No, quite the contrary.

The whole concept of Mastermind from its first evolution is around the diversity of businesses, business owners, abilities, capabilities, backgrounds, qualifications, experiences, ambitions.  All of this creates an exceptional experience not quite like any other.  To limit or restrict applicants by making it industry-specific would dampen and quash the magic that is the mastermind.

However, what we do ensure, we only invite one leader from each sector, and once this has been filled, should we receive applicants from others within that industry, we either determine with the existing member if they see this as a direct competition or we simply invite them to join one of our other Mastermind groups. We don’t say no but we do believe in democracy, fairness to all and diversity!

To get started, simply click here to book a discovery call

In short, #ADDAZERO is a proven ScaleUp Methodology we can support you to implement into your business.

Devised over 7 years, of research, testing and trials. We’ve now worked with over 8,000 Business Owners and consistently seen them ScaleUp as a direct result of implementing the model. We’ve seen TWO clients recognised by the PALACE for service to their community/profession after implementing our ScaleUp programme, and no less than TEN others as NATIONAL finalists in the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards (4 Winners in their category). Along with countless others that have won both industry and regional awards for growth.

But beyond this, we see ALL our clients growing the business WITHOUT it sacrificing them, their time, their family and friends.  They ‘fall back in love’ with their businesses, for how it operates and what it enables them to do.

It doesn’t matter whether you are yet to set up in business, at the beginning of your business growth journey or already well into that journey but still seeking that special ingredient to help transform it into a super successful legacy. The #ADDAZERO Business Challenge is about ensuring you have everything in place at the right time and quantity to make MAGIC happen!

Along time ago when I was first starting out in Business I took on an ActionCOACH as my first-ever business coach and have been through their coaching program and peer-to-peer groups. I remain friends with my first ever coach and have friends and colleagues who have bought into this international franchise of business coaching and peer-to-peer learning groups.

Their format is more akin to our SASPathfinder groups, in that they meet for either short interactions or one day (no stay over) and that the session is predominantly taken up by the ActionCOACH franchisee providing some shared learning on a chosen subject rather than a full day locked in peer-to-peer support.

Their structure of the peer-to-peer groups is more akin to our Pathfinder groups choosing which problems to look at based on a democratic vote by those present in the time available. Both groups offer 1:1 coaching aside from the time in Mastermind although within ActionCOACH there is an additional charge for this.

UNLIKE ActionCOACH, My TrueNORTH is a privately owned Limited Company and does not Franchise out their business model. And, whilst we do have our award-winning #ADDAZERO Methodology, we ensure the delivery of this is bespoke to each and every client, rather than an ‘off the shelf’ delivery style.

Furthermore, the level of investment required to join ActionCOACH. is more comparable with our Explorer Mastermind, and approx 35% more than that our SASPathfinder So, for those who are seeking an ‘off the shelf’ solution, delivered by a franchisee, to a very rigid format then perhaps ActionCOACH is the right way forward.  Whereas, for those seeking a more bespoke approach, delivered by either the person who devised the methodology or a directly employed staff member, with a methodology that is tailored to your needs and desired outcomes? Then click here to book a call!

I’m fortunate enough to have attended a number of T.A.B. peer-to-peer groups and have friends and colleagues who have bought into this national franchise of peer-to-peer learning groups. Their format is more akin to our Pathfinder group in that they meet for one day (no stay over) and that the morning is taken up by the facilitator providing some shared learning on a chosen subject rather than a full day locked in peer-to-peer support. Their structure of the mastermind is similar to that of Explorer although perhaps more rigidly stuck to in that for each clients mastermind hour, there is a set amount of time to deliver the problem, a set amount of time to ask questions and a set amount of time to offer thoughts and potential solutions. Whereas Explorer Mastermind is a lot more governed by the facilitator and the business owner whose business we are working on to determine HOW best to utilise their time. Both groups offer 1:1 coaching aside of the time in Mastermind although within T.A.B. their is an additional charge for this. UNLIKE T.A.B., My TrueNORTH is a privately owned Limited Company and does not Franchise out their Mastermind model. The level of investment required to join T.A.B. is very comparable with that of Explorer Mastermind.

I’m fortunate enough to have attended one or two A.C.E. meetings and have friends and colleagues who have bought into this international franchise of mastermind groups. They tend to be for larger businesses than we work with (Typically £3M+) and run their groups at a larger size to ours (12-18 people) The emphasis of these is often about the Business LEader and THEIR development both personal and professional, in the knowledge that shaping better leaders, subsequently shapes better business. Their format is more akin to our Pathfinder group in that they meet for one day (rarely do they stay over) and that the morning is taken up by a speaker masterclass rather than a full day locked in peer-to-peer support. As there are more people per group and less time spent together, everyone tends to get asked WHO has a problem they’d like to discuss, and then time is allocated to those who volunteer something, as opposed to Explorer Mastermind where EVERY member gets an equal amount of time working on THEIR business. Both groups offer 1:1 coaching aside of the time in Mastermind although within A.C.E. I understand there are additional charges for this. UNLIKE A.C.E., My TrueNORTH is a privately owned Limited Company and does not Franchise out their Mastermind model. The level of investment required to join the Academy of Chief Executives is approx 30% more than that of Explorer.

I’m fortunate enough to have attended a number of Vistage peer-to-peer groups and have friends and colleagues who have purchased a franchise within this international chain of mastermind groups. They tend to be for larger businesses than we work with (Typically £3M+) and run their groups at a larger size to ours (10-15 people) Their format is more akin to our Pathfinder group in that they meet for one day (no stay over) and that the morning is taken up by a speaker masterclass rather than a full day locked in peer-to-peer support. As there are more people per group and less time spent together, everyone tends to get asked WHO has a problem they’d like to discuss, and then time is allocated to those who volunteer something, as opposed to Explorer Mastermind where EVERY member gets an equal amount of time working on THEIR business. Both groups offer 1:1 coaching aside of the time in Mastermind although within Vistage there is an additional charge for this. UNLIKE Vistage, My TrueNORTH is a privately owned Limited Company and does not Franchise out their Mastermind model. The level of investment required to join Vistage is approx 30% more than that of Explorer.

Mmmmm, that’s a tough one.

We invite clients to commit to us supporting them over a 12 month period.  I’m sure you’ll appreciate, this is not a ‘Get rich quick‘ scheme with fancy promises of billions before breakfast, only for you to be woefully disappointed.  Our clients recognise the need to review, revise, and amend aspects of their business that are not performing as well as they could, in order to accelerate the growth of both them and their business.

Furthermore, we are not in the business of ‘cutting corners’. At My TrueNORTH, we pride ourselves in not having to continually go back and correct, amend, change things, repair broken systems and patchwork quilting your business as you go.  We do things ONCE because we do it properly, we believe in BUILT TO LAST and enables you as an owner to know with certainty that what you put in place through #ADDAZERO will stand the test of time.

