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StructureAll Ltd.

Strategy and Implementation Summary

StructureAll Ltd. will focus on the Western Arctic area initially. We believe the creation of Nunavut will still provide opportunities for structural engineering services; however a separate Association of Professional Engineers for Nunavut is anticipated.

We are also licensed to practice in the Yukon Territories, although we have not planned for any aggressive marketing in this area.

The target client is usually an Architect Manager.

5.1 Competitive Edge

StructureAll Ltd. offers the following competitive edge:

  • State-of-the-art modeling, design, analysis, and drafting capabilities.
  • Quality control and assurance program.
  • An Internet website (http:\\www.structureall.com, and e-mail, info@structureall.com).

5.2 Marketing Strategy

The sections which follow describe in more detail our positioning statement, pricing, and promotion strategy.

5.2.1 Promotion Strategy

We will be using the Internet extensively in our sales promotion. Together with a well targeted direct mail and e-mail campaign, we will make all the major players in the marketplace aware of our presence.

We will focus our limited advertising budgets to promote community sponsored events. We will also offer technical services at discount rates to non-profit organizations.

When travelling to remote communities, we will contact the local principals in elementary and high schools offering them a speaker on structural engineering as a career choice.

StructureAll Ltd. will apply for the Northwest Territories Business Incentive Policy. This policy is directed at those firms resident in the Northwest Territories and provides incentives with respect to evaluation of services.

5.2.2 Positioning Statement

For established engineering and architectural firms in Yellowknife who require structural engineering sub-consultant services, StructureAll Ltd. offers a competitive and economical option. Projects may be delegated to StructureAll Ltd. directly or arrangements can be made to supplement and assist their own in-house staff.

5.2.3 Pricing Strategy

Most consulting work is billed on an hourly basis to pre-determined levels dictated by project schedule milestones. We have assigned a rate of $80/hour for basic consulting services and $40/hour for drafting services. These are conservative values for the consulting market. We have used conservative unit rates to remain more competitive.

5.3 Sales Strategy

Success in a consulting market is focused on client service and typically translates into repeat business. We will avoid the pitfall of buying a project, only to find the scope of work far exceeds renumeration.

When a potential client questions the cost of a project, we explain the benefits and refer to our proposal which clearly outlines the tasks to be performed. If the budget is for less money, then we must offer less service.

Billing rates are not negotiated. One exception to this rule would be for not-for-profit organizations where marketing can be traded for services in kind.

5.3.1 Sales Forecast

The following table and chart summarizes forecasted sales. We expect sales to remain at a constant level after three months of operation. We predict the first two months of operations will be slow. Revenues will be limited while a generic quality management plan is formulated and basic office administration tasks are completed.

Direct unit costs for the first year have been set at less than one-third of unit revenues, which yields a high gross margin. In the third year of operations, we plan to increase gross margin as a result of providing a more efficient service to our clients.

Our unit rate for basic consulting services has been set at $80/hour. This is a conservative assumption based on published salary guideline levels for engineering professionals. Our unit rate for CADD services is $40/hr.

Sbp, engineering consulting business plan, strategy and implementation summary chart image

Sbp, engineering consulting business plan, strategy and implementation summary chart image

Sales Forecast
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Unit Sales
Project Consulting 690 750 800
Project Management 240 260 280
Home Inspections 96 110 120
Computer Aided Drafting Services 890 1,000 1,050
Total Unit Sales 1,916 2,120 2,250
Unit Prices Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Project Consulting $80.00 $80.00 $80.00
Project Management $80.00 $80.00 $80.00
Home Inspections $80.00 $80.00 $80.00
Computer Aided Drafting Services $40.00 $40.00 $80.00
Sales
Project Consulting $55,200 $60,000 $64,000
Project Management $19,200 $20,800 $22,400
Home Inspections $7,680 $8,800 $9,600
Computer Aided Drafting Services $35,600 $40,000 $84,000
Total Sales $117,680 $129,600 $180,000
Direct Unit Costs Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Project Consulting $24.00 $20.00 $16.00
Project Management $24.00 $20.00 $16.00
Home Inspections $24.00 $20.00 $16.00
Computer Aided Drafting Services $12.00 $10.00 $8.00
Direct Cost of Sales
Project Consulting $16,560 $15,000 $12,800
Project Management $5,760 $5,200 $4,480
Home Inspections $2,304 $2,200 $1,920
Computer Aided Drafting Services $10,680 $10,000 $8,400
Subtotal Direct Cost of Sales $35,304 $32,400 $27,600

5.4 Milestones

The accompanying table lists important program milestones, with dates and managers in charge, and budgets for each. The milestone schedule indicates our emphasis on planning for implementation.

What the table doesn’t show is the commitment behind it. Our business plan includes complete provisions for plan-vs.-actual analysis, which will be updated monthly to compare the variance and plan for course corrections.

Sbp, engineering consulting business plan, strategy and implementation summary chart image

Milestones
Milestone Start Date End Date Budget Manager Department
Complete Incorporation 4/1/1999 4/15/1999 $500 PN Administrative
Acquire Tradename for Internet Website 3/6/1999 3/6/1999 $400 PN Administrative
Submit Business License Application to City 4/1/1999 4/16/1999 $250 PN Administrative
Acquire WCB Coverage 4/1/1999 4/16/1999 $50 PN Administrative
Apply for Staad-Pro Core Financing 4/1/1999 4/16/1999 $0 PN Administrative
Acquire E&O Insurance 4/1/1999 4/16/1999 $1,200 PN Administrative
Totals $2,400