Family businesses are estimated to represent 75% of all companies in New Zealand, providing around 80% of all employment and 65% of GDP. Small and medium-sized businesses (less than 50 employees) make up 99% of all companies in NZ. The statistics are very clear – small to medium-sized businesses are the very life-blood of New Zealand. How many of these businesses have a succession plan? NO research on that – but we can guess the answer – Not Enough! The lack of a Succession Plan for your business is likened to playing Russian Roulette with your life’s work. Why would you do that?
At Think Differently we know the critical importance of Succession Planning. We know how to develop the best one specifically for your business, for your employees, for your family.
Succession Plans are not easy to put together. They can involve conflict and emotion. That’s why many businesses don’t have one, and of course, it is also the reason why you need one! Get the conflict out when you can, solve the problems and issues when you can, not when it is too late.
We have been working with Phil since 2012. During this time we have grown from a staff of 10 to well over 30 and quadrupled our turnover. Working with Phil has enabled us to develop strategies and implement plans that we didn’t even know we needed before meeting him. At the beginning of our journey together we were not working on our business at all and, to be honest, we were floundering. Now our leadership is strong, our strategy is clear and we have exceeded most of the goals we have set for ourselves.
Phil Pickford has provided considerable support to our business since we began working together in 2008. Over the years he has counseled, advised, mentored and coached me (and my team) on a vast array of subjects! The focus of our meetings has always been on business strategy but he has provided enormous support in other areas as well (management, HR, new business, and organisational structure to name a few). Phil is always very prepared, the meetings are well structured, and his follow up is timely and concise.
We have been using Think Differently for over 2 years and have seen remarkable gains in our business, over 50% growth each year. We have consistently broken sales records and have become a leading force in our field. Phil is an outstanding mentor with an invaluable wealth of knowledge and I couldn’t recommend him enough.
Our company executive have worked with Phil Pickford at Think Differently for over 10 years. Over time Phil has gained an intricate knowledge of the workings of our company and understands our thinking and our personnel. He then uses this knowledge, together with his own experience and wisdom to challenge the executive to set our own goals and business plans. He offers sound advice, and we have used him for guidance and direction when focusing on particular issues that we may be facing.
Phil created the defining moment for me when I was attempting to change the course of our company through a more strategic approach. His knowledge and experience in helping create the right strategy for the right time changed my perception of how we needed to move forward. Phil wasn’t about providing the strategic direction; he was about creating the right environment to enable my leadership team to evolve a strategy as a result of creative thinking, challenging the norm and asking the right questions.
Get in touch with us today. The Think Differently team is ready to pass on our expertise and increase the success of any and all businesses willing to solicit and accept our advice.
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021 431990
021 431990