BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT BLUEPRINT

Drive your business forward with easy to follow online coaching – at your own pace, supported by experienced coaches and support network.

9+ Years

Serving Melbourne family businesses

18 Months

Average client support

27 Years

Business finance experience

WHO IS THIS PROGRAM FOR?

  • Are you an established family business, with 3 or more staff?
  • Is it that everyone else is making money, except you?
  • Are you sacrificing significant "fun and family" time to the business?
  • Overall, is the “time V money” balance....out of balance?
  • Are you concerned about you financial numbers or pricing....or perhaps....are you not sure what you are looking at?
  • Are you worried that you are not managing all of the elements of the business - and that you don‘t know what you don’t know?
  • Do you know your business has legs – but can’t seem to get them working?
  • Are you looking for a trusted advisor who can give you long term advice and support as you grow?

“Stewart’s firm direction and honest approach has helped us immensely with our business goals. I highly recommend SCS Performance.

Gavin Ross,  GMG Automotive

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

The Business Improvement Blueprint will develop your business skills to:

  • Create your own quasi business plan - quickly and easily to provide you clear direction and the $ value of opportunity that you are chasing.
  • The simple way to manage a business for maximum return - what to look at, how and when.
  • Calculate your labour cost rate so you can quote with confidence.
  • Plan with confidence, so you create your market environment instead of reacting to it.
  • Know when and why you make money with competitive pricing and accurate margins.
  • Rule your cash flow – delivering real security and prosperity for your family
  • Buy back your time - so you regain some life.

START YOUR IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM TODAY – PURCHASE NOW

Click the link below to our Learning Platform to gain

immediate access to the Business Improvement Blueprint.

30 day money back guarantee to put your mind at rest.

Do good business – not just hard work

In today’s volatile and unforgiving marketplace, it’s all too easy to get lost inside your family business.

Days become weeks and then weeks become months. The hours get longer and the time you have free to enjoy living your life shrinks – family and friends, sports and hobbies – all keep ending up on the “later” list, while your stress and fatigue go up and up. Business is hard to win, margins are tight and there’s never enough money in your account for you to relax. You don’t want your partner or your people to worry, so you suck it in and work harder.

The business shrinkage cycle

Cash flow hiccups become chronic shortages, relationships break down, little issues explode.

You give up family time to win the next job to pay the next bill, while good staff leave because they can’t see a future. There’s never enough money or time to invest in the marketing and support that would get you out of the shrinkage cycle. Working harder isn’t enough. Worse still, working harder can actually put you on the slippery slope to poverty in retirement.

Work smarter instead…

What you need is more powerful tools, solid guidance, accountability and a smarter, clearer perspective.

When you have strategic, practical actions to take under expert guidance delivered with real, caring support THEN you can build a profitable family business and secure your future and the future of those you love. You’ll become a business master with the confidence and the expertise to adapt and thrive in the face of increasing and rapid change.

The things you don’t get taught about

The key issues for most small businesses are:

NOT MANAGING PEOPLE EFFECTIVELY

NOT MARKETING EFFECTIVELY

NOT PRICING EFFECTIVELY

NOT PLANNING EFFECTIVELY

NOT MANAGING RISK EFFECTIVELY

Our program addresses multiple aspects of these core issues – so that ultimately you learn to drive more money to the business owner (you).

Regardless of their skill and talent, professional athletes invest a lot of time and energy in building core strength and flexibility. It’s no different in business.

The families who do well in business leverage their core talents by learning all of the other skills in business. They grow beyond just being a good technician/practitioner in their craft, but also develop good financial, marketing and leadership skills.

The core strength of any truly successful business is knowing HOW to make money.

When you know HOW to make money, then the stress of “not enough money” vanishes.

  • You feel better, your relationships work better and you work better with your staff.
  • You have more time to spend on the important things in your life – your health, your family and your friends.
  • You become as competent as a business manager as you are at your “day job”.
  • You know that you’re leaving “Struggle Street” behind you.

After working with Stewart Clark from SCS Performance for about 4 months, I had already gained more value from my coaching sessions than I had from my previous coach over 18 months. Great practical guidance that I could implement straight away.

