Please click on a study below or use the scroll bar to read them all.
Quantum Breaks the Mould
Designs for Growing Business
Quantum Coaches David Scarlett to Success
Quantum Helps Pearl Veterinary Group to Shine
Redfern Travel Moves Forward with Quantum
Quantum Breaks the Mould
Designs for Growing Business
Quantum Coaches David Scarlett to Success
Quantum Helps Pearl Veterinary Group to Shine
Redfern Travel Moves Forward with Quantum
Getting an invention from conception stage to market is no mean feat, requiring much time, commitment and investment at all stages along the way. Engineer Tony Bolton has been working with Quantum to help realise his vision to bring a patented new technology to the investment casting industry.
Investment casting is a net shape manufacturing technique at the niche end of the casting industry, allowing for the accurate production of complex parts and components that cannot be produced by normal manufacturing techniques, and is typically used for aerospace, automotive, defence, dentistry and art casting applications.
In simplified terms, the process works by creating a ceramic shell around wax patterns, then removing (by melting or vaporizing) the wax pattern and then firing the empty shell in a furnace prior to pouring molten metal into the fired shell. At the point at which the wax is removed (in an autoclave or furnace), there is often a risk of shell damage or failure, as the fragile shell is subjected to extremes of temperature, and in a pressurised autoclave.
Tony, and his company Process Technology Europe Ltd, has patented the invention of a method to de-wax and fire the shell without cracking it, using microwave energy. A prototype has been manufactured, and now the next stage is to get the necessary investment in order to take the company forward and get the product to market.
To achieve this Tony has enlisted the help of Quantum consultant Kevin Bragg, as he explains: “I’ve been working on the technology for around four years now. The first two years were spent working on the prototype, and since then I’ve been working closely with Kevin to take the prototype forward, with great success.
“I initially met Kevin at a breakfast networking meeting, he was interested in my ideas, and we decided to look at ways to work together to progress the project and get the product to market. We now have weekly meetings to map growth and decide the best strategy going forward.
“Kevin’s help has been invaluable in a number of areas. Firstly he has helped me to plan a marketing and communications strategy, for example if I have a presentation to make, he is on hand to help run through the presentation to make sure it is coherent and consistent so people will be able to understand it readily. It has been very useful to bounce ideas off him, in order to find the best solution.
“Secondly he has worked hard to help progress the project from prototype to large-scale casting, and through his contacts and business knowledge we have made some considerable progress. The Interdisciplinary Research Centre (IRC) in materials processing at Birmingham University has replicated the prototype and is to take it to large industrial manufacturing for use in the investment casting industry. Furthermore through his contacts we have secured a lease with HSBOS for the industrial scale microwave oven to save on capital expenditure.
“Kevin’s contacts have also been vital in helping to find an investor. It has been a struggle finding finance, but Kevin has helped weed out time wasters. We were originally looking for a £1million investment, but through some lateral thinking on the part of Kevin and his associates, we have now whittled this down to a more bite-size £250,000 equity investment, by securing a £250,000 lease through HSBOS, grant finance and a small firm loan guarantee through Kevin’s contacts, and we are now confident that we will find an investor.
“Having Kevin on-hand to offer his support and advice has been invaluable throughout the process, particularly since as well as developing the prototype and securing funding I’ve still had a business to run. Sharing some of the responsibility with Kevin has been a great boost, and Kevin has worked incredibly hard to make the product a success- so hard that he will ultimately have a percentage share in the Company, and I can’t think of any higher commendation than that,” concludes Tony.
Quantum, an international network of experienced and seasoned professionals, is one of the fastest growing business development consultancies in the world. It helps businesses succeed by tailoring proven, effective and time tested growth strategies that can assist businesses both large and small to generate more customers, expand sales and boost profits.
Investment casting is a net shape manufacturing technique at the niche end of the casting industry, allowing for the accurate production of complex parts and components that cannot be produced by normal manufacturing techniques, and is typically used for aerospace, automotive, defence, dentistry and art casting applications.
