The easiest way to explain how we can work with you to make your business more
profitable is to give you some examples.
The following examples are all real situations addressed by partners in the South
West team.
Problem
The owner of a successful business, providing intellectual services to companies across Europe, had reached a stage in life where he wanted to take a step back, and enjoy some of the fruits of his labour.
The owner of a successful business, providing intellectual services to companies across Europe, had reached a stage in life where he wanted to take a step back, and enjoy some of the fruits of his labour.
Action
He engaged with Peter Heath, SPS partner in the South-West, and working together over a period of months, they identified additional business opportunities, particular and unique benefits to potential purchasers, and generally put the business in the best possible state of preparedness for sale.
He engaged with Peter Heath, SPS partner in the South-West, and working together over a period of months, they identified additional business opportunities, particular and unique benefits to potential purchasers, and generally put the business in the best possible state of preparedness for sale.
Result
The potential for maximising sale value has been substantially increased, and the process for transition defined to ensure continuity for both staff and customers.
The potential for maximising sale value has been substantially increased, and the process for transition defined to ensure continuity for both staff and customers.
Problem
A major UK retailer needed to create a plan to reduce labour cost of sale by c 1.5%
A major UK retailer needed to create a plan to reduce labour cost of sale by c 1.5%
Action
Andy Booth, SPS partner in the South-West, worked with a cross functional team, providing both financial modelling and knowledge of the retail sector. A number of parallel initiatives to address; management structure, store labour hours modelling , time and attendance, store task removal and staff terms and conditions were developed. Andy quantified the savings and timings possible from each initiative and modelled the cashflow, payback, ROI and impact on the business.
Andy Booth, SPS partner in the South-West, worked with a cross functional team, providing both financial modelling and knowledge of the retail sector. A number of parallel initiatives to address; management structure, store labour hours modelling , time and attendance, store task removal and staff terms and conditions were developed. Andy quantified the savings and timings possible from each initiative and modelled the cashflow, payback, ROI and impact on the business.
Result
A significant change in store management structure and a budget labour plan that would exit the current financial year in a position to achieve the target in the following financial year.
A significant change in store management structure and a budget labour plan that would exit the current financial year in a position to achieve the target in the following financial year.
Problem
A major UK software company needed to develop a purchase order system to integrate with their existing mainframe system to manage supplier payments for both cost of sale purchases and goods not for resale purchases.
A major UK software company needed to develop a purchase order system to integrate with their existing mainframe system to manage supplier payments for both cost of sale purchases and goods not for resale purchases.
Action
Andy Booth, SPS partner in the South-West, worked with a cross functional team, to select the appropriate supplier. Andy was then able to leverabe his business experience to work with the software supplier and the conpany to develop the product specification. Following this stage and managed the project for the client liasing with the supplier, developing the project through the UA stages and finally training in the product across the organisation and writing the training manuals and providing on call support in the post implementation stage.
Andy Booth, SPS partner in the South-West, worked with a cross functional team, to select the appropriate supplier. Andy was then able to leverabe his business experience to work with the software supplier and the conpany to develop the product specification. Following this stage and managed the project for the client liasing with the supplier, developing the project through the UA stages and finally training in the product across the organisation and writing the training manuals and providing on call support in the post implementation stage.
Result
The product was delivered to the clients timescales and to the specification with a number of additional requirements discovered during the UA stage developed and implemented at no extra cost to the client as a result of the working relationship developed during the process. As the project was managed and the training provided by the SPS partner the client did not have to divert existing resource to the project thus avoiding the 'day job' conflict that can ccur on these occasions.
The product was delivered to the clients timescales and to the specification with a number of additional requirements discovered during the UA stage developed and implemented at no extra cost to the client as a result of the working relationship developed during the process. As the project was managed and the training provided by the SPS partner the client did not have to divert existing resource to the project thus avoiding the 'day job' conflict that can ccur on these occasions.
Problem
An award winning Hairdressing business was operating close to capacity and considering how best to expand
An award winning Hairdressing business was operating close to capacity and considering how best to expand
Action
A strategic workshop identified that of the numerous routes to expansion the one that was most attractive to the owners was to franchise their concept.
A strategic workshop identified that of the numerous routes to expansion the one that was most attractive to the owners was to franchise their concept.
Using significant experience in the franchise sector, the SPS partner was able
to guide them through the entire process ensuring that they avoided the potential
pitfalls
Result
The business is now about to launch its franchise network, with all necessary building blocks in place e.g. Legal Agreements, Concept Manual etc. The first franchisees are recruited and suitable locations are currently being sourced
The business is now about to launch its franchise network, with all necessary building blocks in place e.g. Legal Agreements, Concept Manual etc. The first franchisees are recruited and suitable locations are currently being sourced
Problem
A major national food manufacturer's had outgrown its warehousing capacity which was resulting in spiralling costs and poor customer service
A major national food manufacturer's had outgrown its warehousing capacity which was resulting in spiralling costs and poor customer service
Action
Rather than simply adding additional warehousing capacity, the SPS partner led a major review of the Company's Supply chain. A solution was developed that led to the building of a central semi - automated warehouse (third Party Contracted), but more significantly significant improvements to Supply Chain ways of working
Rather than simply adding additional warehousing capacity, the SPS partner led a major review of the Company's Supply chain. A solution was developed that led to the building of a central semi - automated warehouse (third Party Contracted), but more significantly significant improvements to Supply Chain ways of working
Result
The project to deliver the new facility was steered by the SPS partner and delivered on time and within budget. Substantial savings to Supply Chain costs were achieved leading to a short project payback, and customer service levels lifted to industry best practice
The project to deliver the new facility was steered by the SPS partner and delivered on time and within budget. Substantial savings to Supply Chain costs were achieved leading to a short project payback, and customer service levels lifted to industry best practice
Problem
A mainland European e-Retailer was considering launching in the UK, but unsure how best to manage the physical fulfilment
A mainland European e-Retailer was considering launching in the UK, but unsure how best to manage the physical fulfilment
Action
The SPS Partner conducted a detailed survey of the UK e-fulfilment market, and using this knowledge led a Strategy workshop with the client to evaluate in detail the costs/benefits of the various Strategic options
The SPS Partner conducted a detailed survey of the UK e-fulfilment market, and using this knowledge led a Strategy workshop with the client to evaluate in detail the costs/benefits of the various Strategic options
Result
The e-Retailer now has a clearly identified route to market in the UK. Fulfilment has moved from being perceived as a major blocker to market entry to being seen as a route to competitive advantage
The e-Retailer now has a clearly identified route to market in the UK. Fulfilment has moved from being perceived as a major blocker to market entry to being seen as a route to competitive advantage
Problem
A large International telecommunications company was under strong competitive
pressure to retain it’s largest customer – and relationships had broken down
Action
A strategic workshop led by the SPS partner identified key actions and milestones
to fix relationships and demonstrate commitment to retain the business.
A global team of over 60 directed by the SPS partner, was engaged in twice weekly
calls to ensure focussed timely attention to achievement of every element.
Result
The business was not only retained, but substantial new business was closed in
the first 12 months of the renewal period.
A successful International Sales training organisation was under margin pressure,
and finding it difficult to generate new business.Existing customers were cutting
back on commitments.
Action
A strategic workshop identified root causes of the issues, and identified a
number of potential solutions, including focussed attention on key customers,
and a use of third-parties to increase the identification and contacting of new
potential clients.
The Focus on key customers identified new opportunities, and the third-party
activity is now beginning to generate a prospect pipeline for the future.