Case Studies

How I helped some of my clients

Client A – High Growth

Industry Type:

Professional Services

Introduced by:

Lloyds Bank

Issues:

Client was experiencing very high growth in the second year of trading and MD was concerned that the business wasn’t keeping pace in terms of structure and clear process.

Approach:

  • Produced a clear business plan and supporting budget.
  • Implemented key performance. indicators to track progress against the plan.
  • Developed a branding and marketing programme.
  • Introduced monthly management meetings.
  • Implemented best practice approach to recruitment.
  • Reviewed and updated delivery processes.

Results:

Over 5 years, annual turnover grew from under £400k to £2m with 25% net profit. Further operation now established in the Middle east

Quote from the client:

“…taking on Graham was the best business decision I ever made…”

Client B – High Growth

Industry Type:

Manufacturing

Introduced by:

Lloyds Bank

Issues:

Stagnant growth and poor financial return despite the owner working long hours.

Approach:

  • Produced a detailed business strategy supported by an achievable business plan.

  • Coached the owner in how to spend time working ‘on’ the business as opposed to always ‘in’ the business.

  • Implemented a set of key performance indicators to track progress.

  • Reviewed and improved marketing approach.

  • Introduced monthly management meetings.

  • Replaced problem staff.

  • Led an investment program in new plant for the factory to increase capability and run times and secured bank support.

Results:

Turnover grew from £900k to nearly £2m over a 4 year period with Net Profit increasing from £50k to £350k (+700%). Business now also operates with fewer demands on the owner.

Quote from the client:

“… Graham has been like an arm of reassurance.  Taking us out of the office to step back and take a look at what we are doing and where we are going was something we hadn’t given any thought to…”

Client C – Stabilise and Grow

Industry Type:

Architecture

Introduced by:

Recommendation from an existing client.

Issues:

Business had mediocre growth and was not giving a very high financial return despite working long hours.

Approach:

  • Improved data used for financial reporting and its analysis and helped the owners understand how to interpret the results.

  • Produced a budget.

  • Showed the owners how to work on the business and not continually in the business.

  • Produced a business plan.

  • Implemented Key performance indicators to track progress.

  • Reviewed and improved marketing approach.

  • Introduced monthly management meetings.

  • Adjusted client base to improve payment times and reduce maintenance.

Results:

Within 1 year turnover increased from £800k to £1145k (+43%) with a net profit of 23%. Now also ISO9001 accredited.

Quote from the client:

“…within 6 months Graham has transformed our business…”

Client D – Stabilise and Grow

Industry Type:

Manufacturing

Introduced by:

Marketing

Issues:

Business was very strong financially (huge reserves) but owner was mid-seventies and needed to handover to new management team.

Approach:

  • Produced a business plan and supporting budget.
  • Implemented Key performance indicators to track progress.
  • Reviewed and improved marketing by focussing on proactive rather than reactive activity.
  • Developed and implemented a product roadmap.
  • Introduced monthly management meetings.

Results:

Within 3 years turnover increased from £3.9m to £9m with a 11% net profit.

Quote from the client:

“…Graham’s approach is realistic and he is easily able to articulate the logical sequence of steps that need to be taken to achieve business goals…”.

Client E – Turnaround

Industry Type:

Manufacturing

Introduced by:

Lloyds Bank

Issues:

Business was financially challenged and getting deeper into debt.

Approach:

  • Produced a business plan and supporting budget.

  • Implemented key performance indicators to track progress.

  • Strengthened the management team by developing the “Next Generation”.

  • Reviewed and Improved marketing approach.

  • Improved sales processes and measurement.

  • Introduced a process of continual improvement.

  • Undertook an acquisition.

  • Introduced monthly management meetings.

  • Re-financed the business on more favourable terms

Results:

Debt is decreasing.  Within 2 years turnover increased from under £1m to £1.5m with a 16% net profit.  The business is now under control and continuing to set new records each month.

Quote from the client:

Verbal reference available on request.

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