Real Estate(Web Review)

SCS performance has been an instrumental part of growing our family business. Professional, passionate and relevant – I have no hesitation recommending Stewart to friends or family, or anyone wishing to improve their business.

Alpine Trade Group(Google Review)

If you are thinking of working with Stewart don’t think just do it,  the way he is able to strategise and get you to look at your business from a different point of view will make the difference between staying where you are at or taking your business to the next level.

Health Industry(Web Review)

Improve your business 1 small, bite-sized module at a time – at a pace that works for you

7 individual modules (Launch & Foundation) covering core aspects of business – all aligned to help you make more money and draw back time. Each module is supported by tools and templates that you can implement directly into your business.

  • Initial business diagnostic creates your own customised Business Improvement Blueprint which acts as your mini business plan.
  • Defined actions for each lesson to drive focus and progress.
  • Start any time, run at your own pace.
  • Tools and templates to guide your business improvement and tame your challenges.
  • A support network of growth-oriented, like-minded peers on the same journey as you are.
  • Live group Zoom calls and closed Facebook Group for ongoing Q&A support.
  • Access to our library of business improvement articles.

Each lesson is on-line and available for viewing 24/7 when it suits your schedule:

  • Video’s are provided for each lesson to give a comprehensive explanation of the topic - but are broken up into bite sized 10-15Min video bytes so they can fit into your business schedule.
  • Detailed, time saving tools have been created for each lesson to aid your understanding and/or implement the concept quickly into your operation.
  • Lessons are able to be repeated as many times as required to ensure that you land the concept.

How much time do you need to allow?

Outside of viewing the online lessons, there is very little pre-work. What there WILL be is an action to be taken after it. This does not need to be time consuming – but we suggest that you allow an hour or two. (If you can’t afford an hour to take action afterwards, then you’re probably not ready for the program.)

We also have review mechanisms available in our weekly group Zoom calls and our closed Facebook Group to respond to any questions that you have. So when you get back to work and find out that you “missed something” – you have multiple reference points to leverage so you can keep moving forward (lesson packs, Zoom calls and Facebook Group questions).

We don’t just TALK about how you should work on your business – we get you WORKING  on your business – with all the support you need to take action.

Too much structure?

If weekly group Zoom meetings and Facebook Groups are not your thing – don’t worry, these are not compulsory – just extra. The lessons have all been created to be a stand alone resource in their own right, so if you get everything you need from them, there is no requirement to attend or use the other support tools.

But…… they will still be there if you need them.

And then…..

With the Launch and Foundation modules complete, you then have the ability to register for our ongoing membership to tap into further modules (Activity, Structure and Operational) which provide specific business improvement support on a range of business topics. All topics are relevant for all businesses, however depending on your size, skill, and business maturity, some will be more important than others.

Click here for a downloadable summary of the Business Improvement Blueprint.

Explore the program lessons:

  • Introduction to the Business Improvement Blueprint
  • Guided Business Diagnostic Assessment of your business
  • Calculated estimates of your business improvement potential

LESSON OUTPUTS: Customised Business Improvement Blueprint for your business.

  • You make 100% of your income in around 20% of your time
  • Time is a very valuable commodity – clock only ticks one way
  • Where you spend your time V how important is the task
  • Eisenhower Matrix, 4×5 Planner and the Infill factor

ACTION TASKS: Identify 2 actions to buy back some time in your business day.

  • Providing and understanding your margins
  • P&L basics – what you need to know
  • Incremental improvement – the Power of 1%
  • Basic Overhead Cost Recovery Calculator – with pricing being part myth and part mechanics

ACTION TASK: Identify 1-2 clear actions to improve your pricing, billing efficiency or incrementally improve your net profit performance.

  • Clarity on your target / vision for your business
  • Planning can take many forms – but all should include considered thought
  • It’s cheap and easy to plan on paper – but far more expensive to experiment in the real world
  • From a considered business plan….to….tangible actions
  • Only action achieves results

ACTION TASKS: Write up the vision for 5 years out, create the plan and associated task list.

