Here are just a few of the many comments and testimonials from clients about our Consultants
PGS Consultant, John Harrington
Requirement:
- Carry out study and report on lack of progress in implementing Accounts software.
Solutions:
- Worked with senior management group to identify business processes and interface to accounts.
- Reported to Board on findings.
- Set up and chaired implementation meeting.
- Set up and chaired software development meeting with software provider
Results:
- Use of software across business significantly increased
- Greater involvement of users in ongoing development
- As result of this success awarded additional project for the implementation of software to manage recruitment of consultants, set up and management of contracts and its interface to accounting system.
Industry = Provider of Consultants to the Government Under Framework Agreements
PGS Consultant, Peter Stokes
We are pleased to receive our ISO9001 certificate from our UKAS accredited certification body. Our certification went very smoothly with no adverse findings. We would like to thank Peter Stokes for his hands-on help and guidance in the development of our quality system and its implementation. Peter made the process straight forward, simple to use and understand. The resulting quality system has assisted us to better serve our customers, and improve our internal operations. We would have no reservations in recommending Peter to companies seeking assistance with ISO9001 implementation.
Industry = Automotive Aftermarket Supplier
PGS Consultant, Rod Higginbotham
“Rod’s style allowed me to open up to him and admit my biggest failings in business. This then enabled him to help me through these areas and arm me with the tools and skills needed to improve myself. The coaching was never a chore and I enjoyed it immensely.”
Industry = Drilling Company
PGS Consultant, John Mercer
Client had website provided by his main supplier but had no visibility in search engines and zero traffic. A new information and keyword rich site was constructed and traffic increased from 20 to 2,500 visits a month in less than a year and generated sufficient business enquiries already to pay back the initial site build costs
Industry = Garage Door Installer
PGS Consultant, John Harrington
Requirement:
Establish accounting system to report in detail for each of the three business units of Tourism, Crime Prevention and Town Centre Management in addition to the business in total.
Solutions:
- Establish requirements for each of the individual business units and the total business.
- Research suitable accounts packages
- Implemented accounting package and identified and recruited part time bookkeeper to maintain accounting process.
Result:
Requirements of all business units exceeded with improved reporting in all areas of the business.
Industry = Town Centre Management
PGS Consultant, John Kirkham
“The hostility and suspicion between the two teams were tangible, but John Kirkham stayed with us all the way, and successfully deflected much of the negativity. John helped us to keep talking and solve problems in a constructive way, showed us how to build bridges and work together in an atmosphere of greater trust. Most of all, he demonstrated that a sense of humour goes a long way towards finding the common ground between us. “Now, more than two years on, management and unions still face considerable challenges and we often disagree. But the concept of working together has taken root and thanks to John’s help, we are able to look forward to the future with much greater optimism.”
Industry = International Airport Operator
PGS Consultant, John Mercer
This client had a basic website promoting their business of rebuilding and repairing engines from very rare cars like Maserati 250Fs and Hispano Suizas to more modern high performance cars. We beefed up their website with lots of interesting case studies of interesting cars they had worked on, and instigated a low cost promotional campaign through car clubs. By targeting car club websites and making marque specific links, we were able to increase traffic 100 fold and produce a steady stream of new business at very low cost.
Industry = Specialist Engine Repairer
PGS Consultant, Jon Stow
Jon is an absolute pleasure to meet. He is so helpful and supportive and a great listener. He is the loveliest, most inspiring taxman I’ve ever come across – and he knows his stuff.
Industry = Change Management
PGS Consultant, Howard Cox
“Howard has clearly established that we need to make in-roads to making people realise we are not always the bad guys and that we DO care.. He is a welcome part of our strategic objectives for Europe…..he will help get our message across in the best way, using excellent creativity and innovation as he has done in the last 5 years…
Industry = Top 10 Global Pharmaceutical Corp
PGS Consultant, John Kirkham
“John Kirkham has facilitated our negotiations on the partnership agreement at general secretary level; designed and led workshops for line managers and union representatives to work together in exploring the behaviours, which supported the partnership agreement; and he continues to advise us on developing employment relations strategy in a rapidly changing environment.”