That said, we also pride ourselves on maintaining more than a 95% retention rate.  As the vast majority of our clients recognise the ongoing value our help, support, guidance and accountability provide them, as they continue to ScaleUp their businesses.  In fact more than 70% of our clients who start in SASPathfinder, progress to Explorer Mastermind, and around 40% progress further to our 1:1 Summit package.

And, to remain open and transparent – I’ve been with my coach for nearly 9 years now and have no plans to either stop or change either. They are an integral part of my decision-making process because I KNOW that they will ALWAYS help me ask better questions and make better decisions!

Yes, and No!

Yes, in as much as we will have an agenda laid out by what it is you ultimately want to achieve and the parameters within which we will work.

No, in as much as, there is not a ‘one size that fits all’ magic formula to Business. There is no such thing as a holy grail of business success and no business blueprint which is simply dragged and dropped into every business. (And for all those who claim to have a Business Success Blueprint, rest assured they are all missing one vital ingredient – How THEIR model fits into YOUR business!)

Through our proven and Global Award-Winning #ADDAZERO scaleUp Methodology, we support you to review, revise and refresh the systems, processes and people that we know will add massive value to our clients.  How we apply these, when we apply these, who applies these are all determined by the client, their journey so far, what they are aiming to achieve and their ability to implement change.

We’ve done ALL the heavy lifting in trials and tests to ensure it works and will pass this to you based on what you have in place already, and what you need to accelerate.  All that is required from you, is the commitment to do the work, in implementing what we share and agreed upon. (Can’t say fairer than that right?)

Our Explorer Mastermind is specifically for established business owners (£250K+) looking to SCALE. We meet every 8 weeks as we form a notional Non-Exec Board for each others business, and by doing so provide the highest level of strategic support and direction whilst supporting you as you SCALE your business.

This group is not for the faint-hearted or those wanting to dip their toe in the water. We are committed and serious about the Significant and Sustainable growth of us and our businesses. Aside from the boardroom, every client receives 1:1 coaching from a 2 x Global Entrepreneur ‘Big Impact to Business’ Award Winner listed on the ‘Clear Business Thinking’ POWER 100.

You can read more about our #ADDAZERO Explorer Mastermind by clicking here: https://www.mytruenorth.biz/business-coaching/explorer/

Alternatively, why not book a complimentary call to discuss it with one of our Global Award Winning Business SCALE coaches?

CLICK HERE to book a time thats suits YOU.

SASPathfinder is the perfect blend of Masterclass and Mastermind.

Twice a month we meet online to work on building proven ScaleUp foundations within YOUR business.

The first meeting of the month is a Masterclass. Complete with a workbook and resources, we teach all you need to know on how to attract, convert and service clients/customers. Every client begins by completing our ScaleUp Scorecard, enabling us to tailor the training and support to both you and your business.

The second meeting of the month is an ‘unscripted’ Q&A.  I’ll pose one question:

What is the biggest hurdle you are currently facing, which once resolved, will make the biggest impact to both you and your business?

Then it’s over to you.  There is nothing that is out of bounds, either personal or professional and your ability to benefit from coaching from a Global Award Winning Coach (Our 1:1 clients spend thousands a month to gain 1:1 coaching), making this a no brainer for anyone serious about accelerating both them and their businesses.

We do because we want to support business owners in a variety of ways depending on their needs and circumstance.

We offer ALL business owners a complimentary call, to determine a little more about you, your business, where you are and where you want you and your business to be, so we can best advise on the right method of achieving this.

Our programs have all been designed with YOU in mind, therefore we may well recommend a particular programme if we think this is likely to be the best fit for you. However, ALL our programs are interchangeable and based around helping and supporting YOU to achieve YOUR success Summit™.

If you are uncertain as to which one might best suit you, simply click below and book a COMPLIMENTARY 30min coaching call with one of our award-winning Business Scale Coaches:

CLICK HERE to book an appointment when it best suits YOU!

GREAT Question. Let me briefly explain:

I believe EVERY great business starts with a story, MacDonald’s, Apple, Tesla they all have a great story, so here’s the shortened version of ours… Let’s assume your goal in life was to have trekked to the North Pole! (I know, that’s rather ambitious, but hey, what’s life for if not to have ambitious goals).

We know you can’t simply fly out there for the weekend, you’re going to have to trek, and for that you’ll need a team, some training and equipment. You’ve got the team, done the training and bought the right equipment (including a good compass) and todays the day you wait for the needle to settle on the N, and then call out “Right team, follow me!” Follow the N from the UK and you’ll find yourself somewhere in Scandinavia! because your following MAGNETIC NORTH!

The same goes in business.

You’ve got a team, you’ve all been trained, and you’ve got all the right equipment. You’ve started out and religiously followed what you thought was the right path but been so busy ‘doing the doing’ working IN the business, you haven’t noticed you’ve deviated one degree off course.

That one degree is preventing you from ever achieving what you set out to achieve, and more than 95% of business owners NEVER achieve their initial goals!

My TrueNORTH are more like Sherpa’s than coaches!

We get to know you, and your business, what your goals and aspirations are, and help to ensure you have not deviated from the course, or how to quickly re-find the right course, so that you may continue in the knowledge your heading in the right direction to achieve everything you ever set out to achieve.

We provide the TRUENORTH compass, the map and the guide to help you TRULY achieve YOUR SUCCESS SUMMIT!

With social media awash with people turning to coaching, you are right to ask. After all, it’s not like I’m either a world leader or a politician or pop star!

Well, I’m Jay Allen.

From leaving school I studied Psychology and Sociology with a particular interest in communication and behaviour patterns. Quickly deciding I didn’t want to work as a Social Worker, I joined the British Army, training to be an Advanced Trauma Medic. Over the 14 years within the Armed Services, I progressed through the ranks, qualifying in Pre-Hospital Advanced Trauma Life Support as well as studying to become a Teacher.

In my later years in the service, I worked Tri-service in both Training & Development and Strategic Thinking. Visiting the States to complete a Blue Ocen Strategy course, before returning to support the British Military write and test exercise contingency plans for the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Leaving the service (through injury) in 2003, I turned my attention to the world of business, and over the next 12 years have worked at Boardroom level with 2 of the largest brands on the high street, and at a regional level within the public sector (in Training Development and Change Management) prior to either buying, acquiring or setting up from scratch 4 of my own businesses.

Alongside my role as Chief ScaleUp Sherpa within My TrueNORTH, I am also an international keynote speaker, published business author and find time to sit on the board for 3 registered charities.

In 2012 I won a Global Entrepreneur ‘Big Impact to Business’ Award (Kauffman Institute for Entrepreneurship) only to win it again in 2013! And, in 2017 was added to Smith & Williamson’s Clear Business Thinking’ Power 100 as one of the top business influencers in the UK. Finally, early in 2022, I was invited to accept the role of Fellow for the Association of Coaching Professionals in recognition of my ongoing work promoting ethics in business and across the coaching fraternity.

