During 2007 my business experienced a dramatic reduction in sales revenue. As a consequence the very existence of the business was threatened. By working with a Coach I was able to identify and implement strategies which not only allowed the business to survive the downturn, but also return to a profitable trading position.
I have found working with a Coach to be a positive and rewarding experience.

Having had first hand experience now - I am even more convinced about the benefits of coaching for business owners - and will definitely be a very vocal raving fan. Before I just had a vague idea of what it could do - the theory was great and intuitively it made sense - but now I have experienced the real power of coaching and the results in just a short period of time -- albeit on the side lines -- what could be achieved long-term is beyond comprehension at the moment. But ultimately our FANTASTIC experience was down to YOU and your personal style --- How do you get someone from a very big and very deep black hole (in Nov/Dec) to flying up in the clouds (in Jan/Feb)? Since that is the reality and, I believe, much more valuable than just merely sorting out cash flow.

For me the biggest immediate benefit was at the alignment meeting – I totally downloaded on our Coach and it felt GREAT! It was like a huge weight had been lifted ..just by sharing how I felt about practically everything.

On the business front, we have begun work on my 12 month goals – and this has really helped me focus. I’ve realised that is it not just about the business – it is primarily about ME and what I need the business to do for me to achieve MY goals! For the first time – I am putting me (rather than the business) first, but the hard work begins now – as our Coach is challenging me to face the bits that I’ve been deliberately avoiding and neglecting…but urgently need my inputs.

I think everyone in charge of a business or business unit should invest in a coach! I am now absolutely convinced of this! If I won the lottery that would be my first investment and I wouldn't need to look very far for the right one!

Many many thanks and best regards

Steve & Margaret Levy
Owners - Café 19

I have been working with Gordon for around 3 months. I believe that the coaching given is not only a source of good new ideas, but also a means on how to be better organised and manage my time better.

I am looking forward to seeing the financial benefits over the next 3-6 months of the action plans we are putting in place currently.

I also find our Coach’s knowledge from his accountancy background and financial services experience to be of great benefit.

David McCowan
Proprietor – James Cargill Mortgage Consultants, Glasgow

Our Coach has provided some major benefits both for myself and the business since becoming my coach in November 2005. By changing the way we chase late paying customers cash flow has been improved greatly. His accountant background has put systems in place to let me track Debtors Days, Monthly Bank balances and Aged Debt and chart progress and to try and reach targets set. We have also have Budgets ready to be set for our next Year End. All of these were done at no cost.

On a personal level it is true you can spend a lot of time working in your business but not on it. My Coach gets me focused on finding the areas that need attention and working on them. If they are not done within the week set for them I am given the push needed to get the job completed. Too often before I would have been guilty of saying I am busy I will do it next week. Having to answer to him means I free up enough time to make sure the job gets done. Getting an outside view of your business is also interesting and he is easy to talk over areas that he feels could be improved.

We have a few ideas to work on over the next couple of months which I am quite excited about and hope to see similar progress with these projects. I have also noticed a lift with all members of staff as the new ideas we are putting into place providing a fresh look and better goals for all. Having a coach has certainly been of great advantage to us.

Alan Trail
Director - M&T Builders Merchants Ltd