In simplified terms, the process works by creating a ceramic shell around wax patterns, then removing (by melting or vaporizing) the wax pattern and then firing the empty shell in a furnace prior to pouring molten metal into the fired shell. At the point at which the wax is removed (in an autoclave or furnace), there is often a risk of shell damage or failure, as the fragile shell is subjected to extremes of temperature, and in a pressurised autoclave.
Tony, and his company Process Technology Europe Ltd, has patented the invention of a method to de-wax and fire the shell without cracking it, using microwave energy. A prototype has been manufactured, and now the next stage is to get the necessary investment in order to take the company forward and get the product to market.
To achieve this Tony has enlisted the help of Quantum consultant Kevin Bragg, as he explains: “I’ve been working on the technology for around four years now. The first two years were spent working on the prototype, and since then I’ve been working closely with Kevin to take the prototype forward, with great success.
“I initially met Kevin at a breakfast networking meeting, he was interested in my ideas, and we decided to look at ways to work together to progress the project and get the product to market. We now have weekly meetings to map growth and decide the best strategy going forward.
“Kevin’s help has been invaluable in a number of areas. Firstly he has helped me to plan a marketing and communications strategy, for example if I have a presentation to make, he is on hand to help run through the presentation to make sure it is coherent and consistent so people will be able to understand it readily. It has been very useful to bounce ideas off him, in order to find the best solution.
“Secondly he has worked hard to help progress the project from prototype to large-scale casting, and through his contacts and business knowledge we have made some considerable progress. The Interdisciplinary Research Centre (IRC) in materials processing at Birmingham University has replicated the prototype and is to take it to large industrial manufacturing for use in the investment casting industry. Furthermore through his contacts we have secured a lease with HSBOS for the industrial scale microwave oven to save on capital expenditure.
“Kevin’s contacts have also been vital in helping to find an investor. It has been a struggle finding finance, but Kevin has helped weed out time wasters. We were originally looking for a £1million investment, but through some lateral thinking on the part of Kevin and his associates, we have now whittled this down to a more bite-size £250,000 equity investment, by securing a £250,000 lease through HSBOS, grant finance and a small firm loan guarantee through Kevin’s contacts, and we are now confident that we will find an investor.
“Having Kevin on-hand to offer his support and advice has been invaluable throughout the process, particularly since as well as developing the prototype and securing funding I’ve still had a business to run. Sharing some of the responsibility with Kevin has been a great boost, and Kevin has worked incredibly hard to make the product a success- so hard that he will ultimately have a percentage share in the Company, and I can’t think of any higher commendation than that,” concludes Tony.
Quantum, an international network of experienced and seasoned professionals, is one of the fastest growing business development consultancies in the world. It helps businesses succeed by tailoring proven, effective and time tested growth strategies that can assist businesses both large and small to generate more customers, expand sales and boost profits.
International business consultancy, the Quantum Organisation, has been working with Bedford-based design and production studio eMC Design, to help take the business forward, through its proven business strategies.
A blow to the business encouraged Mike Cryer, Director of eMC Design, to explore ways to accelerate growth as he explains: “The business had been growing steadily, but when we lost a couple of clients through no fault of our own, I became more aware of the company’s vulnerability. I was keen to put the business back on track, and also to be able to grow the business to sell when I come to retire.
“I joined Business Network International (BNI), a networking organisation, largely to gain new business. It was at one of these meetings that I met Rob at Quantum, and after a couple of long sessions in which he challenged my business strategies, I signed up to a 12 month contact to develop the company. After a successful first year, the contract was subsequently extended for another year.
“Quantum helped us to look at all aspects of the business, helping us to identify the best ways to increase business with the least effort. Some marketing experts seek huge budgets for impressive marketing schemes, but the ideas suggested by Quantum were pro-active, affordable and cost-effective, which was very important to a small firm with limited budget.
“The consultants at Quantum have a depth of business experience, and we called on this to analyse the company thoroughly, in order to decide how best to reach our targets. As a result we opted to take a two-pronged approach, firstly gaining more business with existing blue-chip clients, and secondly approaching new customers with a portfolio demonstrating relevant work to highlight our skills.
“This approach was extremely effective. Workload increased across the first year, and with this came the need to increase the number of skilled staff. We started out with two people, and now we have a staff of ten, with turnover three times higher than before working with Quantum.
