Case study: Business Planning

Retained by the proprietor managers of a specialist printing company, to assist them develop a strategic plan with view to their achieving an exit within three to five years.  This plan called for the continuation of the strong growth enjoyed by the Company in recent years and the creation of realisable shareholder value.

Fulfilled his role as follows: -

• Undertaking a critical analysis of the business and the sector in which it operated resulting in the production of a SWOT analysis on the principal aspects of the business.

• Planning and chairing a series of workshops attended by the senior management of the business.  The agenda for these workshops included a review of the SWOT analysis, brainstorming sessions and focus groups.

• Following the workshops, a strategic plan was developed which was formerly adopted by the Board;

• Subsequent meetings were arranged where detailed operational plans were agreed for implementation of the strategies;

• A financial model was developed for the business for use during the business planning process.  This helped determine critical performance areas, the possible outcomes from implementation and the financial requirements of the business.  It was also used for budgeting.

The process resulted in the repositioning of the business focussing on providing a turnkey service aimed at helping international financial institutions outsource their distribution of published communications to their investor clients.