Streamlined management helps to invest in the future
Optimising business management has helped Serra Drilling streamline its operations and find efficiencies to improve profitability. Advice and funding from AusIndustry have helped to achieve this.
Serra Drilling is a family-owned and operated company providing specialist drilling services – water drilling and exploration drilling – throughout Queensland. The business arose from necessity in 1966 when a well on the Serra family's farm on the Atherton Tablelands ran dry.
There was no available drilling contractor, so the Serras built a home-made drilling rig and solved the problem themselves. They gained experience over the next few years, and in 1970 decided to establish Serra Drilling independently of their farming enterprises.
Operations Manager Andrew Serra sees continuous improvement as essential in helping the business maintain its competitive edge. He recognised that Serra Drilling needed to review and upgrade management systems to improve efficiencies and productivity across the business. He was also keen to demonstrate to clients that the company was constantly improving and operating professionally.
Serra Drilling accessed several business support services through AusIndustry's Entrepreneurs' Programme. This included receiving advice and support through Innovation Connections in 2018 and Business Evaluation (now called Growth Roadmap) in 2019.
"The Entrepreneurs Programme allowed us to see what systems were out there, to be guided in the right direction when assessing these. It also gave us access to other people's knowledge and experience; people who had done this before us."
It also received $22,000 in Growth Grants to introduce new business management systems. The grants helped to determine which management systems would be the most effective for Serra Drilling and to implement those within the business, including ISO certification for workplace safety, environmental and quality management systems.
It also moved to a cloud-based business management system that allowed manual processes and procedures to be streamlined into an online platform that ensured the business was compliant with Australian Standards.
"The Entrepreneurs Programme allowed us to see what systems were out there, to be guided in the right direction when assessing these,” says Andrew. “It also gave us access to other people's knowledge and experience; people who had done this before us."
"Working with AusIndustry was great. It was a very streamlined process. We had access to the people we needed, and they would visit on site. This face-to-face interaction was really important and helped ensure that we were implementing improvements efficiently."
Andrew says that streamlining systems has made the business more profitable. This means more money is being invested back into the community through equipment purchases and hiring more staff.
"We're demonstrating to clients that we're a professional business and we're winning work because of that."
It has also given the family confidence in the future of the business, providing opportunities for the next generation of the family. "We have a good team, and I have my brothers and mum and dad in the business, and we support each other. We also have the next generation coming along."
For Andrew, the Entrepreneurs' Programme wasn't about making dramatic changes. On one level, it confirmed they were already operating well, but that there was also room for improvement and efficiency gains.
"I would say to other businesses that this program is definitely worth it. Of course, you will only get out of it what you are willing to put in, but I'd say give it a go and even if you fail the first time, try again."
Because of the success of the drilling business's participation in the Entrepreneurs’ Programme, the family's farming business, Serra Farming, is now also participating. Serra Farming produces avocados and bananas.
"In farming, if you're not continuously improving, you're going backwards. Staying abreast of innovation helps keep you competitive and on the front foot by keeping your cost of production at a minimum while maximising your yields and productivity," says Andrew. "And this is true for all business."
About Growth Services
Growth services is a collection of services under the AusIndustry Entrepreneurs’ Programme that provide you with advice and funding to grow your business and become more competitive in global markets. There are 3 Growth services:
Each of these are broken into 2 key stages:
Your facilitator will work with you and give recommendations for your business operations and growth potential.
Growth facilitation is provided at no cost to your business. However, you'll need to invest your time to maximise your engagement. You may need to commit resources such as time and staff, depending on the nature of the project.
Read more on Growth Services and how they might help your business.