Performance, Change and Strategy

Client videos

Here is a selection of unedited comments from recent clients.  However If you would like to have a confidential discussion with a current PE Partner or a Partner in Top 4 Accountancy Practice or a  CEO/ MD  then  call me on 07958 670416 and I will arrange this for you…….

Just for the record all my work is totally confidential however some of my long standing current  clients will be happy to talk with you about their experiences.

Professional Services

I use your service Rob because quite simply I have made considerable progress in both my career and other business goals since we first started work together and I continue to look forward to our monthly session where I am able to really reflect on my current situation. You ask me questions and challenge me in ways that are different to day to day conversations. . The focus is all on me! . Provided people want to make changes then I believe this service will be really useful , but they need to be prepared to work hard, and really be prepared to do some “ thinking” during the session! ”
Ian Paterson Partner Ernst and Young London

“Rob provides an unusual combination of creativity, deep understanding of various business situations, personability and focus on results and a clear route to development both on an individual basis and from a corporate standpoint.” Partner Private Equity Partner London

“Rob understands the personal and professional pressures accountants are under and provides practical tools to enable me to recognise, adapt and effect optimal behaviours.”
Andrew Wildman Director Ernst and Young

“Rob Rave works with us to improve business performance through focussing on supporting the changes we are going through and the impact that has on both directors and managers , in terms of the leadership, management and personal development . In a rapidly expanding business it is critical to support the organisational changes with improved individual performance. I would therefore highly recommend this service to MD’s and Directors of other fast growing companies”
Gordon Johnson, MD hjs accountants, hjs insolvency

“Now that you have been working with us for the last year or so , I believe it is time that we recorded our thanks for your efforts and achievements You have worked with four Directors of hjs all of whom are diverse individuals in their own way , using suitable approaches for each of us .In this way you have achieved wonders in improving our communication at Board level by creating an environment whereby we are open to feedback and more willing to share our opinions with each other”
Stephen Hunt, Director hjs Accountancy Practice

If you want to improve your business you need to work on your individual or team performance. I totally recommend Rob as a very effective catalyst for change progress and development. We have used him extensively and they are cost effective reliable and thorough in their approach”
Gareth Stokes, Director hjs Professional services firm

CEO’s /Managing Directors

The sessions are extremely valuable in focussing my thoughts and clarifying decisions that are impacting the strategy of the company . The sessions test my thinking and how I approach the demands of running a growing sales and technical operation plus solving people and business issues through effective problem solving. In addition it has helped me personally become happier /more motivated) as I have addressed some long standing “burning issues”.and minimised them.
I would wholeheartedly therefore recommend Rob to any CEO who is wanting their company/people to perform at their maximum and who wants to address the business , people and other “problems” that are often evident in high growth businesses.
Darron Anley, CEO SP Partnerships

“The sessions enable me as a leader to think through important decisions and to collaborateively look for solutions to people and business issues.
It’s a chance to “disconnect” from the relentless activity and to constructively work through some of the demanding situations that I experience as a leader”   Ken Maclachlan MD Phadia UK

I think his services are a very cost effective way of optimising an individual’s ability and heightening their awareness of themselves and their roles within the business environment . I have his approach refreshing because his business coaching is individually tailored. In short , his individual coaching could be an excellent catalyst for change and/ business development within a growth orientated organisation”
Tony Clarke, Former Progress Accountancy MD

You helped us to consider a number of creative ideas, solve the problem at hand …..an additional benefit arose because the environment created during our session with you enabled us to think in an unfettered way about how we can use our strengths to achieve additional goals we had previously not considered . The time spent with you has proved extremely valuable and I am happy to recommend your services without reservation.”
Paul Oliver, MD Calculis

Teams/board facilitation

“We recently employed Rob to act as a facilitator for an off-site, Board level strategy discussion.
Rob provided a great framework for positive discussion and helped ensure that we remained focussed and on-track throughout the day. As with all good facilitators, Rob remained quiet where appropriate but leapt in when the discussions faltered or tensions arose. He showed good insight and perspective on the issues under discussion.
I would heartily recommend Rob to any organisation looking for coaching or facilitation for their executive team and look forward to working with him again.”