Industry = Rail Industry
PGS Consultant, John Mercer
We built the first FH Brundle website more than 11 years ago and it has grown steadily since then. By having a large number of pages with very detailed information, easy navigation and a powerful search facility, the site has come to dominate the organic rankings in most relevant search phrases without any Pay-Per-Click advertising expenditure. The site now receives more than 7.6 million hits a year and some of its 400 plus pages are updated every week with new pages being added regularly. Just by making their catalogues available online, the company saves more than the total site build cost every year in reduced print and postage.
Industry = Specialist Ironmonger
PGS Consultant, Paul Stevens
Paul worked with us on a complete review of our costing and pricing strategies which ultimately led to securing long term contract with our major client.” It was very useful to have someone take an impartial view to help us with our business development programme.
Industry = Visual Communications
PGS Consultant, Howard Cox
“I have worked with Howard Cox over several months now. During the winter, my company lost a great deal of work due to the dramatic consequences of the recession. I became aware of an opportunity to secure new business during February and March which would replace all my lost turnover and put my company back on the road to growth. I asked him to put together the prospectus to win this business. I needed something that would differentiate me from the competition. He did just that. He designed a produced a very hard hitting and persuasive set of documents. I won the business and started the new project in early May. It was the difference between success and failure for My Transport/ Haulage business. On successfully concluding the negotiations, the new customer told me that he had never received such an innovative and professional proposal from a transport company. Since that time, I have retained Howard as a trusted confidante and business advisor. I recommend his services enthusiastically and without reservation.”
Industry = 100 Vehicle Road Haulage Business
PGS Consultant, Graham Card
Client: U.K. trader specialising in filter paper. New start business with an order for product from the U.S.A. for shipment to Italy. Issue: Massive growth opportunity but with a sole director and no worth built up in the company. First order received for £200,000 requiring a guarantee of payment to the supplier and financing from the issue of the guarantee, until payment from the customer in Italy. Manufacturing lead time 6 months and credit terms agreed for the customer of 45 days. The customer’s standard terms only allow payment directly to its supplier. Solution:Finance was provided with a guarantee of payment to the source supplier thereby enabling manufacturing to commence. Credit insurance was taken out on the ultimate buyer with payment to be facilitated by the operation of a bank account in the name of the exporter but under the control of the financier.
PGS Consultant, Laurence Ainsworth
We act as board adviser and senior management team mentor to a fast growing consumer services company. Our object is to ensure that the organisation can support the current and planned rapid growth – 50%plus per annum – over the next 5 years.
Industry = Retail Services
PGS Consultant, Rod Higginbotham
“Before starting the coaching sessions I had high expectations as my Managing Director was part way thought the ten session program. The beneficial effects it was having on his behaviours and communication were distinct even at this relatively early stage. I began the coaching and felt straight away that I can really communicate with this guy! Rod has a very warm manner and an uncanny way of getting through to you with out the feeling of “Oh here he goes again” not another lecture. Rod helps you use the tools in a manner that can be related to current career situations and future aspirations. I found the feedback one of the most insightful parts of the coaching as this gave not only the views of my seniors but those of my peers and subordinate too. Thus giving a very rounded projection of where I am and therefore showing me where I need to focus the tools learnt from the coaching sessions to achieve where I want to be. After completing the coaching sessions as Project Director for a Geo-environmental company I have just been head hunted by a Geothermal drilling contractor to become their new Contracts Manager. The role is focused on driving the business forward, developing new income streams and expanding existing operations. I am confident that Rod has armed me with the tools needed for success in my new role. I am sure that should you take the step towards a leadership coaching program, you will also hugely benefit from it as I have. ”
Industry = Geo Thermal Market
PGS Consultant, John Kirkham
I have no problem in recommending John in either business consultancy or business coaching. Having worked with John in previous organisation on Leadership, Communications and Consultancy projects, I know him to be thoroughly knowledgeable in these topics. A particular strength is Negotiation (both facilitating or training others in the skills required). ”In his own consultancy, John is a first rate Coach with all the right attributes to help a client to tease our their real challenges and then find a way forward. This is due to a breadth of ‘real life’ experience in the business world. His enthusiastic approach in his support of clients and colleagues is invaluable. His ability to have a client absorb that enthusiasm is a real gift. To sum John up in a few words… He is the coaches coach!”
