|
Here are case studies of some of Aspire Management Services' clients who have benefited from our business coaching, management consulting and mentoring services:
Business Underperforming?
A financial services client had been in business for around three years when he approached us for help. His turnover was very small, and he was effectively self-employed: he was unable to think of ways to grow his business.
We got him focused on various successful marketing strategies, and encouraged him to develop and optimise a website. We also helped him with recruitment, an area which was severely out of his comfort zone.
In fourteen months his sales tripled, and profitability increased 10 (yes, ten) times. He now has the confidence to recruit and has four staff. His business is going from strength to strength.
Staff Underperforming?
One of our clients, a restaurateur, was suffering huge staff turnover – in excess of 75% a year - and the owner had to work seven days a week just to keep things hanging together.
We ran a staff training day to see what issues the team raised; interestingly, his supervisor complained constantly throughout the day that the training was waste of time and was also encouraging other team members to do the same. At the end of the day we simply commented in how disappointed we were that that member of staff had behaved in that way. The supervisor handed in her notice the next day! It transpired the supervisor was bullying staff and complaining about the owner behind his back.
As a result of her departure the team came together extremely well; sales improved dramatically. The owner was so overjoyed he was in tears, commenting that “you’ve given me my business back, you've given me my life back!”. Staff turnover has dropped like a stone. He is now working five days and we are looking to reduce this further with him.
Not Enough Time?
A garage owner client traditionally worked over 65 hours per week. One of the main issues he had was trusting his team and he felt he had to check everything himself. He was successful and expanding, however the ever-increasing pressure of self-imposed work led to a breakdown.
Working with the owner, we appointed a supervisor and started to put quality systems in place. The team was keen on the changes and their enthusiasm increased. The owner soon realised he could actually start to trust his team.
He has already reduced his hours to 40; profitability is still increasing and he is now planning longer holidays and is working on reducing his hours still further.
Business Needs Direction?
A large, long-established agricultural engineering client had no planning processes in place, and the owner felt the business was floundering. He calculated that if he sold it and simply left the proceeds in the bank he would earn a better return!
So we worked with the client to install a proper planning process – vision, mission, operating plan, budget and staff personal development programme.
The effect has been that the owner and his team are now much more focused and are all very much clearer about what they want the business to achieve over the next 5-10 years. They have planned the work and are now working the plan. Their teamwork has improved dramatically and the decline in profitability has been reversed.
No Proper Systems?
Because of his very seasonal sales, a builders merchant client was suffering huge cash flow difficulties each winter, unable to pay his suppliers on time, causing supply problems.
We looked at his stock and his debtors, and established he was carrying excessive stock and had no effective systems in place to collect cash, which meant his debtors days were out of control.
We showed him some simple procedures and measures for reducing stock and getting customers to pay on time, and helped him install them: his winter cash flow problems were resolved so effectively that he was able to invest in growing the business. His profitability has since grown massively in excess of his expectations.
See also our Client Testimonials
|