“By the end of the first year of the contract, we found ourselves entering a period of growth and risk, and so renewed the contract with Quantum in order to continue to benefit from their support and business acumen. As the business grew, we also needed new premises. Purchasing a converted barn of 2000sq ft was a huge investment and commitment, but Quantum was on-hand to reduce risk and ensure that the move didn’t cause any problems.
“I am a designer first, so having the support and business sense of Quantum to help oversee the growth has been an invaluable resource throughout the duration of the contract. The advice and business management help they have offered has been based on good sound business practice, with just small tweaks making all the difference.
“With their help the business has flourished, and is now a Ltd company. The next step forward is to use the experience, staff and skill set we’ve developed for educational publishing to target new business in the area of marketing materials such as large business catalogues. In this area we will be very competitive, and we have the discipline and creative skills, and also the business wisdom imparted to us by Quantum, to enable us to succeed,” concludes Mike.
Quantum, an international network of experienced and seasoned professionals, is one of the fastest growing business development consultancies in the world. It helps businesses succeed by tailoring proven, effective and time tested growth strategies that can assist businesses both large and small to generate more customers, expand sales and boost profits.
Established in 1990, eMC Design provides creative solutions for publishing and the corporate sectors, with in-house capability for design, production, scanning and photography. Specialising in book design and publicity for educational publishers, clients include OUP, Heinemann, Macmillan, Nelson Thornes, and HarperCollins, with projects ranging from producing highly illustrated course books to typographically complex textbooks, working to budget, within strict timeframes, with meticulous attention to quality and detail.
A blow to the business encouraged Mike Cryer, Director of eMC Design, to explore ways to accelerate growth as he explains: “The business had been growing steadily, but when we lost a couple of clients through no fault of our own, I became more aware of the company’s vulnerability. I was keen to put the business back on track, and also to be able to grow the business to sell when I come to retire.
“I joined Business Network International (BNI), a networking organisation, largely to gain new business. It was at one of these meetings that I met Rob at Quantum, and after a couple of long sessions in which he challenged my business strategies, I signed up to a 12 month contact to develop the company. After a successful first year, the contract was subsequently extended for another year.
“Quantum helped us to look at all aspects of the business, helping us to identify the best ways to increase business with the least effort. Some marketing experts seek huge budgets for impressive marketing schemes, but the ideas suggested by Quantum were pro-active, affordable and cost-effective, which was very important to a small firm with limited budget.
“The consultants at Quantum have a depth of business experience, and we called on this to analyse the company thoroughly, in order to decide how best to reach our targets. As a result we opted to take a two-pronged approach, firstly gaining more business with existing blue-chip clients, and secondly approaching new customers with a portfolio demonstrating relevant work to highlight our skills.
“This approach was extremely effective. Workload increased across the first year, and with this came the need to increase the number of skilled staff. We started out with two people, and now we have a staff of ten, with turnover three times higher than before working with Quantum.
“By the end of the first year of the contract, we found ourselves entering a period of growth and risk, and so renewed the contract with Quantum in order to continue to benefit from their support and business acumen. As the business grew, we also needed new premises. Purchasing a converted barn of 2000sq ft was a huge investment and commitment, but Quantum was on-hand to reduce risk and ensure that the move didn’t cause any problems.
“I am a designer first, so having the support and business sense of Quantum to help oversee the growth has been an invaluable resource throughout the duration of the contract. The advice and business management help they have offered has been based on good sound business practice, with just small tweaks making all the difference.
“With their help the business has flourished, and is now a Ltd company. The next step forward is to use the experience, staff and skill set we’ve developed for educational publishing to target new business in the area of marketing materials such as large business catalogues. In this area we will be very competitive, and we have the discipline and creative skills, and also the business wisdom imparted to us by Quantum, to enable us to succeed,” concludes Mike.
Quantum, an international network of experienced and seasoned professionals, is one of the fastest growing business development consultancies in the world. It helps businesses succeed by tailoring proven, effective and time tested growth strategies that can assist businesses both large and small to generate more customers, expand sales and boost profits.
