Freestyle Designs and Fabrication Ltd

FDF designs, builds and installs sets and theming for corporate events, family parties and weddings. The business is owned by Matt and Dianne Townsend.

FDF had been working with Precept for 18 months. One of the key issues the business faced was an over-reliance on one major client. Over the 18 months Matt and Dianne had been positioning the business in order to be able to build a new and independent additional client base.

In January 2008 they converted to the Optimum Performance programme, and Precept helped them identify and implement a number of key sales strategies.

With Precept’s help they developed strategies to build three separate business streams – theme build, hire and installation, stage and dancefloor hire and sales of props and artefacts.

With Precept’s help they

• Created a website for each business stream, and
• A different sales strategy for each.
• Entered into strategic partnership agreements with other event management companies
• Attended key industry exhibitions
• Conducted direct mail campaigns for specific business streams
• Followed up with targeted telemarketing activity

Precept were able to help by

• Sourcing and guiding the right web design experts
• Sourcing and managing a creative company to produce sales literature
• Sourcing suitable mailing lists
• Training in telemarketing techniques
• Assisting the set up of sales processes
• Creation of the direct mail pieces
• Guiding and taking part in negotiations with new business partners

By the end of 2008 they had generated £228,000 of new business.

According to Matt Townsend “It’s great having Precept on board. There are so many things we do now that we wouldn’t have thought of. And we are now so busy converting all the new enquiries we have received”.