Peter interviews the Optus 'Yes' Coach Winner - Sarah Hillier and the other two finalists, Paul Jowsey and Anthony O'Toole. Listen to these three business owners tell their story.
Sarah's Story
Paul's Story
Anthony's Story
'Yes' Coach Winner - Sarah Hillier (18900 kb)
"I thought I knew what I was doing but I didn't. I knew where I wanted RAW to go but had no idea how to get there. RAW is now going to be everything I want it to be and more now because we have the tools and skills to do it. My strategic intent is a reality not a dream. Most importantly I can now be there for both RAW and my family. I love my life and I am excited about my business.
One of the biggest challenges I thought I'd encounter was how the changes in payment terms for my contractors would be received. I advised all of my contractors in writing of these changes and at the same time I outlined my vision for the business and our ultimate goals. As I sat waiting for letters of opposition I was met with some of the loveliest and most heartfelt letters of support and encouragement. To date not one staff member has decided to pull the pin either. To say I was relieved is an understatement. It really brought home to me how terrific my staff are and for that matter, how brilliant Andrea has been at picking them! Their support has inspired me even further.
I am a much more confident and organised leader. Instead of using the "I worked til midnight last night" as a badge of honour - I am now much more proud to say "I had two days off this weekend with the kids and didn't even look at my emails!" That's because I now have the plans and systems in place to enable me to have a much more balanced life. I want my staff to see this and take this approach too. We are all about working to live not living to work. I get it now.
I have a confession to make - I have been on a holiday. An actual real holiday where I went away and didn't have my phone turned on. Guess what? The business survived without me. Who would have thought?! Not me - well six months ago anyway…
Over the course of the coaching I have been waiting to "get it"; get the shift in mindset that is. Well it took this holiday to get it. It all came together in one big bang on day two of the break. I realised that if the business can cope without me I have to realise that I can cope without the business." - Sarah Hillier
'Yes' Coach Finalist - Paul Jowsey (16814 kb)
"Problem solving, company structure, operational, management, & marketing roles, bringing ideas into actions, total flexibility in restructuring all established methods, mind sets, accountability, the list goes on and we're all wearing it happily. The music is better too." - Paul Jowsey
'Yes' Coach Finalist - Anthony O'Toole (18060 kb)
"We understand where we are going and how we are going to get there. It has already improved one of our main problems being cash flow. We have structure and our employees are enjoying working in an organised team.
We are more relaxed outside of work, we get home earlier, and we don't toss and turn wondering if there is something else that we have forgotten. We are happier!
Previously we thought we didn't have any spare time, even spending an extra 8 to 10 hours a week working on the business has actually only improved our organisation skills and we seem to have better cash flow and profits. When we go home we are finding it much more relaxing as we know we have spent time setting up systems and have organised things properly." - Anthony, Jason & Rachelle