  • Understand the difference between Strategy and Tactics
  • Define your Business Strategy
  • Discuss the importance for business elements to be in balance – it’s a collective being
  • Audit and understand your capabilities
  • Define your vision (important to have a target)
  • 5 Zones of customer value

ACTION TASKS – Identify 3 Actions to start migrating your business towards this strategy position.

  • Management defined in real terms
  • What practical management oversight should include
  • Effective frameworks – the what, the how and also the when
  • Past actions, performance metrics, strategy, pipeline and people
  • Tools and dashboards

ACTION TASKS: Define your own management action framework.

  • Waste comes in many forms and is a dangerous cashflow thief
  • Small incremental loss adds up
  • Identify the areas and actively reduce them
  • Regular measuring and monitoring are your friends

ACTION TASKS: Identify 2-3 anti-waste actions to improve your bottom line profit position.

  • Product/service – fulfilling a need in the buyers eyes
  • 4 key questions….so, who, what & why?
  • Customer Segment and Value Proposition Canvas – gap spotting
  • Other points of note – evolution, pricing, packaging, companion product, repeat sales & packages

ACTION TASKS: Identify 2 actions to improve your product or service offering.

  • Marketing is all about attracting interest
  • 360 degree definition of your Target Market
  • Defining the problem you are solving and why you are special
  • Marketing options and costs

ACTION TASKS: Identify 2 actions that you will take to improve the marketing of your operation.

  • Selling – process, presentation and collateral
  • Define you sales pathway – map it out for duplication and efficiency
  • Up-sell / cross-sell for maximum value
  • Pitfalls – identifying them and how to avoid them
  • Asking for the business

ACTION TASKS: Identify 2 actions to improve either your closure rate or the volume of your sale.

  • Shark V Anemone – which one are you?
  • Define you sales pathway – map it for duplication and efficiency
  • Track your data and your conversions
  • Maximise every sale opportunity for greatest value
  • The secret to selling is to demonstrate value….
  • Sales people, proposals and mindset

ACTION TASKS: Identify 3 actions to improve your sales conversion (one being the creation of a sales process).

  • Sales V Marketing data
  • Map your weak points
  • Close the gap with your close rate
  • CRM and data capture
  • Note your success drivers
  • Measure, monitor and manage for term performance

ACTION TASKS: Identify 3 clear actions to improve your operational performance now.

  • Objectively track your marketing data
  • Understand the jargon – know what is important
  • Marketing costs – appreciate the difference in cost V return
  • Map your performance by stage
  • Use data to identify the weak points
  • Measure, monitor and manage for improved performance

ACTION TASKS: Identify 3 clear actions to improve your marketing data capture and performance.

  • Cash V Cashflow – two very different, but related cousins
  • No cashflow = No business
  • Understanding your cash cycle
  • Effective invoicing – correct and frequent
  • Business Growth costs
  • What to monitor for improvement

ACTION TASKS: Identify 2 actions to improve your cashflow position.

  • People – a critical element for business growth
  • Top 3 expense items in your business
  • Why efficiency measurement and management are profit drivers
  • Managing a team – role, employment terms, recruitment, training, efficiency and performance review

ACTION TASKS: Identify 2 actions to provide stronger and more engaging people management in your business.

  • The significance of Cost of Good Sold and it’s impact on your Gross Margin
  • The ripple effect of incremental improvement
  • Supplier assessment
  • COGS impact drivers

ACTION TASKS: Identify 3 actions to improve your Cost of Goods Sold / Gross Margin.

  • People can be your greatest business asset
  • Role creation, definition, selection and advertising
  • Recruitment methods and tools
  • Culture is your business atmosphere and how you operate
  • A strong team can do great things

ACTION TASKS: Develop a culture statement which describes the ideal culture of your business.

  • Clients – lifeblood of business (actually, cash is the lifeblood – with clients the source)
  • Defining the right clients
  • Assessing and setting delivery expectations
  • Maintain clients – cheaper than finding new ones
  • Measuring client satisfaction

ACTION TASKS: Identify 3-5 actions that you can take to improve your customer relations.