Established in 1990, eMC Design provides creative solutions for publishing and the corporate sectors, with in-house capability for design, production, scanning and photography. Specialising in book design and publicity for educational publishers, clients include OUP, Heinemann, Macmillan, Nelson Thornes, and HarperCollins, with projects ranging from producing highly illustrated course books to typographically complex textbooks, working to budget, within strict timeframes, with meticulous attention to quality and detail.
No matter how great a business' potential, without customers it will inevitably struggle. Fortunately when international inspirational speaker and best selling author, David Scarlett, found his coaching business in this all-to-familiar situation, some simple marketing advice from international business consultancy, the Quantum Organisation, was all it took to turn its fortunes around
Having been a financial planner for some 20 years, David Scarlett left the city behind to set up his own company, as he explains: "Though I had carved out a successful career in the financial services market, I knew that I possessed skills and gifts which weren't being tapped. So, I set out to fulfil three dreams - 1) to write 'the book within me', 2) to use my counselling experience by becoming a life/business coach, and 3) to convert my public speaking experience into a profession.
"Around this time, I happened to meet Peter Lisney, who had just joined the Quantum team as a consultant. He initially made contact with the view of me coming onboard as a consultant as well, but I was keen to get my own business off the ground, with the freedom to do things my way.
"We kept in touch however, and I am pleased we did, for although I had the skills and services in place, I wasn't attracting the volume and quality of clients needed to take the business forward. The business was struggling. Peter was there to give me some ideas and thoughts, and suggested some simple sales and marketing strategies as a process for attracting clients.
"The first step was choosing a niche market to specialise in, and then to develop a clear marketing strategy to target this market. Although I was initially keen to try fields other than financial services; with my experience in this sector, it seemed like the obvious choice.
"After some gentle nudging, Peter then persuaded me to concentrate on the seminar circuit in that market. After my first presentation to a room of 100 delegates, I received just six business cards at the end. Peter subsequently suggested some closing comments to use at the end of my presentation. I tried them, and was happily surprised when subsequently 50 and 70% of the delegates handed me their cards, and with it their permission for me to contact them.
"Initially I would just add these names to my email list, in the hope that the fortnightly e-newsletter content alone would be enough to tempt coaching clients to my door. Peter however suggested that I pick up the phone, and follow these presentations up with calls. This led to meetings, and soon I was travelling up and down the country to meet potential clients.
"I'm proud to say that it was me that thought of charging prospective clients for an initial meeting. While most consultants would be horrified at the thought, it was Peter who encouraged me to increase the fee (I doubled it!) and to also ask for a deposit. These two changes have allowed me to meet many more new clients across the UK and also weeds out half-hearted and 'free-information-pumping' prospects.
"To further improve results Peter advised that I make it clear, before confirming each meeting, that I expect a simple "Yes" or "No" at the conclusion, when I ask if they wish to engage me as their business coach. I then reiterate this expectation at the beginning of every meeting. When I first commenced these 'Discovery Meetings' only one in six created a coaching client. Now, through the introduction of Peter's simple tactics, I am able to convert five out of every six meetings into a new client. Business is now booming!
"The sad truth is, less than 20% of coaches enjoy a profitable, full-time living from coaching. Despite oodles of professional qualifications, years of wisdom and a passion for applying their caring skills, the vast majority simply don't have the marketing, sales, strategic and entrepreneurial skills to run a small business. I myself was questioning the wisdom of my own coaching business, yet in just six months my company has shifted from loss-making to healthy profit- all because of a series of simple phone calls, and the introduction of a few tried-and-tested Quantum techniques.
"Its amazing what you can't see when you are close to the problem! I owe our current profitable cashflow to Peter's insights, and now go into meetings confident that I have a viable, attractive business. Activity level is set to double in the New Year, and I am fully booked up until spring 2008 already. I am certain that I wouldn't be in business today without Peter's help, and would not hesitate to recommend the Quantum Organisation to other companies," concludes David.
Peter Lisney of the Quantum Organisation, is set to work with David further as part of a think tank to take the concepts in his bestselling* book "The Soul Millionaire" and transform them into a series of online and offline programmes, services and products.