Outside of work, I’m a married father of one, residing in Cheshire, United Kingdom.  I Swim and run three times a week, and spend most of my weekends either on my motorcycle cruiser or with a pair of walking boots and a daysack on the side of a hill!

Interestingly enough, less than 10 years ago the concept of Business Coaching to everyone other than those working in the top end of PLC land was almost unheard of, and yet as more and more business owners come to realise the huge benefit having a coach (just like in EVERY professional sport) has on both personal and professional development, the more common place the role of a Business Coach has become.

It’s interesting though.  There have been a number of times when I’ve been invited to networking events when people learn I’m a Business Coach and declare “I’ve already got a coach!” as if I’m about to pounce on them and pester them for business! (When nothing could be further from the truth). You’ll notice I’ve already stated, “When I’m invited…” not “When I go…” as these days the only time you tend to find me at networking events, is when the event organiser has invited me to present our #ADDAZERO Business Challenge keynote to the business owner audience!  I’m not there to ‘tout’ for business and CERTAINLY have no intent of suggesting to anyone to ‘ditch your coach and come and join me!’. That’s simply NOT how we work.  The fact is, if you already have a coach, that’s GREAT.  Then you already understand the immense power and impact having an impartial view point, an independent guide can have both on you and your business. I’m really pleased (and open) about the coaches and mentor I have within my life, and more than happy to talk and share the experience I’ve had (and having) as a result.

But, just like in the very top international level of sports (that’s where you want your business to get to right? The very TOP, PREMIERSHIP level?) not one sportsperson has ONE coach.  Let’s take motor racing for a moment; Lewis Hamilton doesn’t have ONE coach!  He has a number of coaches concentrating on each area of his life (both work and personal) to help him manage each aspect of his life to be the very best version of himself he can be.  Aside from his driving coach, he’ll also have a fitness coach, a psychologist, a nutritionist, a financial coach most probably a marketing/brand/PR coach as well.  There is an entire team of people working in the background to support Lewis to be the very best he can be in each and every aspect of his life.

I’m THRILLED you already have a coach. That makes you more like me, because like you, I have a number of people that coach/mentor me also!  It also means your more open to being coached, and that makes helping you SCALE your business easier to begin with.  I’m CERTAINLY not looking to cross anyone off the list.  Quite the opposite, last year alone I referred a number of my existing clients TOO other coaches with whom I knew they would get great benefit from working with, IF and WHEN there is a need/requirement to review and amend various aspects of you and your life to become the very best version of you that you can be.  Trust me, I’m NOT a fitness coach.  Nor can I advise you on nutrition, or your personal Brand Management.  I have a very specific niche to which I work well, and that is working with Owner Managers (or Managing Directors with autonomy to make all the day to day decisions within the business) to move from a GROWTH model to a SCALE model.

There are 2 answers here: Firstly, if you’re a business owner, you may well require both! You see, I’ve come across too many business owners that fall into one of two camps! There are those that know loads about business, but fear to implement it in case its wrong, and either fear failure or success so significantly that they keep learning but fail to implement.
These business owners get more and more frustrated because the more they learn, the more they think their business should be successful, without actually implementing much of what they have learned! Then there are those whose business is struggling, not owing to IT not being capable, but the business owner either not knowing or not having the confidence and competence to allow it to become all it is capable of!
Either the business is strangling the owner, or the owner is strangling the business, either way, its not working effectively! Both of these people need a BUSINESS COACH. We’ve tried to blend personal development (for business) with business development in order to aide the business and the business owner growing together. However, for those as either employee’s with no desire to run their own business, or those looking for personal development outside of being business related, there is a whole myriad of coaches who specialise in this kind of coaching.
I’m more than happy to endorse Will Polston, founder of TEN (THe Elite Network) as an outstanding coach in this field. He’s got the knowledge, experience, and ability to really help people develop themselves well. You can find more details about Will by visiting his TEN website: https://the-elite-network.co.uk

Pathfinder isn’t for everyone. It can identify weaknesses that perhaps you were unaware of and encourage you to learn about things you never realised were relevant. You should also be THE decision maker or the KEY decision maker within the business.  However, for those that do fit this description, we offer one of the most comprehensive support programmes on the market!

I’ve got some GREAT news…

Thats probably THE most commonly used reasons as to why most people opt NOT to join a mastermind group (so your not alone).  Their are a multiple of reasons as to why you may THINK your not ready for Mastermind, and a few more as to why you might not actually be ready for a mastermind!

1. I’ve never done anything like this before – Fabulous, then you don’t have any pre-concieved idea’s or comparisons to make, and you can enter with a fresh perspective and take it for what it is!
2. I’ve not got the time – Then you’ve probably not got the time to do any other form of personal and business development, resulting in the business becoming stagnant, you loosing your enjoyment of it, and ultimately the business failing!  No, seriously, if your not ready to commit 24Hrs every 8 weeks to the future success of your business, you most probably aren’t yet ready for what Mastermind has to offer.
3. I’m already in a Peer-to-Peer support group. OK, hows that working out for you?  In my experience, peer-to-peer is great for sharing wins and maybe a few referrals, but without either an agenda, or some commitments and an independant person there to DRIVE you and your business on, they rarely last for long and become more of a self appreciation society than a structured SCALE program.
4. I can’t afford it. If thatrs the case you really can’t afford NOT to.  You see, Mastermind is designed to help you and your business to significantly and sustainably grow.  Yes, there is a cost, but rather than seeing it as such, recognise it as the investment both you and your business need, to take you to the next level.
5. I wouldn’t know where to start. Ironically, neither do ANY of the other people who join Mastermind.  We are all business owners, we all had our ‘first meeting’ and all remember how that felt!  Mastermind is about providing the help, encouragement, guidance, education, assistance, and accountability required to support its members grow both personally and professionally.

Be under no illusion: our #ADDAZERO Explorer Mastermind isn’t for everyone.

It can be brutal and unforgiving and really push you to achieve more and more and more. However, if you are THE decision maker or the KEY decision maker and be running a business with a turnover in excess of £200K then your likely to currently be questioning as to whether or not to join the one thing thats going to help transform your business over the next 12,18,24 months.

If this doesn’t apply to you, then perhaps our Pathfinder program may be better suited to you?…

Great, that’s the very best time to take on a coach!
You see any form of uncertainty be that uncertain as to whether to turn left or right, whether to take them on or lay them off, whether to enroll or wait another year. Uncertainty is costing you both time and money. Coaching is specifically designed to help you develop both the confidence and competence to make bigger, bolder more impactful decisions quicker. Coaching is about developing you AND your business so as it grows you grow and vice versa.

Whilst our programs have been designed to cater for the needs of those on each program, it is acknowledged some business owner either require more or desire more help and support than others, therefore we have regular review meetings (90days) with every client to establish how best we can support them to achieve THEIR goals.

