Testimonials

Matt Cruickshank  Regional Franchisor  Jim’s Cleaning (WA)

Before I met Vanessa I had a business. I didn’t know it, but at that stage I didn’t really “own” my business, it was more like it owned me.
I was what I deemed a typical businessman to be, I spent a lot of time in the office, but was so disorganised I rarely got much meaningful work done, I was financially stretched and I spent little time “in” my own life outside of the business. I knew deep down that I needed help, but somewhere between my fear and ego I couldn’t figure out what to do. What I didn’t know was that someone was hitting me with a plank of wood over and over…………and the Mack truck was coming.

A few colleagues had been talking to me at a conference about the effectiveness a business coach had had on their business. I decided then and there that I would follow this up………so six months later I finally called.

On that call, Vanessa figured out that I knew what I needed to get done to be successful, I just wasn’t doing it. This was no great surprise to me, as I was a big procrastinator. At our first meeting I was very nervous, I wasn’t still completely over the line with the costs of having a coach, but I knew the costs if things were to continue as they were. What was clear is that Vanessa is not going to be your friend, your employee or your boss. She is that person who gives you the push, shove, kick or poke you need to get back on track whenever she sees you coming away from the plan. The best part is knowing to not ask a question if you’re not prepared for the truth to come straight back at you, there is no soft option in coaching.

My main concern was getting my sales process under control. As it turns out, most of the things I have learned easily apply to the vast majority of the business. I have learned to plan my work, and most importantly work my plan. This was and still is a tough thing for me to do, but with discipline I get things done, because part of the plan is a reward for myself for when I achieve my targets.

So now, 10 months later, I am ready to take the training wheels off. Since starting with Vanessa I have grown from 2 franchisees to 10, I have moved from working in the business 80% of the time, to more like 20%, so I can now spend more time finding ways to improve my business in every way, I have gone from working in my home, to having an office that improves the professionalism and presentation of my business. Just writing this makes me realise just how far I have come in such a short time.

Vanessa has helped me bring my business to a point where I own it, and it runs for me, just the way I like it. I am sure that at some stage soon I will need some more help and it is great to know  I have a resource like Vanessa available when the time comes.
 

Testimonial for Vanessa Bugeja ActionCOACH
Salway Transport Services Pty Ltd – Bendigo Victoria

Vanessa has been coaching us for over 8 months now and I have to admit that she has knocked us into shape and got things moving. Initially, we took on a block of sessions to see if the whole coaching thing fitted with us. We had just started another freight run and we wanted to set up and market it properly. Funny how things work out! The 5 block sessions served to highlight to us just how many other areas of our business needed attention.

At the conclusion of the block sessions we faced the decision – do we say thanks and walk away or do we continue – there really was only one answer. We had found that there was so much that needed sorting out and pulling together to get our business running the way we wanted it too, we had to continue. We talked with Vanessa and worked out a program that worked for us and allowed us to fit coaching into our budget, but enabled us to continue what we had started.

8 months on, we are letting the new run grow by itself, which it is doing, and we are concentrating on building up the rest of the business. We were one of those businesses that started off small and grew quickly. It’s easy to lose sight of the individual trees for the wood, and the really scary part is that you don’t realise that, until either something goes horribly wrong, or you get a coach.

Vanessa has made us have a good hard look at ourselves and our style of management. We’re still working on that, but I think that has to be an ongoing thing. She has forced us to be accountable and to face up to the often emotional decisions that we were making. It’s good to have someone you can go to that can listen to you pouring out your grievances and then force you to look at the issue from a different point of view- leaving out the emotion. We are finding that this often makes the decisions much easier.

Through coaching we now do things a lot differently. Some of the major changes we have made are:

- We now have a bookkeeper. Something we had never thought about doing. Doesn’t everyone do their own books? If they do, they shouldn’t.
- Changed accounting packages to one that better suits our needs.
- In the process of putting employment agreements in place.
- Developed a unique culture statement that all of the staff helped to create.
- Testing and measuring ongoing now. We had never done anything like that.
- Developing policies and procedures working with the staff.
- Developed an org chart and creating systems to follow so that we don’t have to be here all of the time
- Cut down on the time we both spend working in the business. Still put in 5 days a week, but have 1 full day off a weekend and take a night off for ourselves each week for dinner.
- Increased prices across the board and for the first time in months finished the month in the black for the last 2 and looking good for the rest of the year.
- Developed recruitment practices that have led to a turnover in staff with a better mix overall.

Whilst , Lindsay and Vanessa don’t always agree, she has got to know us and how we operate and think and feel. Her objectivity and her ‘cracking the whip’ make us do the things that need to be done. It’s like having an employer again and although we get to make the decisions, someone else is holding us accountable. Looking back, with no employee agreements in place – we were just asking for trouble. Fortunately, we got a coach first!

