Brief History

A selection of the 4x4 and More Products

For the last few years 4x4 and More have been supplying 4x4 automotive accessories, parts and servicing to 4x4 retail and trade enthusiasts mainly across Western Australia.

In late 2010, following a refinancing of existing funding arrangements, it became apparent that Tom & Kate (part owners) needed to invest some time and effort into developing a plan for the future.

Business Life Plan

4x4 and More engaged Tactica to develop a detailed Business Plan. The structured planning process involved significant input from Tom & Kate including completion of detailed workbooks and questionnaires. These documents were instrumental in providing key information for the day long workshop which was facilitated by Mark & Daniel from Tactica Partners.

As Kate and Tom explain "We thought we were busy working hard in the business but now realise that we were only scratching the surface. The Business Life Planning Process facilitated by Tactica has helped start our journey to building a better business sooner. The Business Plan document has not been assigned to the bottom shelf but rather sits on our desk as a 'live' reference point to help us achieve our business goals."

The Outcome

Tactica Partners were able to provide 4x4 and More with a concise business planning document that not only provided a summary about where the business was at but also provided a vision of what the business could look like going forward. Areas covered by the plan included:

Brendan, Kate, Tom and Russ

• Business Summary
• Services/Offering - Value Proposition, Competitive Comparison
• Human Resources
• Customer Description
• SWOT
• Market Summary
• Business strategies re pricing, promotion, sales etc
• Financial summary re historical projections, cashflows etc
• Business Valuation
• Lifestyle Goals
• Issues/Opportunities Register
• Action Plan

As Kate Says "The workbooks and questionnaires made us think about many aspects of the business that we had not previously considered. The workshop was truly engaging (and mentally exhausting) as we worked our way through various issues and key points of discussion"

Brief History

Mark Hann and Trevor Sampford doing business outside Abacus

Over the last 20 years or so Abacus Educational Suppliers (Abacus) have been supplying educational products, resources and equipment to teachers at schools across Australia.

During the last 5-7 years Abacus developed a series of professionally produced catalogues that assist teachers with a medium from which they can select various educational resources and class kits.

Working on the Business

In recent times, Tactica Partners has provided guidance in helping Trevor Sampford, the Director of Abacus, move from working in the business to working on the business. With this change there came a fundamental shift in the thought processes required by Trevor to compliment the growth and continuing maturity of the business.

Trevor Sampford and Mark Hann in Abacus' Warehouse

Focus Mapping Day

In July 2007 with turnover exceeding $2m it became evident that Trevor and the Abacus team were in need of assistance in undertaking some strategic planning to help them further develop the business model and improve their cash flow. After much consultation with Trevor, Tactica Partners formulated an agenda to conduct a Focus Mapping Day (FMD) with Trevor and his key staff.

During the initial consultative phase it became clear that one of the key items that Abacus was lacking was the ability to communicate its fundamental purpose for existing.

Although Abacus was beginning to demonstrate improved financial performance there was no common principle to provide a platform from which stakeholders could help drive and develop the core values and therefore future success of Abacus. In other words Abacus had no mission statement to express the fundamental purpose of the organisation.

According to Trevor: "Although there were other great outcomes from the Focus Mapping Day and the facilitation process driven by Tactica Partners it was the development of this mission statement that set Abacus, and my staff on a new level of understanding"

Mission Statement

Tactica Partners were able to successfully extract the mission statement wording from the ensuing discussion eventually leading to "Abacus Educational Suppliers... Saving Teachers Time".

This key statement now adorns all marketing, stationary and website material for Abacus Educational Suppliers and has provided the cornerstone statement to which all staff and customers now associate the continuing success of the business.

It has helped to lay the foundation for greater 'buy in' of the concept by staff leading to a much more focused understanding of what separates Abacus from its competitors and has influenced the shape of new products.

As Trevor explains "I wish we had used Tactica to run the FMD much sooner than we did"