Keith Roberts

The common link to any level of success is the knowledge gained from executing at a consistent level for decades. Being a seasoned business coach, I feel like my niche is being an exceptional listener, and having the vast resources of real-life experiences to draw upon to help my clients. I guess you might say, "wisdom" wins over textbook knowledge any day. My niche is helping small service businesses start, build, and grow through practical strategies and tactics. The right combination of those will win and sustain any business that has a viable product or service. Any business that focuses on the customer and what they want will always win!

When you have spent 4 decades consulting, coaching, and building businesses you feel like you can solve any problem that comes along. Even if you can solve most business problems, it does not mean you should try to do so. Pick an area that was foundational to your early career success. Even though my companies excelled at implementing technology, this did mean that should be what I do as my career transition. What I discovered, there were a lot of companies that could implement technology but our secret sauce was taking care of customers and making sure we delivered an exceptional customer experience. We had clients for 20 years and always delivered more than they expected. That is what I feel my secret sauce is - Customer experience!

I spent 25 years in the business software application industry. When I sold my last technology company I felt drawn to business coaching. The hardest thing I had to learn was that I had to convert my talents into a marketable product. I went from attaching my services to a software brand/product to becoming the "product". Clients want transformation and that takes a branded framework and knowledge presented through that process. Now, when I help clients with various business challenges, I use my own framework and approaches so that the job gets done - that being the client gets their desired transformation because I was the guide that took them through my proven process - my product and service. Executing what works is my approach.

One of the hardest things about coaching is leading a client to execute their goals. It took me years to learn to not take it personally when they did not follow through. I wondered if it was me and my style. What I learned to do is to consistently remind the clients what they agreed to do and that their success depends upon their actions and not mine. I am here to support and encourage and constantly remind them of the steps and progress they have achieved along the way. Think of a coach kind of like parenting. Every leader needs a coach. Distractions will get in their way and it is normal to pay attention to the wrong things. Help clients to set a small number of goals and take things in small steps if they are easily distracted.

I had a client in the construction services industry that had challenges with cash flow and data management. They had cash flow problems because they could not collect reliable financial information in a timely manner to submit billings to clients. I support the company through the implementation of Evernote to manage documentation and records for jobs. We implemented a mobile-based time clock system. Payroll went from a 5-day to a 3-hour process via the electronic system. Information related to reimbursable expenses was processed the same day as opposed to a 10-day delay. Billings are now submitted and paid in a 2-week cycle as opposed to the previous 2-month cycle. The client was on the verge of bankruptcy and now flourishes.

My wife and I have this special hamburger place we go to once a week. Everyone on every visit has been a 10 in their service delivery. They know we like to carry a take-home glass of tea and bring it out before we leave without asking. We tell everyone we know that they need to try this place. Oh, the burgers are fantastic too.