BERLINGSKE BLADSALG OG SERVICE FROM CONFUSION TO CLARITY FOR NEWSPAPER SALES COMPANY THE CHALLENGE Berlingske Bladsalg og Service (BBS), a company responsible for sales and logistics under the newspaper group Berlingske, had difficulties establishing an overview of its own business and finances. This made it difficult to explain to their clients, within the group and externally, exactly what they got for their money. Which processes and services generated which costs – and what value did they create? These answers were lost in a haze, so BBS took steps to improve transparency throughout the organisation. THE SOLUTION Valcon and BBS carried out three separate projects to create greater transparency. A strategy process, where the participants identified the strategic focus areas for all units in BBS. This was supported by a target management system that makes sure that the route towards progress is visible to all – and that results can be measured. A new organisational set-up makes sure that roles and responsibilities are more clearly visible than before. The sales and production units were clearly separated out and now have their own, distinct organisations and management. The company’s finance processes were also analysed, which led to a new finance management set-up where management reporting and the budgeting structure have both been revised. The collaboration also included a so-called activity based costing project, which means that the BBS can now see exactly what each of their activities entails in terms of costs. As a result, BBS now have a product and price catalogue where all prices accurately reflect the true – rather than imagined – cost of each individual product. THE RESULTS At BBS, everybody now has a much better overview of – and feel for – their own business. This greater transparency has given rise to a number of initiatives that adds greater focus to the company’s business and makes BBS more competitive. The initiatives have improved strategy, organisation, financial management, and not least profitability. ABOUT BERLINGSKE BLADSALG OG SERVICE Berlingske Bladsalg og Service A/S (BBS) is an independent company within the newspaper and media group known as Det Berlingske Officin. BBS is responsible for the newsstand and subscription sales relating to the majority of the group’s newspapers: Berlingske Tidende, BT, Weekendavisen, Berlingske Nyhedsmagasin, JydskeVestkysten, and Aarhus Stiftstidende. BBS has approximately 60 full-time and 500 part-time employees working out of offices in Aarhus, Odense, and Copenhagen. TESTIMONIAL ”With Valcon’s help we have achieved much better general insights into our finances, organisation, products, prices, and how our responsibilities are distributed. This has given us a much better basis for becoming cost-effective and for reaching our target of performing above the average market level.” Marlene Horsbøl Sylvester-Hvid, CEO, Berlingske Bladsalg og Service. SECTOR Media EXPERTISE • Strategy and M&A • Business transparency
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