Case Studies

Rustic Touch is a multi award winning designer and builder of high quality, prestige and luxury homes with a strong focus on smart design, environmental sensitivity and eco sustainability.

Situation

The management team were obviously passionate about what they did and had designed and built some of the most recognised and lauded prestige homes on the NSW Central Coast over the past 20 years. While they had consistently delivered great results for their clientele, they had struggled to realize the full capacity of their business. After conducting a thorough review we identified several opportunities for the company.

Approach

Starting with an overall strategic plan we identified several opportunities to develop Rustic Touch. These included a comprehensive marketing strategy, a review of their organisational structure and an operational review to align their work practices with their strategic objectives.

The Process

A series of half and one day workshops were held during the initial stages. These formed the basis of the implementation cycle for the remainder of the program. Regular meetings were conducted between The3rdgear and key Rustic Touch staff as we managed the development and implementation of each stage of their program.

Outcomes

Within 18 months of beginning their program with The3rdgear, Rustic Touch had completed their best financial year ever with a 100% improvement in turnover on their previous best year. There was also a significant profit to the partners which was predominantly re-invested to support the next phase of the company’s development.

Client's Perspective

“We’re much more confident with the future of our business, our relationship as business partners has been enhanced along with the quality of our lifestyle. Our staff are happier and more focused and we’re all excited about the future.”

www.rustictouch.com

Modelco have created a unique range of beauty products which today are sold world wide. Shelley Barrett the Managing Director of Modelco has created an internationally recognised brand in only a few years and was awarded the Ernst and Young – Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2005.

The Challenge
In 2003 Modelco was a very young business with a great deal of potential. The challenge for Shelley was that she had assembled a great team of competent and passionate staff but “management were still being left to do too many things”. This was hindering the businesses development, as Shelley needed to be free to drive the strategic growth of the business.

What Happened?
The3rdgear was engaged to facilitate the development and implementation of a business structure and performance management system that would enable staff to take ownership of the key operational aspects of the business and provide management with the time and confidence to focus their energies on the strategic growth of Modelco.

The Result
“Management can see a marked difference in the day to day operation of the business since the implementation of the systems and strategy you facilitated. I feel staff are more confident and now have a clear understanding of the direction we intend to take the company.”

Would You Recommend The3rdgear?
“We would not hesitate in using your services again. I would highly recommend your services to others.”

Dickens and Hawthorne are importers and manufacturers of high quality giftware. They supply wholesale products to the major department store chains and selected resorts and hotels.

Managing Director: Stephen Jackson

The Challenge
The business was already successful and well established. However, to a degree, they had been victims of their own success. As the business grew, individual staff had developed ways of doing the various tasks involved in the day to day operation of the business. This created challenges, as people come and go, and as a result there were a lot of inefficiencies in the business and, as with many businesses that grow organically, various people had different ways of doing the same tasks.

What Happened?
Dickens and Hawthorne engaged the3rdgear to conduct an operational planning program. In Stephens words “We as a group discussed and decided what sort of business we wanted to be, what the core functions of the business were, what we did well, what we didn’t do well and how we could improve the things we didn’t do well.”

The3rdgear facilitated the discussion and guided the process to ensure that what eventuated from the process was a comprehensive Operational plan.

As Stephen put it “The way the program operates is excellent as it homes in on the issues that are concerning your staff as well as yourself and ends up with everyone having ownership of the solutions.”

The Results
Stephen reported “After implementing a lot of the solutions we had identified as being necessary to improve the business we have had noticeable improvements in many areas. In the Sales and Marketing area we have reduced costs and saved time through improved paperwork and systems resulting in fewer errors, improved communication, better product and happier customers.”

“All the other areas of the business Finance and Administration, Purchasing, Human Resources, Product Development, Warehousing and Manufacturing have also benefited by becoming better organised, again saving both time and money.”

Would You Recommend The3rdgear?
“Absolutely. The staff are happier so morale has improved, information is easier to access, communication is better, both internally and externally and the general quality of our business has taken a major step forward.”