Quantum, an international network of experienced and seasoned professionals, is one of the fastest growing business development consultancies in the world. It helps businesses succeed by tailoring proven, effective and time tested growth strategies that can assist businesses both large and small to generate more customers, expand sales and boost profits.
Having been a financial planner for some 20 years, David Scarlett left the city behind to set up his own company, as he explains: "Though I had carved out a successful career in the financial services market, I knew that I possessed skills and gifts which weren't being tapped. So, I set out to fulfil three dreams - 1) to write 'the book within me', 2) to use my counselling experience by becoming a life/business coach, and 3) to convert my public speaking experience into a profession.
"Around this time, I happened to meet Peter Lisney, who had just joined the Quantum team as a consultant. He initially made contact with the view of me coming onboard as a consultant as well, but I was keen to get my own business off the ground, with the freedom to do things my way.
"We kept in touch however, and I am pleased we did, for although I had the skills and services in place, I wasn't attracting the volume and quality of clients needed to take the business forward. The business was struggling. Peter was there to give me some ideas and thoughts, and suggested some simple sales and marketing strategies as a process for attracting clients.
"The first step was choosing a niche market to specialise in, and then to develop a clear marketing strategy to target this market. Although I was initially keen to try fields other than financial services; with my experience in this sector, it seemed like the obvious choice.
"After some gentle nudging, Peter then persuaded me to concentrate on the seminar circuit in that market. After my first presentation to a room of 100 delegates, I received just six business cards at the end. Peter subsequently suggested some closing comments to use at the end of my presentation. I tried them, and was happily surprised when subsequently 50 and 70% of the delegates handed me their cards, and with it their permission for me to contact them.
"Initially I would just add these names to my email list, in the hope that the fortnightly e-newsletter content alone would be enough to tempt coaching clients to my door. Peter however suggested that I pick up the phone, and follow these presentations up with calls. This led to meetings, and soon I was travelling up and down the country to meet potential clients.
"I'm proud to say that it was me that thought of charging prospective clients for an initial meeting. While most consultants would be horrified at the thought, it was Peter who encouraged me to increase the fee (I doubled it!) and to also ask for a deposit. These two changes have allowed me to meet many more new clients across the UK and also weeds out half-hearted and 'free-information-pumping' prospects.
"To further improve results Peter advised that I make it clear, before confirming each meeting, that I expect a simple "Yes" or "No" at the conclusion, when I ask if they wish to engage me as their business coach. I then reiterate this expectation at the beginning of every meeting. When I first commenced these 'Discovery Meetings' only one in six created a coaching client. Now, through the introduction of Peter's simple tactics, I am able to convert five out of every six meetings into a new client. Business is now booming!
"The sad truth is, less than 20% of coaches enjoy a profitable, full-time living from coaching. Despite oodles of professional qualifications, years of wisdom and a passion for applying their caring skills, the vast majority simply don't have the marketing, sales, strategic and entrepreneurial skills to run a small business. I myself was questioning the wisdom of my own coaching business, yet in just six months my company has shifted from loss-making to healthy profit- all because of a series of simple phone calls, and the introduction of a few tried-and-tested Quantum techniques.
"Its amazing what you can't see when you are close to the problem! I owe our current profitable cashflow to Peter's insights, and now go into meetings confident that I have a viable, attractive business. Activity level is set to double in the New Year, and I am fully booked up until spring 2008 already. I am certain that I wouldn't be in business today without Peter's help, and would not hesitate to recommend the Quantum Organisation to other companies," concludes David.
Peter Lisney of the Quantum Organisation, is set to work with David further as part of a think tank to take the concepts in his bestselling* book "The Soul Millionaire" and transform them into a series of online and offline programmes, services and products.
Quantum, an international network of experienced and seasoned professionals, is one of the fastest growing business development consultancies in the world. It helps businesses succeed by tailoring proven, effective and time tested growth strategies that can assist businesses both large and small to generate more customers, expand sales and boost profits.
Having a great business means little if no one knows about it, so effective marketing is an essential tool for any company. For new start-ups it is particularly vital, in order to raise the company profile, but the difficulty is often knowing where to start. Shrewsbury based veterinary practice, the Pearl Veterinary Group therefore turned to international business consultancy, the Quantum Organization, for marketing support to take the fledgling business into full flight, and has not looked back since.
