I’ve spent many years working with mid-sized businesses, and one of the common challenges I see is a lack of clarity around their core competencies. Identifying, understanding, and leveraging your organisation’s core competencies is essential to gaining a lasting competitive advantage in the marketplace. A lot of mid-market companies may think they know their core competencies, however, what I often see lacking is a strategic focus. This can be a major Achilles’ heel, leaving them wide open to competitors who are actively leveraging their strengths. They’ll consistently outperform you, leavi ..read more

In my work with mid-market companies across New Zealand and Australia, I am often asked to help solve problems related to business strategy. Through my experience, I’ve identified three common frustrations that mid-market business leaders typically experience. These include: Lack of Alignment with Vision and Strategy: One of the most common concerns encountered is when business leaders have a strategy and vision for their company, yet they struggle to get their leadership teams aligned and on board. They say to me: “Leigh, I have a strategy; I have a vision. However, my leadership tea ..read more

As the only New Zealand’s only Senior Gravitas Impact Business Coach, I am thrilled and delighted to unveil the latest addition to The 7 Attributes of Agile Growth monograph series: ‘Executing With Excellence; How High Performing Teams Transform Plans Into Results’ by Ian Judson and Keith Cupp (Founder and CEO of Gravitas Impact). Are you struggling to effectively implement your strategy? Perhaps you are having trouble converting top line revenue into bottom line profit? Then you need to re-evaluate how you are executing your strategy with this practical and highly actionable guide. Why is E ..read more

The faster a company wants to grow, the faster it has to exchange meaningful messages that get the right information to the right people. So, how do you ensure information moves through your business accurately and quickly? By establishing a solid communications rhythm. For an executive team, this means a rhythm of well-run meetings. These meetings keep you in touch with people across all levels of the company and ensure everyone stays focused on what is important. They are also a chance for every employee to measure their own progress and observe the progress of others. Successful Comp ..read more

You would be surprised by the number of organisations that do not know where they want to be in the next 10 – 20 years. Without this clarity, how do you know whether the actions you are executing right now are right for the long term? Do you know whether you are being reactionary? Or whether you are putting time, energy, and cash into actions that are taking you off course? Having a Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) is one of the most important elements that help a business with its long-term direction. What is a BHAG? BHAG, short for “Big Hairy Audacious Goal”, is a term coined by renowned bu ..read more

Having worked side-by-side with some of New Zealand’s top mid-market firms, I have encountered many business leaders in need of expert advice and support. When we start working together, one of the first things we tackle is the Hedgehog Concept – even before setting a Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG). You must understand the Hedgehog Concept and how it applies to your organisation before determining other strategic elements of your plan, including long-term strategy, initiatives, and goals. What is The Hedgehog Concept? Renowned business author, Jim Collins, first introduced the world to The ..read more

Selling your business can be a challenge, especially if yours is a mid-market company with above $30 million in revenue and trading internationally. This is because most business brokers in New Zealand are only familiar with selling smaller businesses (less than $5 million in revenue). It can be challenging to find someone who is both familiar with the global market as well as the New Zealand market, and has the experience and knowledge needed to attract buyers globally who will acquire your business for strategic reasons. Strategic and Financial Exits Explained You have invested a lot of tim ..read more

We are delighted to share that our client, SalesStar, has been named the winner of the Excellence in Strategy and Planning award at the recent 2022 Westpac Auckland Business Awards. A true highlight of Auckland’s business calendar for over 15 years, the awards celebrate innovation and creativity in the business sector. I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to CEO, Paul O’Donohue, as well the entire SalesStar team. Your hard work and perseverance have paid off. It is a well-deserved success. From small beginnings as a home-based business set up in a spare bedroom, SalesStar has g ..read more

There is no denying the impact inflation has been having on businesses, governments and households globally over the last year. It has been an especially challenging time for company CEOs and business leaders who may lack the experience of leading a company during inflationary times. I have experienced times like this before and have helped mid-market businesses survive and thrive during similar market upheaval. I was a C-suit manager during the 1987 crash, a General Manager during the 1997 Asia Crisis, and a business coach and mentor during the 2003 – 2004 economic downturn. Recently, I col ..read more

People often ask me why I chose to become a Gravitas Impact business consultant. My answer is simple – because Gravitas Impact is the best in what they do. Gravitas Impact is a global community of the world’s top business coaches. As an organisation, they are world leaders in helping mid-market companies scale and achieve market results that are not only impressive but sustainable as well. Before joining Gravitas Impact and becoming New Zealand’s only Senior Certified Consultant, I began my coaching career by immersing myself in the best executive education in the world. I set out on an int ..read more