| Made Not Born Champions | Samdec Security |
| Size | 52 employees |
| Sector | Security Services |
| Location | Enniskillen and Tyrone |
| Status | Currently working through the MAP programme |
THE ORGANISATION
Established in 2002 by Managing Director, Martin Cheshire, Samdec Security is Fermanagh’s only security specialist. In the early days of operations the business was managed and run by Martin, his wife and just two members of staff.
Now, and largely thanks to Martin’s determination and hard work the company has expanded, and in 2009 acquired Omagh Securities - giving the company a foothold in County Tyrone. Today Samdec employs a total of 52 staff to cover a wide range of events – such as the recent opening of Lough Erne Golf Resort and the Rally of Ireland.
THE CHALLENGE
While the company’s growth was without question a positive and very welcomed development, it also brought with it a number of key challenges. As Martin explains “the company grew at a terrific rate, which was fantastic, but this growth meant we needed to put in place a solid and sustainable training and development strategy.”
“When I first started Samdec I did take the time to start such a programme, but when you begin in business the name of the game is about establishing sound business operations and market reputation. Both take time and as result any staff development was put on the back burner.”
However the time is now right for Martin to revisit this area, especially given the recent developments within the company and changes to security sector legislation.
“Our business landscape had changed quite a bit from that of 2002. The introduction of new Security Industry Authority legislation added to my already mounting workload - making the day-to-day management of Samdec evermore challenging”, explains Martin.
Martin knew that he needed to source a training partner to help with the changes in legislation but he also recognised the need for the training to benefit the entire organisation.
“I knew that as the business developed and we started going after and winning more contracts that the need to employ a strategic training model across the business was vital. If I wanted to continue to expand and compete, I knew I needed to give the management team and my staff the skills and confidence to carry out their roles to the highest professional standards.”
THE STRATEGY
After a lot of research into the training options available, Martin was made aware of the programmes offered by DEL. “After meeting with the DEL representatives it quickly became clear that MAP programme was the best fit for us” said Martin.
Right from the word go Samdec embraced MAP and worked closely with its appointed business adviser, who assisted Martin and his senior team to identify skill gaps, growth barriers and areas in which the company needed to develop.
“Our business adviser walked us through a companywide audit, which was a real eye opener, but at the same time provided us with a real focus. Initially and for me personally I was quiet anxious about the training programme. I left school at 16 and it had been some time since I had been involved in such a formalised programme, and to be honest I was a little unsure how I would cope” explains Martin. However, it didn’t take long for Martin to see the benefit to him personally and to the business.
Safe as Houses - Securing Samdec’s future
Part of this focus was to show Martin and his team that they needed to look at the business in its entirety. Samdec originally looked into training because of the changes in security legislation – but it soon became obvious that what was needed was much wider.Thanks, largely to the flexibility of Martin and his team, the business adviser was able to compile a comprehensive development plan that provided a clear strategy for growth. And from Martin’s point of view the plan was right for Samdec – “The plan made complete sense and once we communicated it within the business it was fantastic to see staff buy into it. Our adviser tookthe time to get to know me, my staff and the business and that made a massive difference - I couldn’t have asked for more.”
THE RESULTS
Samdec’s experience of MAP has been positive and as far as Martin is concerned all SMEs should give the DEL programme serious consideration. “Bottom line is that the programme works. Yes, the 100% funding was a help, but I selected MAP because of what it could do for the business, not because it was free.”
Martin and his team continue to work through MAP, but the results thus far have in Martin’s opinion really helped to improve Samdec. “The programme’s impact has been far reaching and has without question enhanced our business.”
Since introducing MAP, Samdec has achieved two British Standards (8406 - Event stewarding and crowd safety. Code of practice and 7499 - Code of practice for static guarding, mobile patrol and key holding services) as well as ISO9001/2008. Financially the company has gone from strength to strength and the tendering process has become more professional and is now much more strategic in its outlook.
“Our whole experience has been fantastic. We have become stronger as an organisation, we’re now much more competitive and thanks to our business adviser we have a strategic development and growth plan for the business, which I know the team are very excited about and they will do everything they can to make it a success.”