Stewart Bedford, Partner at the Pearl Veterinary Group explains: "The practice was essentially a new company (we'd bought the site and changed the name) so it was vital to make the new name known as quickly as possible in order to build up a viable client base, and to let local pet-owners know that the surgery was still there.
"Although we knew we needed some marketing help, we weren't actively looking, so a mail shot from the Quantum Organization offering marketing support landed on our doorstep at the right time. As a result of the mailing, we contacted Peter Lisney who advised us on some tried and tested, straight-forward marketing techniques, with immediate impact."
The strategy was simple, says Stewart: "We began by placing advertisements, and running features and articles in local newspapers to raise the profile of the surgery and explain the services available. We also developed an informative website, highlighting our services and expertise, and allowing customers to find out more about the practice at the click of a mouse.
"We soon noticed a rapid increase in customers. Once the name became known, Peter continued to help us to find new ways of marketing to attract even more pet-owners, all using the same tried and tested techniques.
"At this time, we noticed that 80% of our new clients came to us through recommendations from friends or neighbours. We were obviously gaining a good reputation and so we decided to capitalise on this, altering our appointment cards to include a tear-off part to pass onto friends in order to spread the surgery name yet further via word of mouth.
"In this way the business started to expand rapidly," says Stewart: "Three years ago, we started out as one surgery with half a dozen employees. Yet in just this short time, due to increased workload and footfall, we have recently been able to open a new purpose-built pet hospital, and now have 16 employees across the two sites.
"The techniques were simple but effective, and I am sure that some of our success can be attributed to Peter's help. I would not hesitate to recommend the Quantum Organization," concludes Stewart.
Quantum, an international network of experienced and seasoned professionals, is one of the fastest growing business development consultancies in the world. It helps businesses succeed by tailoring proven, effective and time tested growth strategies that can assist businesses both large and small to generate more customers, expand sales and boost profits.
Operating across two sites in the Shrewsbury area, the Pearl Veterinary Group specialises in caring for household pets, with all equipment geared accordingly. The new purpose built Shrewsbury Pet Hospital has 2 theatres, separate dog and cat wards, x-ray facilities, and up to date in-house lab equipment. The Team includes a Veterinary surgeon with a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) recognised advanced qualification in surgery. It is also a recognised RCVS approved Veterinary Nurse Training Centre.
Stewart Bedford, Partner at the Pearl Veterinary Group explains: "The practice was essentially a new company (we'd bought the site and changed the name) so it was vital to make the new name known as quickly as possible in order to build up a viable client base, and to let local pet-owners know that the surgery was still there.
"Although we knew we needed some marketing help, we weren't actively looking, so a mail shot from the Quantum Organization offering marketing support landed on our doorstep at the right time. As a result of the mailing, we contacted Peter Lisney who advised us on some tried and tested, straight-forward marketing techniques, with immediate impact."
The strategy was simple, says Stewart: "We began by placing advertisements, and running features and articles in local newspapers to raise the profile of the surgery and explain the services available. We also developed an informative website, highlighting our services and expertise, and allowing customers to find out more about the practice at the click of a mouse.
"We soon noticed a rapid increase in customers. Once the name became known, Peter continued to help us to find new ways of marketing to attract even more pet-owners, all using the same tried and tested techniques.
"At this time, we noticed that 80% of our new clients came to us through recommendations from friends or neighbours. We were obviously gaining a good reputation and so we decided to capitalise on this, altering our appointment cards to include a tear-off part to pass onto friends in order to spread the surgery name yet further via word of mouth.
"In this way the business started to expand rapidly," says Stewart: "Three years ago, we started out as one surgery with half a dozen employees. Yet in just this short time, due to increased workload and footfall, we have recently been able to open a new purpose-built pet hospital, and now have 16 employees across the two sites.
"The techniques were simple but effective, and I am sure that some of our success can be attributed to Peter's help. I would not hesitate to recommend the Quantum Organization," concludes Stewart.
