Management and Business Support

This is a service that we offer in situations where a home or business may be struggling for whatever reason, have lost its way a bit, or needs a helping hand. For example, a care home may have a new owner or Manager who wants a solid starting point as a foundation for future development, it may be that a very experienced and/or competent manger has moved on leaving a knowledge void at the home, it may be that a CSCI inspection has turned up more issues than expected, it may be that the business has gone a bit "stale" and the owner would like it looked at through a fresh pair of eyes, etc etc. We would have an initial meeting with the owner/manager (at no charge) to explore a bit about the issues at the home and try to establish a project brief, i.e. what they would like to do/where they would like to be aiming towards/priorities for the home.

From this we develop some proposals for working with the home, fully detailed and costed, with expected outcomes and timetables. We would discuss the proposals with the home who may accept them, accept them with some modifications (for example we may agree to phase work a bit rather than all at once), or may decide to put it on hold and not do anything with us for the time being. Using this model, homes are paying for the delivered outcomes rather than our actual time spent. We prefer to work in this open and transparent way rather than using the "consultancy" model, whereby homes pay for a consultants time in an open ended agreement regardless of progress or actual improvements at the home.

We also steer homes away from fire fighting towards taking a more medium term/strategic approach to the business. Part of the outcomes and work that we normally recommend if a home is dealing with a number of issues is a written business plan for the home, usually for a four year period. The business plan includes financial projections for the four years, income and expenditure, and Residual Income calculations. The business plan uses a holistic approach but, depending on the nature of the issues at the home, some elements would have more importance and would be explored in more depth than others, for example more focus on financial issues, CSCI compliance/care related issues, staff development issues, and so on.

If the business plan includes any capital expenditure, for example to build an extension or convert some existing space to increase occupancy, we will also carry out a capital investment appraisal. This would include the calculations for Internal Rate of Return and Net Present Value. Although not strictly necessary for the day to day management of the home, these figures will be invaluable when presenting the business case to a lender for raising the investment capital. The capital investment appraisal will also include a sensitivity analysis for the key variables. (Staffing costs, bed prices, and occupancy levels).

The whole business support exercise is undertaken alongside the manager and staff at the home wherever appropriate. This is so that it may be used as as part of a training/development activity programme, rather than something that happens externally to the home without any staff input or involvement. Or the results of the initial discussion and analysis may simply be that an inexperienced new manager needs some initial one to one coaching and support to develop their skills and confidence in a new role. Please contact us if you would like to have a further informal discussion about what we may be able to offer your business. Unlike some companies you will be contacted by somebody that has a background and experience in the issues that you are dealing with, not a sales representative. With Closing the Gap an informal discussion means just that, you can choose to work with us if you like what we have to offer, but there will be no pressure on you to engage with us if you decide that it's not for you.