WOMEN IN BUSINESS MENTOR PROGRAM:

Abby Clifton, Leadagility

Abby Clifton's business Leadagility helps leaders to manage the human issues that arise during business change.

After almost two years of operation, Abby had found herself wanting to take her business to the next level. Her goal was to integrate her expertise in individual coaching and organisational change management and reflect this in the services she offered. The Women in Business Mentor Program provided the necessary support and structure to allow her to make this a reality.

'Before I went on the program I was frustrated - I knew I needed to create a brand change and rewrite my business plan, but I wouldn't have done it on my own. So the program made me accountable for doing that, and gave me clarity on the brand.'

Abby also wanted input around the sales and marketing side of the business, and was teamed with mentor Liz Cooke, who runs her own marketing and business consulting organization.

'Liz was very pragmatic and encouraging. Rather than giving me lots of advice she listened and asked questions, helping me to crystallize my ideas and approach. It made me take the business plan to deeper levels - I had to look in detail at what made me different and why I was doing it. It gave me belief in the product and therefore a lot more confidence in selling it.'

Having written her first business plan in less than two weeks, Abby enjoyed working on the plan every week over a period of three to four months with the support of her mentor. 'From a personal standpoint I was clear each week on what I needed to do. It made it less of an overwhelming task and I became much more focused.'

Abby also gained valuable insights from the other participants and their mentors, and shifted her perspective on how her business was run.

'A big realization for me was that for every day that I deliver a piece of work, I've spent a day in sales to get that work. Now I have a better appreciation of the time I need to put into selling. I've started cold calling, which I wouldn't have done before, and have  already had several meetings and sent out proposals. It has happened more effortlessly than I expected.'

Most of all Abby found that the program reinforced and clarified her vision for the business and her unique offering. 'Lots of change management experts don't know enough about human behaviour, and I always wanted to bridge the gap. I now feel confident that I am heading in the right direction.'

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