PLB
Led by creative director Jamie McCall and projects director Sarah Oswald, PLB is one of only four strategic and design heritage consultancies of its kind in the UK.
SCY helped PLB to:
- Identify market focus
- Implement a sustainable business model
- Develop future strategy
- Review internal processes
- Form an exclusive alliance
The outcome
- Clear strategic direction
- Operational efficiency
- New business opportunities
The company firmly sets itself apart from its competitors through its creative approach teamed with industry insight, excellent client rapport and drive for sustainable green design processes.
Developing a clear strategic direction
SCY Business Mentor Nick Dunlop-Jones supported the company along a path from defining its new vision, to identifying their market focus and implementing a sustainable business model.
Says Nick, “Sarah and Jamie needed to make time to develop a future strategy for their business. I could facilitate the process and provide an impartial view and challenge their thoughts and approach.”
Empowering the company from within
A key achievement for PLB has been to define the roles and responsibilities of their team and ensure that everyone understands how they contribute to the performance of the company.
When external expertise was required, Nick also assisted PLB in identifying consultants, including a marketing and PR company to help develop new business streams and maintain and strengthen existing customer connections.
Employing eight full time members of staff, PLB has also included their team in developing their future strategy. Nick comments, “With a team of that size it is important that they have the opportunity to help shape the business, at the right level.
“As part of an HR review, PLB planned an away day which gave staff the opportunity to provide feedback, and to be creative in suggesting the future direction of the business. It’s these well thought through actions which encourage cohesion and demonstrate to the workforce that they are greatly valued.”
Value through social responsibility
Nick has supported Sarah and Jamie in reviewing the options for PLB to adopt a ‘green’ philosophy and build a more sustainable approach to business. PLB has formed an exclusive alliance with Greener Museums which has led to the development of PLB’s ‘Green Design Initiative’. The service is available to all clients and is currently being piloted with Southend-on-Sea Borough Council.
Commenting on the value of having a business mentor, Sarah says, “Nick’s been our ‘touchstone’ in so many ways. He’s helped us address the bigger picture as well as the little things which are important in a team."
Jamie echoes Sarah’s enthusiasm for the support SCY’s mentoring scheme provides. “Having regular updates with our mentor means that we make time to focus on the important things which will enable our business to grow. He encourages us to think for ourselves, posing thought provoking questions that we then work towards answering.
“Nick is a valuable source for wider contacts and initiatives which can help us put our ideas into action, for example, identifying potential business support funding or training opportunities, networks we should be considering or business software to meet our needs.”
PLB will continue to work with Nick to support the ongoing development of the company.
Nick concludes, “Amidst challenges in the market place, Sarah and Jamie have taken a responsible and forward thinking approach to explore routes to improve their business and help safeguard its future. They already have the makings of a highly successful business and I’m looking forward to helping them reach their full potential."
Please download this case study using the attachment below.
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