Glenn O’Sullivan from Refrigafreighters, a chilled and frozen goods transporting company, joined The Icehouse on the 31st Owner Manager Programme. This is part two of his three part case study.
You can read the first part of his journey here.
Glenn completed the final block (Block 5) of the 31st Owner Manager Programme on 27 July and here’s what he has to say about the programme.
“I absolutely loved it! The programme was an awesome learning experience that has hugely benefited me personally and my business.”
The programme helped Glenn in a number of ways, firstly by providing a platform to think about the business and secondly, a framework to figure out how to improve aspects of the business. For example, he says “writing the Referigafreighters business plan and allowing an expert panel to dissect and discuss the plan’s validity was absolutely invaluable”.
He also learnt a range of skills but believes the one that stood out was the ability to study and analyse his own business. This was critical in identifying areas that needed attention. “I was able to identify an area of deficiency in our accounting and the company’s management of cashflow. But the financial skills I now know will be implemented and we will continue to improve this area of the business”.
A more structured and disciplined workplace is also something he’s working towards. The plans are to introduce an induction programme for Refrigafreighters drivers, which will streamline processes and raise quality.
Refrigafreighters will also be re-defining their core competencies and focusing on improving them and communicating them throughout the business so that they can be part of the company culture.
A lot was learnt and a lot is still to be implemented. But it wasn’t just the expertise that was valuable to Glenn, the networking opportunities were a hugely important part of his journey. Having been overseas for a number of years and never lived in Auckland, Glenn was finding it hard to build up a professional network. The programme provided him with a large network of business owners and business experts. It has even led Glen to review the company’s current professional advisers. “Everyone on the programme was so supportive. It was all inclusive and everyone was willing to improve and help others along their journey towards business growth. At the end of the day, everyone was there to improve which made for a pretty powerful atmosphere.”
“Personally, any small to medium sized business needs to be on the programme if they are serious about achieving their growth potential. I believe that the cost will be made back in revenue growth within 6-12 months of finishing the programme.”
These are the results we, as The Icehouse, want to see: a business owner who was quite hesitant when starting the programme and wasn’t sure if the fit was right; to one who now has a strong business plan in place, positive changes to implement and a network of other business owners and business experts who can provide advice and be sounding boards for his plans.
Glenn will complete the Owner Manger Programme with an Implementation Day Workshop on the 24th of October, where he will review the changes he has made and how it is impacting the business.
