Geoff Balfour

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coach Profile

 

Geoff Balfour:  30+ years in multiple leadership and management positions, predominantly but not exclusively in printing, distribution, colour and communications industries, most recently as Europe Managing Director. Rarely missed achieving double-digit growth for the organisations he has worked with. Regarded by peers, colleagues and those he has coached, as “always being on target with his insight and understanding of business issues.” Personable and supportive, he is known for

his professionalism, commitment and providing objective, independent, and effective input.  A consistent high achiever who “goes the extra mile” and “aims high”.

Founded Business Initiatives In 2007 as a vehicle for using the length, breadth and depth of his experience and knowledge to help and assist businesses, to achieve

their business growth objectives. To date he has helped more than 40 companies across all industry sectors attain growth and become more profitable.

Specialties: Success, business development and high growth, leadership, people management, sales, marketing, customer management, business organisation, structure, team, culture, strategy, vision. Recruiting and releasing people, understanding business growth drivers and what holds businesses back. Profit and

growth focused, incisive, supportive, positive can do attitude

 

Through his career and life Geoff has experienced lots of highs and lows, it hasn’t been easy but it has been rewarding. An experienced athlete and marathon runner,

he knows about discipline, work ethic, planning, execution, motivation, pain and pleasure. Ultimately winning has been a way of life. Consistently achieves being

n the top 10% of any activity

 

As a Business Coach Geoff transfers his knowledge and experience in such a way that he helps to carry his clients from where they are now to where they want

to be within their business. He becomes a critical friend and supportive ally, there to help you to succeed. Feedback from clients is excellent.

Testimonials are available: A summary of a recent feedback exercise concluded thus. This set of clients clearly appreciate Geoff’s consultative style. In 50% of

the comments there is a mention of ‘talk’, ‘discussion’ or ‘sounding board’, an indication of Geoff’s facilitative approach to coaching. Over half of the respondents

also referred to Geoff’s knowledge and experience as a factor in their high score. Business planning advice and guidance in business direction were also

entioned. Identified strengths include:

 

Objectivity

Independence

Positivity

Incisiveness

Motivational

Highly Recommended

 

 

Business Growth Accelerator Coach

 

One Page CV for

 

Geoff Balfour MBA DipM FinstLM MCIM

Expertise and competences:

High level leadership and management

 

High Growth

 

Markets: printing and media, retail, distribution, engineering, colour, and many more

 

Coaching and Mentoring

 

Supply Chain Management: OEM, distribution networks, UK & International

General management: Organisation, structure, change, transformation, recruit and release

Customer service excellence, customer focused strategies

Customer & Employee engagement processes

 

Marketing and Sales: Business Development, Strategy, Planning Skills: Business leadership

 

Organise a management and team structure to fit need and deliver results

Develop and implement marketing and business growth plans and strategies

Change and turnaround from good to better and better to best

Understanding how a business works, how to improve it, reduce costs & increase revenue

Time management

People management, discipline, delegation, development

 

Lead and coach, present and motivate

 

Experience:

 

From 2005-06 Geoff was MD of X-Rite Europe. During this period he led the strategic planning process to restructure the business, introduced new management and control system across Europe offices. Achieved sales growth of 7% in market that declined 3% and was personally responsible for doubling sales to the retail paint industry in EMEA region

 

From 2002 to 2005 Geoff turned around the underperforming UK subsidiary of X-Rite Inc from threatened closure. Through restructure, new business development, distribution reorganisation, continuous improvement programme and introduction of KPIs sales grew from £2.2m to £4.4m and the team developed to the point that the UK office became the Europe headquarters.

 

1999-2002. X-Rite UK. Recruited to lead the Graphic Arts division through change from distributor to direct sales in UK, improve international distribution relationships and activity and improve International OEM relationships for improved sales. All achieved within time, budget and exceeded sales targets with double digit sales growth each year. Promoted to include Europe Graphic Arts market development role.

Qualifications:

 

MBA: Strategic Marketing, University of Hull, 1996 - 1997

Diploma, Chartered Institute of Marketing. Manchester Business School 1995

Fellow Institute of Leadership and Management

Member Chartered Institute of Marketing

 

An experienced all-rounder, reliable, consistent, persistent, results focused a proven coach and leader with an excellent track record.