Questions clients often ask.
Straight answers to the questions I hear most. If yours isn't here, ask me directly.
Fit
Who do you work with?
Owners and CEOs of growing companies, most with roughly $10 million to $200 million in revenue, and senior executives in companies of every size. What matters most is the fit.
Your background is in homebuilding and franchising. Do you work with other industries?
Yes. The fundamentals of leadership, management, team building, business rhythms, and sales and marketing aren't specific to any industry, and an outside perspective often brings fresh thinking. Some of the best coaches I've worked with had no experience in my industry. What they brought was knowing how to find and fix problems, focus on the right goals, and execute. For homebuilders and franchisors, I bring added depth, especially in custom and entry-level homebuilding.
How is this different from working with other business coaches or larger consulting firms?
My perspective comes from years of running companies myself, as a founder, owner, president, COO, and CEO. That shapes how I coach: when we work through a decision, I'm drawing on having faced similar ones, with my own capital and my own teams on the line. You also work with me personally, not a team of associates. And I don't bring someone else's system. The work is shaped around your business.
Do you coach or consult?
Both. I lead with coaching: asking the questions that help you reach your own decisions. When you want a direct recommendation or hands-on help, I'll give that too. Most clients want some of both.
What are your strengths, and where do you bring in others?
My strengths are culture and leadership, strategic planning, operations and purchasing, people operations, sales and marketing, and building the rhythms and accountability that turn plans into results. I'm experienced with financials, cash flow and technology initiatives, but I'm not an accountant or a CIO, and I don't raise capital. When a client needs deep expertise in those areas, I'll help find the right specialist and work alongside them, as I did when I brought in a fractional CIO to lead a major systems overhaul.
Do you work with companies already using EOS, Scaling Up, or 4DX?
Yes. I'm familiar with these and similar systems, though I'm not a certified implementer of any of them. If your team already runs one, I'll work alongside it. If you don't use one, that's fine too.
Working together
Will you talk to my team, and what stays confidential?
Confidentiality is critically important, and I take it seriously. Before we start, we agree on the ground rules. I talk with your key leaders before I give you my view, and their input comes to you as themes, never as attributed quotes. Everything about your business stays confidential.
How much of my time does this take?
It really depends on your needs. Typically a monthly one-on-one with me (60 to 90 minutes, or twice a month if you prefer), a quarterly session with your leadership team (half a day to a full day), and an annual planning session. During a Clarity Diagnostic, expect an interview with me and a short questionnaire.
Do you work remotely or in person?
Both. Most sessions work well by video, but on-site meetings and workshops are often worth it, and always possible. For in-person work, clients cover travel and lodging at cost, with no markup.
How many clients do you work with at a time?
A limited number, so every client gets real preparation and attention. I'm not running a large practice, so I can stay closely engaged with each client.
Engagements and cost
How long do engagements last?
Most engagements run six months or longer, but I'm flexible. It really depends on your needs. Some clients start with Second Chair, my one-on-one coaching, and we'll shape the scope and timing around what you need, agreeing on the terms before we start. Focused Engagements have a defined start and finish. Executive coaching typically runs three or six months.
What does it cost?
Every engagement is scoped to your company and the level of involvement you need. We'll discuss investment in our first conversation, once I understand what you're looking for.
Do you bill by the hour?
Generally, no. Lasting results usually take sustained work, so most engagements are billed at a monthly rate dependent on the engagement type.
How do we get started?
Start a conversation. The introductory call is free and typically about 30 minutes, longer when it helps. It's a chance to talk through your priorities and whether my experience can help. If it can, I'll suggest a practical next step.
What happens after I take a self-assessment?
I read every submission myself. Within two business days, I'll email you up to three areas I'd look at first, and why, and offer a 30-minute conversation if you'd like to compare notes. Your answers stay confidential, and there's no obligation.
Executive coaching
Do you coach executives inside larger companies?
Yes. Many executive coaching engagements are arranged by the company, through HR or the executive's manager, and some executives engage me directly.
What does the company see?
It depends on what is agreed before the start. What we discuss in sessions, and what people say in the confidential conversations, stays with the executive.
How do you measure progress?
We agree on goals with the executive or the executive's manager at the start, and then track progress throughout the engagement.
How long does it take?
Typically three or six months, and it can be tailored to what the company needs.
And one for fun
You've trekked in some remarkable places. Which was your favorite?
Kangchenjunga, in eastern Nepal, though they've all been amazing. It's the third-highest mountain in the world, the region is stunning, and the people are wonderful.
Still have a question? Ask me directly.
If your question isn't answered here, I'm glad to talk it through. The introductory call is free and typically about 30 minutes, longer when it helps.