Case Study

XDOC® - Corinne Campbell

XDOC® is a home based business that started as a part time enterprise in 1999, providing assistance to exporters of wool products. In 2001, the business became full time with XDOC® changing its business focus and now deals with the different types of documentation (finance, insurance, transport, permits and certificates) required for exporting general goods from Australia. XDOC® also provides training seminars for organisations and individuals wishing to start their own import/export business.

Corinne began her association with Parramatta BEC in 2003, using the breakfast networking functions to meet other small business operators and expand her knowledge of different aspects of operating a small business. She learnt about the Home Based Business Planning Action Workshop series through a BEC update.

Corinne found the Business Planning Action Workshop’s most beneficial for her business. In the early workshops the group completed a skills and business performance audit for their businesses and later developed a SWOT analysis. Corinne picked up several marketing tips that will prove invaluable in the future. The series was instrumental in providing XDOC® with focus and vision, something Corinne says was lacking before the workshops started.

Corinne has started the process of developing her business plan, applying the new found focus and vision to provide background and purpose for developing her business goals. An action plan to achieve her 2004 goals has also been developed.

Working with the Program presenter, Phillip Bross, Corinne has identified as a major growth strategy that during 2004 she will work with community based radio stations to develop a small segment that would provide businesses and potential small business operators with import/export advice. For maximum exposure it’s hoped the segment could be aired in the drive-time time slot. This would build the public profile of XDOC® and result in further training and consulting work being generated.

Carefully managed, this goal has the potential to open up several new avenues of growth for XDOC®.

Although small in number, the workshop group bonded well together, with many good friendships and associations being established.

Corinne is looking forward to the Marketing Planning Action Workshop series, beginning in early 2004.