In the fast-paced, ever-changing world of environmental services, it’s tempting to try and offer a broad range of solutions but spreading yourself too thin can lead to mediocre outcomes, inefficiencies and a loss of focus.

By sticking to what we do best, and doing it exceptionally well, we have been able to carve a strong reputation both here in the UK and overseas. Even when business trends sparked the creation of many so-called “one stop shops” to deal with inherently complex environmental service issues, we stuck to our guns and continued to provide the niche, specialist services at which we are best. The result of this careful focus on our core business has driven up standards and increased customer satisfaction by providing a more competitive, bespoke, and uncompromising service.

Ironically, the key to achieving this success has been the ability to say: “no.” That laser focus on where we sit in the market and acute awareness of the world around us has enabled us to avoid grey areas and clearly define where our expertise sits. In turn, we can communicate transparently and incontrovertibly where we fit thus ensuring honest and open lines of communication with all our clients – and the results speak for themselves.

Feedback tells us that this ethos of openness and transparency generates better levels of customer confidence and deeper relationships which are boosted by our unique ability to draw on our 158-year heritage and learn lessons which shape our constant drive to offer a knowledgeable pair of hands in which our clients can confidently place their needs. By delivering consistent, high-quality outcomes every project receives the full benefit of our knowledge and experience to achieve reliable, precise outcomes.

It’s important to remember too that staying focused doesn’t mean stagnating – it means honing your expertise in response to industry changes and reacting quickly to ensure the business can flex according to what customers need, where and when they need it.

It might seem contradictory but the power of saying “no” and working with customers to identify clear objectives means sticking to our strengths and helping everyone to reap the benefits. As Apple founder Steve Jobs said: “It’s only by saying ‘no’ that you can concentrate on the things that are really important.”