Recently, I was in a conversation with someone who was inquiring about my coaching. They raised some interesting questions. These are the questions, and my answers:—

    "If I were going to hire you, I would want to see answers to the following questions ....

    "How exactly does your previous corporate experience relate to coaching me."

    This is a very important question for anyone who is considering hiring a coach. This is where the rubber hits the road! Yet, until I have a good understanding of the inquirer, I cannot say how my experience will relate to their situation. I can only state what my experience is and let them decide how it relates. I am open to questions that will help you make this connection. If you have any questions after viewing this site and perusing my résumé, then fire away! I will be happy to answer them for you. You may even find the answer below.

    "When you say you spent many of your 45 years working with small- and home-based businesses...What specifically did you do?"

    I owned several of them – a specialist engineering firm, for example, with a labor force of over 30 craftsmen. This company officed in my home initially, then progressed to commercial office space as we expanded. I was the CEO and principal investor.

    I owned and operated a Business Brokers office in the UK (referred to as a Business Transfer Agency there.) Specifically, I valued businesses for sale and sought buyers to introduce to the sellers, and helped negotiate the sale.     I helped a start-up construction company by preparing their competitive bids and negotiating contract terms.     I helped an existing home-based limousine service in New York increase their business by 40% by creating a new website and developing attractive city-tour packages.     I helped my wife start a pet grooming and boarding business and I now help and advice as necessary.     I handled all the marketing and promotion for a company of personal fitness trainers.     I also spent quite a few years as an independent sales rep, selling mutual funds, insurance, cars, advertising specialties and real estate, in various parts of the world.

    "What are some of the obstacles you have overcome in your life, and what did you learn?"

    I was hired to control the finances of a very large, multi-million dollar construction project. In doing my job well, I discovered a 'dead man' payroll scheme that was swindling the company out of thousands of dollars each week. Although I could find no proof, I suspected my immediate boss of being the culprit, so took my findings directly to the Owner. I was fired about a week later. Subsequent information led me to believe that the Owner was aware of the 'swindling' and possibly even arranged it. Apparently, my boss was instrumental years earlier of rescuing the owner's daughter from kidnappers, and this was the owner's way of showing his gratitude. I learned to never take information at face value and to look for the good in every situation.

    My business skills had served me well for many years, but there came a time when my results began to slip. I had changed domicile and my new location was not turning out as I had expected. In struggling to overcome the lack of progress, debt became a problem. I learned that no-one was responsible for my situation but myself, and no-one but myself was going to get me out of it. And – especially – that success comes from formulating a plan and working the plan. Then, if what I wanted didn't happen, change the plan and try again. Persistence is the Ultimate Success Formula and I learned that it really does work!

    "Saying I am not some young kid, is saying nothing except saying that you are old. What key distinctions have you made, that a younger person probably hasn't had the opportunity to learn?"

    Thirty years happily married to the same woman. Having visited 39 countries. Having established a home and lived and worked for a number of years in each of seven different countries on four continents – all that takes time. And the range of my work and life experience give a perspective only time can bestow.

    I have learned that people the world over want the same things, by and large, and that there are far more similarities between nationalities than there are differences.     That business everywhere is based on mutual trust and doing the right thing.     That, in the long run, telling the truth is easier than telling lies.     That success is a journey, not a destination.

    "I would like to see some specific victories you have had in the areas you are promoting."

    When I was granted a 'Fellowship' of a professional society, I was one of the youngest to have been awarded that accolade.

    I took an ongoing loss-making project and within 12 months had turned it around into a profit higher than had been anticipated when it started.     I saved a large local contractor from bankruptcy by tripling the number of profitable contracts they won in a year.     I grew my own business from nothing into a multi-million dollar company in five years.     I coached a real estate agent to becoming top producer in her office.     I mentored an unhappy Russian art student to help her turn her life around to become a vibrant, happy, creative and productive artist.     I coached a freelance computer security expert in Europe in marketing his skills.     I helped a budding actress build her confidence so that she became more successful at auditions.     I helped a group of fitness trainers with their marketing.

    "Maybe you can try speaking to some specific skill sets, while backing it up with evidences of successes."

    Let's consider some of the successes to which I referred in answering the last question:

    The loss-making turnaround: Skills used - an attention to detail, organizational skills, financial coherence, negotiation skills, firmness with diplomacy.     The local contractor rescue: Skills used - analytical power, pricing/costing acumen, practical knowledge, negotiating skills.     My own business: Skills used - organizational and financial skills, leadership skills, business acumen.     Real estate agent: Skills used - Personal sensitivity, caring insight, communication skills, marketing skills, teaching ability.     Art student: Skills used - Personal sensitivity, ability to 'hear' what is not being said, being a firm friend, positive encourager attitude, understanding human nature.     Computer expert: Skills used - Advertising and marketing skills, International experience, business acumen.

    "You have written a book called, "So, Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?"   What gives you the right to write such a book? Are you a millionaire?"

    For several years I earned over a million dollars, yet, Bill Gates has said, "Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose." Unfortunately, this is true. I went on to a few ill-chosen and poorly-handled projects. However, this was my greatest learning period, and the lessons learned are of more value to my clients, today, than the money I earned previously.

    My book often prompts people to ask if I am a millionaire. What they are looking for, they say, is a business mentor or a coach, who is a self made millionaire, has witnessed first hand how business mistakes are made and has managed to correct them. That is what I have done and that is what I write about and teach, today.     Now, I am retired; I am comfortable and happy, and offer my life and work experiences and lessons learned to younger people who can use the knowledge to their advantage. Those who will gain most from it will learn more from my mistakes than my successes. As, indeed, I have.


    Thank you for your inquiry. Please send me an e-mail message and let's see about getting you started on the road to a brighter, richer and happier future. Please go to the Mentoring Options page for the services I offer and my e-mail address.

        Frederick

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