Case Studies: Signs Now supplying the Council

In 1997 Bob Forsyth and Bill Dunphy decided to set up a sign making business in Wolverhampton — called Signs Now. Although they had no previous experience of the sign business they believed they could enjoy great success by offering customers a rare combination of slick customer service allied to high quality bespoke sign making. It proved to be a successful gamble. Within 2 years Signs Now had become the largest sign making business in the city and in 1999 the business was awarded Small Business of the Year by the local chamber of commerce. Indeed Signs Now were an enthusiastic member of the chamber and enjoyed much business from chamber members.

The early success of the business was founded on small and medium sized clients. By 2000 the directors wanted to win business with larger corporates and public bodies. An application was made to the Wolverhampton City Council to this end. After waiting some time the Council advised Signs Now that its financial results did not merit council accreditation and that some of the Signs Now policies needed to be rewritten — including insurance, health and safety. Signs Now went away to review these policies.

In 2001 Signs Now made a further application but were turned down because their balance sheet did not demonstrate sufficient financial strength. After a meeting with the Finance Department of the Council, Signs Now set some financial targets to be achieved to meet council requirements.

By 2002 the company was able to meet all the financial criteria laid down by the council. Bill Dunphy fully expected to receive the news that Signs Now was now an approved supplier, " I waited and waited and then started to chase over the phone. Eventually I was greeted with the news that we now met all council requirements — except for our equal opportunities policy. We felt like we were banging our head against a door." In 3 years of trying Signs Now were no closer to their holy grail.

Bill became so frustrated that he rang the Wolverhampton Division of the Chamber and was put through to its divisional director, Margaret Cornaby. He was impressed by her forthright approach — "she had a meeting coming up with the council shortly and she would present our case. She was aware of the problems faced by companies like ourselves and she would insist on an urgent response".

Within a few weeks Bill was amazed to find that council staff were chasing him, rather than the other way around. He found that council staff were suddenly keen to process the Signs Now accreditation. The revised Qqual Opportunities Policy was accepted by the council and within one month of speaking to Margaret Cornaby, Signs Now received their accreditation.

Signs Now became the first local sign company to win council approval and the first orders started to arrive. Signs Now was delighted to win the contract to re-sign the offices at the Civic Centre — see pictures.

This has whetted Bill’s appetite and he has been in consultation with Margaret Cornaby to consider future applications to other councils based in the Black Country — including Sandwell and Dudley.

Bill is delighted with the help given by the chamber of commerce. "For a small business like ours we have to work all hours just to cope. Trying to understand the complexities of the council and their exacting requirements is beyond us. Trying to exert any influence over a massive organisation is beyond our powers as well. Thank goodness we are a member of the local chamber and many thanks to Margaret and her team for opening the doors for us. It is good news for our business and for the council."

Signs Now, Vision House, Calibre Industrial Park, Laches Close, Four Ashes,
Wolverhampton, WV10 7DZ, Email: info@signsnow.co.uk