Case Studies
Rustic Touch - Case Study
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
When we met them the husband and wife team of Antony and Debra Turner had been established as Rustic Touch Homes for almost 20 years. They 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. While they had consistently delivered great results for their clientele, they had struggled to grow the capacity of their business. After conducting a thorough review we identified several opportunities for Antony and Debra’s business.
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 SCBC 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 SCBC, 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. The project continues to this day, and has become more akin to a partnership as we work together to find new ways to grow and develop the people, the company, and the offer to Rustic Touch discerning clientele.
Client's Perspective
“We’re much more confident with the future of our business, our personal relationship as husband and wife 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.”
Bavarian Hospitality Group – Case Study
The Bavarian Hospitality Group is made up of the Lowenbrau Keller – Sydney's’ best known authentic German restaurant, German Beverage Imports – Exclusive importers of Lowenbrau beer, The Uberbar, Argyle Catering and Events and the recently launched Bavarian Bier Cafes’.
Managing Director: John Szangolies
The Challenge
John Szangolies, CEO of the Bavarian Hospitality Group was at a personal cross-roads. He was involved in a separate business partnership yet had strong ideas and a real passion for the BHG business.
What Happened?
John left the partnership to focus on what he loved best – The Argyle and Lowenbrau. Southern Cross Business Coaching was involved at an all encompassing level to facilitate and drive the development and implementation of Strategic, Operational, Structural and Performance Management systems for the entire organisation.
The Results
As far as John Szangolies is concerned one of the greatest achievements was the realisation of his dream to create Bavarian Bier Cafes. John attributes this to the benefits of the strategic process and says “What this has meant for me in simple terms is that I don’t have to be in the office every day. I can go fishing or work on new business, which is what I love to do. The process has meant that we have the right team, running the right systems, getting the right results, which has made a huge difference to productivity and allows me to go after new business.”
To top it all off, for the first time in its’ 25 year history the Lowenbrau Keller was awarded both the Best Entertainment Restaurant 2005, and the European Restaurant of the year 2005.
Would You Recommend Southern Cross Business Coaching?
Somer Sivri, General Manager for the group says “It’s very hard to mentally step out and have a look at the whole business because you get too tangled up in the problem. They’re not just consultants handing you a text book solution…. And that builds trust and confidence in yourself, the rest of the team and the company. So in that sense I would definitely recommend Southern Cross Business Coaching.”
Modelco – Case Study
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 Earnst 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?
Southern Cross Business Coaching 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 Southern Cross Business Coaching?
“We would not hesitate in using your services again. I would highly recommend your services to others.”
Dickens and Hawthorne – Case Study
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 Southern Cross Business Coaching 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.”
SCBC 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 Southern Cross Business Coaching?
“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.”