Suncream gained support on recruitment, retention and processes; and clarity on delegation so the MD can step back and focus on strategy.
Suncream is an ice cream manufacturing business established in 1967 by the father of the current MD, Rebecca Manfredi. The business combines the rich heritage and tradition of Italian ice cream with 21st century manufacturing techniques. Their primary customers are foodservice wholesalers and cash and carries, whose end users include pubs, restaurants, contract caterers, schools and care homes. The business has four cornerstones of their operation: quality, service, heritage and tradition. Based in Wilnecote, Tamworth, they employ around 50 members of staff during peak summer production.
Traditionally the business has found accessing business support challenging as the seasonality of the business (with sales concentrated in the summer) mitigates against lengthy commitments to programmes.
The MD was initially contacted by the project and initial impressions were positive, as it was serendipitous: she was planning to develop the strategy for the business, and the programme would fit into their less busy months.
The business is currently undergoing substantial change having recently moved to a new factory with much of the content of the work carried out with the Business Engagement Adviser focussing around the developing needs of the business to accommodate this growth. The programme has provided feedback to help her develop her ideas – 'when you're MD, having never worked anywhere else, it's great to have a sounding board... you don't know what you don't know' – and signposted her to relevant things to consider.
It was felt the Receptivity for Change questionnaire was more suited towards employees of larger businesses, rather than small business owners.
The owner was aware that it was a four stage process, but two stages were focussed on: 'it was more like a two stage process... we'd already done a lot of things already, as we're not start-up, so we concentrated on establishing what the business needs were, and trying to deal with it'.
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