That often depends on where you started out from, where you have come to and where you are hoping to get to? In order to best answer that, we offer a 30min complimentary coaching call, so we can learn a little more about each other, to establish what is the right course of action and whether My TrueNORTH is the best solution for your current requirements, or whether we can refer you and make an introduction to one of the many other coaching providers available.

www.mytruenorthuk.youcanbook.me

The Million dollar question! In order to best answer that, we offer a 30min complimentary coaching call, so we can learn a little more about each other, to establish what is the right course of action and whether My TrueNORTH is the best solution for your current requirements, or whether we can refer you and make an introduction to one of the many other coaching providers available.

www.mytruenorthuk.youcanbook.me

Yes. In college and university, I studied Psychology and Sociology gaining an HND in Social Sciences. From there I moved into teaching and gained a degree in Adult Education. I maintained my interest in the human body and studied Emergency Medical Sciences at degree level, specialising in Trauma (Both Physical and Mental).

Since leaving the British Army, I studied Nero Linguistics (NLP) and gained my Master practitioner certificate in 2014.

In 2020/21 I completed 2 Open university qualifications: a ‘LEVEL 5’ in Business Ethics, and a ‘LEVEL 7’ in International Business Leadership. And completed both Business and Money Mastery training with the world-renown Personal Coach – Tony Robbins.

I am a registered member of the International Association of Professional Coaching and a Member of the International Association of NLP Practitioners.

Aside from my academic qualifications, I’ve got over 20 years of experience in running 4 of my own businesses, co-foundering 2 others, and a former Non-Exec Director for a multi-million-pound management consultancy.

My Commanding Officer advised me it would cost well over £100K in training to replace me in the Regiment.  I’ve dwarfed that figure several times over, in the amount of investment I’ve committed (and continue to) in my own Personal and Profesional Development since then.

If this is the first question, you may well not really be ready to join a Mastermind.  You see, Mastermind is NOT a cost, but an investment. Nor is it an investment in us, but an investment in YOU!

I promise, I’ll answer your question, however, for one minute, just imagine your business 1 year from now, having had the help, guidance, support, encouragement, and accountability provided by a dedicated team of ‘non-exec’s within your business.

A team as dedicated as you, to the significant and sustainable growth of both you and your business, who have committed to helping you achieve bigger goals than you have ever previously considered. And, who has a proven record of delivering on their promises!

Now consider how much you may have to invest for this level of engagement. To advertise, interview, recruit, train, salary, provide the perks and benefits (holidays, car, phone, laptop, memberships etc) associated with a role of such importance. In this sense, to achieve this WITHIN your business is likely to be a sizeable 6 figure investment right? (We estimate there is at least £1M+ SALARY in the room at each Mastermind)

Therefore the investment of a Mastermind is but a FRACTION of what it might otherwise cost to benefit from this level of help and support!

And yes, there are some Business Mastermind groups that charge hundreds of thousands of dollars to join, creating such a barrier that only those already doing multiple seven figures could even consider such an elite entry point!

However, My TrueNORTH is recognised as the UK’s leading Ethical Coaching Company. We have carefully considered the level of investment required to join our Mastermind Groups. Too much, and it only attracts those already doing exceptionally well.  Too little and it attracts tire kickers who want the ‘badge’ of stating they are in a mastermind group, but not willing to do the work!  Our Masterminds are therefore priced around the cost you would expect to pay a P/T member of admin staff. And we offer both great incentives to make a single investment, or offer the opportunity to ‘split’ your investment over the period of engagement, making it even easier to access all that is available to you, without breaking the bank!

PLUS our Money-back Guarantee, which makes this a NO BRAINER for those committed to developing both themselves and their businesses.

Want to learn more? Click here…

A mastermind group is designed to help you navigate through challenges using the collective intelligence of others.

How does a mastermind work? A group of smart people meet frequently, to openly discuss and tackle challenges and problems together.

Often chaired by a facilitator, these are often the BREAK THROUGH for many business owners.

A mastermind group is a peer-to-peer mentoring concept used to help members solve their problems with input and advice from both the Mastermind facilitator and the other group members.

The concept was coined in 1925 by author Napoleon Hill in his book ‘The Law of Success’, and described in more detail in his 1937 book, Think and Grow Rich.  Mastermind was also discussed widely by Einstein and developed further by Carnegie. And since then, they spread across the elite ‘super’ businesses, across the world.

These days, Mastermind has become a lot more common, as more and more business leaders recognise the benefit of collaboration of ideas and benefiting from the mass amount of knowledge and support from within.

And whilst Mastermind is not for everyone, for those who experience it and fully embrace it, it is often the turning point in the acceleration of both them and their businesses.

We offer 2 levels of Mastermind: SASPathfinder and Explorer Mastermind, you can learn more simply by clicking on each.

A mastermind group helps you and your mastermind group members achieve success. Mastermind group facilitators help the group to dive deeply into discussions, and work with members to create success — as each member defines it.

The facilitator often has wide-reaching knowledge and experience and is able to motivate, inspire, inform and hold to account each Mastermind member. It is NOT for the facilitator to KNOW everything, but it is for them to facilitate an environment of learning, sufficient that ALL benefit from each event.

Beyond this, we always set a series of commitments as to what we are going to do as a result of each meeting to which we can then be held accountable.  The added benefit within our Explorer Mastermind, is that:

1. The investment made is ALL INCLUSIVE and covers all hotel, catering, and coaching / mentoring fee’s
2. It ALSO includes 1:1 mentoring between each Mastermind meeting!

The intention of a Mastermind Group is that peers can help each other solve problems and develop themselves together through input and advice from each other and the Mastermind Chair. The core value of a Mastermind Group is the synergy of energy, motivation, and commitment as well as the willingness to learn and grow together and the commitments you make, to which your colleagues subsequently hold you to account.

I’ve been involved within Mastermind for almost 2 decades now, and can clearly see the correlation between my involvement with mastermind and the scale within my own businesses.  And, whilst it’s not for everyone, for those it is, it is the biggest catalyst and accelerator for both them and their businesses BAR NONE!

We offer 2 Levels of Mastermind SASPathfinder and Explorer Mastermind. You can learn more, simply by clicking on the links

A business mastermind is a group of business owners, who understand and accept the concept (originally conceived by Napoleon Hill in 1925, and referenced by Carnegie and Einstein) that you will ALWAYS achieve more by collaborative thinking than individually. You will meet regularly and ‘mastermind‘ through the various elements of business to benefit each other and you’re businesses. Ideally you’ll have between 5 and 12 people in the group.

An executive director works for the company (usually full time) and has a senior role responsible for the strategic and tactical management of the division they run. Typically, they are C-suite roles, such as Chief Executives, Chief Financial Officers, Chief Technology Officers, and other executive division heads.

A non-executive director works in an advisory role as a consultant. The workload can vary, but typically it might be 10 to 40 days a year, including board meetings.

