“The aim of marketing is to know and understand the customer so well the product or service fits him and sells itself”  – Peter Drucker

Customer development is aimed at finding and keeping a customer. This requires insights of the customer's needs, and customer management systems that enable your business to sustain a mutually profitable relationship. If this is an area of interest, hit the CONTACT US button. 

There are specific tools available to ensure that you have an effective Customer Development strategy:

- Planning templates

- Customer relationship management software and processes.

- Competitive analysis

- Customer profitability analysis

“Innovation is the specific instrument of entrepreneurship. The act that endows resources with a new capacity to create wealth.” Peter Drucker

Businesses that have a culture of continually striving to improve, to find new and relevant ways of satisfying customers, or operating more effectively, have a greater chance of success. However it takes a determined, calculated and systematic approach to be good at innovation. The resource costs in time, money, R&D, and potential failure are high. Therefore all businesses face this dilemma: We must innovate to be successful, but how do we afford it?

Many businesses are busy dealing with their customers, and the immediate needs of the organization. Innovation is often not part of the Strategic plan, and in not addressing the future needs of the market and customer base, the company is dicing with future stability. As Peter Drucker indicated, innovation is a tool that creates business value. Think of all the advances in technology in the last 30 years. The companies that created new products and continually innovated have also generated great wealth.

It is important to have an innovation strategy that is aligned to your company Vision, Mission and overall strategy. We can assist in preparing a plan to meet your requirements.

Think of a business as resembling an icebeg. The visible part is what consumers, customers and the outside world sees. This comprises sales, customer service, advertising, promotion, PR, social media, and all the many external operational activities of a company. The part of the iceberg that is not visible is the Strategic planning base of the organization. This base is so important that if the business Strategy is flawed, success may be hindered. 

Developing a sound Strategic Plan involves examination and discussion about where the business is today, the 3-5 year future of the organization, and clarification of the vision, the mission, values and purpose. We have assisted many companies in restoring profitability by changing strategic prioirities and focusing on what is critical to success.

Often a business has reached a point where the future looks unclear. We can help by objectively analysing the options and help developing strategies that meet clients needs. The first step is to understand all of the issues. To do this we use the successful Diagnostics program that can identify priorities and develop a really good strategy for you.    

· Financial position and health of the business, the EBITDA trend over the last 3 years

· The quality of systems and processes in the organization

· The organization structure,job accountability and controls

· Knowledge of factors like market share, customer loyalty, degree of competition

 If you are interested in maximising the value in the business, contact us for an initial assessment.  

The “7 Stages of Business Success” is a methodology developed by Carl Gould and enables the business to develop a roadmap to increased value. 

The oldest business on the planet is a temple construction company in Japan that has been managed by one family since 578 A.D. Most businesses may not last more than a generation or two. To do so you need excellent management, sustainable strategies, and proper succession plansand an exit strategy. A whole generation of baby boomers due to retire in the next 5 to 10 years. Unfortunately only between 25% of these will make effective plans to maximize their business values.

There are several Exit options, but whatever route you choose you need to seek professional advice. Holgate Consultants can evaluate the current condition of the business. From there we develop the specific steps that create the basis for maximization of business value. . 

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Holgate Consultants uses a practical discovery method to understand the important areas for attention. The assessment focuses attention and helps to develop an action plan that focuses on the strategic matters that need your attention.The Business Diagnostics and performance enhancement program covers all of the functions of a mid-sized business.

Business Planning and Resources:

- Strategy and Vision

- Financial strength and Control

- Resources

Products and Marketing:

- Marketing & Customers

- New products & processes

- Quality and Improvement

People

- Management & training

- Communications 

The program provides effective solutions designed to suit the particular needs of the business, and are geared to specific revenue increases, cost reductions and profitability gains.

Whether you are starting a business, a new venture, or an existing business in need of financing, we can assist with preparation of the required documents and facilitate meetings with sources of finance.