts
- Attend industry events to develop business relationships and promote the company’s brand
The results
The total sales growth doubled in 8 months in tandem with an increase in content output. Online product exposure has increased by 30%, boosting sales potential and breaking into new international markets. To date, I have secured and continue to manage over 35 new partner relationships across multiple customer segments. Cultura has gained a stronger brand presence, both online and through relationships with key partners. I have built more value into the brand and the product collection.
A business with designs on its client base
The client
Dot Design, an independent graphic designer.
My role
The business needed more client focus, business growth, less reliance on key customers, and a greater focus on winning new business. It also required an analysis of key performance indicators and a more efficient time/earning potential. To achieve these aims, I:
- Analysed historical client data to create a performance KPI (key performance indicator) dashboard to improve Dot Design’s time management
- Performed pricing analysis to advise on generating income through fewer, higher-quality clients and thereby improved earning potential
- Implemented a client review schedule that created a more professional approach and allowed Dot Design to promote loyalty and therefore retain clients in longer-term relationships
The results
Dot Design moved forward with a clearer focus on generating profit, an understanding how to apply client assessment to bring long-term partnerships, and a more tailored approach to targeting different client sectors.
The client said: “Tony has helped me enormously over the last few months. He has helped shift focus on to areas of my business that I hadn't considered, and is also guiding and helping me see new paths the business could take. Good humoured, hands-on, easy to work with – I recommend him to anyone looking to grow their biz.”
Law firm does justice to its business plan
The client
Nash & Co Solicitors, a long-established law firm.
My role
The client sought to improve its focus and to implement its
business plan. To meet this brief, I:
- Made recommendations for an improved business planning cycle
- Advised on adopting a more pro-active approach to the implementation of business plans
- Established a business planning agenda and its desired outcomes
- Facilitated a business planning meeting
The results
Through holding a business planning meeting with Nash & Co’s equity and senior partners, I helped to cement a collective business vision and pro-active business behaviour throughout the firm. This is an ongoing consultation helping the firm to achieve continued success in the future.
The client said: “Tony quickly gained the trust of the people he was working for and provided insightful and proactive guidance. Approachable and helpful." Top qualities: Personable, Good Value, High