Alan Johnston Director MicroNav  Bournemouth

Sales

I now look forward to our regular meetings as he is exceptionally good at getting me to get the best out of myself. The biggest thing I would say about him is that he really understands people and what works for them. This year I have ended up £132,000 over my target! ”
Business Development Executive SP Partnership

In the last few months we have had Rob working with 2 consultants in my team , they have both performed well , currently breaking their own and the company’s previous highest sales figures. Having realised their own limitations they both are now are in the “mindset” of wanting to move to a new level and to achieve more sales .
The sessions have undoubtedly made a significant contribution through changing behaviours and attitudes.
Richard Deeley Manager Towngate Personnel plc

Senior Managers Internal coach training

May I take this opportunity to personally thank you for the two sessions we’ve had and the telephone conversations that have taken place over the past few months. To have learned so much and to have improved our results by easily identifying what can be achieved through a simple, conversational approach in such a short period of time is credit to to the way you managed to make sure my colleagues and I “got the message” and how you “made it stick” with us

Since our first session I can honestly say my life is easier, at work and home, as a branch we are producing better results, my staff take ownership and look to take on responsibility they would have previously ran a mile from. To see my staff “get it”, as we are having these conversations, is magic to my eyes. They have stated they feel part of the business and understand what they can do to make a difference more than ever. Engagement is an overused word at the moment but using the methods you’ve shown us leads to true engagement with my people and they feel truly engaged in the business.

I look forward to working with you again very soon.

Stef Stewart

CCF GLASGOW-Part of Travis Perkins Group

HR /Internal coaches

Rob is everything a coach should be: challenging, supportive, enthusiastic and patient. He quickly gains an understanding of his client’s field and their needs, and is flexible in helping them achieve results – fast!
I have no hesitation at all in recommending Rob.
Liz Kentish
Continuous Improvement Manager & Coach
John Laing Integrated Services Ltd

Working with Rob as my coach over a number of months has undoubtedly helped me in “hitting the ground running” in my new demanding role. He was flexible in his approach which helped me stay focused and challenged me to look beyond what was right in front of me. It was a powerful learning experience that was both challenging and rewarding.”
Rebecca Cummings, Transition Manager, John Laing Integrated Services

“Below, Feedback from HR manager International Telecommunications company that I coached (She ended up paying for coaching herself after the initial company funded coaching ended)

When I first started working with Rob, my goal was to get back my self worth. I didn’t think I was very good at my job which took up my whole life. I also felt I was sinking with the amount of work and constantly found work a stressful environment.

Achieving a balance in my life was also important to me and has been a common theme throughout my coaching. He has opened up my eyes to what is important for me to the point where I feel I have work in perspective It is a means to an end – I have to work to support myself but I no longer see it as the only way I have of achieving recognition and satisfaction .

Throughout the coaching, Rob never criticised but enabled me to feel comfortable about discussing sometimes painful issues. He made me but its only now I look back that I realize this – at the time, it simply felt like encouragement.

He also made me see that every success I have had, has been down to my own efforts. I recognise this but could not have done it without his support. (I also have given up, smoking as part of the goals we set!)

Managers

Coaching with Rob gave me valuable skills to use in my role as recruitment manager dealing with different business and individual issues from my team. It has enabled me to deal with these situations with much more confidence and enthusiasm. I would recommend this for anyone or any type of business to drive the business forward and help with staff morale”
Emma Gellatly DipRP Manager- Front Office Division, Towngate Personnel plc

“Individual performance improved more than 15%. Very challenging focused and also rewarding! ”
Nick Spense-Thomas,  former Operations Manager T Mobile