Sunderland legal jargon-busters hungry for expansion

A Sunderland firm which translates jargon-filled legal documents into manageable layman’s terms says it is primed for expansion.

Cedrec Information Systems Ltd, based at the North East Business and Innovation Centre, has significantly grown its workforce and client base recently, working with brands such as Heinz and waste management specialists, Viridor.

The firm have been helped by a mentoring scheme called the Interim Sales Director (ISD) Programme, which is run by DigitalCity Business and the BIC, and is designed to help companies form an improved sales strategy.

Cedrec was referred to the programme by BIC business adviser, Louise Hard who has witnessed the business boom since putting into place recommendations made by their ISD adviser, David Anderson.

Having initially undertaken a detailed review of the current company performance, and made recommendations as to how they could improve or diversify to unlock potential, David worked with Cedrec directors, Steven Armstrong and Gareth Billinghurst to help them consolidate their business plan and to encourage cross selling of services.

Through the ISD Programme, Cedrec has identified how to present its services with greater clarity and client focus. Steven and Gareth have also enhanced their ability to monitor workforce roles and identify where key employment is needed in order to streamline business development.

Gareth said: “The ISD programme encouraged the company to take apart and rebuild areas that we feared we were losing focus on and allowed us to identify missed opportunities in the offshore sector. In doing so, we’ve consolidated our services, spotted trends and gained a number of high profile clients.

“In the past year we’ve also taken on four new members of staff, taking us to a 14 strong workforce and the team’s overall confidence in terms of selling our own services has gone from strength to strength.”

Louise Hardy, who identified how the ISD Programme would benefit the company, said she was delighted to have played a part in the progression of the business.

She said: “Often, it takes someone from outside of a business to go in and really take a critical look at where the gaps are in a business’ sales strategy and what can be done to improve it.

“The ISD Programme does just this. The scheme helps businesses to really get to grips with their proposition, coach and guide them and offer management consultancy and ‘grey hair experience’ to ensure that they have the best possible chance of growing their business. The impact that it has had for Cedrec shows that, with the right strategic support, businesses can make small changes to really optimise their performance and help them grow.”

The Interim Sales Director (ISD) Programme is designed to encourage self-sufficiency and set established businesses on the path for future growth and success.

Focusing on effective business growth strategies and selling skills, the ISD programme was developed by the North East BIC in conjunction with David Anderson and DigitalCity Business.

Daniel Watson, head of cluster development at DigitalCity Business said: “The ISD programme is not about putting a salesperson into the business but drawing the salesperson out of the business, which in turn, can deliver real benefits for businesses across the North East.

“It’s not about quick fixes, but about helping businesses to put in place sustainable, long-term strategies to improve their sales techniques and ultimately benefit their bottom line.”

For more information about the Interim Sales Director Programme please contact Louise Hardy on 0191 516 6170 or emaillouise.hardy@ne-bic.co.uk, or to find out more about Cedrec, visitwww.cedrec.com.

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