Case Studies
Sapphire Wetwork Pool and Spa
The Challenge
Sapphire was a successful retail pool shop and service business located in Tura Beach, New South Wales. The business had been operating for 13 years and was well established in the marketplace. Whilst the business was successful, the owners suffered from lack of time and structure to implement a series of excellent marketing ideas which were the brainchild of owner, Lee Salisbury. As a result the business was profitable but not growing to potential.
The Result
Through introducing structure and time management techniques together with effective delegation tools, Lee was able to introduce marketing campaigns (some of which have been picked up by national industry distributors), innovative service initiatives and best practice standards. Through changing service delivery methodologies, cashflow issues considered part and parcel of such a seasonal industry were removed and the business was able to look at the winter months as a profit-making time rather than adopting a simple survival approach.
Lee Salisbury was awarded New South Wales’ Retail Person of the Year 2012 and again in 2013 at the SPASA awards. Sapphire Wetworks was named the New South Wales State Gold Dealer at the Focus Products annual conference in July 2013 and has just been awarded the New South Wales Pool Shop of the Year at the 2013 SPASA Awards.
Real Estate Uncut
The Challenge
Real Estate Uncut is an internet-based program for Real Estate Agents owned and operated by Kevin Turner. Kevin had developed a successful business with considerable market share. The business suffered from having too many ideas on the plate and not enough time to make them all happen. We started by conducting a SWOT analysis for Kevin personally and then, by coaching him through his strengths, we created structure and strategy for his business.
Across the coaching program we were able to help maintain the structure, implement the strategy and keep accountability.
The Result
Creating structure enabled Kevin to focus on the areas of his business which created greatest revenue opportunities and to monetise aspects of the business at a value which was truly reflective of its value in the marketplace. By being Kevin’s ‘unreasonable’ friend we were able to help him to recognise further opportunities and to confidently embark upon them.
The business now encompasses Real Estate Talk and Real Estate Uncut. It is also involved in national programs and is now regarded as an industry leader in the real estate and property investment market. Plus Kevin has established a sustainable and very real work/life balance.
Intuitive Finance
The Challenge
To assist Intuitive Finance to deal with unprecedented growth without falling victim to the common side effects of rapid growth. To provide structure and improved internal communication processes and to recruit for a strong cultural fit. Intuitive Finance is a successful Melbourne-based finance strategy and brokerage business. Unprecedented and rapid growth saw it potentially losing its positive culture as well as its long-standing commitment to absolute client attention, detail and satisfaction.
The Result
By working with Intuitive Finance Principal Andrew Mirams, we were able to assist with structured planning, which not only allowed for but actually foresaw the growth and put the team in a position to anticipate and deal with it in a positive way. We assisted Andrew to develop simple communication and client tracking systems that alleviated the risk of the principal not being across development and progress in client matters whilst allowing key team members to focus on the highest and most productive use of their time. Structured and detailed planning allowed the business to recruit strategically and to present the very best culture fit for the future growth of the business.
Berwicks Office Technology
The Challenge
Berwicks is an 80 year-old family business and the largest family-owned office technology business in Australia. As a family business, Berwicks was facing a transition to the third generation and a need to adapt to a rapidly changing technology market. The management team needed to develop leadership skills quickly and effectively and develop planned and sustainable strategies to capitalise on the longevity of the business whilst taking advantage of new and emerging opportunities.
The Result
The third generation of the Berwick family have moved into CEO and Managing Director roles. The company has developed detailed and sustainable business plans that have enabled it to move from a single brand dealership to a respected agnostic supplier catering to an emerging managed print and managed network market. Berwicks has secured national contracts outperforming manufacturers which previously operated in that environment.