  • Understand your spending numbers – plug the gaps
  • Financial reports can tell you a lot, if you take the time to listen
  • Different types of expenses – Overheads V COGS, Productive V Non Productive
  • Get the housekeeping right – Chart of Accounts and Authorities

ACTION TASKS: Segregate your expenses and then identify 5 that you can either wind back or stop.

  • Structure framework – plant and people
  • The right structure trumps mere volume
  • The impacts of poor structure to the owner and on profit
  • Business structure assessment

ACTION TASKS: Objective was to identify what structural elements need to be addressed.

  • Defining Systems and Processes
  • Simple process flow template – to define your own
  • Business system for value
  • Business processes for efficiency
  • Map your process (we use Marketing & Sales)
  • Process automation for optimum efficiency

ACTION TASKS: Identify the top 3 processes that feed your key operating system – define for efficiency/labour/risk improvement.

  • The save money module
  • Risk can’t be avoided – but can be identified, quantified and potentially mitigated
  • Critically important that risk is considered – can be exceedingly costly otherwise
  • Risk identification in your business – how much is at stake
  • Your hand in mitigating risk

ACTION TASKS: Identify your top 5 risks and how to mitigate them.

  • Financial reports, what they are and what they tell you
  • Understanding your Budget, Cashflow and Cash Cycle
  • The real impact of trade terms
  • The right financial tools to fund and power your business

ACTION TASKS: Identify 3 clear actions to improve your financial performance now or position you better for the future.

  • Define the difference – Marketing is sourcing the lead / Sales is converting it
  • Marketing is = 100% expense / Zero% revenue
  • Marketing types and forms – choosing what’s right for you and cost effective
  • The role of CRM’s in consistency and follow up

ACTION TASKS: Identify 2 clear actions to improve the marketing of your business, product or service.

  • Being compelling in the digital space – or not! – 7 seconds to capture attention
  • Web site features – pro’s, con’s and costs
  • Social Media – you can’t ignore it
  • Measure your effort, cost and performance
  • Business Automation – drives process cost down and reach up
  • Digital Brochures have their place

ACTION TASKS: Identify 3 clear actions to improve your operational performance now or position you better for the future.

  • Legal frameworks – defined
  • What you need and when
  • Trading frameworks
  • Contract frameworks
  • Framework self assessment

ACTION TASKS: Identify 2 clear actions to improve your legal frameworks for your top risk areas.

  • People…they are all individuals
  • Teams….the power of synergy
  • Employee management using the 4 Pillars
  • Job Descriptions and KPI’s
  • Performance reviews – how to run them for value
  • Performance management tools and frameworks

ACTION TASKS: Assess your team and create a performance program for gaps or opportunities.

  • The financial power of budgeting
  • Budget characteristics
  • Budget V Cashflow
  • The forward budget cycle
  • Build a budget – step by step
  • Cheat with our template

ACTION TASKS: Create your own financial budget for forward benefit.

What is my investment?

  • Business Improvement Blueprint

    LAUNCH & FOUNDATION lessons (7)
    2 month program support

  • $2,250 + GST
  • Total investment Launch and Foundation lessons with 60 day support $2,250 + GST
  • Single participant / single business license
  • Price covers access to all 7 modules plus virtual support
  • Billed on purchase
  • No contract, no strings attached, no obligation for further purchases
  • 30 day money back guarantee on initial purchase
  • Lifetime license for use of module tools & handouts
  • Start any time
  • Each Module is designed for contained learning – but links to the wider program
  • Recorded presentations
  • Group Q&A sessions via Zoom, with private Facebook Group support
  • Access to our library of business improvement articles
  • 5% discount provided for any business planning within 12 months
  • Program steps-ups are available
  • Copy of Stewarts published work “It’s not what you make, It’s what you keep”
  • The company of growth-oriented, like-minded peers on the same journey as you are.
  • 1 X “biggest issue of the day” session – 1 hr Zoom session for every 6 months of subscription
  • 12 month formation of objectives to set quarterly milestone targets
  • Quarterly review meeting to assess progress and optimise for profit improvement
  • Business Improvement Blueprint
    LAUNCH, FOUNDATION, ACTIVITY, STRUCTURAL & OPERATIONAL lessons (28)
    12 month program support
  • $2,250 + GST
    plus 10 @
    $595 + GST
  • Total investment $8,200 + GST
    This covers the Launch and Foundation lessons plus 60 days support, then 10 months progressive access to the Activity, Structural and Operational lessons with support
  • Business license allowing multiple people from the same (single) business to attend
  • Price covers access to all 28 modules plus virtual support
  • Billed on purchase of Launch & Foundation, then monthly from month # 3
  • Monthly subscription – no lock in fee, no contract, no break clause
  • 30 day money back guarantee on initial module purchase
  • Lifetime license for use of module tools & handouts

