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SUCCESS
STORIES
 Our Clients Say...
(*
= Available as references.)
"Coaching by phone works fabulously.
I can schedule it anywhere and anytime, and use the travel time to quickly utilize Ken's coaching, which is helping me to change being disorganized and over-committed.
I'm saying yes based on my priorities, so I'm more successful. I feel good about myself and
that makes me more appealing in both my professional and personal life. I used to be cranky a lot.
Not any more, so thank you, Ken!"
-- *Zuzia Dee, PhD., Associate
Professor - Psychiatry, major university medical center
"We exceeded sales projections
for the fiscal year by approximately one-third... Your most significant impact has been changing my view (to
one that) we are a significant firm in the formative stages... I'm now thinking long-term and developmentally...
the best is yet to come."
-- *Frank S., president, asset mgt firm,
PA
"You
offer solid, 'do-able' advice and the notes you send after sessions are splendid. I
wish that among the three previous counselors I've had that one had been as constructive as you. Thanks
for everything!"
-- Nancy P., New York
"One of the great benefits for me is realizing
that I am not a victim of circumstances. When I begin to feel this way, I refer back to our conversation and
look at it as an opportunity to learn and grow. This one piece of advice from you is worth the entire cost of
the program."
-- Bruce B., executive V.P., golf resort, N. CA
The past few months have been extremely busy and productive.
We have continued to lay the groundwork for a business that works!... We are both excited about what
is happening... Thank you, Ken, for your guidance and support."
-- Roni T. & Steve P., owners, computer
consulting firm, MN
"Understanding my food habits is very helpful... People are commenting on my weight loss, and I'm
making lifestyle changes I can stick with. I usually prefer getting help from other women; however, you
demonstrate true respect for us and I'm glad to refer other women to you for personal coaching."
-- *Sally
A., salesperson, New York
"I was a man that no longer had a dream...
The dream is back!... The best thing is that several employees have caught the ‘system
fever' and are starting to think through and recommend systems whenever they encounter a frustration. Now
that's progress!"
-- Harry W., principal, law practice, IL
"(Excelera Consulting) assisted me to
increase sales by 50% this year... I am growing my business, rather than just working in it...
(I'm) also under less stress and enjoy my work much more."
-- *Stan
F., owner, sales training firm, AZ
Click to see our client's website.
"Our enthusiasm toward the
future of our business has had a tremendous effect on our profits. Just getting that positive energy
out there is bringing in unbelievable amounts of new business... These increases are a direct result of (your)
guidance."
-- Loni & James D., owners, equestrian stables, GA
"We have met many personal and
business goals... invested in consulting for a ten-fold return. (Personal benefits include)
willingness to take risks... dealing effectively with people including myself... managing ups and downs... making rational
decisions... relaxing while away... I now could manage any business well. I
have a well-run, profitable company and an interesting and fulfilling life."
-- *Phil
F., trades owner, entrepreneur, S. CA
Click to visit PHIL's business.
"My battleship of life is turning
around... I feel blessed!"
-- Christina D., real estate sales, S. CA
(From a couple, Paul & Sheila
D.:)
"Our sessions are mentally stimulating, with tangible items I can apply. I'm now
thinking more effectively and combining insights with practical results... getting my career and marriage back on track...
(Your help has) enabled dramatic breakthroughs..."
-- Paul D., construction executive/owner, N. CA
"We
have come a long way... worked hard on our personal growth and our marriage, and it shows. Mom's
comment about us fighting over the scrambled eggs made me think... that really is all we fight about
these days. (Instead of fighting over money, work, and power in the marriage.) We both deserve
a lot of credit."
-- Sheila D., N. CA
"Quitting was easier for knowing all the reasons I smoked."
-- Lou S., habit change client, MN
6. Phil and his
brother bought a mismanaged AUTO REPAIR SHOP in Southern CA, and struggled for three years to turn it around.
PROBLEMS ~ Three years after buying, the business "is floundering," Phil wrote, "I'm exhausted
and ready to jump ship" due to operational and customer service problems. "We bring Ken Stark aboard and
(we) stop bailing and start patching the holes. The ship saved, he begins teaching us to be shipmasters, not just crew
members with no one at the helm."
SOLUTIONS ~ Phil was eager for change, very coachable, and ready to learn. Systems-based solutions
and management training enabled smooth running and expansion. We advised Phil on wide-ranging business and
interpersonal issues over several years. He grew into an expert owner.
RESULTS ~ The firm expanded in size
by 840%, in revenues by 265%, and profits a similar amount. Business valuation grew by $600,000 -- a 1,000%
return-on-investment in consulting fees. Phil and his co-owner brother now enjoy higher income, less work time
and richer quality-of-life. Their firm runs smoothly on systems without their continual attention. Read more about
this client in the book: Making the Vehicle to Reach Your Dreams
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Success Stories
Scroll down to read about...
1. Attorney with people management problems 2. A
restaurant being transformed 3. Accidental owners of an IT Firm 4. An industrial owner
with 5 problem branches 5.
