Testimonials
Marc
Weinzweig, Managing Director - Biotec Distribution
Opportunity Wales Programme 2002-2004
"Without eCommerce it just would not be possible to
operate an International and profitable business".
Following
the advice given from Andy Sinden as part of the Opportunity Wales Programme,
Biotec Distribution have proven what can be achieved using eCommerce
with minimum intervention from outside and at low cost, given the motivation
to make a particular business model work.
Biotec
has grown successfully making maximum use of eMail, which shows the
value of using this very easy to use Technology. As the business has
grown, use of Technology has improved, leading to fantastic productivity
gains in terms of staff, revenue, and customer ratios. The next step
change is now planned, with the introduction of a server based network,
and a more sophisticated eMail server.
Slimtone
- Marie Griffiths, Proprietor
Opportunity
Wales Programme 2002-2004
"We
are pleased with the way our Web site is still continuing to grow. It
has resulted in Slimtone's success stories being featured in the media
attracting visitors from all over the world."
The
alterations to their existing site were carried out as specified, and
with one or two minor interventions and ongoing quality control of the
project by Andy Sinden, through the Opportunity Wales Programme, the
changes were delivered, with results beginning to show 12 - 16 weeks
later.
The
Red Apple Clinic - Caroline Brownbill
Bridgend Opportunity
Wales Programme 2003
As
a result of our e-commerce review we have instigated the following:
We now have a computer-based system for storing client data.
We ask all our customers for their email addresses and offer to forward
notes, analysis reports and newsletters by email, if preferred.
We have now registered with Internet Banking
We now buy many stationery items on-line
We now have an email helpline service in addition to our telephone helpline
An order line for supplements
All the office computers are now networked
We have also found other suppliers for the food supplements so we are
no longer dependent upon one main supplier
We have found the Opportunity Wales service extremely useful.
Chris
Crowcroft, Chief Executive, Greenwoods Solicitors, London
"When faced with migrating our quality management system to meet
the requirements of the latest quality standard ISO 9001:2000, we approached
Horwood International to help with the task. We were delighted, when they
not only helped us make the migration on time, but made significant improvements
to the way the management system ran with a reduction in formal documentation.
We were particularly impressed with Peter Gardiner’s understanding
of how professional businesses run enabling him to develop the new system
to integrate seamlessly with our way of working."
Philip
Popham, Colebrid Plant Limited - Opportunity Wales Review
"eMail has definitely helped
our cause in recapturing customers and, without Horwood Internationals
help in showing me how to use the eMail software, it just wouldn't have
happened."
Malcolm
Evans, Marketing and Training Manager
Clay Shaw Thomas, Bridgend - Opportunity Wales Review
"Clay Shaw Thomas derived great benefit from the review undertaken
by Horwood International under the Opportunity Wales project. The report
gave us a guide for the development of e-commerce within the company.
We now have a web site which has been received favourably by our clients."
"Horwood International also reviewed our site and produced a report,
which we found beneficial. Other issues highlighted in the report will
be addressed in due course. The Opportunity Wales scheme was certainly
worthwhile - in particular to receive a report from an expert."
Rick
Tower, Vice President, TQM
Schindler Management AG -
Switzerland
Process Mapping Training Session
for Schindler’s Annual
Quality European Network Meeting, held
in Paris, France.
“The
focus would be on powerful, yet practical, tools people could apply
in any situation. I wanted
attendees returning home with something tangible they could immediately
use to create process change.
My decision, therefore, was to include a session on Process Mapping.
I needed someone who was experienced in the art, flexible enough to
work with my requirements and skilled as an instructor.
I investigated approximately a dozen consultancy services in
Europe and the US before deciding Nick Warn and Horwood International
offered me the greatest promise of success.
Horwood International delivered precisely the package I asked
for and wanted. Nick incorporated
every aspect of content we had discussed.
The presentation was professional and expertly delivered.
It was a session long on the practical and short on the trivial
Interestingly, the entire exchange prior to the session was conducted
electronically (internet, e-mail and telephone).
Whether members of the Network Meeting returned home and immediately
began applying what they learned or not, when the call goes out for
people who can analyse processes in a visible, meaningful
way, they will have far more tools in their kits than most, thanks in
no small way to Horwood International."
Virginia
Richards, Garfield Richards Engineering
“We welcomed an outside viewpoint of our existing facilities, regarding
e-commerce. We were able to dedicate time and explore possibilities that
we were unaware of. The updating of the web site and email facility has
allowed us to provide our existing customers with relevant information
and support. The product information will be used as a powerful marketing
tool, although still in the early stages. Information for the website
has been transferred from Lotus to Word documents, as suggested in the
report. This has proved to be invaluable as all documentation is now in
a standard format, easily edited and sent via email."
Maurice
Ryall, Skomer Haulage
Following his Opportunity Wales review, carried
out in October 2002
"Two
aspects of your advice have in particular have been a great benefit. A
few days before christmas I changed my lorry. Rather than take my old
vehicle on a 150 mile trip to show the dealer, I took 15 photos of my
lorry that morning and loaded them on my laptop. I went up in the car
that afternoon and was able to do the deal there & then. He was amazed
to be able to see the current condition of each tyre!
On Christmas Eve I was able to fax a request for a part in Stockport and
recieved it on the 27th. If I had to wait until I was home , I would have
had to wait until Jan 4. I have also loaded Autoroute and have been able
to find addresses in places not on my a-z.
This equipment has transformed my business! Many thanks for your invaluable
assistance."
David
Morgan, Company Secretary & Director
Lloyds Beal
"Consultant,
Andy Sinden provided short term, part-time, non executive role of
Sales Mentor for us. Also he designed and implemented a target-related
sales performance measurement and reward system, and organised appropriate
effective sales training. Following this the company achieved
a 40%
increase in the average order value in the largest division and the
overall turnover has seen an even greater increase."
Owen
Cook, Proprietor
NAP Property Services - MIS System
Implementation
Project
"Now
that the new management information system is operational, I have much
better control of my business".
Sheila
Jones, Managing Director,
Research and Marketing Ltd, Cardiff
"ICT
consultant Andy Sinden identified the company needs and his recommendations
have totally changed the way in which we use IT. He helped us to see
how we could make better use of information to manage and drive the
business rather than just record and administer."
John
Lee, Managing Director
Lee & Turner Ltd Market Development Project
"Brilliant,
created more quantifiable leads than anticipated. New business will be
in place soon."
Private
Sector Development Programme - Egypt 1996 - 2001
The
programme provided confidential, tailor-made consultancy services on a
cost-sharing basis to over 1500 companies to develop new management systems,
improve techinical efficiency, upgrade business skills, increase exports
and identify new business partners.
Horwood International provided consultancy services to a large number
of these companies in the following sectors:
Software
Furniture
Automotive Components
Pharmaceuticals
Mr
Ahmed Said Ahmed, Managing Director Amreya Metal Co
"The
business planning process was highly sucessful, I was grateful for the
help with the implemnetantion and worked with the consultant for a business
collaboration project which was very successful. A really great job
- very happy with the outcome."
Eng.
Mohsen Gad, Chairman, Gad Wood
"One
of the main advantages of the PSDP programme was the one-to-one relationship
between the consultant and the client!"
Malcolm
Williams, Managing Director
Plastek Industries Ltd Sales Improvement Project
"Without
the help of this service, our situation would have been dire."
Martin
Briggs Independent Financial Advisors
Brand Image Development Project
"A1
Outstanding contribution."
