Kolsen

Kolsen, which joined the program as Sterling NT, is a locally owned and operated team of professionals maintaining, cleaning and constructing across the Northern Territory.

Prior to joining the Business Acceleration Program in 2018, Sterling NT was providing maintenance, cleaning, grounds, landscaping, building services, and minor civil works.

The company had doubled in size and was experiencing many teething and growing pains because it didn’t have the required structure, processes and systems in place to grow sustainably.

During the Growth Modules the team began to set up a formalised structure, developed a clear outline of what a growth organisation should look like, and identified the type of thinking that should power it.

“In order to grow a business, you need a structure, a framework. No one gives you a playbook, a set of rules on how to manage staff, delegate, or how a business works.  Most people have to pay a lot of money to consultants or make a lot of mistakes to learn all this yourself. But the Business Acceleration Program offered an incredible opportunity to learn from a group of people who had been there, done that, who understood our issues, provided the frameworks and structure, and were willing to share their knowledge.” Kamal Ali, Director

By the end of the program, Kamal Ali decided that, in spite of being the owner of the company, he wasn’t the best person to lead and manage the organisation, so he hired a CEO to do that.

This enabled Kamal to focus on company strategy and develop an acquisition strategy. This change of leadership resulted in immediate improvement in company functioning, as the team began implementing the growth plan and working toward common goals.

“One of the great things about the course is that it’s not just the CEO, owner or manager of the business – it’s the entire executive team that joins and you co-design the plan and co-develop the whole process. And because you’re all part of it, you all take ownership of the plan.” Kamal Ali, Director

Following fourteen acquisitions and establishing Kolsen group as a managing company, they now operate across facilities, electrical and industrial services through 7 operating companies including RAMS, Espec, Sterling NT and Haz-elec in Queensland.

The group now employs nearly 500 staff across North Australia and is one of the NTs largest private employers.

Kolsen has finalised a four-year strategic plan and despite COVID hit their revenue target. They are now looking further ahead with a 10-year horizon, with KPIs to measure progress of various companies, and General Managers being held accountable.

Kamal is focusing on developing great leaders within the group and creating a world-class acquisition program.

“Before the program our company had gone through rapid growth. The business is now calmer, more mature. Everyone is now working toward a common goal. The program taught us a structured way and we now have a clear understanding of what’s needed to sustain company growth.” Kamal Ali, Director