When we first engaged with Paul 4 years ago, we were a small manufacturing operation managed by 2 individuals. We reached out to Paul because we were facing a few challenges:
- We had growth opportunities that we were struggling to seize.
- Our roles, levels of involvement, and individual strengths were not clear to us.
- We had not set any clear goals.
- Our manufacturing management structure was weak.
- We had a few big challenges that we were avoiding tackling.
In other words, we needed structure and framework.
From the get-go, our experience with Paul was a very positive experience – it was probably the best investment we have made in our business. Before I continue, I would like to highlight that it would not have been a success without a 200% commitment from our side, i.e., reading the material, making time for the action proposed, and having thorough discussions.
The first few meetings were so enlightening: it was about setting the purpose behind the whole exercise, and helping us verbalise and outline our challenges.
After identifying our needs, we spent time resolving each obstacle created by our own mindsets.
Something that was a personal realisation is the way Paul helped to turn a project into reality. My personality makes me put a ‘mental’ boundary between a project and its implementation. This results in me being excited about prospects and future growth, but not realising that this prospect would never materialize because of my inner fear for failure. This was a risk for the whole business as I would “feel” like I was succeeding but I was not growing.
That inner fear was, in my case, that step between selling the project and implementing it. I did not put enough effort into the planning, writing, contracting, and financing aspects to get the project done. Typically procrastinating around the financial part, the project effectiveness would eventually fade away, meanwhile, I felt positive because a lot of work was going out. However, after some time, I would realise that I had not grown, and I was still working IN the business and not ON it!
Paul also helped us with re-organising some of our shareholder relations, and putting rationality behind our thinking, instead of emotions. He really taught us how to have a rational and proactive approach to business.
So, I can surely say that our experience with Paul has been of great benefit to the business. I would recommend him to any entrepreneur who is struggling to grow and make their business work for them.
Diego – MD Bakali Foods