Case Studies

Company A: from struggling to thriving:

Company A appointed Mercatus Consulting in the summer of 2018 to review their business strategy. This software development business had been struggling with profitability for some time and was on the verge of insolvency. We identified several costs that could be reduced without impacting business efficiency.

We also embarked on a pricing review and discovered opportunities to increase revenues by introducing fees for services that had previously been provided free of charge. Finally, we discovered we were eligible to apply to HMRC for research and development tax credits against the previous 2 years trading, which gave the business a much-needed injection of capital.

Several years on, the company is thriving; delivering a healthy 10% annual net profit and maintaining a strong positive cash balance. Those R&D tax credits continue to come in and are re-invested in further growth initiatives.

Business B: Doubling Profits in 1 year:

We began working with this architect’s practice in 2017. The company was in the early stages of growth and the owner had plenty of ambition but very little structure around their organisation.

Mercatus Consulting worked with them to identify a sales and marketing strategy that closely aligned with their target market, whilst, at the same time, putting down some structure and process to enable the business to respond to the uptick in new projects.

The business doubled in size over that first year and has continued to grow thereafter. Although the sales and marketing strategy has evolved, the structure and process that was put in place in those early days is still fit for purpose, enabling the company to deliver multiple projects on time and on budget.

Business Exit:

This client has decided that the time was right for them to sell their business. They appointed Mercatus Consulting to work with them on an exit plan.  We began by conducting a thorough audit of the business to identify any strengths and weaknesses that might influence a buyer.

We then embarked on a programme of works to enhance the saleability of the company and optimise its value. We identified potential buyers and managed the whole process on behalf of our client, from initial outreach through to eventual sale

Reviews and Testimonials:

  • “Paul Shaw at Mercatus Consulting has been advising us for many years. He has helped us in just about every aspect of our business, which includes strategy, marketing and dealing with unforeseen circumstances such as adapting the Business to operate as effectively as possible during the lockdown that was imposed due to Covid.

    Paul’s experience, intelligence and ability to help us navigate the challenges that our business has faced over the years, together with his knack for identifying an opportunity for growth which was not on our radar, have been invaluable to us.

    I would not hesitate to recommend Paul to any Business owners who need support to grow and operate their business.”

    Grahame Dean
    Aspray Richmond

  • "Paul Shaw's coaching at Mercatus Consulting is a catalyst for success; his guidance transformed my approach to business and drove remarkable results."

    Robbie Hillhouse
    Pinnacle Plumbing

  • "Paul Shaw's expertise at Mercatus Consulting is unparalleled; his coaching not only improved my business acumen but also significantly boosted our bottom line."

    Jeremy Chadwick
    Yellow Dot

  • "Mercatus Consulting, led by Paul Shaw, provided invaluable coaching that revolutionized the way I approach challenges and opportunities in my business."

    Liz Killip
    Will Power

  • "Paul Shaw's coaching style at Mercatus Consulting is a perfect blend of wisdom and practicality, resulting in tangible improvements in my business performance."

    Vanessa Cardwell

  • "Grateful for the transformative impact of Paul Shaw's coaching at Mercatus Consulting—it's like having a strategic partner dedicated to your business success."

    Robert Gale

  • "Mercatus Consulting and Paul Shaw have been instrumental in my business journey; the tailored coaching approach has been a key factor in achieving my goals."

    Rob Holmes
    Vinegar Creative

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