Sydney and West Painting and Rope Access - Innovative Management in Consumer Product & Service Industries
Company: Sydney and West Painting and Rope Access pty ltd, Winmalee, NSW Australia
Category: Award for Innovative Management in Consumer Product & Service Industries - Up to 100 Employees
Nomination Title: Innovation in management
Essay:
I started the business in late 2017. I completed my first large project in January 2018. I used subcontractors for any work I had until August 2018 when I hired my first full time employee. For the rest of 2018 we did a lot of subcontracting to other companies as well as our own projects. This year we have only worked on our own projects and had up to 7 employees. I have spent a lot of time building relationships with clients who give us on going work. 90% of the work we do now is previous clients.
I am Level 3 IRATA Rope Access, Only 85 women in Australia have reached this level. I am also the only Female rope access company owner in Australia that I know of.
Our vision in the industry is clear, to give a professional, friendly service that exceeds the clients expectation every time. There are few Rope Access companies that offer a specialised trade service. We are qualified painters who abseil, not Abseilers who can paint. We focus on our trade to go above and beyond with the support of being Master Painters and Dulux accredited. We won 2 awards for 2018, and 3 awards for 2019 at the master painters awards for projects we completed. Also a Stevie award for women in business in 2019.
2019 has been a year of learning, organising, growth and planning. I went from 1 employee to 7 in a matter of weeks, things spiralled out of control. I quickly realised I needed to have more structure in the company. I outsourced my HR department, got my employee relations and work health and safety above board. I completed Certificate 4 WHS/safety officer and put the staff through first aid training. I outsourced bookkeeping and payroll. I attended Dulux accredited events, where I met my business coach. I have a clear business plan, company core values and ground rules, employment process with questionnaire based on attitude, Track my finances, know my overheads, manage cash flow and predict forecasts. The last financial year 46% of gross income was net profit. Last 6 months have made more profit than last financial year. I know where leads come from, how much each conversion costs.
We have re branded everything from business cards, new web site will be live mid January, We have presentation folders with information to present to clients, and smaller brochures been made for cold calling. A sales lady to approach large painting companies, strata etc, off our first mail out we have 3 new ongoing customers who will give us large contracts. 90% of quotes we do are are for ongoing clients.
We give our ongoing clients Christmas gifts, and give clients a bottle of wine and a branded can cooler when we complete a job.
We know who our dream customers are and identified and eliminated clients we don’t want to do business with who don’t pay etc. Lodged our overdue payments with debt collectors.
Our feedback is how refreshing it is to deal with a tradesperson who is approachable, friendly, wants to understand what the clients needs are, Cares about the project and completes the projects in good time, with minimal disruption and with exceptional quality.
We completed our First good will project at The Childrens Hospital in December. Santa and super hero’s abseiled off the hospital and handed out gifts and treats to the children. We will do an event twice a year.
Biography
I am 37 years old. I am a single parent to 2 Children aged 11 and 13.
After loosing my sister to cancer when I was in year 11 I left school. I became a chef and travelled and worked overseas with this trade. I then became an outdoor guide (Canyoning/ abseil/bushwalking) and quickly moved to rope access. I have always been a strong, resourceful person and enjoy completing achievements.
I play sport, ski, swim and love being outdoors. I take holidays every school holidays and take the kids anywhere from camping, to cruises to ski holidays and over seas trips. I love going to new adventures in new locations and experiencing different cultures with my children. Live life to the fullest!
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