External support from TAB helped Lee Johnson deal with challenges brought on by business growth
Services
External support from TAB helped Lee Johnson deal with challenges brought on by business growth IT’S BEEN ADVANCED ELECTRICAL SERVICES (AES) FROM BOY-TO-MAN FOR LEE JOHNSON – apprentice at the age of 18 to owner of the business 18 years later. Lee showed early signs of being…
External support from TAB helped Lee Johnson deal with challenges brought on by business growth
IT’S BEEN ADVANCED ELECTRICAL SERVICES (AES) FROM BOY-TO-MAN FOR LEE JOHNSON – apprentice at the age of 18 to owner of the business 18 years later.
Lee showed early signs of being capable of not just being a good electrician but also of running the business. Given the opportunity to take the helm whilst Graham Spooner (the then owner) went away for 3 weeks, Lee really made his mark. The business wasn’t just ticking over when Graham returned, it was thriving and very busy.
This time ‘in charge’ made Lee realise that he wanted more for himself and was passionate about becoming his own boss. The timing of this worked well, as Graham was starting to consider his exit from AES. Over a number of years Lee gradually bought into the business, took over as MD in 2010, with the final purchase being completed in April 2017. “It was not always an easy ride becoming the “My TAB Board have helped me with many boss. Many of the people at AES, like me, had challenges brought on by business growth.” One been with the company for a long time so I really of the most important issues they helped Lee had to gain their respect and prove I was the with was to realise that the business couldn’t best person for the job,” explained Lee. grow if it was just reliant on him. He was at the stage where he couldn’t take time out of the Although AES is not a family business in the business, but now he has a great team in place strict sense, working with family members (wife who are more than capable of running things and brother) can be difficult, especially when in his absence. “The fact that the business both brothers are headstrong! “The key for us,” isn’t solely reliant on me is totally liberating,” said Lee, “was to be very specific about our he shared. “I’m now enjoying holidays and roles to ensure there was no treading on toes.” experiences with my wife and daughter which With regards to Lee’s wife, it was agreed early on are so important to us all.” that Lee was the boss at work, but his wife took Lee acknowledges that there are still lots of on that mantel at home! opportunities to explore and is looking for more So what has changed for Lee and AES in the growth for AES. It’s important to him to provide years he has been in charge? Lee is very much a happy working environment where his team on top of the financials. He explains that he feel secure. Testament to that, one of his team doesn’t want any nasty surprises and actually said, “Why would I work anywhere else when I he enjoys the numbers. All systems, controls can work at AES.” and general organisation in the company are much tighter, which has had positive impact on profitability.
In December 2014, Lee came across The Alternative Board (TAB). He had previously experienced a business coach which he didn’t enjoy, but felt he could benefit from some external support.
“I had reservations about the principles of a peer board, especially about the people round the table, but I realised almost straight away what an impressive group of people they were.”
TheAlternativeBoard.com
Source: The Alternative Board