Josh Bishop is the Managing Director of EPM Engineering based in Corby. They are specialist production engineers who support the nations manufacturing processes, one example is the production of food. One of their clients is a large brand bakery where EPM maintains and improves their bun production machinery. EPM also has large manufacturing clients in car parts, waste management, and construction.
Josh initially worked with EPM’s former business owners at a different company for 9 years, then went to work for them as a Business Manager for EPM 7 years ago. When the owners wanted to sell, it was a natural progression for Josh to purchase the business from them and in February 2020 he became the official owner. The timing wasn’t great (just as covid pandemic was starting to take hold) but this didn’t deter Josh from wanting to grow and take the business forward.
Josh says…
“ Going from working for EPM to owning it was a big change. As an employee of EPM, I was financially stable then moving into business ownership was daunting as now I was responsible for all of the business finances, operations, marketing, client relationships, and of course the team.
I’d had some business coaching before and whilst it was a hugely beneficial introduction, as I grew as an MD I knew I needed someone else who could move me and my business to the next level. Rupert was the man for the job!
I like Rupert’s no-nonsense and factual approach. I have also had coaching sessions with Angela too, she has a different style and financial expertise so the combination of the two has really helped me look at things a different way.
The reason I wanted business coaching was I needed support. It was a huge culture shock when I took over ownership of EPM. I found myself having a huge list of questions, ideas, a few niggles, and so on but no-one to bounce to about them with.
As I am a doer and not a procrastinator, I needed someone who could walk the walk with me at the pace I wanted to go. I see Rupert as my readily accessible business toolbox, a person I trust to listen to my ideas, gain rationale and support me when making the changes I want to make. In basic terms, he has helped soften the blow of becoming the owner of EPM engineering.
Where I am now…
EPM has strong values as a caring and compassionate company. When we employ people, we employ people to stay.
Rupert challenged me to look at my team dynamics. This allowed me to see where tweaks within the team were needed. Some people moved into different roles, sometimes to the detriment of a process.
Doing this helped me see where there were gaps to fill but after covid, I felt guilty about taking on additional team members in case the business didn’t thrive enough to give them a stable future. It was hard to trust myself and the business but looking at metrics and planning with Rupert, it instilled in me the confidence to take the leap.
These combined changes resulted in further productivity and a team happy in their roles.
Reviewing and expanding the team was scary but having done it, EPM grew by 35% in 2021 and we are on target for 65% growth in 2022.
In the past months, I have felt like a different man. Initially, I was ready to sell the business, but since working with Rupert, gaining the confidence and education I needed, making tweaks to the business, and seeing the growth I now realise how easy it can be to move forward.
I feel like a lot of weight has been lifted from my shoulders, I have got my life back. Before I was always in the business, always on the go, and even at home I would be switched ‘on’ checking calls, and emails and dealing with clients out of hours. This meant I lost a fair amount of time with my family, but not anymore! I now have a team that has clearly defined roles and to whom I can delegate tasks without worry. I have 100% trust in the team, they do a fantastic job for me and I am so pleased to have them on my business journey alongside me.
Thanks to Rupert’s coaching my mindset has also totally changed. Now I get home and put my phone away, instead of being plugged into the matrix of the business I am instead spending time with my wife and children.
We have a new baby on the way and I am looking forward to being around more and having time to focus on being a Dad. Also, I have found that I am being braver with my own decisions, not being led by customers’ decisions which is also thanks to having Rupert’s support.
I would advise people to try Rupert and Angela’s business coaching. Invest the money and just see how you feel after a month or so and see what value you get from it. At the end of the day you are not tied in, you are free to leave if you don’t feel you are getting any value from your coach, so it’s worth taking the leap just as I did, and taking it from there. All I can say is it’s definitely working wonders for me! “
A note from Business Coach Rupert…
” Josh has aggressive growth plans for EPM, but much more importantly he cares about his team. His positive values are reflected in the culture that he has developed at EPM.
Work is a big part of Josh’s life and EPM is very important to him, but it is only a part of his life and he strives to make sure he allows time for his friends and family. This was most recently demonstrated when he left his phone behind when going on a family holiday which he could not have done when we started working together!
Josh is great to work with as he is very motivated with a clear view of what EPM will become. He is always keen to explore new ideas and makes decisions quickly. His passion and drive make him a pleasure to work with which means our coaching sessions are always interesting and fun. I look forward to working with Josh for many years.”