Independent director is often used interchangeably with the term non-executive director. However, independent directors are those that do not have any significant relationship past or present with the company (such as being a former employee or a major customer) beyond their non-executive role and can have only a limited shareholding or investment in the company.

So while all independent directors have the same role on the board as non-executive directors, not all non-executive directors can be considered independent directors.

Recruiting a non-executive director can help a small business gain experience, knowledge, contacts and ideas, as well as provide constructive criticism – all of which cannot fail to be of value to a company regardless of its size.

Many people will have heard of ‘Non-Exec Director’s but few fully understand what they are, much less what they can potentially do for a small or growing business.

What a non-executive director can bring to your business:

1. They have experience
Non-Exec Directors can fill a gap in a small business owner’s experience, or can add industry knowledge of a specific sector that the business is targeting.

Most Non-Exec Directors have usually helped a number of businesses find their feet, grow or survive tough times. And, if a Non-Exec Director is faced with a situation they’ve never dealt with before, they’ll probably know someone who has.

2. A fresh perspective
A Non-Exec Director doesn’t work with a business full time and won’t be concerned with day-to-day issues but will instead look at the bigger picture.

What is the direction of the business? Are targets being met? What environmental changes might affect the business? Which competitors should the business watch out for and what are the plans to keep ahead of the competition? They will have the ability to advise with confidence and make unbiased decisions in the interests of the business.

3. Connections that count
A successful business is a connected one, and a great way of making connections is through networking. However, for a small business it can be time consuming and can often prove difficult to build a trusted network of contacts.

A Non-Exec Director, in many cases, can offer an address book of relevant contacts that aligns with their own experience. This could be suppliers, distributors or potential customers to help boost business or a marketing guru or potential partner to add a new dimension to your company.

4. Keeps the management team in check
Many company boards become the victims of bad habits; missed agenda items, conversations being side tracked, and opinions being discounted.

The introduction of a Non-Exec Directors will help to keep things on track, and help to alleviate any tensions.

5. An objective view
Non-Exec Directors can round off a board by not only providing experience and knowledge that other directors may not have, but also by being able to take a more objective view of issues affecting the business and offering a wider sense of the possibilities for growth.

If, for example, your company grows and you consider flotation as a way to expand, they can act as a mediator voicing the pros and cons of such a move. Or, if there’s a financial crisis within the company or your market, they can alleviate stress and bring a voice of reason to the table.

Sure.  I initially studied in Nottingham for an HND in Sociology and Psychology with a particular interest in Communication and Human Behaviour.  I went on to qualify as a social worker with a view to working with disadvantaged children.  However, quickly determined there was far too much politics involved in social work and began looking for a change in career.

Many of my friends at that time had seen all the adverts for “The Army needs YOU” in the run up to the Falklands War, and had joined the Armed Forces.  And by the time I was becoming more disillusioned with my career choice to date, they all had qualified and deployed and were coming home with Money, and Girlfriends and war Stories.

I joined the Army as a Combat Medic, initially with a view to doing the minimum 3-year term.  But quickly fell in love with the work hard, play harder mentality and the fact that no two days were ever the same. I served for slightly over 12 years, rising through the ranks and responsibilities, before a series of ‘incidents’ eventually saw me Medically discharged in 2003.

Since then, I’ve worked at Directorship level for one of the UK’s largest Supermarket chains, At Regional Management level within the Public Sector in both Change Management and Training & Development, before branching out into the world of entrepreneurship.

I’ve either bought, acquired or set up four of my own businesses, and currently sit on the Exec Board for a Rapid Growth Tech Company, and have recently completed a role as Chair of the Board for a Registered Charity.

I am a Global award winning motivational speaker, published author and the founder of the #ADDAZERO Business Challenge.

We are frequently asked about the phrase “The ETHICAL coaching company” as to exactly what we are referring to as ethical.  After all, surely every business operates ethically?

I’m not one idle gossip, but in my experience, people have a very different view on the term ethics, and I’ve certainly come across some business owners who by no means match our perception of the term ethical.

Whilst I know there are many kinds of coaching available, I’d like to share with you our thoughts on the term ethical.  For me, that means understanding that as a coach, my role is to support you and your journey of development, and not simply expect you to purchase one of my programs, follow me and tell you all about what I’ve done in the hope that might work for you too!

I’ve had, (and continue to have) a number of coaches with whom I’ve worked throughout my own business development, and the ones I’ve valued the most, the ones I’ve benefitted from the most, are the ones who have worked WITH me, not me being in some way subservient to their superior wisdom!

My TrueNORTH, prides itself on having some award-winning programs of coaching, which we bespoke to aid the individual client, rather than expecting everyone to buy an off the shelf package and hope it fits!  After all:

“One size fits nobody!

I often find it interesting when this question is asked, as to what they are REALLY asking!

Within my career, I’ve worked in various organisations managing teams of people and responsibilities. Within my military career, I managed almost 100 people, within my corporate (post-military) career several thousand people. In my largest business, 37 people were on the team, at the point where I sold and exited.

Within the My TrueNORTH nucleus, Mia is my PA / Events Coordinator and looks after everything to do with my diary! James is my accounts manager and looks after everything with a number attached to it! Amanda heads up our marketing and looks after our brand and company message! and beyond this, we have trusted Partnerships, Joint Ventures, and outsourced Professionals. Leaving me to provide the coaching, mentoring and consultancy work.

Personally, I live in Warrington, Cheshire – UK. The My TrueNORTH offices are in both York and close to my home in Warrington, which is where we host our Pathfinder Masterclasses.
Our Explorer Mastermind groups currently run across Northern England.
As a 1:1 consultant, I operate across the world. and for everything else,…….there’s www.zoom.us

I guess my initial answer would be, like what?
I’m not saying we can’t or won’t offer bespoke, I just know that from the years of experience in both business for myself and as an award-winning coach, we do tend to have a program that caters for the mass majority of business owners.
The best thing to do, would be to talk to us, so we can determine together as to whether My TrueNORTH is the right provider for you?

This has to be a two way street right, and so its important to also know what you can expect from me. Firstly my discretion. Coaching is an exceptionally honoured, humbling and trusted career. To gain the trust of a business owner to share their business with you is something I value beyond words. Once this trust has been gained, it must be maintained, and so you can remain assured, I take nothing more seriously that the information to which we share. Secondly, you can be assured of my honesty. I simply wouldn’t be a coach if I ‘sugar coated’ the truth. Therefore, there may be times when your not so happy with the tact I take, don’t feel comfortable answering my questions, feel challenged by my approach. The fact is; I’ll be asking the questions nobody else is asking, so you can find the answers nobody else has considered. If I’m not pushing you to achieve more, then I’m not fully achieving everything we have set out to achieve. My role is to stretch you, and sometimes that may feel uncomfortable, but without it you simply wouldn’t get to where I’m going to help you achieve.

