EON have recently appointed Footprint Group Managing Director Ian Hunt to lead a Sales Performance Optimisation review within their residential sales operation. "EON have recognised that even this high performing team can continue to strive for improvement" commented Hunt. "We will be working with EON to review their existing working practices using our proven methodology to ensure that the sales operation is truly world class in all areas. We look forward to helping EON deliver even better value for money and service for their customers in this very competitive market."
Footprint Group's Sales Performance Optimisation methodology is well proven with applications across different many different sectors including B2B and B2C environments. "We help many organisations ensure that their every element of their Sales Strategy is fit for purpose and aligned to the overall Business's objectives. As well as the initial evaluation, we work as practioners - part of the team - to support the business make any changes that may be required." he added.
Footprint Group are delighted to announce that they will be working in Partnership with Capita Business Services to support current and future National Employer Service (NES) contract holders. Capita are a very successful contract holder with robust financial and quality systems, and have now partnered with Footprint Group to help bring this expertise to other National Employer Service (NES) contract holders and applicants. Director John Parkes commented "We are well placed to help any existing or potential National Employer Service contract holder given our experience of supporting 'Blue Chip' businesses in this area. Many large businesses already benefit from Apprenticeship and Advanced Apprenticeship schemes - but not as many as could or should." Footprint Group will work alongside any potential NES applicant to support them in their application process from the initial evaluation, the roll out of a new programme or the management of existing contract. For further information about this service, please email John Parkes.
December is a busy month for Footprint Group as it sees the launch of Measurable People Growth (MPG), an exciting new approach that enables companies to measure and evaluate the skills development of its people more effectively.
The MPG framework, underpinned by a sophisticated web tool, revolutionises a business’ approach to people development by bringing a systematic approach to skills development that brings accountability and transparency to the process. At an operational level, it places responsibility for skills development with the individual and their line manager and allows them to quickly identify what development is required. At a strategic level, it allows senior management to quickly understand whether the workforce has the skills necessary to achieve the company’s business plan and strategic goals. With MPG, gone are the days when the business grinds to a halt at appraisal time whilst constantly struggling to identify the return on investment from its investment on training and development. Read more....
The IMI has renewed their contract with Footprint Group for the provision of the Funding Advice Service that is available to employers within the Automotive Retail sector. “Navigating the many different agencies and support schemes that are available to businesses across the UK is a challenge for many organisations. Footprint have provided us with a flexible service that allows businesses across Automotive Retail sector to gain access to expert advice when they need it. Feedback from businesses that have used the service has been excellent, and we are pleased to have re-contracted with Footprint to continue this service.” said Linda Stansfield FIMI, Chief Operating Officer of the IMI. The IMI is the professional association for individuals working in the motor industry. The Institute is the Sector Skills Council for the automotive retail industry, part of the Skills for Business network and also the governing body for the Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) scheme.
Following the success of its work with Robert Horne Group in procuring and implementing a leading edge CRM system, Footprint has now been retained by Robert Horne Group’s parent company, PaperlinX, the World’s largest paper merchant with revenues in excess of $7bn, to manage the wider scale deployment of Oracle ‘On Demand’ CRM. The initial focus of the project will be to deploy Oracle ‘On Demand’ within PaperlinX’s other UK subsidiary companies. Once complete, phase 2 of the project will embrace the deployment of CRM to PaperlinX’s extensive network of European subsidiaries.
“It is great to be going back to University!” reported David Allison, Director of Footprint Group. Having previously completed his MBA at Loughborough, and been the Programme Director at the Centre for Automotive Management, David will be returning this year to teach both Marketing and Sales Management at Loughborough's prestigious Business School. “I have always enjoyed the challenge of bringing together the best of commercial ‘real world’ experience with the structure and rigour that is required in Higher Education” he added. “Teaching at Loughborough will allow me to reflect on some of the most recent changes in the world of Sales and Marketing that have been documented in the academic world, whilst also providing me with the opportunity to share some of my commercial experiences with students”. Loughborough University has recently been awarded the “Sunday Times University of the Year”
Footprint Group continues to expand the areas in which they support their client’s sales activities by introducing social media marketing services. The growth in social networking sites such as Facebook has been phenomenal, with 100,000,000 users in first 9 months of launch. Compare that to other new technologies of the past century, such as television, which took 13 years to reach half that number, and the importance of this media can be clearly seen. The ability to target only those individuals who are receptive to your products or services at the specific time they require them is the holy grail of marketers. Social media takes a giant leap towards achieving this. Footprint Group’s latest project is aimed at attracting young people to undertake vocational learning with the UKs leading provider of Apprenticeships, Protocol Skills.
