[00:00.00]Initially, we set out strategic and financial targets for the next three years,
[00:05.39]and now we're pleased with just how many of those objectives we've met.
[00:09.36]The value of bringing in outside expertise was that it gave us objectivity.
[00:14.62]It's so easy to take things for granted, and to go on in the same mindset.
[00:19.10]Using consultants meant we received invaluable advice on our business priorities.
[00:25.80]Planning has allowed us to make notable improvements.
[00:29.23]For instance, by segmenting our customer base,
[00:31.95]we realised that we could put our customers,
[00:34.32]currently in excess of a thousand,
[00:36.35]into four distinct groups,according to their buying behaviour.
[00:40.44]That made us realise we could increase sales if we allocated different people to deal with each group.
[00:46.28]So we set up four specialist divisions, and the most successful one has increased its sales by over 20%,
[00:53.64]and that's the division involved with the training sector.
[00:57.07]We're signing off the next plan for growth.
[01:00.08]People are sometimes concerned that planning leads to rigidity,
[01:03.31]but we certainly don't find that it stops us from being as flexible as we need to be.
[01:08.89]Thank you.