In order to get the very best from your coaching, there are a few things I need from you. Firstly a signed agreement to confirm we are both in agreement as to what shall be covered throughout our time together. It’s hugely important both of us are fully aware and in agreement as to the nature of, and parameters in which we are both working together. I also need you to be honest with me and share everything there is to know about you and the business. I can only work with what you present, so failing to admit or share certain aspects will only skew the help, guidance, the support I can provide. Remember, I’m here to support you to achieve YOUR success summit, it’s not going to be possible to do that if I’m not aware of everything which could affect either you, the business or the outcome. I’ll be signing an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) when we start working together but do need you to share with me everything that’s relevant and not just the ‘good bits!’.

Well, that depends on the coaching program you have chosen, coupled with your own requirements.
Our JSOV program runs monthly for 11 months a year for 60mins each time.
Our Pathfinder program also runs monthly for 11 months a year and is for one full day (9.30am – 5.15pm)
Our Explorer program runs Bi-Monthly and is for 23Hrs! (Tuesday at 7pm – Wednesday at 6pm) Explorer also includes a Bi-Monthly 1:1 meeting which lasts 90mins each.
My 1:1 coaching is usually offered by either Telephone/Skype/Zoom or Face to Face. Telephone/Skype/Zoom coaching is often 30min sessions. Face to Face are either 60 or 90min sessions.
Whilst these give you a rough breakdown of the various different options, as an ethical coaching company, these have to be able to be mutually beneficial and so can be tailored by mutual consent to each client’s requirements rather than a strict off the shelf solution. In this sense, I have some clients who prefer fortnightly coaching, whereas others require 5-6 weeks to implement everything we have discussed and agreed.

GREAT question. I find the best way to work with a new client is by first offering a complimentary 30min consultation. From this we can get to know a little of each other, answer any questions you may have (If they are not already answered here) and discuss what you are aiming to achieve through our time together. I’ve got a few questions I’d like to ask myself about you, the journey you have taken to date to get you to where you are right now, and where you’d like to be. From this, and if we have decided we are both a ‘good fit’ I’ll send you our FIRST THINGS FIRST workbook. It’s quite a detailed workbook, and something it may take you a little time to complete. But, it’s been put together to help both of us to determine WHAT is required to ensure every session we have together is highly valuable and beneficial to us both. Once you’ve had the chance to work through the booklet, you simply return a copy to me, and in return, we’ll use this to determine the terms on which we’ll be working together, and send over a confirmation document for you to look through. Within it, we’ll clearly lay out what you can expect from working with me, and in return what I’ll be asking for from you whilst we work together. Sign and return the form and we can get your coaching sessions booked in, it’s as simple as that.

www.mytruenorthuk.youcanbook.me

Whilst it would be nice, the answer is NO. I’ve been asked this several times, and whilst each time we’ve worked together I would have earned considerably more if I had worked on a % of growth commission, the simple fact is, it ceases to be ethical. 

I know, that over the years, I’ve invested hundreds of thousands of pounds, and thousands of hours on both my own Personal Professional Development, and that of our #ADDAZERO Methodology. And, having now delivered this into more than 8,000 Businesses, know the impact is has on both business, and business owner. In fact, over the same period of time, we’ve rarely seen any business invest more than 10% of the ROI it delivers to them, not just that year, but every year. And, on this basis, we could set far higher fees for these life changing strategies. 

However, what I can’t determine (or stake my reputation on) is your commitment. Your willingness to do what is needed. To do the work, implement all we share and see it through. I’ve done ALL the ‘heavy lifting’ in my business and created the #ADDAZERO methodology which ‘eases’ the heavy lifting you’ve got to do by some margin. But, your business, is your business, and your success summit, your utopia is…well, yours. 

It would simply be unethical, for me to receive a commission for the work you need to do in implementing what we share. Furthermore, how could I act as your coach, guide, mentor if it directly affected my reward for doing so. To do so, would cross the boundaries of impartiality and as such break the client / coach boundaries and so not something I’d ever consider. 

Certainly, as an Ambassador for B1G1 (The Global Giving Community) if you feel our fee has been insufficient compensation for the added value #ADDAZERO brings to you and your family, feel free to donate through us to a Global good cause. Or consider donating to our annual charity of choice. But, I cannot, nor shall not, work on anything other than a fixed free basis. 

I’ve invested heavily in my professional development, that you only to invest a fraction of that to benefit from all I have learned, experienced, designed and developed. The rest, as they say; is all yours.  

If this is the first question, you may well not really be ready to join a Mastermind.  You see, Mastermind is NOT a cost, but an investment. Nor is it an investment in us, but an investment in YOU!

I promise, I’ll answer your question, however, for one minute, just imagine your business 1 year from now, having had the help, guidance, support, encouragement, and accountability provided by a dedicated team of ‘non-exec’s within your business.

A team as dedicated as you, to the significant and sustainable growth of both you and your business, who have committed to helping you achieve bigger goals than you have ever previously considered. And, who has a proven record of delivering on their promises!

Now consider how much you may have to invest for this level of engagement. To advertise, interview, recruit, train, salary, provide the perks and benefits (holidays, car, phone, laptop, memberships etc) associated with a role of such importance. In this sense, to achieve this WITHIN your business is likely to be a sizeable 6 figure investment right? (We estimate there is at least £1M+ SALARY in the room at each Mastermind)

Therefore the investment of a Mastermind is but a FRACTION of what it might otherwise cost to benefit from this level of help and support!

And yes, there are some Business Mastermind groups that charge hundreds of thousands of dollars to join, creating such a barrier that only those already doing multiple seven figures could even consider such an elite entry point!

However, My TrueNORTH is recognised as the UK’s leading Ethical Coaching Company. We have carefully considered the level of investment required to join our Mastermind Groups. Too much, and it only attracts those already doing exceptionally well.  Too little and it attracts tire kickers who want the ‘badge’ of stating they are in a mastermind group, but not willing to do the work!  Our Masterminds are therefore priced around the cost you would expect to pay a P/T member of admin staff. And we offer both great incentives to make a single investment, or offer the opportunity to ‘split’ your investment over the period of engagement, making it even easier to access all that is available to you, without breaking the bank!

PLUS our Money-back Guarantee, which makes this a NO BRAINER for those committed to developing both themselves and their businesses.

Want to learn more? Click here…

Maybe more a statement than a question, but it’s something I hear from time to time, so felt it only fair to share my response to this as well.

We have a vast range of offerings, ranging from joining our #ADDAZERO Facebook community for FREE, or buying the #ADDAZERO book for less than £20, through to tens of thousands of pounds a year (what a few clients to work with me 1:1) So it was never a case of not being able to afford it, it’s more a question of cost versus investment and VALUE.

You see, if you see coaching as a cost, you may not be ready to be coached! That’s because coaching is an investment.  And not in me, but in YOU.

You don’t know, what you don’t know

 Donald Rumsfeld

And yet, it is what you don’t know, that is holding you back, preventing you from having already achieved everything you ever wanted, and that which shall continue to do so, until you accept that we cannot know all that we need to know on our own.