If you think that you don’t need a business coach – think again! It is a fair investment to make, but the return is definitely worthwhile. The benefits aren’t all monetary either. The savings in your own time are, we think far more important in the long run. You can always make more money – you can’t make more time! When you personally run out of it – that’s it. Lights out!

NOW JANUARY 2010

Having almost clocked up 2 years in coaching we are a vastly more confident outfit than we were prior to coaching. These days, whenever we face a challenge, there is only the initial feeling of being shafted, and then we get right on with turning the challenge into an opportunity. Sometimes, they work out OK, but at other times its just one of those things that we tried that didn’t work out.
The dreams are still there, but these days rather than just remaining a pipe dream, we are always looking at ways to turn the dream into a reality. We consistently evaluate what is going on in our business and how we can improve the cost effectiveness and efficiency.
That’s not to say that there are not still areas where we have to improve, but personally, we both feel that while there are still those areas to work on, our focus on the business remains solid.

From a work/home balance perspective we have both cut back on the hours we put in each week. Lindsay does not drive one of the trucks anymore, freeing up his time enormously and cutting down on after hours follow ups. Our lives are much more content, less stressful and we have time for ourselves and our family. Action Coaching has been instrumental in turning our business around and we thank Vanessa and the Action Team sincerely for their input.

Lindsay & Cheryl Salathiel
Salway Transport Services Pty Ltd
Bendigo

Testimonial for Vanessa Bugeja ActionCOACH
Oceania Seafoods Pty Ltd – Footscray Victoria

Vanessa has been our business coach for just over a year now and put simply, she has been absolutely fantastic.

Our company’s output had been growing at an unprecedented rate, so initially I was slightly skeptical of the benefits of coaching as I believed we were doing pretty well on our own. However, upon closer examination we discovered a multitude of problems; our internal systems, procedures etc remained outmoded, staff training was poor, debtors were getting out of hand, amongst many others.

Working with Vanessa has enabled us to focus on and systematically improve upon those areas which needed fixing. Now you may think, “Well I can do that myself”, as I did. However I have found much greater success when working with Vanessa for a number of reasons; having someone to hold things accountable for, thereby keeping us on track, the objectivity and insight she brings to the business, having a knowledgeable professional, equipped with a wealth of business material to turn to for advice and to be able to discuss matters with. Furthermore, Vanessa has also been training key members of my staff, here’s what our Office Manager has to say.....

When Vanessa started coaching me I felt like as if I woke up from a long sleep and started seeing a lot of things need to be changed.
Vanessa helped me to discover my potential to be an Office Manager and that gave me a lot of confidence as well.
With her help I have come up with some great ideas on how to make our job much easier, more effective, and professional.
I am truly grateful that she wasn’t just coaching about making money or being effective but also having a fun at work.

I have seen my staff imbued with a greater sense of purpose and focus, not to mention improvements in their morale and productivity.
In short, we have had, and continue to have, a great experience with Vanessa and highly recommend her services to all!

T Arai
Oceania Seafoods Pty Ltd
Footscray Victoria

Testimonial for Vanessa Bugeja ActionCOACH
Believe - Geelong Vcitoria

Vanessa is an excellent business coach who helped me focus on the things I needed to do to turn my salon into a successful business.

When we started coaching I had a business that was making a net loss and I was spending my time working IN the business and not working ON it.

Vanessa coached me on putting in basic financial procedures; tracking how much money was coming in and understanding exactly where I was spending it. I learnt to prioritise and take control of my finances.

I have also improved my time management and organisation skills, including making sure I have time for me as well as quality family time. Vanessa also helped me appreciate and understand the basics of running a business.

Since I have been working with Vanessa, I have set actions with time
frames in place for everything I do in my business…she holds me
accountable for them, and I have learnt so much and grown so much as a result of this, both professionally and personally, that I am now in control of my business, making a profit and feel confident with growing my business and opening another salon.

Louise Taffe
Believe
Geelong Victoria

Testimonial for Vanessa Bugeja ActionCOACH
Bing's Natural Health - Middle Park Vcitoria

3 years later – Still coaching

I read my previous testimonial for Vanessa and was surprised how much I had done in the first 18 months of coaching. If the first 18 months of my coaching with Vanessa was putting a foundation and laying the bricks for my business, then the last 16 months of our coaching was about putting the kitchen and wardrobes etc in.

The goals I have achieved and things put in place in my business with Vanessa’s coaching during this period include: BNH uniform, new client letter, refine Testing and Measuring analyses, review of contract & set up Practitioner Competency Level structure and KPI monitoring method, set up recruiting manual and template, clinic USP practice focused training, stock control, receptionist and clinic manager in place, increased our fees by 20%, changed accountant and worked out the clinic’s new account list and the best way of paying me and more.

