Advanced Construction Solutions*, a mid-sized company in the industrial construction sector, found itself grappling with growth stagnation. With a team of 10-12 employees and annual revenues of $2.5 million, the owner, Daniel*, was deeply involved in daily operations to the detriment of strategic planning. His goal to double revenue was hindered by day-to-day activities, leaving no room to focus on growth-driving activities.

Daniel’s hands-on approach meant he was constantly putting out fires and handling minute-to-minute operations, leaving the company reactive rather than proactive. This operational bottleneck was stifling the company’s ability to expand and grow.

Recognising the critical need for transformation within his company, Daniel partnered with Lead2Scale to redefine his role from one mired in daily operational management to one focused on strategic oversight. The overarching vision was to cultivate a self-sufficient team, adept at managing daily operations without his constant involvement, thereby freeing Daniel to concentrate on long-term business growth and strategic opportunities.

Lead2Scale proposed a multi-faceted program that not only included comprehensive leadership coaching but also hands-on operational involvement. The initiative aimed to equip Daniel with the necessary skills for effective delegation, team leadership, and strategic planning, incorporating the development of an organizational chart to clarify roles and streamline responsibilities. This enabled Daniel to shift his focus from daily tasks to broader business development strategies. Moreover, strategic planning sessions aligned the entire team with the company’s growth objectives. Lead2Scale’s hands-on approach involved running strategic workshops and embedding consultants directly within the company to foster real-time learning and adaptation. This robust strategy was designed to transform leadership practices and the entire organizational workflow, enhancing operational capabilities and aligning them closely with long-term strategic goals, thereby supporting sustainable growth.

1.      Leadership Coaching

As part of his transformation, Daniel received weekly leadership coaching that covered a wide range of skills crucial for the evolution of his role. The coaching focused on:

• Hiring Right: Guidance on recruiting individuals who not only fit the required roles but are also aligned with the company’s culture and long-term vision.
• Talent Retention and Development: Strategies to nurture and retain top talent, ensuring continuous professional growth and satisfaction among team members.
• Team Spirit and Productivity: Techniques to foster a collaborative and productive team environment that drives collective success.
• Engagement and Commitment: Methods to keep the team engaged and committed, enhancing overall job satisfaction and loyalty to the company.
• Inspirational Leadership: Insights on how to be an inspirational figure who motivates and leads by example.
• Accountability Structure: Assistance in establishing a clear accountability chart that defines roles, responsibilities, and expectations for all team members.
• Defining KPIs: Development of relevant and measurable KPIs for each team member to track progress and align their contributions with the company’s strategic goals.

These tailored coaching sessions equipped Daniel with the necessary tools to lead more effectively, ensuring his team was empowered and the company primed for growth.

2.      Process Optimisation

Lead2Scale’s engagement with Daniel’s team extended into a meticulous refinement of their operational processes to elevate business efficiency. Key areas of focus included:

•   Marketing and Lead Generation: Strategies were revamped to enhance lead quality and increase conversion rates, aligning marketing efforts with the company’s growth objectives.
• Sales Processes: The sales team underwent a transformation in their approach to market targeting and estimation processes to improve accuracy and productivity.
• HR and Training: Collaboration with HR led to enhanced training programs, better utilisation of existing tools, and the integration of new processes. This included the introduction of structured monthly and quarterly planning sessions aimed at boosting team performance and coherence.
• Operational Tools: Implementation of new tools and processes facilitated better management of team dynamics and project workflows, ensuring that operational activities were streamlined and more predictable.

This comprehensive approach not only streamlined operations but also equipped the company with the agility needed to scale effectively in a competitive market.

3.      Organisational Redesign:

A key transformation we facilitated at Advanced Construction Solutions involved a strategic reshaping of the organizational structure to streamline operations and empower team leaders. Here’s how we tailored the structure for a small business setup:

• Office Manager: Responsibilities were adjusted to take over routine operational and administrative duties from Daniel, easing his daily workload.
• Sales Manager: Given full autonomy to drive the sales team, aligning closely with newly optimized marketing and lead generation strategies.
• Operations Manager: A new role created to manage job scheduling and oversee field operations, significantly freeing up Daniel to focus on big-picture business growth.

This restructuring allowed Daniel to shift from handling all daily operations to focusing on company strategy and growth, fostering a more dynamic and responsive management framework suitable for a small business focused on growth and efficiency.

4.      Strategic Planning Sessions:

Over a series of six strategic workshops, Lead2Scale covered the essentials of business development, starting with structuring the business and refining the company vision. The sessions encompassed in-depth market analysis, operational efficiency reviews, and financial planning. Furthermore, these workshops tackled the formulation of company culture, ensuring every aspect of business strategy was aligned with Daniel’s long-term objectives. This holistic approach was designed to equip Daniel with the tools needed for informed decision-making and strategic foresight, crucial for scaling his business effectively.

The transformation was profound. Under Lead2Scale’s guidance, Daniel significantly reduced his involvement in daily operations, focusing instead on strategic growth initiatives. This shift led to enhanced operational efficiency and improved employee morale. The changes orchestrated by Lead2Scale not only freed Daniel to pursue strategic goals but also set the company firmly on the path to achieving its ambitious revenue targets. This case vividly illustrates the power of transitioning from micromanagement to strategic leadership, ensuring sustainable business growth.

The journey of Advanced Construction Solutions serves as a compelling case study on the pivotal role strategic leadership plays in transforming business operations. Lead2Scale’s intervention was instrumental in transitioning Daniel from a focus on daily management to embracing a strategic leadership role, which catalyzed substantial business growth and operational efficiency. This case exemplifies the critical need for business leaders to evolve from micromanagers to strategic visionaries, highlighting the importance of structured leadership development and the effective delegation of operational tasks. The success of Advanced Construction Solutions underscores the transformative impact of adopting strategic leadership principles, providing a blueprint for other businesses aiming to expand and thrive. This transition not only enhanced the company’s operational capabilities but also aligned the entire team with a coherent vision for future growth, demonstrating the profound benefits of strategic planning and organizational alignment in achieving long-term business goals

* Although all details of this case study are an accurate depiction of Lead2Scale's client engagement, we've changed the names of the company and owner to respect their privacy.