Chris’s strategy review gives clarity to Zoonou’s future direction

CLIENT: Zoonou Ltd

SECTOR: Technology software and website testing

PROJECT: A high level business strategy review conducted with senior management over four facilitated workshops

OUTCOME: Clarity over future direction, business mission and goals. Identification of the strategic milestones and decisions that are likely to be encountered over the next three to five years.

Situation

Zoonou is a successful, fast-growing technology business at a critical development point on its growth journey. The directors were keen to establish a plan that would take them to 2020. The business is a serious player in the software testing arena and the directors could sense that the business had great latent potential that they now needed to harness. The challenge management faced was to extract themselves from the day-to-day servicing of clients and running the business to spend structured and quality time planning what this future would be.

Approach

Zoonou qualified for subsidies from the Growth Accelerator programme. Chris White is one of several registered Growth Accelerator coaches within EMC which effectively meant that Zoonou only had to pay 50% of Chris’s cost. The other 50% came from a government grant.

Chris worked closely with the directors leading them through a structured set of four half-day planning sessions (plus homework). The sessions revolved around a workbook that took in vision and mission to core business objectives, from Ansoff product strategies to Porters 5 forces. Critically all sessions were grounded, practical and action oriented. While there was time to brainstorm and reflect, it was important that the sessions ended up with a practical action plan that could be implemented.

Outcome

The output was brief written report, presentation and action plan. The outcome was a strategy and destination that was presented to staff. A clear vision of where the business is headed and some ambitious targets and deliverables along the way. The management team have a roadmap that can be challenged and reviewed over time.

What the client said

“We have been so busy since we started the business we rarely have time for deep discussions about where we need to be in 2020. Working with Chris gave us that time but in a structured format that meant we could agree solid strategies and actions. Working with Growth Accelerator is a great way to access people like Chris.” Jonathan Rogers, FD and Strategy Director, Zoonou Ltd