Quantum, an international network of experienced and seasoned professionals, is one of the fastest growing business development consultancies in the world. It helps businesses succeed by tailoring proven, effective and time tested growth strategies that can assist businesses both large and small to generate more customers, expand sales and boost profits.
Operating across two sites in the Shrewsbury area, the Pearl Veterinary Group specialises in caring for household pets, with all equipment geared accordingly. The new purpose built Shrewsbury Pet Hospital has 2 theatres, separate dog and cat wards, x-ray facilities, and up to date in-house lab equipment. The Team includes a Veterinary surgeon with a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) recognised advanced qualification in surgery. It is also a recognised RCVS approved Veterinary Nurse Training Centre.
International business consultancy, the Quantum Organisation, has been working with Bradford-based Redfern Travel, to identify and implement ways to move the business forward, through its proven success strategies.
Established in 1950, Redfern Travel, specialists in personal and business travel, first approached Quantum in 2005, as Neil Hopwood, CEO, explains: "We wanted to look into ways to grow our business as upward movement had stalled. We knew Mike Kennedy from Quantum, and invited him to come and take a thorough look at our business from top to bottom, in the hope of improving performance.
"Using Business Process Reengineering (BPR) Mike identified areas in which we could streamline our processes and create greater efficiencies. For example he identified that our sales force needed more clearly defined targets with regular weekly reviews. As a result, we designated specific tasks and goals to the team, with clear targets.
"In addition he suggested that several internal procedures were changed to make greater use of our resources, and to help us shift from providing a traditional call centre environment to local companies, to more online business, enabling clients to book online using self booking tools. This was considered the biggest potential growth area, and we are pleased that this has since been proven 100% correct!
"Mike also helped us to win a large government tender, and to secure a place on the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) buying solutions Framework Agreement. This meant that Redfern Travel become one of three government approved travel service providers for rail travel, providing any government departments who had used the Framework Agreement with access to the online booking systems, and conversely providing Redfern Travel with access to all government departments who travelled on business. This was an outstanding achievement for a SME, and we have subsequently won over £8M of new government business since January 2007.
"I am sure that we would not have achieved this in such a swift and efficient manner without Mike's assistance, and I would have no qualms in recommending Mike or the Quantum Group to anyone who wishes to remodel their current sales and marketing systems," concludes Neil.
Quantum, an international network of experienced and seasoned professionals, is one of the fastest growing business development consultancies in the world. It helps businesses succeed by tailoring proven, effective and time tested growth strategies that can assist businesses both large and small to generate more customers, expand sales and boost profits.
Established in 1950, Redfern Travel, specialists in personal and business travel, first approached Quantum in 2005, as Neil Hopwood, CEO, explains: "We wanted to look into ways to grow our business as upward movement had stalled. We knew Mike Kennedy from Quantum, and invited him to come and take a thorough look at our business from top to bottom, in the hope of improving performance.
"Using Business Process Reengineering (BPR) Mike identified areas in which we could streamline our processes and create greater efficiencies. For example he identified that our sales force needed more clearly defined targets with regular weekly reviews. As a result, we designated specific tasks and goals to the team, with clear targets.
"In addition he suggested that several internal procedures were changed to make greater use of our resources, and to help us shift from providing a traditional call centre environment to local companies, to more online business, enabling clients to book online using self booking tools. This was considered the biggest potential growth area, and we are pleased that this has since been proven 100% correct!
"Mike also helped us to win a large government tender, and to secure a place on the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) buying solutions Framework Agreement. This meant that Redfern Travel become one of three government approved travel service providers for rail travel, providing any government departments who had used the Framework Agreement with access to the online booking systems, and conversely providing Redfern Travel with access to all government departments who travelled on business. This was an outstanding achievement for a SME, and we have subsequently won over £8M of new government business since January 2007.
"I am sure that we would not have achieved this in such a swift and efficient manner without Mike's assistance, and I would have no qualms in recommending Mike or the Quantum Group to anyone who wishes to remodel their current sales and marketing systems," concludes Neil.
Quantum, an international network of experienced and seasoned professionals, is one of the fastest growing business development consultancies in the world. It helps businesses succeed by tailoring proven, effective and time tested growth strategies that can assist businesses both large and small to generate more customers, expand sales and boost profits.
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