5 out of 5
Some might consider it foolhardy to start a business, let alone open a restaurant, in the middle of an economic recession. But I had confidence -- not only in myself and my business partner -- but with a business coach like Scott by my side I knew I would not go awry in business decisions.
I can't tell you how many times I heard Scott challenge us to not only develop a business and market plan but to integrate it as part of our daily business practice and not just file it away and leave it on the shelf to collect dust as so many businesses do. Today everything we do or buy has to have a written plan with a specific, measurable projected ROI or we don't do it. And if we decide, based on the plan, to take action or to buy advertisement or a product we evaluate the ROI and if it doesn't meet our expectations we won't do it again.
Through work Scott has done with key staff, we now have systems in place for everything from inventory management to financial data to employee supervision.
Through Scott's leadership we have a core reading list for all new managers including "How to Win Friends and Influence People", "The Situational Leader", "The Emyth Revisited", and "Essentials of Finance & Accounting for Nonfinancial Managers."
I could go on and on and on …
A year ago I would have described myself as a restaurant owner. Today I describe myself as a business owner whose current focus happens to be a restaurant. Thanks, Scott!
If you are even thinking of starting a business, get a business coach -- and not just someone who claims to be a business coach because of some weekend course they took for $500.00 -- ask to see a copy of their University / College GRADUATE SCHOOL diploma -- if you don't see the word BUSINESS or MANAGEMENT in their degree, run away!
Or you could just hire Scott Graham.