Let's Talk Some of you may remember back in June, we announced that we were opening a brand-new branch in Adelaide, so we sat down with Allan Sandilands, Taipan’s Managing Director to find out ‘when businesses should expand’.
If you didn’t get the chance to read it, click here. The feedback we received on that blog was great, so we thought (drum roll please) … why not write a series and so here you have it, here’s part two!
This time around we’ll be picking Allan’s brains on ‘how to expand’.
Grace: Hi Allan, I can’t believe Adelaide has opened its doors, I bet that’s a great feeling.
Allan: It’s pretty wicked hey! You should see the Taipan sign on the outside of the building, I reckon you could spot that thing from space.
Grace: Ha, it definitely grabs your attention! Now as someone who has recently opened a new branch, you’re the perfect person to ask, how the heck do you expand?
Allan: Well, I guess that depends on what expansion means to you. Expansion means different things to different people. It could look like a new product range, a branch or better technology such as enhanced software systems or process automation. Regardless, for most Australian businesses it usually involves requiring additional people.
Grace: That’s true, it means different things for everyone hey. Would you mind expanding on what you mean by additional people?
Allan: Of course. If you’re a sole operator or small business your entire thought process will have to change. For example, today you are “doing” business as a welder, mechanic, maybe even an engineer and if you are good at doing, you’ll continue to come across opportunities to expand. What a lot of self-employed people don’t understand is that as soon as you do, your job changes and so does your business model. You become a mentor, trainer, councillor, banker and maker or breaker of dreams. Your business is now a people business and that’s a massive weight.
Grace: Wow, I never thought of it like that. Do you think anyone can handle the kind of weight that comes with expansion?
Allan: I think there have been too many people that decide to expand only to find they don’t like managing people, so they lose it all in order to go back to being a doer. I’m not saying they do it on purpose, it occurs more on a subconscious level.
Grace: What about advice for those who can handle that weight?
Allan: Well, when thinking of expansion most people think about money, which is an important factor. Therefore, the first rule of expansion is to make sure that’s what you want. If it is, then go your hardest. Make sure you have enough funds to last the distance. The distance is always further than you think so ensure you have the working capital.
Grace: What things aside from finance should people be considering?
Allan: Make a plan and write it down. Go into as much small detail as you can, so you’ve thought of everything. Everything means layout, design, timelines, and execution, just to name a few. Another thing to look at is hiring the right people. Recruit the wrong people to manage the expansion, will cost you in both time and money. Allow the time to invest in mentoring your new people, after all, one of the reasons for expansion is to eventually make life a bit easier for yourself.
Grace: Do you have any last words of wisdom to end off this interview?
Allan: Make sure you fully commit to the project. Once you have decided to expand, commit 100% and give it your best shot. Don’t take no for an answer. A wise man once said, “Be careful what you wish for because you might end up getting it”.
Grace: That’s great advice, I feel like I can apply that quote to all aspects of my life! Thanks for your time, Allan, it’s been great picking your brain.
Allan: No worries, glad I could help.
If you have any questions or you’d like to have a chat about expanding your business, give us a call on
