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Transformative development for growth businesses

Talent, capability, genius…

Whatever we choose to call it, people are the lifeblood of business. For businesses to grow and thrive, people need to grow and thrive; done well, this becomes a self-reinforcing loop.

In a complex and changing business environment, growth businesses need people who are:

Clear on the organisation’s goals and their role in achieving them

Collaborative in their approach

Strong communicators, willing to give and receive feedback

Open to diverse perspectives, confident in constructive debate

Able to make timely decisions and follow through on them

Proactive in their approach to their own learning and development

Willing to experiment, learning fast from failure and success

Growth businesses rarely have the commitment or the resources for a dedicated people development role. They need on-call, scalable expertise that’s right-sized for their current challenges and stage of growth, and which will evolve alongside them.

Transformative Toolkit

Aspinall Coaching offers a proven, scalable toolkit for growth businesses to call on at each stage of development, through start-up and scale-up, from single market to international, through fundraising, sale and integration.

Diagnostics

There is limited benefit to rolling out management training, coaching or anything else without first building a clear understanding of the current barriers and enablers for growth. People diagnostics can take the form of interviews, surveys, 360 feedback, team profiling and more. The skill is in building a robust, evidence-based transformation plan, with clear outcomes and maximum impact.

Leadership development

How well we manage talent determines how much value we get from that talent, and how much that talent grows. Yet not all managers have the depth and breadth of experience to leverage their team’s potential, and some even hinder the efficiency and effectiveness of their teams. Leadership development is a continuous exercise, best broken down into specific topics. The challenge is to design and deliver a tailored programme that will have sustained impact.

Team facilitation

The greatest team development comes from working as a team, ideally on the current challenges of the business. Collaboration, engagement and performance are dramatically improved by building shared objectives, establishing patterns of communication and reinforcing accountability. A regular cadence of team facilitation, focussed on business problems, creates high performing teams with knock-on benefits for the rest of the organisation.

1:1 Coaching

A powerful catalyst for individual transformation, 1:1 work with a coach can enable key talent to shift from manager to leader, from fixed to growth mindset, from cautious to courageous, and so much more. Coaching is confidential and non-judgemental, tailored to the individual and designed to maximise their growth and therefore their impact in the context of the organisation.

Wraparound services

Strategy facilitation, organisation design, team off-sites, values workshops, recruitment and onboarding can all ensure

people development is embedded in the business.

About Aspinall Coaching

Photo credit: Toby Aspinall

Having been COO and CEO of challenger businesses, Sam has experienced first hand how transformative people development maximises growth.

Sam draws on a unique blend of skills and experience, backed by academic credentials, to get to the heart of the issues quickly. Her signature strengths are cut-through thinking and a pragmatic approach, which keep solutions grounded in commercial reality.

  • Started career in financial services at Andersens, ACA qualified
  • Awarded an MBA (with Distinction) from Warwick Business School
  • COO at Mindgym in its formative years, building revenue and operations to support growth, working with FTSE 250 organisations
  • CEO of Touchpress, a BAFTA-award winning studio, balancing technical, creative and commercial demands
  • ICF accredited Diploma in Transformative Coaching
  • 12+ years as coach, facilitator and sounding board to CEOs, Founders and Leadership Teams
  • Industry experience including financial services, hospitality, software, retail, media and FMCG

Case Studies

Seedlip Drinks

The non-alc category leader asked Sam to help the senior team transition from start-up managers to scale-up leaders, in preparation for sale. Over a period of four years, through due diligence, acquisition and integration, Sam coached 15 members of the UK, US and APAC management, effectively preparing them to lead at the next level. Sam has continued to work with many of the team in their new roles.

CyberSmart

The incoming investors in a cyber security business identified the need for people development expertise. Following a scoping and diagnostic phase, Sam worked with the CEO on team restructuring and the development of a leadership programme for all Directors and Heads of Department. Interactive workshops on core leadership skills were supported by 1:1 coaching for key talent. Sam continues to help CyberSmart on their path to Series C.

Big Mamma

At this boutique restaurant group, the UK MD identified the need to up-skill a young management team. Sam designed and delivered a management development programme for Head Chefs, General Managers and their senior teams which fit into their fast-paced schedules. The participants’ rapid development has allowed Big Mamma to fill senior roles from within the organisation and expand with confidence.

PA Media

The new CCO brought Sam in to facilitate the creation of a cross-functional team tasked with implementing a new commercial strategy. The team met regularly in the first six months to break down barriers, identify opportunities for collaboration and hold each other to account. The full year results exceeded all expectations.

Reviews

“Sam has been an invaluable support to me as we have restructured our executive team and focussed on the development of our leaders and managers. I count on Sam to challenge my thinking and give me the feedback no-one else will!”

CEO and Co-Founder

“One of the best management courses I have ever done. Sam is an inspiring personality, open, listening without judgement; she gives us tools to become the best version of ourselves.”

Executive Chef

“Sam is extraordinary at what she does. The tools I learnt during our time together not only made me a much better leader, but also contributed to all areas of my life. Working with Sam is truly transformative.”

Chief Operating Officer

“Sam played a significant role in coaching our leadership team through extensive due diligence, prolonged uncertainty and ultimately successful acquisition. She tailored her approach to get the best out of every individual and many of us still count on her guidance and support.”

Chief Operating Officer

“Sam is bright, non-judgemental, intuitive, empowering and ridiculously empathetic. Whether you think you ‘need a coach’ or not, working with Sam won’t disappoint.”

Head of Marketing

“Sam has rare gifts, loves her work as a coach and is an expert in learning and development; her passion and energy for her craft is palpable.”

Chief People Officer

“I have worked with Sam for four years and cannot recommend working with her highly enough. She has helped me identify blind spots, trust my instincts and create better boundaries.”

Founder

“Sam brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team and provided practical, real-world solutions to the challenges we were facing. Her approach inspired our team to work harder and strive for excellence.”

General Manager

“Sam is commercially savvy and strategic, operationally on point and has an EQ that allows her to quickly understand an individual’s motivations, strengths and areas for development.”

Chief Commercial Officer

“Sam has brought cut-through thinking to our people challenges, identified opportunities to leverage their potential and implemented initiatives that have transformed our prospects.”

Chief Executive Officer

Contact Sam

For an exploratory conversation with Sam,

please contact Aspinall Coaching:

+44 7788 588363

sam@aspinallcoaching.com

LinkedIN: Sam Aspinall Coaching

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