RLT Architects - Case Study

How RLT found out about the Coaching for High Growth programme

Managing Director, Steve McTeare, of RLT Architects, and his team, had ambitions to grow the business and were looking for help when they attended the Wonderland Launch Event to hear about the Coaching for High Growth Programme.

The Growth Challenge

The downturn in the economy and the possible reduction in work coming from the cutbacks in public spending threatened to force RLT’s business into decline.  The team needed help to ride the recession and look for ways of sustaining future growth.

How has Oxford Innovation’s Grow Cornwall Coaching Team Helped?

Coach, Richard Reed has provided 1-2-1 Coaching Steve McTeare over the last year. It can be a lonely existence at the top and having someone with the experience, time and enthusiasm to really get to understand the business has been invaluable to Steve.

Richard subsequently introduced Mike Jobson, a member of the Oxford Innovation team with Sales and Marketing expertise, to Steve.  Richard and Mike assisted RLT’s management team in developing a marketing strategy to support the planned business growth. Steve recalls: “With Richard and Mike’s help we identified RLT’s key strengths and unique selling points. As a result we developed our strap line ‘Value through Design’ which we’ve been using to good effect ever since. Having experienced coaches and facilitators with specialist skills in these areas has helped enormously in drawing out our branding message and the activities needed to take us to the next level.  They pushed us outside our comfort zone and forced us to think about our strengths and new business opportunities”.

In addition to all the hands-on-help provided by coaches and specialists, Oxford Innovation has used its networks and contacts to bring in experts to assist RLT with very focused activities.  For example, an e-commerce expert provided advice to allow the optimisation of RLT’s online and printed catalogues.  Regulatory affairs direction was also provided.  Such activities all contributing to the establishment of a more sustainable business through achieving increased direct sales.

What is happening now?

Steve comments: “Over the last 12 months our business has grown by 30% which in part must go down to the support we’ve had from the Oxford Innovation team.We’re looking forward to continuing our partnership with the Coaching for High Growth Programme as the business reaches new heights and with that discovers new barriers and problems that Oxford Innovation’s expertise can help us get over.”

Coach, Richard, says: “RLT is a good example of a business with ambition to grow at 20% year-on-year that Oxford Innovation can support with up to 30 days of 100% funded support to assist the business in realising its potential.”

CONTACT DETAILS:

Lead Coach/Mentor:  Richard Reed     

Entrepreneur:  Steve McTeare             
   
Website:   www.rltarchitects.co.uk