The quickest, easiest and most cost-effective way to achieve ALL you can in life, is to learn from others who have already faced what you are facing, who are willing and able to share that with you.

I’ve invested hundreds of thousands of pounds (and continue to spend tens of thousands of pounds) every year, in my own Personal and Profesional Development. So that I can be the best I can be, and disseminate this learning to all I work with.

I’m not going to be rude enough to say “You can’t afford not to” because I shouldn’t need to convince you. The fact is, with 2 Global Awards and listed on the UK ‘Clear Business Thinking’ POWER 100.  Many others have clearly seen the value we offer and recognised us accordingly. So perhaps a better question might be How can I afford to? and the answer to that is here

We may not be asked this quite as frequently, but it only goes to reason that if some consider us expensive, others see the immense value we provide and wonder

“Where’s the catch?”

The simple fact is, there isn’t one. We pride ourselves on being the UK’s leading Ethical Coaching Company, it’s not just what but WHY we are.

Too cheap and you attract the wrong type of people who continually want more and more and more in return for doing less and less and less.
Too expensive and you are only available to the most wealthy with whom don’t recognise the true value you provide, therefore being proactive and offering a variety of coaching options and payment plans enable you to choose whichever you feel is right for you.

We have a good mix of programmes and payment options available, that we know business owners can benefit from in order to #ADDAZERO to their business.

Do you have any other questions, or are you ready to #ADDAZERO?

From time to time we do have prospects ask this question, and I usually reply by asking “Compared to what?…”

You see, as you’ll see from my first answer in this section “How much does coaching cost?” If people have a concern regarding the level of investment we request from clients for working with them, they may not yet be ready for all the value, help, support, and accountability that comes with all of our coachings.

However, IF people need to understand our payment structure in more detail, I’ll share this with them:

1. You are not simply investing in the time I spend with you, but contributing to all the time it has taken to accumulate the level, depth, and breadth of knowledge I have, in being able to offer the guidance and advice that I do. (and 2 Global ‘Big Impact to Business’ Awards suggests this may well be advice worth listening to)

2. The investment you make in coaching through My TrueNORTH is most likely (if you implement your newfound learning) to be transformational for you and your business. I’ve got reams and reams of examples where 1 coaching session has either generated or saved tens of thousands of pounds not just once, but continually. I know with some certainty that if I charged based on results rather than time, I’d have FAR more in the bank than we do at present!

3. And this is most important: Our rates are ALL INCLUSIVE. Unlike many other businesses, that advertise one price, but then add a gazillion other things on top (Just think of your last flight: The seat cost £2.99 but choosing the seat, taking luggage, ordering food, paying taxes were all added afterwards resulting in your £147.98 total cost) our pricing is transparent and covers the entire investment (as a B2B seller, we HAVE to show +VAT rather than build that in also, so you know which element is TAX) but includes all coaching, and where applicable all training booklets and materials, room hire, overnight accommodation, refreshments EVERYTHING. Just one investment and everything else is included.

And finally, we offer a number of payment options, inviting you to determine the manner in which you which invest in you and your business ScaleUp.

Do you have any other questions, or are you ready to #ADDAZERO?

Yes. The majority of our services have a variety of payment options making them as affordable as possible to all.

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: a One-off annual investment is always the most cost-effective method of working with us, and will save the most on our already highly competitive level of investment.
QUARTERLY Installments: Prefer to split the payments in 4? Make 4 equal quarterly installments, still saving you £££ on our already highly competitive level of investment.
MONTHLY Installments: Prefer to pay monthly? Not a problem either, we’ll split the installments over 12 equal monthly payments, at our already highly competitive level of investment.

Our preferred method of payment is via Direct Debit (We use the Global Leader GoCardless to take these). However, we also welcome investments via BACS, Credit/Debit Card, and even via PayPal!

If this is your FIRST question, then you are probably not yet ready for coaching! You see, coaching isn’t a cost!… well, not if it’s done well. Good coaching is an investment, (and not in me, but in yourself) and possibly the most cost-effective way of growing both you and your business.

I recall, a long time ago now, when I first heard the expression

“The most expensive advice you’ll ever take is that given for free!”

I didn’t really understand it at first until I’d acted upon advice ‘given for free‘ only to realise how poor the quality of advice actually was and how costly it had proven to both me and my business! However, the same doesn’t always follow suit with how MUCH the advice costs.

I’ve been in conferences around the world where the speaker has charged $50,000, $100,000 and even more, for 1 day of their time! and I’ve always wondered WHAT value they can actually bring IN ONE DAY that is worth SUCH an investment?

Our services range in level of investment from less than £20 (For a signed copy of my award-winning book #ADDAZERO) to over £35,000per annum for 1:1 ScaleUp Mentoring. And a whole range of different offerings and levels of investment between the two.  The majority of our clients, rarely invest more than 10% of the amount by which they grow over the period of engagement. Therefore, a better question might be, what level of investment is required to enable me to achieve the results I am looking for? And the best way to answer that question is to book a call, so I can learn more about you, your business and your aspirations. As until I know those, I don’t have sufficient information to know if and which our services are of benefit to you.

Currently, Explorer Mastermind is our highest level of Group Coaching/Mentorship. (Although there are plans afoot to launch Summit Seeker in 2020!). However, whilst we know we provide an exceptional level of value both in terms of coaching/mentorship, accountability, support (not only to business owner, but also key members of their team) this is NOT for everyone!

It could well be, that you’re not keen on a shared learning environment, or that you do not fully acknowledge the concept ‘giver’s gain’ in that to get more out, you have to first put more in.  It might be that you are so determined and concentrated in your own business growth, that any thought or notion of helping others to achieve, is simply a distraction to your own mission!  If this sounds like a fair appraisal of where you are right now, then a shared Mastermind environment most probably is NOT the right place for you right now, and it might be that you’d prefer a 1:1 coaching/mentorship instead?

However, for those that do understand and acknowledge that Together Everyone Achieves More.  The extreme power of a Mastermind and the impact it can have both on you and your business in terms of both speed and distance travelled, then submitting an application to join one of our Explorer Mastermind groups might well be the very best decision you make this year!

You might be surprised to read that as the founder and one of the Directors of My TrueNORTH, why I’m writing an article about why our Pathfinder package ISN’T right for you?  But the simple reason is, as the UK’s leading Ethical Business Coaching Company it’s far more important we remain open, honest and transparent than it is to simple generate profit!

Whilst our Pathfinder has been specifically designed to answer the call from so many business owners looking to LEARN more about how to grow their existing business, it’s not for everyone!

We know that whilst each course is specifically designed to address the concerns so many business owners face in terms of planning, finance, recruitment/staff, marketing, sales etc and that each highly interactive course is capable of making a huge difference in the business owners thinking, and understanding of HOW to grow their business.  We also know that for some, this approach to growth is not appropriate.

