Blackvan Case Study: Post Merger Integration and Growth Strategy Development for a Motor Vehicle Retailer

The Problem:

A UK-based motor vehicle retailer required a strategy that would allow them to grow their business to be the top player in each of their three main markets. Following a recent merger with a motorcycle retailer, the company had difficulty in the past creating an effective strategy because the differences in culture had prevented them from sharing a common vision.

Our Approach:

Blackvan designed and facilitated a two-day vision and strategy-building event with forty participants, drawn from each of the different profit centers and from all levels of the organization. This included the firm’s owner, members of the sales teams in the different outlets, and even members of the admin and support staff. By utilizing rapid learning techniques, this diverse group quickly gained enough knowledge of the various strategic visions throughout the company to enable the way forward. As well as internally gathered knowledge, the participants learned of solutions to similar challenges faced in parallel industries. By having them work together, members of the formerly separate organizations learned the value of working as a team without any overbearing order to do so.

The Results:

By the end of the event, the client had identified the key areas of evolution for the company and had constructed a high level action plan for initiatives in each of the key areas; customer relationship, “buy-in” throughout the firm, possible new markets to pursue, and the increase in operational efficiency. Because of the methodology used, the participants spontaneously formed a group of proponents who embodied the core of the new vision.