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Testimonials
 "When I first met Bert and Delaney, I was well-established on the music scene but felt at an impasse about future direction. I wasn’t clear about my goals, nor could I decide which pathway to follow. Frankly, I felt stuck. Making matters worse, I resisted reaching out to my band mates for input and support - I was isolating myself.
The Business Innovator Lab experience has re-ignited my enthusiasm about the possibilities that lie before me. In the first session, my original vision came into focus again. Having done so, I can now more easily discern whether an action contributes to my vision or not, allowing me to let go of the things that were distracting me and draining my energy.
By interacting with my coaches and the other lab members and listening to their points of view, I gradually realized the value of a collaborative effort. This insight was a catalyst for peeling away my resistance to team work and for moving me into action. I can see now that I don’t need to do it all alone – I have my own Bold Abundant Support System, a thought that keeps the music playing."
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When I first got here, my Success Benchmarks were quite low because I didn't know any better as a business person. Looking back, now that I am completing this last session of the Lab, I realize I have evolved as a leader and my action planning has evolved. The encouragement and reminders to live my vision has had a big impact. Now that my vision is clear, I'm no longer living pay cheque to pay cheque, so to speak. I feel I now have better skills to deal with my employees and am a better leader.
My biggest learning from my participation in the Business Innovator Labs is that everyone else is in the same position as myself. This helped me to open my eyes to the bigger picture and to see how others are doing things in their businesses. This, in turn, opened me to ideas from everyone in the Lab and to seeing that there are different and better ways to operate my business. It got me into gear; it got me thinking and moving into action.
I learned that my style is to try to keep everyone happy, sometimes to a fault. I’m now more attentive to myself and I watch how I do things and how I feel about it. Now I plan more, rather than jumping in without looking first. The biggest gain is that I’m not taking things as personally now. The Lab got me to look at myself as a leader and to realize I actually am a leader.
I don’t work such long hours now. I have built a more effective team around me and I delegate more. The Lab was the best business experience I have ever had.
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”The Business Innovators Labs was more in-depth than I expected – it wasn’t just a course about the technicalities of running a business. Yet the program was still practical with a great diversity of topics covered. In that sense, you didn’t just give me a fish to eat, but rather you helped me learn how to fish. In fact, the Labs opened my eyes to the many facets of being a successful business owner.
For example, I was surprised when you asked me to take a close look at myself as a person and a leader. Through conversations with the group and by using the tools you gave us, I learned a lot about my leadership style. I feel that the process validated my leadership style and this has encouraged me to embrace it and to stop fighting against my natural abilities. Now I’m clear about my strengths and focus my efforts there, finding other ways to do the things I’m not good at. I have significantly increased my leadership effectiveness as a result of the Labs.
Managing my time effectively and finding work-life balance is a big issue for me. The Labs made me look more closely at how I operate my life and business. Now instead of instinctively taking on new tasks, I intentionally pause and ask myself if it is a priority. If it’s not a priority, then I don’t waste my time on it. I’ve also found more time by setting up better systems for accounting, team relations, and project management. Now I can spend more time with my family and enjoy life. An unexpected benefit is the increased confidence my clients are showing in my ability to deliver.
The Labs showed me the value of working with a peer group in a confidential setting. Before the Labs, I felt vulnerable about opening up to others. During the Labs, I experimented with being more open and found that it wasn’t as threatening or hurtful as I had feared. This insight has translated directly into better performance at work: Now I’m more accepting of my team members and can relate to them more confidently. As a result, they are more informed and feel empowered to take action. And I’m more willing to ask for help, whereas before I was more apt to do it myself.
All in all, the Labs exceeded my expectations. I can even see the value of doing the Labs again: The first Lab dug me out of a hole and gave me a lot of food for thought. I feel open to new possibilities and exploring my business legacy further.”
- Kevin Logie, IT Systems Company
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"I don't usually write raves about how helpful things or people have been to me. In this case, I was surprised at the ability you two possess, to ask simple, direct questions that forced me to confront real issues in the way that I operate my business. The opportunity to spend time with other experienced people, focusing on the ways we approach our various forms of work, encouraged concentration and frankness. I am impressed, and congratulate you on this valuable service.
In that brief [introductory] session you assisted me, and indeed forced me, to confront "bigger picture" questions of my business. I was led to consider aspects of my work I have not attended to, and came away from our session with a mental list of tasks that I need to do, and a renewed sense of purpose to get on with them."
- Peter Spurr, Owner, Spurr Research Associates
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"I was pleasantly surprised to find that Bert was able to zero right in to the areas that need the most improvement in my business life. He showed me new techniques to get the most out of myself, and taught me how to "think outside of the box." I will heartily recommend Bert's training to anyone interested in challenging themselves to take their business to the next level."
- Nathan Roberts, Owner, Dri-Way.ca Victoria's Dry Carpet Cleaners
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"I am a firm believer in the process. I realize now that you were not there to solve problems for me or tell me how good/bad I was running my business, but rather you opened my mind and let me find the solutions I needed. Overall the process was enjoyable and fulfilling. It is a great tool for senior managers and executives."
- David Hope, President, AXYS Analytical Services Ltd.
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"Bert's high level of education, training and experience are great assets in defining the issues that has brought about a concise empirical plan to the development of our printing business overall, especially on Vancouver Island. This document is a tour de force for growth not only for me but for the whole company and its other regional offices."
- Byron Giraud, Vancouver Island Manager, Westkey Graphics (Byron is now with Parrot Label)
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"Bert's approach made strategic planning simple to understand and the two days spent in putting the plan together were most helpful. This is the first time that a facilitator gave us something that made simple sense. More importantly, this is a plan that we can use and not just sit on the shelf for a year."
- Peter Gibson, President, Mt. Washington Alpine Ski Resort
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"Delaney helps you to see the possibilities you just aren't seeing for yourself. She asks lightening sharp questions, offers tools for success and helps you to lay clear plans. What I like most about Delaney's approach is her willingness to engage you with "outside the box" ideas and images to help you move through the stuff that is keeping you and your business stuck.
She helped me to bring clarity to my business mission and assess how new ideas fit into the model I was building. Her suggested changes to my pricing structure nearly doubled my margins and resulted in great growth in revenues within a few months.
I highly recommend Delaney to anyone wanting to gain clarity, assess business options and improve their bottom line."
- Dahlia Miller, Owner and Managing Director, Smart Tutor Referrals
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Bert, like you, I also believe in the law of attraction, but I know that much more than a positive attitude was required in order to "attract" what I was after. I consider myself a confident business woman and a good strategist, but your tutoring sessions "tweaked" ideas in my brain just enough, my mindset focussed even more intently, and my strategies sharpened. Our sessions were very helpful, I thank you, and would be delighted to recommend your services. - Maria G. Leupelt, Principal, Sunlight Interiors Ltd.
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Bert ... Thanks for the very successful strategic review meeting yesterday. It seemed to have just the right balance of a strategic review and update with some more immediate issues that we need to deal with. - David Fissel, President, ASL Environmental Sciences Inc. |
