Business Adaptation Model
At Rural West we are experienced in working with people who are adjusting to challenges and our experience tells us that the right approach leads to the right outcomes!
We focus on the financial aspects of business, especially long term financial sustainability. We will show you how to apply our external knowledge and proven tools to your internal way of doing things. Creating a positive way forward.
Rural West use a Business Adaptation Model (BAM) that has a sound theoretical basis which has been refined through a decade of practical experience to identify successful elements. It is a well-defined, highly adaptable process that is intended to bring about change not “support” in situ over time.
BAM is a multi-modality, cross-disciplinary approach to resolution and support for primary producers and small business owners experiencing financial distress.
BAM draws on business management theory and practice, financial analysis and counselling approaches to allow personal values analysis and alignment with goals and outcomes. The framework is supported by a customised Case Manager software, financial counselling
techniques and has an emphasis on values being identified as a driver of change.
This holistic approach allows clients to explore the connection between business, family and life issues which typically exist in family/small business. To ignore this connection can limit the effectiveness of any program designed to enhance change within business, particularly those threatened by financial distress.
BAM is exceptionally well suited to the complexities in a family business model: it works for businesses where the owners are the main decision makers and business decisions have a direct impact of the family, factors that can diminish the implementation of linear business advice.
“CASE MANAGEMENT IS A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS THAT ASSESSES, PLANS,
IMPLEMENTS, COORDINATES, MONITORS, AND EVALUATES THE OPTIONS AND
SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THE CLIENT’S … NEEDS. IT IS CHARACTERIZED BY
ADVOCACY, COMMUNICATION, AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND PROMOTES
QUALITY AND COST-EFFECTIVE INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES.”
MANAGEMENT THEORY
Drawn from business planning concepts, refined through practical application, our framework directs what we do to ensure an effective, validated approach.
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
Many small business owners in difficulty experience a level of distress that diminishes their ability to effectively undertake financial analysis, debt management and lender negotiations. We work with clients to enable them to gain skills, whilst ensuring urgent action is taken when needed with the assistance of a Small Business & Rural Financial Counsellor and, if necessary, external professional advisors.
COUNSELLING & PSYCHOLOGY CONSTRUCTS
In many small businesses, differentiation between family and business is unclear. This can cause difficulty or delay in decision making, particularly when financial distress exists. The use of an effective counselling process allows clients to identify their personal values whilst separating the issues that are causing difficulty in their business.
VALUES ANALYSIS, ALIGNMENT
When businesses are experiencing financial difficulty and related stress, the misalignment of values and action can become more apparent. Alignment of values and strategic goals engages the client with a future they personally value. This enhances rapid adoption of change.
Questions
Once you have contacted us, a counsellor will be assigned to you.
An initial consultation will be arranged. That might be over the phone, video call or face-to-face. It might take one, two or three hours.
Our counsellors want to know about your business! Teach them. Go through the books. Talk about the issues. What’s blocking you. What you want. What you are not getting.
Then together you can look at mapping out a strategy.
This is not a one appointment you are on your own situation. This is just the starting point. There will be more sessions, phone calls, emails, whatever is required to get the job done.
We get results, there is no doubt about it! But, we are not here to step in and take over. We are ready to work WITH you. Every step of the way, with you always at the lead.
Some of the steps we will take for you (e.g. we are great at negotiating with banks to create a breathing space). Some of them you will do or learn how to do yourself.
Either way we will get the work done together and you will learn some great skills that will be with you for life.
We are realists – setbacks happen! Most importantly you will no longer be alone if setbacks do occur.
After a while you may want to reanalyse, reconsider your goals. It may happen more than once. We will keep working with you to keep the focus and energy moving in the right direction.
You will have a designated counsellor assign to you. They will be your primary contact at Rural West.
However, our goal is to support you through this time and get you results. Just like you call in us for support, we may need to call in further expertise, deal with other people along the way. We know the people to call! We will bring in the right people to get you the best results in the fastest time possible but always with your consent!
Is this an overnight, quick fix? No.
We are in this for REAL results for you. If it takes years, we will keep turning up, rolling up our sleeves and getting on with it.
We know you will make progress and we will be with you all the way. Eventually you will create a resolution that works for you. Find solutions and regain control.
We are all over the State and Federal Government assistance programs available. We can explain what’s available and how to access it.
We’re not here to interfere with anything. You are the master of your business! We are just here with the knowledge and expertise to support you through a challenging time.
Our goal is for you to gain valuable skills through this process and for us to complement you and the great work you do.