Case Studies
Allen Group
The business was founded in 1996 with 8 members of staff. Today they employ nearly 100 people over 5 UK and 2 European sites. Allen's IT function is based centrally at their key Birmingham office.
The Allen philosophy of "strategy, support and partnership" is applied to each project that is undertaken, from the understanding of the client's needs through the construction process and handover to occupation. Their service innovation and results driven approach has seen the consultancy announced as "Partnering Consultant of the Year" at the Housing Excellence Awards and awarded a commendation at the Orange National Business Awards for "Supply Chain Strategy of the Year."
Drawn together under the Allen Group banner are a number of specialist divisions, each embracing the same philosophy but offering their own areas of expertise:
- Allen Construction Consultancy
- Allen Retail Consultancy
- Allen Europe
Given the Group's aggressive growth targets the Management Team were concerned that the company's existing IT infrastructure and support systems were inadequate to support Allen's future operational needs.
"CCL's approach came just at the right time" said Paul Quinney, Director. "We knew that we didn't have the necessary expertise or objectivity internally to address the IT issue. CCL's independence and experience in our industry gave us confidence that they would be able to work with us in assessing our options and formulating a workable IT strategy for the future."
To assist Allen with project costs CCL were able to introduce Birmingham Business Link who, after a diagnostic process, agreed that Allen were eligible for support under their Diversification Programme. "Mike Sansom at The Business Link was very supportive, the funding we received via Diversification was one of the deciding factors in us undertaking the project."
Working closely with the management team at Allen, CCL conducted an Options and Strategy exercise which assisted Allen to make the transition from their previous tactical and reactive approach to IT to working towards the implementation of a coherent IT Strategy which is closely aligned to the business plan.
During the course of the project, the requirement for a new Business Systems Manager was identified and CCL's services as Specialist Recruiters were called upon. The candidate selected as a result of this project has been in post now for 5 months and has proved a valuable addition to the team. He has continued to work with CCL though Training Needs Analysis exercises for the remainder of the IT team and a Risk Assessment exercise leading up to the full IT strategy implementation which will shortly be completed.
"Allen has grown rapidly over the past two years" said Paul Quinney, "we have needed a practical, responsive and focussed approach from our suppliers to help us to achieve our objectives. Our CCL Project Controller, Ian Ainsworth, has proved a great asset, his enthusiasm and professionalism are remarkable."
In conclusion he said "CCL's knowledge and experience has enabled us to use IT as a tool to support, rather than impede the business's goals of growth, diversification and improved operational efficiency. They have provided the procedural infrastructure to allow us to remove, wherever possible, unnecessary risk, from within the business."
Paul Quinney, Director
Allen Group
