Martin Oakley
I didn’t know I needed a business coach until I met Martin! Since having regular meetings with Martin, my business and my ability to lead it have gone from strength to strength. Martin has a real gift for seeing different ways to solve problems and develop my business in any area I may need this help. With his insight and valuable experience, we’re achieving more than I ever thought possible! The monthly TAB peer board meetings are proving to be invaluable too, giving different insights and ideas when I’m struggling with any issues or looking for inspiration. Having other business leaders to bounce ideas off and receive insight from has proven to be exceptionally beneficial to myself and my business.
I’ve enjoyed working with Martin over the past year. He offers a good balance of listening and being sympathetic with asking hard questions, making me focus and hold myself accountable. He’s insightful about the trials and tribulations of being a small business owner. I particularly appreciate that he makes himself available at short notice for a quick phone call or to give perspective on a particular issue. He has helped me recently with a tricky negotiation, and running things by him gave me much more confidence in my approach. The Peer Advisory Board meetings provide a very welcome external perspective on business problems. Sometimes, even working out what question or issue to work on in the meeting provides much-needed clarification. It is fascinating and reassuring to see that the same issues and challenges are common to most businesses.
My one-to-one sessions with Martin have been really motivating. Martin helps me clarify my thoughts and rapidly focus them on the key aspects of challenging business situations. Martin is able to bring his business experience and apply that knowledge to his questions in a really helpful way. Running a small business can be a lonely place, and working with Martin certainly provides an excellent opportunity to openly review difficult issues. Martin is a good listener and provides really insightful feedback. The Peer Boards are a great forum for discussion, advice and reassurance that you are not the only one with the issues you are experiencing. It is energising to be working with a group of colleagues that understand the reality of running a small business and who are able to give impartial advice often borne of similar experiences in different business sectors. The real delight is that it is easy to explain seemingly intractable issues because you soon discover your issue is also one experienced by your peers. The encouragement given by the group certainly provides you with the confidence to push forward with tough business decisions.
Martin has a wealth of experience, and it’s clear that he genuinely enjoys helping others. His approach is simple yet effective. By offering clear thinking, dependable advice and most importantly accountability, his coaching has helped to reduce the noise and create focus. Through his sage advice and patient listening, our management team has become more effective at both the strategic and day-to-day levels. It’s great to have him on our team. Joining a TAB board starts as an antidote for imposter syndrome and ends up providing accountability for how you are running your business. The act of stepping back each month to gain a new perspective, helped by the fresh insights and advice of fellow business owners, is a helpful practice that makes you intentional rather than reactive in your work.
Working with Martin over the past year has been incredibly beneficial. As the Managing Director of a small company, I face numerous challenges both on a personal level but also in business development, and Martin’s openness to listen and understand these issues has been invaluable. His advice has consistently helped me navigate situations in a way that benefits everyone involved. Martin’s insight and experience as a coach have given me newfound confidence in my ever-evolving role. Running a company of any size can often feel isolating, and finding impartial, directional advice can be challenging. The TAB peer board I’m part of has truly transformed this experience. The opportunity to discuss my challenges with a diverse group of business leaders has consistently provided fresh perspectives and alternative solutions. I wouldn’t have made the beneficial decisions I have without the support and innovative thinking of this group. It’s also reassuring to know that, regardless of our business types, we all face similar issues, and the mutual support we share is incredibly positive.
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