In addition to its growing portfolio of commercial clients, Footprint Group are delighted to announce the addition of one of the UK’s leading Universities to their client lists. Footprint Group will be providing PRINCE2 project management training to Loughborough University's central HR team. Delivered by an accredited trainer, PRINCE2 is recognised as a world-class international product and is the standard method for project management, not least because it embodies many years of good practice in project management, but is provides a flexible and adaptable approach to suit all projects. “We are delighted to be developing our partnership with one of the UK’s leading Universities” said Footprint Group Director, David Allison
Footprint Group have been engaged to evaluate and develop plans for a Joint Venture between two leading logistics and industrial chemicals organisations. This project - codename 'Eclipse' - is intended to deliver better service to customers, whilst also reducing costs for both companies. As well as evaluating the potential match between the organisations, Footprint Group is also developing the business plan for the new joint venture. "Initial work indicates the potential to provide significant benefits to the stakeholders of both companies" said David Allison of Footprint Group. "We will be generating a number of different scenarios for both business to consider to ensure they deliver the most effective and efficient solution for the long term."
Footprint Group has begun work this month with the Howard Smith Group on a programme of sales performance improvement beginning with a complete review of the sales operation. Footprint welcomes the challenge of helping the organisation better understand the relationships between each of its current routes to market and how more efficient and effective sales strategies can be developed that meet the overall business strategy.
Footprint Group is delighted to announce they will be working with Bond International on the delivery of learner matching services in the vocational training sector. “the challenges of selecting suitable candidates to undertake long term apprenticeship programmes such as engineering and construction are great. This can be a transient group with no track record other than their academic achievements, we will work with Bond International to implement a testing and tracking solution that will profile excellence and help our clients select and train the best candidates for the future” said John Parkes Director of Footprint Group who leads on the project.
The Northampton based Robert Horne Group have engaged Footprint Group to support them in the implementation of a new CRM and sales force automation package as part of their long term strategic growth plans. Footprint will work with the board and senior team to scope system requirements and shortlist suitable providers before project managing the implementation. Robert Horne project turnover of £320 million and employ 775 colleagues across the UK.
PapelinX, the world leading provider of paper and graphic consumables has engaged Footprint Group to lead on their pursuit of introducing vocational qualifications to its UK based sales and support functions. “The Footprint team have extensive experience in helping organisations not only identify and deliver the right training, backed by the right changes in environment and culture to sustain that change, we also have the ability to help support the investment by helping organisations of any size accesses funding from Government”, said Ian Hunt Managing Director on confirming the contract agreement.
Footprint Group announces that it has been engaged to support ReMIT, the leading provider of automotive training, in their business improvement programme. ReMIT acquired large portions of the Carter & Carter Group following its fall into administration and has won high praise from employers, funding bodies and employees alike. Footprint Group will be supporting the business in several areas including sales force automation, process improvement and interim management. This investment by ReMIT will continue their penetration of the automotive sector and help explore complimentary markets where their significant experience will continue to benefit their clients.
Footprint Group has been appointed to assist the Learning and Skills Network (LSN) with the development of their strategy as one of the centres of excellence for quality improvement in the funded learning arena. LSN, originally part of the Learning and Skills Development Agency, chose Footprint Group because of their experience in the learning services arena, along with their track record in developing and taking to market new business areas.
QA, the largest IT Training company in the UK, has selected David Allison, Director of Footprint Group, to assist with the roll out of their new Apprentice Programme. Despite being the largest IT Training company in the UK, QA have made no use of public funds to date. Footprint’s ability to assist with the development of the qualification as well as the operational tasks of recruitment, marketing and programme management made them a natural fit. With the project nearing completion, QA are now planning the roll out of further IT Professional apprenticeships. “QA’s extensive employer base, and immense experience of IT training, makes the introduction of an Apprenticeship programme a natural next step” said Allison.