Testimonials

Mark Neal, Managing director - Homewise	Tom Herbert, Director - Hobbs House Bakery
Neil Turner, CEO - Venture Information Management

John Mackay, DickiesStore.co.uk

“During the 3 steepest months of downturn last year, we both retained our 60% growth and improved our gross profit margins by 4%.

We have been working with The Directors' Centre for over a year and we have continued to exceed targets in 5 of the last 6 months without reducing our 60% growth forecast in any way for 2009.  We now have the comfort of clearly seeing that we will achieve our desired turnover with 52% GP in our 09/10 financial year”

Mark Neal, Homewise

“Our business was going through a transitional period during 2007 and we decided to seek external professional advice to ensure we plotted the best course for success. Paul (Jobin) has always been straightforward and honest with us and his approach, in turn, has helped to improve our business strategies across all levels. Our sales levels have increased 3-fold and processes are far more efficient. ”

Derek Templeton, D2 Corporate Solutions

"We called in the Directors' Centre as we felt the business needed some fresh impetus. The business had grown quickly since we started in 2002, but this growth was starting to slow. We accepted Paul Jobin's solution of attending bi-monthly management meetings to act essentially as a non-executive Director.

As a result of the actions identified during these meetings, we now have a clear vision of where the business is going and indeed who within the business will take responsibility for getting us there.

During 2008 we witnessed an increase in both turnover and more importantly profitability. With the knowledge we have gained from the Directors' Centre, we are all now more motivated to drive the business forward to the next stages."

Julian Darwell-Stone, Tangram Furnishers Ltd

"Business was flourishing but at a stage where the right decisions were required to ensure onward growth. I was keen to have an external sounding board, and have input from someone clear of the in-house custom and practice.

Paul Jobin has become a valuable asset in our management team: his advice has brought significant improvements to our systems and processes, and focus to our marketing efforts.  He has been a catalyst for action and positive strategic change. His input is always considered and it’s wonderful to work with someone so positive."

Sophie Dickinson, Babes with Babies.com 

"That was fun. Thank you, thank you, Paul. Your 're so good at:

A) Making the point clearly and succinctly.
B) Being diplomatic about how you make the point – eg not being rude and negative about mistakes we’re making but focusing on the good things and the potential for the future… + being careful about the adwords/PR suggestions.
C) Being enthusiastic… it’s so interesting isn’t it… ‘sorting’ a business out! Really appreciate the way you do all that. Tough but pleasant, understanding but interested."

Neil Askew, Askew Associates

 “Within 12 months of working with The Directors’ Centre, we achieved 34% increase in sales. We shifted some of our focus and are now coping better than before and enjoying the increased profits that come with our more professional business!

“Despite the fact that we were hit with the credit crunch, I achieved my goals. We have increased sales by 34%, improved profitability and stabilized our cash flow.“

Charlie Bigham, Bighams

“6 years ago we were a small business with a £4m turnover who made plans on a month by month basis. Working with The Directors’ Centre and my senior team we drew up a structured 5 year plan to grow, with clear milestones and objectives. Today we are a £15m business with a clear plan to continue growing to £30m.”

Paul Fairhurst, XJF Plastics

“When you have attended a few of these 'Business Masterclass' you will realise it's called that just to get you through the door, because it sounds nice..., what it should really be called is....... 'Exercise your brain to its full potential and exploit global opportunities, without letting anyone get in your way'.

“Last year we saw a growth of 30%, whilst YTD 8.3% on that, even in this crunchy climate.”

 

 

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Feedback from Magic Million event held at Glaziers Hall, London Bridge on 11th March - Highlights

Marcia Granger, Megamorphose Ltd.

"As usual, Robert's training did not fail to deliver: the Magic Million gave me what I needed to review and concentrate on for my business plan and to make my million! I would highly recommend that anyone serious about doing business, attend one of Robert's seminars."

Michele Duke, MD, Management Tomorrow

"Robert Craven made me wake up and realise that success was not a foregone conclusion.  I now realise that I need to take action every day, not just sit and think about it.  I'm more energised and focused - and I only do things, which add real value.  Cutting out all the time-consuming stuff which had no real impact has made me more effective."

Omar Farooqui

"...exciting & enlightening event full of brilliant ideas to take small businesses forward...the event has given me the opportunity to be a devils advocate in my own business!"

Albert S Wright, Small Business Solutions Ltd

"Seeing and hearing Robert Craven in action at the Magic Million event was as entertaining and enjoyable as a night at a top London theatre, he is a great presenter.  Not only is his style of delivery lively, the content is informative and useful.”

Chioma Ebilah, BlackButterfly Designs

“The idea of 'sacking some customers' in favour of quality paying clients was quite humorous yet absolutely apt and gave me a shot of increased confidence to follow my instincts and develop my client list based on quality over quantity (even if numbers are sacrificed in these initial stages).”

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Other Testimonials

Anita Gallone, Gallone Communications

"Robert Craven is really inspirational, offering clear-cut advice that helps you focus on business goals that really deliver. After attending the Magic Million course, I have not only increased my client base, but also attained better fees from my existing clients."

Jerry Blackett, Sales and Performance Director, Barclays Bank plc

"Your training programme was fundamental in improving our understanding of what it really takes to set up and run a small business. In particular, it was great to see the customer satisfaction scores improve materially."

NB, Managing Director, Media Company.

"Last January, we were a team of just 4 with a turnover of around £150,000 a year and we look set to have almost doubled that in the past year and our aim is to take that to the half a million mark by year end 07, with profitability up by about 30%."

IW, Managing Director, Management Consultancy.

'Based on current bookings as of 11 Jan, Q1 will already be at least as good as Q4 last year, and looks like it could be 3 times the Q4 revenue."

Barclays Bank

"99% of delegates said they'd recommend The Directors' Centre workshop to a friend; 96% said they'd do something fundamentally different as a result of the Kick-Start workshop."

JM, Managing Director & Entrepreneur

'MDs will literally rethink their business, get real, face up to situations and develop the energy to take opportunities… refreshing to work with."

Professor David Storey, SME Centre, Warwick Business School

'Robert Craven is one of Warwick Business School's most highly regarded presenters. His animated action-packed style demands participation. Robert does not give his audience the option of sitting back and merely reflecting."

David Pinchard, Managing Director, Top Interim

'Robert is a fascinating communicator. His ideas could change your business."

TK, Managing Director, Comms. Company

'We just won a £10k grant, agreed the sale of first 500 licences, we just won a regional award, and I was interviewed by Microsoft.  In short exciting times speeded up by The Directors’ Centre."

Amanda Barry, ABC PR

"Kiki Maurey has the extraordinary ability to help you create an exciting vision of the future, whilst keeping your feet firmly on the ground and in the present. The term 'management consultant' though just doesn't do her justice - she's more business and guardian angel rolled into one. ABC simply would not have been as successful without her guiding hand."

Mark Pearce, Harringtons

About Tenon FastStart Programme featuring Robert and Rosemary:

"A totally inspirational programme."

Andy Last, Salt

About Robert's session at FastStart:

"The two days were great – hugely useful. Following the strategy session we have been able to set down the vision and mission for the company as well as divide up board responsibilities which has resulted in much greater focus as well as efficiency. The marketing session has definitely contributed to the way we market the business."

Jim Delaney, Lion FPG

About Robert's session at FastStart:

"...the ‘looking back rather than looking forward’ part of the strategy planning session is now one of my key management tools."

what next?

To find out more about us see, what other people say about us, our mini-case studies and who we work with.

Give us a call

To find out how The Directors' Centre can specifically help your business, call us on +44 (0)1225 851044.