Solutions

The Exceeding Limits Result

Nine Pillars of Profitability

Coaching is a an on-going process because real change needs on-going reinforcement and incremental improvements. It is also a two-way relationship, you get as much as you put into it. While we cannot guarantee the outomces below as they depend on your energy and motivation, we have seen these tremendous results again and again.

Strategy

You cannot afford to get caught up in the day-to-day of working "in" your business and forget to work "on" you business. Determining your business vision, your strategic intent, defining your unique space in the marketplace and driving change are all the responsibilities of the owner-manager. If you don't do this, who will?

The Exceeding Limits Real Result: You gain the RELIEF that comes with a CLEAR STRATEGIC PLAN. And the ultimate feeling of knowing EXACTLY what to do and what to do next. There is no lost time. All while feeling great about your chosen direction.

Leadership

A leader inspires the team to follow the business' vision and goals. A good leader nurtures people into top performers and develops new leaders.

The Exceeding Limits Real Result: You find SUCCESS in your leadership potential. You will COMMUNICATE better with your employees and they in turn will work with greater EFFICIENCY. MORALE is higher. Employee RETENTION is drastically improved.

Marketing

Effective marketing means understanding the needs of your potential customer. And delivering a CLEAR MESSAGE to that customer -- every time you communicate with them. Marketing is NOT advertising, but EVERY communication with the customer – from how you answer the phone, to the words you use in your advertising.

The Exceeding Limits Real Result: You have the CLARITY of understanding WHO are targeting, with WHICH message, for EACH of your target groups. You employ the LAWS of Marketing to get more leads than ever before. You track your leads with follow-up is executed EFFECTIVELY which means MORE SALES.

Sales

Sales is not haphazard actions. It is a documented system of tracking, measures and mechanisms that are consistently applied within your organization. If you are selling without a system, you are not really selling at all.

The Exceeding Limits Real Result: Your measures and performance indicators TRACK your effectiveness and the status of incoming business. Your follow-up is BULLETPROOF. Your clients CONVERT at a higher rate. REPEAT SALES become a larger part of your business, which is costs less in marketing and takes less effort which means MORE PROFITS IN LESS TIME (HINT: If you are thinking that there are no "repeat sales" in your industry, think again! I guarantee there are opportunities being left on the table for you).

Money

Clear, accurate and up-to-date financial statements support strategic planning, investing opportunities or financing. Financial modeling is employed to forecast growth to further plan for the future. Key financial health indicators such as cash flow, profits, inventory levels and receivables are monitored and actions are taken before they become serious problems.

The Exceeding Limits Real Result: You gain CONTROL of your financial situation. You have metrics that monitor PROGRESS and HEALTH. With this knowledge at your fingertips you are always able to decide strategy, forecast growth and GROW YOUR BUSINESS.

Operations & Customer Service

Once the strategy is chosen, your operations have to make it all happen. Sometimes, what looks good on the drawing board, is hard to implement in real life. Customer Service is the side of your operation that your customers see. And what they see has to match your vision, your strategy and your marketing message.

The Exceeding Limits Real Result: There is CONGRUENCY between operations and strategy. This means that the company resources are all UNIFORMLY working towards the same desired result. The company's operations execute and SUPPORT the chosen strategy while meeting the targets set for quality, service, reliability and cost. Customers see a CONSISTENT message throughout your company. They enjoy a high level of customer service and turn into RAVING FANS.

People

Your people are your best asset. Anyone who tells you that they are expendable or replaceable is ignoring the real impact dedicated, motivated staff can have on a business. There is nothing more maddening than a great employee taking her skills to your competitor.

The Exceeding Limits Real Result: A system is in place for you to attract and hire the BEST people, who fit the needs and the culture of your company. Training systems INTERGRATE them quickly and efficiently so that they contribute with minimum delay. Feedback systems and performance evaluation systems allow you to keep them highly SATISFIED, MOTIVATED and COMMITTED to the overall success of the company.

Systems

Your systems are the key to eventual automation, which the key to freeing you from working very hard. Non one started a business for the privilege of owning a job with long hours. Your ultimate goal is to outsource everything non-strategic, and delegate as many functions as you can. As you move from Technician, to Manager, to Entrepreneur, your focus is on business development and leading the company (working "on") and less on running things or doing the work (working "in").

The Exceeding Limits Real Result: Your business runs without your constant presence or sacrifice. You have MORE TIME to spend with family and more FREEDOM. You have the SECURITY of knowing that if you slow down, your income CONTINUES. This allows you EXIT the business in favourable terms, including SELLING your business for top value.

Personal/Worklife Balance

How many owners make the ultimate sacrifice for their business? Their time, their relationships, their families and their health? Your business may become successful, but at what cost? Is it worth it, then?

The Exceeding Limits Real Result: You are able to PRIORITIZE personal time, your family and your own well-being. Thanks to your systemization, you can take TIME OFF to pursue other interests, spend with family or just have the downtime required to RECHARGE, renew, stimulate creative thinking. You return to your business refreshed and stimulated.

The (2x3) Dimensions

Personal Effectiveness (PE)

Personal Effectiveness consists of three parts.

Self Management (SM), the skills and strategies that make you an effective and efficient individual with a defined life mission, unshakeable values and clear goals (e.g. Time Management, Goal-Setting).
Interpersonal Mastery (IPM), the skills are strategies that make you a better leader, team player and manager. (e.g. Motivation, Group Dynamics, Conflict Resolution).
Business Fundamentals (BF), the skills and strategies that make you a better business owner (e.g. understanding key metrics, learning new marketing techniques, strategic planning).

Business Effectiveness (PE)

Business Effectiveness consists of three parts.

Marketing & Sales (M&S), the steps, actions and plans we will define and implement that will increase the effectiveness of your marketing and your sales.
Operations & Administration (O&A), the steps, actions and plans we will define and implement that will streamline your operations and systemize your business.
Products & Services (P&S), the steps, actions and plans we will define and implement that will improve your product and service offerings.

Programs

One-on-One Advisory Services

Generally, an advisor meets privately with the business owner three times per month for 1.5 to 2 hours. A customized action plan is established that considers business strategy, urgencies and company/owner’s goals for the coming year. Typically attractive to established firms with revenues from $750k to $20 million.

Better Business Bootcamp

Affordable, interactive group sessions are provided to six to ten business owners; who meet twice per month, for a fixed, six-month period. In addition, six private advisor sessions are scheduled in order to assist in selected concerns and a confidential business strategy. This format is targeted to smaller, established businesses of $300k to $2 million in sales.

Business Effectiveness Evaluation

Known as the "CEO 360° View", this is an affordable diagnostic of your business. It consists of an examination, via a comprehensive questionnaire, of each of the nine pillars of profitability, an insightful behavioural assessment and a comprehesive financial analysis that benchmarks against your competition. The"CEO 360° View" identifies the areas that need immediate attention and what to do about them. In addition, two 1.5-hour private advisor sessions are scheduled in order to interpret the results of the evaluations and to help develop 30- and 90-day action plans.