There were many challenges alone the way, most challenges are about ME. As my business grows, it requires a ME that is different than the one I was. There were many sleepless nights while I was resisting the changes. There were times I doubted why I do this business and how long I could go on. The biggest hurdle I have overcome is when I have to sack my most profitable practitioner recently. Without Vanessa, it was impossible! There are things that you know; there are things that you know you don’t know; and THERE ARE THINGS YOU DON’T KNOW THAT YOU DON’T KNOW.

Having Vanessa there is ‘painful’ for me during my struggling time. But somewhere in me understand they are the times I need her the most. She is not emotionally involved with the things I should let go but couldn’t. She pushes me along!!!

I am now excited, again, about the Journey of growing my business. I find that doors open and things become clearer when making decisions every time I overcome hurdles. I am looking forward to my next phase of growth - relocation and expansion! Yes, I was a sole practitioner 3 years ago.

I kept the Testimonial I did for Vanessa early 2008 for you here. Please read on.

My business needs a reform early 2008

I was introduced to Vanessa by my neighbour who was being coached by Vanessa at the time. I was in a desperate situation with my business. I am a Chinese medicine practitioner and my practice had been growing with a speed that exceeded my capacity for handling it. As most practitioners (or a technical person in any profession), we are good at what is in the business however running a business is quite a different story. I was looking for some courses or workshops to learn more about business and I even took on some government mentoring programs for small businesses. The results of my searching finally lead me to Vanessa.

Why Vanessa?

I did my homework on coaches after I heard about Vanessa (we don’t just take other people’s words, do we?)

I read about Vanessa on the internet and loved the way she presented herself. She has the same vision and work ethics as I have for myself. Her extensive experience in the financial industry and working with people were appealing to me. The diligence and capacity she has shown in promoting herself excited me as this would be a great asset for my business. So I decided to meet her.

I signed the contract

I clearly remember the day we met. We were sitting in the garden with the early spring sunshine and crispy fresh air. I made my decision to have Vanessa as my coach.

My pen was hesitating at the signature line on the contract. Vanessa asked: ‘What’s stopping you?’ ‘Fear! Only fear’ that was my answer. Well, this has been the 1st of many fears I have had to overcome since I met Vanessa on 25th, September 2006.

18 months later

You want to see the figures, do you?

My business is now very different to what it was when I met Vanessa. We grew from me as a sole practitioner, with another practitioner sharing the rooms on a part time basis, to a business of 5 practitioners with a reputation locally. I reduced my consulting work hours from 60 hours per week to 36 hours per week. Going from knowing every client who walked in to I no longer know who they all are or where they are coming from (I do still, but no longer personally attending them). The business has no debts and is making me profit, which I have started to see clearly and I am learning to predict it now. My personal income has also increased.

I also learnt, through doing, lot business skills which include observing the source of clientele, implementing marketing strategies, systemising clinic procedures and practitioner training programs as well as recruiting strategies etc.

The benefit of coaching

The figures are important indicatives for a business. But the real benefit of coaching for me is not so much of what the coach can do for me on the figures but how much or how fast I can align myself to the person who is capable of those figures I desire.

The 18 months of coaching so far have not always been smooth. There were times that I wanted to quit and there were times that I would cry (you don’t have to). There were times Vanessa and I raised our voices on heated topics so passionately that we have to laugh afterwards.

Vanessa is also a very ‘hands on’ coach. She does not just talk. She does.

Vanessa is so passionate about what she does and she is a great coach and is always improving herself too. She has been instrumental for clearing the picture of my vision to my business, a master mind of my business and also a destroyer of my comfort zone (be aware!). I have grown deep respect for her over the time since I’ve known her.

I would be happy to talk to you if you would like to know more details of the work Vanessa has done for my business or for me. My phone number can be obtained through Vanessa.

My best wish to you!
Bing Qian

Action Coaching Testimonial for Vanessa Bugeja

Spa Samsara - Brighton Vcitoria

Vanessa has been coaching me for over 7 months now and I can truly say that this has lead to the transformation of myself and my company. Engaging Vanessa as my business coach has been the most beneficial investment I have made in my business to date.

Benefits of Coaching:
1. Feeling that I am not alone – owning a business can be a lonely experience and friends and family don’t understand the deep commitment, total involvement and intensity that ownership brings. Vanessa’s objectivity to the business and seeing it with new eyes has helped me to look at my business in a fresh and innovative way. She has pointed out to me areas that I needed to focus on both within myself as well as in the business in order for us both to grow. As a business owner I am emotionally attached to the business. Having Vanessa as my coach has helped me to take the emotion out of decision making and make decisions based on the betterment of the business.

