In the second instalment of our series commemorating Plan B Services’ 20th Anniversary, we delve into the company’s formative years, exploring the milestones, achievements and unique challenges that shaped us.

To better understand Plan B’s journey we sat down with Chief Operations Officer Sam Nettelbeck, whose anecdotes offer a personal insight into the company’s evolution, shining a light on the human stories behind our growth. He also talks about Plan B’s unwavering commitment to innovation, how continuously seeking ways to improve products and services has been the cornerstone of the company’s success. “Whether it’s creating an app for clients or simplifying our internal processes, our goal has always been to make things easier and more efficient for everyone involved,” he explains.

Reflecting on the company’s culture, Sam emphasises its nurturing and positive environment. “Our culture allows us to stay connected as a group, which keeps the team motivated and happy in their day-to-day work,” he says. This sense of camaraderie has been instrumental in fostering a supportive workplace where everyone thrives.

In the early days of Plan B Services, everyone had to be very hands-on and wear multiple hats to get the job done. “When we first started, we had to do everything ourselves – designs, invoicing, you name it,” Sam recalls. Their tiny office had to do a lot of heavy lifting too, with Sam’s desk doubling as the home for the company’s fax machine. “Jobs would come through the fax and land right on my desk. I’d pick them up and hand them over to Pete, who was only four feet away,” he laughs.

Another vivid memory of those early years was the long drives between sites. “Our office was in Beaumaris, and I lived in Lancefield, which was a 1 hour and 45-minute commute each way. From there we’d drive to sites all over Victoria, like Ballarat and beyond. It was long hours but worth it,” he shares.

Building client relationships was a significant obstacle in the early days for Sam. “I was only 20 and had little exposure to that. But over time, it got easier, and many early relationships turned into personal friendships,” he says. This experience has fuelled his mission to develop the next generation of relationships with younger staff. From a small office of five people to a state-of-the-art building with 85 staff, Plan B’s transformation has been remarkable. “We went from 130 square meters to a space ten times the size. It blows my mind!” Sam exclaims.

The electrical engineering industry too, has seen significant changes since the company’s inception, particularly in technology and service levels, with Plan B’s proactive approach helping to shape industry standards. “In the early days, it was all about what the utilities laid out. Now, it’s a much more collaborative approach,” he notes. Plan B’s role in providing valuable feedback to utilities, including Powercor’s rating system, has been crucial in ensuring that outcomes align with client and business needs.

Reflecting on some of Plan B’s key projects, Sam cites the Williams Landing development as a standout project for the company. “It was one of the first of its kind, with a residential component, a town centre, and a train station,” Sam explains. Built on an old RAAF base, the project presented unique challenges but also marked a turning point in how the team approaches innovation.

Adrian Snowden, General Manager Operations (left) and Sam Nettlebeck, COO (right)

The Mernda Villages project is another memorable success story. “It was one of the first times we had a dedicated designer and project manager run the project from start to finish,” he recalls. This approach, which has since become a model for the company, contributed to the project’s success and won several community awards.

Plan B’s commitment to continuous learning and development is evident in its approach to employee growth. “We always take the time to understand what our people need and set out to evolve and innovate as a business,” Sam says. This ensures that the company’s services are consistently delivered to the highest standards and that the team continues to grow. Further to this, client feedback is a significant source of pride for Sam. “The feedback that stands out is when it’s directed to the whole team. It’s rewarding to see that our collective efforts have made a difference,” he says. This emphasis on teamwork and collaboration underscores Plan B’s commitment to delivering exceptional results.

Reflecting on his journey, Sam finds the most rewarding aspect to be his personal and professional growth. “Leading the business for a couple of years and being a finalist in the Australian Financial Review’s Best Place to Work competition was a cool achievement,” he shares. Looking ahead, he sees Plan B continuing to lead the industry and strengthen client relationships. “As we grow, they grow. The next five to ten years will see even stronger and better relationships,” he predicts.

As Plan B Services continues to innovate and evolve, the stories and experiences of the past 20 years serve as a testament to the company’s resilience and dedication.

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This October marks 20 years since Plan B Services first opened its doors. This article series aims to tell the story of how we got started, some of the challenges we’ve overcome along the way and what we’re most excited about in the future.
Stay tuned for the next part of our series as we explore more of what makes Plan B a leader in the industry. Thank you for being a part of our story.