In this episode I chat to Mark Denning, owner and managing director of Fallon Solutions about risks he’s taken over the years, investing in training for staff and networking throughout Australia and across the pond in the US.
Brisbane-based Fallon Solutions provides B2C and B2B trade services to customers in South East Queensland, including electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, carpentry and all that comes with it.
The company employs more than 170 permanent staff, has 100 service vehicles and a pool of talent ready to jump in to help continue its reputation of being the most responsive business in their field.
Since buying the business in 2005, Mark, who has run businesses of $40m through to $150m, has made changes to the business structure that has resulted in an impressive 1500% increase in revenue.
Episode Highlights:
Mark’s professional responsibilities - owner and MD of Fallon Solutions, providing trade services in B2C and B2B sectors
How Mark came to be a business owner
The scope of Fallon Solutions - 170-strong team and turning over $30m a year
Marketing and Psychology at University, along with an E-Commerce degree
Born in Germany, completed schooling in Brisbane, and worked as a tax accountant
Working in the UK and moving back to Brisbane
Key milestones in the growth of Fallon Solutions
Mark’s realisation that the company wasn’t making money
Travelling to speak with competitors in Sydney and US
Carving out a niche in the business world - best price, most responsive or best quality
Fallon Solutions’ catchcry - ‘We can be there today’ and trying to retain that whilst doubling business
Raising the price to become the best value for money
Business doubled within two years - adding another 50 vehicles and employing a whole new range of different tradies
Taking a risk in a price-driven market
Adding value for customers - offering a complimentary home inspection
Giving his staff extra training to build up their skill set so Fallon Solutions could offer more to its customers
Evaluating the business culture and addressing the problems
Moving from West End to Mansfield
How Mark has stayed inspired and grown as a leader
Networking with other organisations across Australia and the Service Nation Alliance and CEO Warrior in the US to share ideas
Differences between Fallon Solutions and US organisations in the same industry
Mark’s vision for the future - stabilise the business, strengthen the management team and look at the possibility of building their own IT
The battle of changing IT systems - investing in SEO
How home intelligence will change the future of the industry
Teaching Fallon Solutions’ staff to learn with their hands - a lot of tradies are kinesthetic learning
What Mark does in his spare time - travelling, time with family and exercising
Mark Denning on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdenningmd
Fallon Solutions Website: https://www.fallonsolutions.com.au/
