NDL Group

Electrical subcontracting business based in Oak Flats, NSW. 
Doubled net profit within the first year of coaching. 
Successfully paid off all outstanding debt. 
Improved forecasting and management for consistent cash flow. 
Shifted to high-value services, boosting lead generation and revenue. 

NDL Group is a growing electrical subcontracting business led by Nick. Despite working hard, Nick and his team faced challenges with low profitability, inconsistent cash flow, and outstanding debt. Previous marketing efforts had failed to generate meaningful leads, leaving them uncertain about how to move forward. In early 2023, Nick engaged Scott from SK Business Coaching to refine operations, boost profitability, and create a stable foundation for long-term growth.

Challenges Prior to Coaching

• Despite working hard, Nick and his team weren’t generating enough profit to reflect their efforts. They had some outstanding debt and struggled with inconsistent cash flow. Previous marketing efforts had failed to generate leads or revenue, leaving Nick uncertain about the best path forward.

Coaching Objectives

• Primary Goals:
  • Increase profitability by refining current operations before scaling up.
  • Eliminate existing debt and establish solid cash flow management.
  • Develop a targeted marketing approach to generate meaningful leads and revenue.
• Expected Outcomes:
  • Establish a strong baseline of profitable operations, improve cash flow consistency, and position NDL Group for sustainable growth.

Key Actions 

• Financial Optimisation:
  • Reviewed pricing structures and job costs to ensure each project contributed to profitability rather than just increasing workload.
  • Negotiated better terms and rates with long-term suppliers to support a more manageable cash flow.
• Marketing & Sales Alignment:
  • Shifted focus from generic marketing to more tailored lead generation efforts targeting high-value services like solar and air conditioning.
• Debt Reduction Strategy:
  • Used improved cash flow to systematically pay down all outstanding debt, creating a clean slate for the business.
• Operational Enhancements:
  • Streamlined quoting and invoicing processes to improve cash inflow, with clear timelines for follow-ups to ensure quicker turnaround and better client communication.
• Strategic Resource Allocation:
  • Focused on maintaining a lean but skilled team, including the addition of a new apprentice, and clarified staffing roles to reduce inefficiencies.
  • Addressed Nick’s time allocation to reduce time on the tools and increase office management hours for smoother operations.

Results Achieved

• Revenue Growth: Achieved a conservative 22% increase in sales.
• Profitability Improvements: Doubled our net profit for the same period!
• Debt Clearance: Successfully paid down all outstanding debt, resulting in a financially stable position with the ability to manage new liabilities as they arise.
• Foundation for Growth: Established a solid baseline of profitable operations, allowing Nick and his team to confidently pursue more work without sacrificing margins.

Lessons Learned 

• Cashflow Mastery: Improved understanding and implementation of cash flow forecasting, which has been crucial in maintaining stability and supporting strategic decisions.
• Strategic Marketing: Recognised the importance of targeted marketing efforts over generic strategies, especially in a competitive field.
• Operational Accountability: Implemented stronger internal accountability practices, helping Nick’s team to become more self-sufficient and efficient.

Looking Ahead

• Future Goals: With a robust operational foundation, Nick aims to scale up NDL Group by taking on more projects in high-demand areas while maintaining the profitability and efficiency achieved through coaching.
• Coach’s Note: “Nick and his team have shown tremendous dedication to refining their business operations. By focusing on
  profitable work, reducing debt, and building a strong internal structure, NDL Group is positioned for sustainable growth and long-term success in the electrical subcontracting field.

Client Testimonial

“Scott’s guidance has been invaluable to my business. Before we started working together, my team and I were putting in long hours but weren’t seeing the financial returns. Scott helped us look closely at our pricing and cash flow, showing us how to make each job profitable before scaling up. We cleared our debt, and I’ve learned the value of targeted marketing – no more wasted dollars on ineffective ads.

The ROI of working with Scott has been phenomenal.”

– Nick, Owner of NDL Group –

Ready to elevate your business and achieve similar results? Contact Scott today at SK Business Coaching to hear how I can help your trades-based business reach its full potential.