I have been in business for many years and done OK – we have grown steadily and sometimes made a profit. Before working with my ActionCOACH Mandy Hildred I always felt that we should be doing better but could never really workout how. I couldn’t find my way forward – I had to do all the jobs all the same, often stuck driving my own vans. I had the job from hell and no escape plan. Even holidays were a stressful time as I would fight off problems by phone or email whilst trying to put on a ‘happy face’ by the pool side.
Now I have worked with a Mandy everything seems so much clearer – I now have a clear plan of where I’m going and how I can get there.
Some of the things I’ve learnt look so blindingly obvious now but I just couldn’t see it before. I have learnt that it’s better to spend time creating a system for someone else to follow rather than continuously repeat the same low value jobs myself.
Some of my main achievements since coaching with Mandy are moving the business from a stable block to two warehouses which significantly improved customer service levels. I have developed our USP/guarantee “to
ensure every item of equipment arrives in pristine condition, or we will replace it”, which has meant installation of systems and a paint spray booth to enable us to deliver confidently. This year the quality of our furniture has won us an ongoing contract with The Sage at Gateshead. I also have a new product range to increase the average value sale. Blacks now sends a monthly email newsletter to database of contacts and has a new iPad/iPhone ‘App’ to enable key customers present our range of products to their end user. Mandy helped me set daily KPIs with a target of £3k sales per day. I have appointed a Sales Executive to develop new business opportunities. Plus two additional vans were added to extend the fleet to two plus an eighteen ton lorry. Three additional drivers and warehouse
operatives were employed this year which enable me to work ON the business instead of IN the business.
With Mandy’s help I eventually hope to build a very profitable business that really can work without me, enabling me to finally spend some more time with my family.