2. Having a coach to be accountable - has helped me to get more organized and put in systems and processes a lot quicker than if I were to do them myself. She has re-ignited my passion for the business which through the day to day grind of working in it had dimmed. As a business owner I am responsible for my staff and for the business; but not had anyone else to be accountable for myself. Vanessa ensures that I take accountability for areas I have at times ‘slacked off’ on.

3. Developing myself – probably the best outcome of coaching has been the personal journey of growth that I have undertaken. I have had to analyse, introspect and intuit how I wanted to grow as a person and the direction I want my life to take. This has happened along side with the changes I have brought about into the business. I have had to step up to the role of a leader first by finding out for myself what leadership meant for me and now living up to this.

4. Vanessa’s personal approach – of coaching not just from the head but also from the heart has helped me through some tough times that I faced on a personal level. A business coach that solely worked on the business and ignored the personal issues that I have to work with would not have worked for me. As my life is a whole and each part has an effect on the others a coach that did not account for my personal situation would have missed a large part of what made me unique as a business owner.

5. Working less in the business and spending more time growing it – I used to work 6 days a week often over 60 hours. This has now been reduced to 1-2 days in the business and has given me the ability and much needed time to get clear headspace so that I can work on my vision for building the business. I have appointed a manager who will be doing what I used to do on a daily basis to ensure the business works seamlessly. One of the things I told Vanessa at the commencement of coaching in June 2007 was that I wanted to be out of the daily running of this business in 6 months so that I could focus on my next venture. It has been a huge motivator and driver for both of us to get this business to the point where I could feel confident to leave it in the hands of a manager. Vanessa will now be coaching my manager fortnightly and me weekly on the new business I am setting up. I feel confident that with Vanessa as her coach and myself mentoring her, my new manager will be able to keep the business on the track we have set it.

Challenges of Business Coaching

1. Challenging my set of beliefs about running a business and looking at myself and the business in a completely new and alien way. Having to re-invent myself in a way that was congruent with the leader I was becoming and wanted to be has been the most challenging aspect of coaching. As I want this business to grow into a corporation I have started thinking and acting like a CEO of a thriving large corporate company. This means not accepting anything but the best of myself as a leader. Not making excuses, not wasting time, not wasting my resources but putting in the best and expecting the best from me, my team, my coach and my life partner. It has meant committing to the lifestyle choices I am making now in order to get what I want in the immediate and long term future. Understanding the real meaning of having to change in order for the business to change.

2. Making choices based purely on the best needs of the business – which I initially found challenging. I had a tendency to feel sorry for my team members and listen to their sob stories and adapt the business to suit them, which meant I slogged it while they did the minimum. Since commencing coaching I had to think hard about whether the team I had was the one that I wanted to be with me and take my business to the next level. The decision I came to was a hard one; I now have a totally new team that work to targets I set, fits my business model, meets my clients’ needs, is largely high performing and have also appointed a manager. As I only accept the best from my team when an individual does not meet the criteria I have set and is letting the rest of the team down, the decision to terminate is easy and less emotive than the first time I had to do this.

Outcome of Coaching to date (7 months)

1. Systems I have put in place in my business including document control:
• HR systems – job descriptions, employment contracts, recruitment process, induction training process, ongoing training plan, Key Performance Indicators, Performance Appraisals, team meetings, staff uniforms, team skill matrix
• Business systems – Petty cash, changed banks and set up new banking system, management reports (daily sales tracker, roster costings, monthly service breakdown, staff performance, sales performance, client demographics etc) complaints process, profit and loss reports, budget and forecasting, daily testing and measuring, payroll system, employing a bookkeeper, margin review and a pricing increase, stock (monitoring, ordering and receipt processes), database update,
• Customer Service Systems – regeneration letters, birthday letters, new client letters, follow up process, annual birthday celebration, defining clients into A,B,C, & D and training staff on working with these appropriately, develop a client service journey, testimonial book, mystery shopping.
• Promotional & Marketing systems – created new package deals, created A-frame specials, put up a daily quote, book on the day specials, partnering with other businesses, client referral system, client membership program, advertising in print media, got my website live with an ecommerce facility for online purchasing
• Winning the Leader Business Award in our category.
• Developing a Vision and Mission
• Developing an Organisational Chart

2. Systems I have put in place for myself:
• DISC – analyzing and implementing
• ‘I am’ statements,
• ‘I choose to be’ statements,
• positive affirmations
• daily overview of tasks
• weekly plan
• 90 day plan,
• default diary
• me time – having a day off

Eranthi Bonney
Spa Samsara
246 Bay Street
Brighton Vic