"In looking at your web site, if I were going to consider hiring you, I would want to see the following things....     "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 on my website 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 those 45 years working with small, home-based businesses...What specifically did you do?"

    I had an ownership interest in 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 ran 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 function as a consuiltant.

    I handled all the marketing and promotion for a company of personal fitness trainers in Houston.

    I also spent quite a few years as an independent sales rep, selling mutual funds, insurance, cars, advertising specialties and real estate.

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

    My first marraige failed after about two years. I learned that stereotypes and inflexibility are not a sound basis for marriage, and that I had a lot to learn about loving someone. I subsequently learned that, and have been happily married now for over 30 years.

    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 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.

    Many years later, what I considered 'my business prowess,' which had served me well until then, was not producing the results I wanted. I had moved home and my new location was not turning out as I had expected. In struggling to overcome the lack of progress and an accumulation of debt, 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, working the plan, and watching what happens. Then, if what I wanted didn't happen, change the plan and try again. This is the Ultimate Success Formula and I learned that it really does work!

    "On your website, you are rather critical of 'younger' people who are starting in coaching. Here is the challenge with that.... If you just live long enough you are going to have multi-years of experience. 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?"

    I don't think I am critical of young coaches; merely draw attention to the fact that I am not one.

    Distinctions? 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 three continents (four, if you consider North and South America as two continents) - all 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."

    At every year end, I was top of my year in college. (This was before the era of 'grading' when students were given real scores for written papers, class work and exams.)

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

    I was posted to 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 small local contractor from bankruptcy by tripling the number of contracts they won in a year.

    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.

    "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.

    Real estate agent: Skills used - Personal sensitivity, communication skills, caring insight, 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.

    "The other thing that might be of help, is identifying a specific target market. You seem to want to cover all grounds, this in my opinion also strains your credibility. Who specifically can you help? And why? What type of person would be your ideal client, and why?"

    I am a business mentor. My target market is small business owners and employed people who want to become small business owners or who are in an 'employed agency' situation - where they are engaged by a company but really operate as an independent business, like insurance agents, engineering consultants, Realtors, etc. I have made this my target market because that is where my experience and my expertise has been developed. And, it's an area I enjoy.

    "In addition, you might want to look at listing any professional organizations that you belong to that would relay professionalism in training."

    This information can be found on my résumé.


    Thank you for your inquiry. Send me an e-mail message and let's see about getting you started on the road to a brighter, richer and happier future. frederick@frederickpearce.com

        Frederick