In an ever-evolving business landscape, change is inevitable. Companies must adapt and transform to stay relevant, meet customer demands and maintain a competitive edge. However, change can be met with resistance from various stakeholders, making the process of business transformation a challenging and arduous journey. Enter Inc & Co, a company founded in 2019 with a mission to acquire, invest in, and turnaround distressed companies, saving jobs, preventing creditor losses, and creating growth.
Headquartered in the UK, Inc & Co is the brainchild of Jack Mason, Group CEO, Dave Antrobus, Group CTO, and Scott Dylan. With a diverse and talented leadership team, the company operates globally, boasting a turnover of well over £150 million. Inc & Co has a proven track record of successfully transforming businesses across various sectors, including professional services, travel, retail, health and beauty, e-commerce, and shared workspaces.
At the core of Inc & Co’s philosophy is its namesake—Inclusive & Collaborative. The company believes that by fostering an environment of inclusion and collaboration, it can support businesses in overcoming resistance to change and facilitate smooth and successful transformations.
Inc & Co has a robust portfolio of companies under its umbrella, such as Incspaces, Skylab, Baldwins Travel, Maker&Son, King Street Grooming, and Knomo. Some of the businesses it has successfully turned around and exited include MyLife Digital, which was sold to Dataguard; Laundrapp, which was sold to competitor Laundryheap; and Wood for Trees, which was sold to Edit.
The challenges faced by distressed companies are manifold, with resistance often emanating from suppliers, employees, customers, and occasionally, negative press from journalists. Inc & Co’s innovative approach to tackling these challenges has been the key to its success.
In an exclusive interview, Jack Mason, Group CEO of Inc & Co, shared his insights on the company’s approach to business transformation. “The key to a successful turnaround lies in understanding the unique challenges faced by each company and addressing them with a tailored solution. We do this by establishing strong communication channels with all stakeholders and ensuring their concerns are heard and addressed,” said Mason.
Dave Antrobus, Group CTO, emphasised the importance of technology in driving successful business transformations. “In today’s digital age, technology plays a pivotal role in helping businesses overcome resistance to change. By implementing cutting-edge tech solutions and fostering a culture of innovation, we empower companies to embrace change and thrive in their respective industries,” Antrobus stated.
A prime example of Inc & Co’s prowess in business transformation is their work with Baldwins Travel, a leading travel agency in the UK. In the face of the global pandemic and its impact on the travel industry, Baldwins Travel faced numerous challenges. Inc & Co stepped in, streamlined operations, and introduced innovative tech solutions, enabling the company to pivot and adapt to the changing landscape.
Another success story is that of Maker&Son, a luxury furniture brand that was struggling to keep up with the demands of the evolving retail sector. Under Inc & Co’s guidance, the company embraced a digital-first strategy, expanding its online presence and leveraging data analytics to drive sales and customer engagement.
However, Inc & Co’s work goes beyond mere business transformation. The company is committed to making a positive social impact by focusing on employee well-being and preserving jobs in the face of adversity.
As the business world continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, the need for organisations to embrace change has never been more urgent. Companies that refuse to adapt risk being left behind and ultimately facing collapse. Inc & Co’s expertise in business transformation and its commitment to supporting companies in overcoming resistance to change make it a powerful ally in this challenging environment.
The company’s holistic approach to transformation includes not just financial and operational restructuring, but also a focus on company culture, people management, and digital innovation. This comprehensive strategy has resulted in numerous success stories and cemented Inc & Co’s reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the business transformation space.
Inc & Co’s approach to change management can be broken down into several key stages:
- Identifying and understanding the underlying issues: Inc & Co works closely with companies to uncover the root causes of their struggles and identify areas where change is necessary.
- Developing a tailored transformation plan: Based on their findings, Inc & Co creates a bespoke plan that addresses the unique needs and challenges of each company. This plan typically includes operational restructuring, cost-cutting measures, technology implementation, and a renewed focus on company culture.
- Engaging stakeholders: The transformation process can be fraught with resistance from employees, suppliers, and customers. Inc & Co prioritises open and transparent communication, engaging all relevant stakeholders to ensure they understand the rationale behind the proposed changes and addressing any concerns they may have.
- Implementing the plan: With the support of stakeholders, Inc & Co oversees the implementation of the transformation plan, closely monitoring progress and making adjustments as needed to ensure success.
- Ongoing support and guidance: Inc & Co remains engaged with the companies they transform, offering ongoing support, mentorship, and strategic guidance to ensure continued growth and success.
It is through this structured, multi-faceted approach that Inc & Co has been able to help so many distressed companies turn their fortunes around. By taking the time to understand the unique challenges faced by each organisation and developing tailored solutions to address them, Inc & Co has proven that even the most struggling businesses can overcome resistance to change and emerge stronger than ever.
Inc & Co’s track record in successfully transforming businesses across various sectors demonstrates the power of a comprehensive, inclusive, and collaborative approach to change management. By understanding the unique needs of each company, engaging stakeholders, leveraging technology, and focusing on people and culture, Inc & Co has positioned itself as a leader in the field of business transformation.
As the global business landscape continues to evolve, companies must be willing to embrace change and adapt to new challenges. Inc & Co’s expertise and proven approach to overcoming resistance to change offer businesses a lifeline in these turbulent times, making the company an invaluable partner for organisations seeking to not just survive, but thrive in today’s dynamic business environment.
