Eatpure Ltd. (incorporating eatlunch.co.uk) started from a single unit with just Ian and Pam White providing outsourced catering services for events. Since then the business has grown considerably and diversified further into the hospitality sector.
Eatpure Ltd. provides high quality outsourced catering services for every kind of occasion. When they first started their catering business, Ian and Pam contacted Business Link, but at that time did not appreciate the benefits the organisation could bring. It was when Ian started to implement an aggressive growth strategy, that he felt they needed the extra support.
The business was growing at such a rate it became apparent that managing the growth and training were becoming an issue, especially as Eatlunch are diversifying into other hospitality locations. Ian contacted Business Link Adviser Rod Hill to identify what help Business Link could offer.
Rod's initial action was to conduct an in-depth benchmarking exercise, comparing operations of a similar size and rate of growth in the same sector. This service from Business Link examines the financial health of businesses using ratio analysis, processes, customer satisfaction, supplier numbers, staff turnover and training days, plus a range of other business metrics.
The other major area in which Business Link were able to assist was with staff training. Rod helped Eatlunch obtain a grant from the Towards 2010 initiative, funded by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) to subsidise the training. Plus, Investors in People (IIP) Adviser Penny Taylor reviewed Eatlunch and Ian plans to make a full IiP application.
Business Link uses statistics from businesses nationally to ensure a realistic snapshot of the sector. The results of the benchmarking allowed Ian to compare Eatlunch to similar businesses in the sector. According to Ian: It was a period of self-analysis that ensured we were growing in line with the sector averages; it helped further refine our growth strategy.
Ian has found that his relationship with Business Link is more than just about formal reviews. I like being able to pick up the phone to an impartial Adviser who understands my business and can give me signposts to the resources available. I feel like I am a member of a mutually supportive club. It's not like talking to the bank manager, who is always looking at the bottom line.