  • Start any time

  • Each Module is designed for contained learning – but links to the wider program
  • Recorded presentations
  • Group Q&A sessions via Zoom, with private Facebook Group support
  • Access to our library of business improvement articles
  • 10% discount provided for any business planning within 12 months
  • Program step-ups are available
  • Copy of Stewarts published work “It’s not what you make, It’s what you keep”
  • The company of growth-oriented, like-minded peers on the same journey as you are.
  • 1 X “biggest issue of the day” session – 1 hr Zoom session for every 6 months of subscription
  • 12 month formation of objectives to set quarterly milestone targets
  • Quarterly review meeting to assess progress and optimise for profit improvement
  • Business Improvement Blueprint

    28 lessons / 12 month program support
    1 time ANNUAL payment

  • $6,560 + GST
  • Full package – but Save 20% when you pay annually at commencement
  • Business license allowing multiple people from the same (single) business to attend
  • Price covers access to all 28 modules plus virtual support
  • One time billing when you start your first module
  • Initial fee only – no ongoing costs or contracts
  • 30 day money back guarantee on initial module purchase
  • Lifetime license for use of module tools & handouts
  • Start any time
  • Each Module is designed for contained learning – but links to the wider program
  • Recorded presentations
  • Group Q&A sessions via Zoom, with private Facebook Group support

  • Access to our library of business improvement articles
  • 20% discount provided for any business planning within 12 months
  • Program step-ups are available
  • Copy of Stewarts published work “It’s not what you make, It’s what you keep”
  • The company of growth-oriented, like-minded peers on the same journey as you are.
  • 3 X “biggest issue of the day” sessions – 1 hr Zoom session when you need it
  • 12 month formation of objectives to set quarterly milestone targets
  • Quarterly review meeting to assess progress and optimise for profit improvement

ABOUT OUR PRINCIPAL

Stewart Clark

Stewart Clark

Business Coach - Strategic Planner - Business Change Agent

I’m Stewart Clark, business banker turned business builder.

After almost 3 decades in Australian banking, providing services to business customers, I decided it was time for a change.

I “retired” from banking in 2013 to become a business banking advocate and cashflow/risk advisor (under the Next Element brand) – helping businesses deal better with their banks.

Over time, I found that most small businesses weren’t realising their potential – and there was a lot of suffering, stress and loss going on that just didn’t need to happen.   Good businesses were getting sold because the owners were burnt out – not because the business didn’t have potential.

What was missing was “advanced driver” training on running a business, specifically tuned for family businesses.

So SCS Performance was born – to provide practical tools and skills to family businesses to make them highly efficient, financially sound, wealth-building assets which provide some real life balance for the owner.

Member of:

BNI
REIV (Assoc)
Whitehorse Business Group
Network of Consulting Professionals

Qualifications:

Past Fellow – FINSIA
Assoc. Member – REIV
MBA – Mt Eliza Bus. School
Ass Dip Bus – Banking & Finance

READY TO KEEP MORE OF WHAT YOU MAKE?

Keep more money in your pocket
Make more time for yourself
Do more good business with less stress
Build a business that works FOR you

Then don’t delay – get access now to start improving your business

SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE E-BOOK

Some business owners take a while to take the first step towards improving their business – so if the timing is not right for you at the moment – then please download, with our compliments, our free ebook with 101 Business Tips.

101 Business Tips