A Naval Air Station recreation department 6. Auto repair shop from
bad-to-good-to-great
1. Harold, an Illinois ATTORNEY represented
clients in court better than he represented himself in his practice.
PROBLEMS ~ He planned each day the night before, but
lost control each morning when he walked in and staffers deluged him with questions and problems they should have
been able to resolve themselves. So his own productivity and enjoyment suffered, and his employees gave less than they
were capable of.
SOLUTIONS ~ Harold called for morning check-ins, in addition
to scheduled weekly coaching, to focus on the day's goals and plans before staff could see him. We revamped
office procedures and improved systems from brewing coffee to client intake, from inventory to client billing and feedback.
RESULTS ~ Harold
followed through on daily plans and got more done in less time, with less stress. His employees learned to think
for themselves instead of running to him with every little thing. With his reorganized practice running smoothly, he could grow it
and, with new management skills and greater confidence, he diversified into commercial real estate.
2.
Roger and Cheryl, of Idaho, bought a shuttered DRIVE-IN RESTAURANT, little more than a shack, for $50,000 book value (assets minus liabilities) with
the goal of sprucing up and selling it for a tidy profit.
PROBLEMS ~ They could paint and fry-cook, but they lacked rudimentary management skills to run
or improve the shop.
SOLUTIONS ~ Working
closely with us, they transformed Snow Dream Drive-In into a smoothly running (systematized), eye-catching
gathering spot (decorated to appeal to core customers' psychographics) selling burgers, burritos (a novelty),
and ice cream cones with candy eyes (the kids loved them!) They also developed and promoted a successful lunch
time delivery service to a nearby business park.
RESULTS ~ Roger and Cheryl learned skills to grow any small business and sold
Snow Dream for roughly $150k. Small potatoes? Not to them. Subtract development costs of roughly
$1,500 per month (paint, signage, equipment, advertising) and our consulting fees, and they pocketed $72,000
and change, for a 144% return on original investment -- a healthy gain for a year's work in a small northern
town.
3.
Five ACCIDENTAL OWNERS of an INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FIRM in Minnesota had spontaneously formed a few years earlier around a large project.
PROBLEMS ~ They shared no vision or grand plans. Further, their
personalities clashed and they squabbled over money, projects, the tenor of the workplace, and who had what power. As
expert as they were in managing electronic bytes, their management of the firm and its 30-odd people was buggy indeed.
SOLUTIONS ~ By phone, email, and in-person seminars, Ken trained
them in management, communication, and conflict resolution. They learned that basing policies and procedures on personal
styles works poorly. So they debugged operations by "reprogramming" them with sound business and behavioral
principles, and employees breathed sighs of relief. With our "Constructive Communication" process
and direct intervention, they resolved interpersonal issues so they could more clearly see the present and anticipate
the future.
RESULTS ~ As owners very disparate in vision, goals and style,
dissolving the partnership was best. They sold the firm for a decent profit -- assets minus liabilities plus,
ironically, the value of "Goodwill." They went their separate ways, happy with financial gains and the business
and self-management lessons they learned.
4. David, an INDUSTRIAL
OWNER in the Carolinas, had five branches.
PROBLEMS ~ Though appearing to do well, he was continually racing between five poorly-run
locations, trying to solve problems and prevent disaster. He was exhausted and near the breaking point.
SOLUTIONS ~ Through weekly consulting sessions, David systematized operations with effective policies
and procedures in the primary location that he ran, then rolled them out to the branches. He learned to communicate
expectations of success, not problems, to his distant managers.
RESULTS ~ Each location significantly improved operations, service and profitability, but
for one with a manager opposed to changes, who resigned. We helped train the remaining staff to
run the place and in lieu of hiring a new manager at $75k, Dave raised the staff's salaries by a collective $25k and annually
saved $50,000 on management pay. Not to mention Dave's reduction in stress and, with much less driving
between shops, more time for things that bettered his quality-of-life.
5. The RECREATIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT of a U.S. Naval Air
Station in the San Francisco Bay Area had many facilities for its 25,000 enlisted personnel, officers, and families -- Officer, CPO,
and Enlisted Clubs, Gymnasium, Golf Course, Bowling Center, Hobby Shop, Movie Theater, Auto Shop, Child Care
Center, Community Ticket Agency and more.
PROBLEMS ~ Their
managers -- many former Naval officers -- had little-to-no marketing experience, and the department's
promotions were uncoordinated and generally ineffective. People simply chose more expensive recreation off-station over
on-station activities they knew little about.
SOLUTIONS ~
We improved and consolidated the disjointed
marketing efforts in a new Recreation Services Marketing Department. Among other things, we launched
a weekly Recreation Newsletter, designed a portable "Pocket Pal" recreation guide, and wrote and directed
the video "Recreational Highlights Around the Bay" describing non-Naval recreation and favorably
comparing on-base entertainment. (No website at the time -- the Internet had barely begun.)
RESULTS ~ Use of Recreational Services Department facilities
increased 40% in the first year as people learned what was available, enabling managers to improve recreation and
entertainment for the Naval community. We turned an effective Marketing Department over to a newly-hired civilian manager.
Something from
a non-client...
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