A global distributor implemented a new sales strategy changing its method of going to market. One Year after implementation, a very profitable company was losing $2 Million per month.
Issues:
- The strategy was not accepted by the sales force and in turn sales were plummeting.
- An extremely successful and profitable company had become unprofitable and the monthly losses were growing.
- Employee moral was at an all time low. Key employees were leaving the company.
- Management did not know what to do.
Actions taken:
- A complete assessment of the organization was completed.
- Implemented a new sales rep’s compensation plan - a simplified variable commission plan based on a percentage of gross profit.
- A comprehensive cost reduction plan was implemented focusing on “low hanging fruit” in the Operating expenses.
- A vendor rationalization analysis was performed and vendors were consolidated.
- A distribution center rationalization was performed and a lean process was implemented.
- Packaging was outsourced to enable the company to focus on its primary strengths.
- A national account strategy was developed to target the larger more profitable accounts.
- A conscious retrenchment strategy was implemented to move away from smaller, less profitable customers.
- A re-engineering of the Accounts Receivable process was completed.
- An ERP system was selected and implemented.
Results:
- Revenues had increased by 25 % or $25 million in the first year.
- The $2 million per month loss had become a $3 million per month profit.
- $37 million in free cash flow had been generated.
- Expenses were reduced by 30% or $30 million in the first year.
- Cost of Sales was reduced by 5%.
- DSO was reduced by 12 days generating $8 million in cash flow.
- The ERP system provided the infrastructure to acquire and integrate other companies once the turn-around was completed.
