29 Aug Areas I operate in
Years ago in the height of the gulf war there was an Israeli called Ben Duffy who was one of the top negotiators of his time. He always approached his negotiations with reality. He would say to his client – “Before coming here today I tried to put myself in your shoes, to think of what might be going through your mind. I guess the two biggest questions you have at this time are – What’s in this for me, and what’s in this for you”.
Taking up from this point – you as my client must be asking the same question – “What’s in this for me?” I need you to know who I am. Let me explain.
Having worked in various industries and in different sized companies I have drawn on my experience when selecting the industries that I work in. It is also important to note that my management roles have ranged from being a sole proprietor of my own business through to working as an executive manager of a multi national large corporate company. This diversity has given me the ability to identify with the owners and management teams of the businesses that I work with. I believe that it is important to know the situation and have a first hand understanding when dealing with people in their situations. To offer your client the most practical and applicable advice one needs to have an intimate understanding of where they are at. Each company is different. Each scenario has its own nuances. Each industry its peculiarities. Having a broad base of experience has allowed me to be more adaptable and apply myself more easily when faced with new challenges. While no one person knows it all – therefore on the ground knowledge certainly helps.
In addition to the types and size of businesses that I have been involved in I have also looked through various ‘sets of eyes’. From technical advisory roles, through formulatory and applied research and development, to regional and divisional management and ultimately as the owner of my own business – I have covered most roles within a business. Having done so, I believe I am equipped to converse with people at all levels from their perspective. This has allowed me not to be myopic when looking at a business or when planning to enhance its presentation to the market. It has also enabled me to be able to look at the business from a number of different angles – thereby being able to check its health and profitability. For a number of years I worked as a change manager in turn around situations.
Why is all this important? When approaching your business I do so from an outsider’s point of view – interpreting the picture that is being presented. I take what I am given to work with and use it to develop a best approach strategy for my client. Looking at things with ‘new eyes ‘ I am able to see the advantages and challenges that present themselves. With corrective measures and building on the strengths I am able to position the business for sale so that the best outcome is achieved.
I have direct experience in the following industries: Petroleum, gas, steel, fibreglass, pharmaceutical, financial investment and insurance, health, cosmetic, animal feed, water treatment, and import export and distribution. In these various industries I have experience in a number of allied businesses that I was associated with in application e.g. applying oil-based solutions across many industries.
Having both technical and financial qualifications plus my field experience spanning many industries I believe I can offer you my client both a broad based approach as well as specific detailed knowledge across all levels of business – from the SME to a large Corporate structure.
“What’s in it for me? I get to know another client personally who in the years to come will become someone I will work with, develop mutually beneficial business and social outcomes and hopefully get to know as a friend.”