It might be that they already have a lot of the teachings we have to share in place, and do not require to ‘go over old ground’ in order to grow. Or maybe they already have designated team members responsible for each of the subjects taught and although business owner, no longer personally responsible for the day to day application of these.  For these business owners, I’d probably recommend our Explorer™ Mastermind is more in line with their current requirements.

Let’s get that complimentary coaching call booked in, so we can determine where you are, where you want to be, and the best means of getting you there! After all, It’s only once we can map the journey you have already taken, that we can determine what you need to do to achieve everything you set out to achieve”

Click to book that call at a time and date that best suits YOU

Yes, I do have experience with working with Couple run / Family run businesses. Working as either a couple in business or a family run business can be an exceptionally beneficial opportunity. The work life balance is often different to that with no related employee’s and the passion, drive, and detemrination to succeed can often be far greater when ALL employee’s have the SAME goals. However, this can also cause much strain. When Work’Life balance are not clearly defined, when perameters of resposibility are not clear, when there are many hands trying to all pull in a variety of different directions tempers can sore and productivity dramatically decrease. I am currently coaching 3 couple run businesses and 2 family run businesses, and happy to work with the Business Owner to establish how best I can support them in the growth of both them and their businesses.

Again, Yes. Owning a well-run franchise can often provide the ‘best of both worlds’ with the autonomy to run your business the way you wish to whilst having the backing and support of the franchisor. However, badly run franchise’s becomes lots more problematic. Too much autocracy from the centre preventing the business owner from having the freedom to grow their business the way they wish to can cause deep-seated problems for both sides. I’m currently coaching 2 franchisee’s, and through this, have been invited to speak at the Franchisor’s national event to other franchisee’s on the support I am providing.

Congratulations, thats great news. I’m really pelased that you’ve got this far without the help or support of a business coach! However, I often compare this sceanrio to a game of golf! (Not that I am any good at golf!) But if you can imagine there are 2 people setting out to play golf. 1 has chosen to book a series of lessons with the Golf professional at the local golf club, and goes every week for a lesson, whilst the other heads out first to the driving range, and quickly moved to their first round. The later of these plays golf far quicker than the former. And, if they do this frequently soon learns through trial and error, brute force and ignorance to become quite a good golfer. Whilst the other may have started off slowly, 8 years later one is playing in the masters whilst the other watches on the TV from the local municiple golf club house! On a more personal note, my brother and I were both taught music from an early age. I was always the entertainer, where as he was always the musician. All these years later and I can still play a good tune whilst he is conducting orchestra’s all over the world! It’s great you have achieved everything you have already, I genuinely salute you. However, there will come a time where you hit a glass ceiling, through which you cannot break without the help and support of someone to guide you how. Coaching teaches you more about yourself than any book or look in the mirror, it will help you play to your strengths and learn from your weaknesses, untilately it will help you become the most elite version of you that you can be!

Whilst I predominantly work with established businesses, I never say No. So, so whilst you might currently be a ‘start-up’ it’s about where you want to end up not where you are starting out from that’s most important to me. We are soon to launch our ADDAZERO Online Course helping business owners from every aspect and size of business to ensure they have the 8 fundamentals of business covered in order they can SCALE their business. Our JSOV Club is a great place to start as someone new to business or new to coaching.

There’s a long and a short answer to this one, but in a nutshell, the answer is possibly not, and that’s a GOOD thing. You see, I don’t need to know about the ‘nuts and bolts’ detail of your business to be able to work with you! and that’s because I’m not applying for a job, and don’t need to be able to DO the job, in order to be in the best position to coach you on running a business. Any business, in fact, EVERY business must have certain aspects to survive. We’ve divided Business up into a set of 8 segments, and work with every client to identify these within their business, look at the importance each of them plays and the relationship they have with the other elements of the business. We also know A LOT about numbers – which ones are crucially important, which ones we need to concentrate on and how best to make a BIG IMPACT on them. What I DO have is a proven track record (2 x Global Entrepreneur ‘Big Impact to Business’ Awards & Listed on the ‘Clear Business Thinking POWER 100) of working with business owners to significantly and sustainably grow them and their businesses.

The short answer is ALL types, and the reason for this is simple. I’m not coaching the business! I’m coaching the business owner to significantly and sustainably grow both them and their businesses. I’ve worked with hundreds (if not) thousands of business owners from a whole array of different businesses. Both online, digital businesses, through to offline, bricks and mortar more traditional businesses. From product-based to service-based, Both UK based and those based elsewhere in the world. However, I don’t tend to work with business owners who “Been there, done that, it doesn’t work for me” kinda people, or those that continually challenge new thoughts and idea’s or suggestions. Those stuck in their ways or simply want ME to fix it by getting into the day to day running of their business for them. The business owners who still think money grows on trees, and there is an overnight success just waiting for them! I’m looking to work with business owners with a genuine desire to grow both them and their businesses. Those who are open to new idea’s and suggestions, keen to try new things, learn from others and implement their new found learning, and willing to share the journey they are having with others that they may learn also. I love working with business owners who acknowledge not everything comes easy, and there will be tough times ahead, where I’m able to offer a friendly shoulder to lean on if required or a pair of size 12’s if its necessary!

That’s great, so you already understand the benefit of coaching, and have something in place. Ironically, I also have both a business coach and a fitness coach (as does my coach!), and I also currently work to support 4 other coaching professionals; you see there are many facets to coaching, and it’s about ensuring you have the right level of support at the right time in order to ensure your working at your optimum.

There are many coaches out there, offering many different ways of coaching.

Choosing a coach is almost like choosing a good pair of running shoes!

Nike, Adidas, Asics all produce good quality running shoes, but some prefer one whilst others another. I’m a ‘conversational’ coach, with a myriad of examples, case studies and statistics to support our conversations whist guiding you to make the bigger choices the bigger considerations, the bigger impact on you, your family and your business.

I’ve got a big heart and just as big pair of shoes!

I’m just as comfortable giving you some support and recognition when you achieve results, as I am giving you a (metaphoric) kick if you need to be spurred on to achieve more.

We recognise the term coach when it comes to any sport and have seen many a top athlete acknowledge they would never have been able to achieve their Gold Medal without the help and support of their coach. Yet, outside of sport a little less common.

The two are intrinsically linked though: Any athlete wishing to achieve the best they are capable of understands the need to work with a coach to push, train and hold them to account to achieve more than they would otherwise be possible.

The same in business, none of us know, what we don’t know, yet its not knowing that is preventing you from making the biggest and most impactful decisions to grow both personally and professionally.

In order to make BIG decisions, we need to feel both competent and confident, and for that we need someone who can guide us, support us, ask the right and necessary questions that nobody else is either thinking or willing to ask, to ensure you develop both confidence and competence to make bigger decisions, bigger choices, and have bigger impact and bigger outcomes. Alone, you can achieve much, but to achieve most, you need a coach! they are not my words, but the words of both Bill Gates AND Steve Jobbs! I’ve got one also, and so should you!