Industry = Training Learning & Coaching
PGS Consultant, Jon Stow
I needed advice urgently and sent Jon a message. He responded immediately and provided the advice that I was seeking… and more! I was very satisfied.
Industry = Copywriting
PGS Consultant, Rod Higginbotham
Rod is an experienced and professional Business Adviser with a particular strength in People Management. Over the years he has helped me lay the foundation for our People Strategy but also, on other projects, worked to save us money and find new customers. He is easy to deal with, invariably available and his network of associates and other contacts has been of particular use. I am happy to recommend him as a Business Adviser to other business owners”
Industry = IT Services Company
PGS Consultant, Howard Cox
Howard ‘s skills in on-line marketing, social networking and website positioning is extraordinary. Apart from the personal business which I have used Howard Cox’s company for perhaps 3 years or so, I am also the Chairman of the Governing Body of a large school specialist sports college and the PGS Consultant has been extremely helpful in improving our communication processes, he has also been just priceless with his ability to create a marketing program for us. The creative, inspirational work he has done for all my companies has been a real “eye-opener” for us all, in as much as what a well planed marketing campaign can achieve by using intelligent electronic facilities that I never even knew existed. Normally I am fairly reticent about providing recommendations, however in this case I have to date been extremely pleased with each & every job that he has been asked to perform for us, I am therefore pleased to offer my commendation for his work and ask that you take this as a valuable recommendation for you to use his services. I am confident that you would be happy with both the creative energy/content and standard of work.
Industry = Vehicle Leasing Business
PGS Consultant, John Harrington
Client Requirement
- Improve product fulfilment and warehouse operations
- Reduce inventory write off from its £60k level
Solutions
- Redesigned warehouse layout, selected supplier and managed installation
- Introduced rolling inventory checking
- Retrained all staff on use of the computer based order processing and fulfiment system.
- Identified lack of ‘ownership’ on key business processes
- Met with all staff and generated Job Descriptions with their sign off
- Updated all Contracts of Employment
- Introduced and Chaired weekly Operations Meeting
Industry = Supplier to Extreme Sports Retail Sector
PGS Consultant, Peter Stokes
Our major client carried out a supplier audit last week. Their quality auditor said he was surprised that for such a young company, we had such a clear and enlightened approach to quality. He remarked that our quality management system was the best he had seen. The up-shot is that we are now working together to do more for them and for their other sites throughout the UK.
Industry = Consumable supplier to industry
PGS Consultant, Laurence Ainsworth
We have enabled an engineering business recover from a loss of £250,000 to a profit of £56,000 over 12 months. Having suffered decline as a result of “benign neglect” from its previous owners, we worked alongside the new management team and undertook a full company review. The resulting action plan addressed all the areas of the company from pre sales through manufacturing to post sales support and credit control. We are providing ongoing advice and support
Industry = Engineering
PGS Consultant, Rod Higginbotham
Rod helped us better understand the metrics of our business and has also found us some new work. He has been a useful resource for us on a number of issues and I would recommend him to other SME owners
Industry = Freight/Logistics Company
PGS Consultant, Laurence Ainsworth
A marketing business was struggling to find the necessary growth it needed despite having over 29 channel partners, and delivering to them over 200 qualified leads, conversion rates were very low. It asked me to investigate and implement a solution. We reassessed all partners and only kept those who would commit to spending time selling the marketing services. We undertook a recruitment drive to attract properly qualified partners. At the same time we instigated a training programme to ensure they followed the sales process. To support this we implemented a number of measurement tools to ensure effective monitoring of leads. Sales increased sales by 200% in 6 months with 75% fewer partners. We made lead generation self funding by charging partners lead contribution fees.
Industry = Marketing
