GrowBiz Clients Include Existing Businesses03.06.10
Readers of these articles over the last few months could be forgiven for thinking that all the businesses attended to by the GrowBiz organisation are new and needing the initial introduction to business or the guiding hand to getting set up.
Co-ordinator Fiona McPhail (pictured) explains that, in fact 30% of the people spoken with have been existing businesses. So, 73 different existing businesses have been in touch with GrowBiz to work through a range of issues affecting their enterprise, 10 of which have expanded/diversified.
As flexibility and adaptability to the ever changing scene in the business world is key, sometimes being a small business can mean that you are well placed to make those changes and adapt quickly.
Haulage Diversification
One such business is a timber haulier who, given the downturn in the building industry, was noticing a severe lack of business through his door for his lorries to be shifting timber to the mills.
Having produced a few logs previously he decided that it might be worth looking at scaling that side up to produce firewood at a more commercially viable level. Given tight deadlines to pull this off - as by now the lorries were getting ever quieter - we worked through the figures and he came to the conclusion it was worth doing.
With help from a P&K Council grant he bought a firewood processor and is now very glad indeed, as the downturn on the lorries proved to be significant and the firewood side allowed him to use the lorries to collect the timber for that side and his contacts in the industry meant a steady supply of hardwood. He now has a thriving business supplying bulk and bagged logs as well as netted kindling.
Joinery Business
Another business that had been in existence for over 25 years got in touch feeling the pinch of the downturn in the building trade. A local joiner with normally bursting order books found the phones much quieter and everyone who was getting in touch were looking for the prices to be slashed to the bone as other joiners in a similar position were fighting to get the contracts at any price in order to keep their men on. Faced with some very hard and uncomfortable decisions we looked at how to make the best of the situation .
Looking at what he did and what he bought in, he worked out that by producing more set pieces in his workshop he could reduce his costs , up skill his guys and be able to keep them in work. Again, with the help of going for a council grant, this business bought the very specific machinery required and has found the whole process worthwhile.
Grant Aid Seminal
Neither company would have ever thought that they would need help from a grant, but both found that the grant made a difference and allowed them to take the risk to diversify their business and move in a slightly different direction. The grant has allowed them to firm up their position and carry on the businesses with a solid foundation and now that the first signs of things picking up seem to be appearing they are in a stronger position to be ready for any increase in business that comes through. The lesson learned is that being willing to look beyond what you have always done in a certain way is worth considering . How can you do it better or differently?
Fiona McPhail at GrowBiz can be contacted on 07912 786 864 and fmmcphail@btinternet.com
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