For the farming industry to gain maximum benefit from the activities of
R&D organisations there need to be clear paths to market for
bioinnovation. Carix’s Greg Bender was brought on as a
business champion to develop a plan and recommendations to market the
new biological inputs of a statutory R&D program.
Greg saw advantages in partnering with a commercial entity working in a
complementary capacity. The project culminated in the formation of a
new joint venture between the statutory corporation and a
Canadian-based bioinnovation company.
Case
Study: Plumbing Business
Going Down the Drain
A large plumbing-based business had been operating profitably, however
70 percent of its turnover was dependent on one large customer. When
they lost that customer the business was on shaky ground and Carix was
brought in.
The cost structure was based around a large business, yet turnover had
dropped to just 30 percent of previous levels. Carix looked at internal
capability, matching it against market opportunities.
- Within 2 years the business
had
stabilised.
- Turnover has not recovered to
peak times but profit is up.
- Personal stress levels are
down.
- Carix continues to work with
the business including
facilitating business acquisition.
Case Study:
Re-designing Design Business
Carix’s client was an interior designer specialising in
high-end residential and commercial properties. The business was
profitable and had a good reputation, however, it had lost its way in
terms of strategy and the designer was ready to call it a day.
Carix worked with the designer to review the existing, rather tired,
strategy. Together they developed a new strategic plan and business model that involved
repositioning the design business to
match the contemporary needs of the market and the designer.
- Business is reinvigorated.
- Designer is more personally
and professionally satisfied.
- Carix continues to work with
the flourishing design business,
monitoring business performance and providing a sounding board for
ideas.
Case Study:
Car Repair Business in Need of Repairs
The owner of a long-established and seemingly successful car repair
business was considering selling up, but the valuation he was given was
well below his expectations. He engaged Carix to help turn the business
around.
Together they reviewed the organisational structure and the processes
within the business. Carix recommended reorganising and rationalising
some of the roles and processes. In particular, the work priorities of
senior staff were overhauled to provide a new focus on business
development.
- Sales and profitability
improved in just 6 months.
- Owner is
enjoying running his revitalised car repair business.
- Carix continues to provide
support in planning,
restructuring and reorganising systems.
Case Study:
Resolving Disputes
This three-year old manufacturing business had two directors who worked
together effectively in the first two years to run a successful and
growing business. By year-three the trust between them had broken down
and they were barely talking to each other. After unsuccessful attempts
to resolve their differences with the help of an accountant and a
lawyer, they called on Carix.
First Carix endeavoured to understand the personal and business goals
of each of the directors. Next they set about examining what was in the
best interest of the business in relation to these goals.
- Carix helped
identify and implement a strategy to accommodate the business
and the directors.
Case Study:
The Business of Engineering a Sale
The owner of this heating and ventilation specialty engineering
business was so actively involved in every aspect of the business that
it was impossible for him to sell the business and retire. Carix was
brought in to change the organisational structure so that the business
could run without the owner. This involved assessing roles, writing job
descriptions, recruiting staff and documenting processes and systems.
- The business has been sold.
- The vendor has a retirement
plan in place.
Case Study:
Helping the Professionals
A well-regarded and successful accountancy practice approached Carix
because they were not making any money. Worse than that, they were
always short of cash. Carix reviewed their client management processes
– in particular their approach to billing and invoicing
– and helped set up a new system for managing debtors.
- Cash flow and profitability
have improved.
- Less time spent
worrying about money and more spent on the business.
