Experian 2007 Annual Report Download - page 21

To fulfill Experian’s vision and to
capitalise on the growth opportunities
described above, we are focusing on
the following initiatives:
• Driving organic growth through:
- Deeper client relationships
- Geographic expansion
- Product innovation
- Vertical expansion
We aim to deliver mid to high single-digit organic sales
growth each year.
• Accelerating growth through complementary
acquisitions, which bring us new data, technology,
products or clients, or enable us to grow in new vertical
and geographic markets. Our goal is to have about half
of our sales growth each year from acquisitions, subject
to targets meeting our strict strategic and financial
criteria. All acquisitions must deliver a minimum 10%
post-tax return over time.
• Delivering operating leverage to maintain or improve
EBIT margins. We focus on cost control throughout our
operations, with the savings then reinvested in new
products and new markets. We look to drive both
revenue and cost synergies across the Group.
The key performance indicators on pages 20 and 21 show
a historical perspective on how Experian has performed
against these initiatives, while the operational review on
pages 22 to 29 discusses how Experian has done in 2007.
Key resources
Key to delivering these corporate objectives is our ability
to continue to invest in our three key resources – people,
data and technology.
People
We employ more than 13,000 people with offices in 36
countries. We pride ourselves on attracting, developing
and retaining talented, ambitious people who deliver a
quality service for our clients and grow our business.
Experian invests heavily in ensuring our employees have
the right environment and skills to do their best work. We
also endeavour to create the right opportunities for them
to apply and develop these skills. The management of
talent is one of our top priorities.
Succession planning is used to ensure that appropriate
leadership resources are in place to achieve our objectives;
the plans are regularly reviewed by the Group Board. Two-
way communication is also central to our business.
Employees have a regular opportunity to give their views
through the annual employee survey, which is reviewed by
senior leaders and local teams and acted on accordingly.
Data
At the core of Experian are comprehensive databases of
credit and marketing information on both consumers and
businesses. The broad portfolio of data maintained by
Experian makes us a partner of choice for many clients as
we offer more information than any single competitor.
We invest heavily each year in maintaining complete,
accurate and up-to-date information, while adding new
data sources, where possible, which will further help
clients. Experian has a leadership position as the trusted
steward of much sensitive information and we have an
obligation to protect this - both to clients who are the
source of much of this data and to consumers who are
the subjects of the data. As a result, we operate very
rigorous security and control policies.
Technology
Experian’s information technology systems are
fundamental to our success. They are used for the
storage, processing, access and delivery of the data that
forms the foundation of our business; and for the
development and delivery of the value-added solutions
provided to clients.
Much of the technology used by Experian and provided
to clients is developed, maintained and supported by in-
house teams across our various locations. We operate
continual maintenance and management of our
information technology systems, including the need to
integrate existing and acquired businesses.
Experian Annual Report 2007 |19
Corporate objectives and strategy
13,000
We employ more
than 13,000 people