After many years of running a successful business, COVID brought significant challenges. We realised that to tackle these challenges effectively, we needed external guidance, so we decided to pursue coaching. Here’s what we gained from our coaching experience.

Goals:
Our main goal at the beginning of the coaching process was to address the post-COVID challenges—specifically, how to manage rising costs and refine our operations. We knew we needed to reassess how we were doing things to stay competitive and profitable in this new landscape.

How we found the coach:
We did our homework by researching online and interviewing several coaching companies across New Zealand. We chose Mark because we really got along with him. His approach resonated with us, and we felt he was the right fit to guide us through this period.

How it helped:
With two venues and two head chefs, the coaching was incredibly valuable. The regular meetings, both within our team and with the coach, provided an eye-opening perspective. The coaching helped us see the end goal clearly and gave us a structured, achievable mission to work towards.

The experience:
Coaching taught us to put tighter controls in place, which helped us move into a more profitable and comfortable spot. We became more rigorous with our suppliers and reassessed the menu to ensure better margins. Additionally, by cutting high-labor items, we managed labor costs effectively, reducing hours and streamlining our operations.

Current focus:
The coaching has been transformative for our business. Our focus now is to return to pre-COVID levels of customer engagement and profitability, all while continuing to do what we love most—hospitality! Coaching has put us on the right path to achieve these goals.

Inspirational message:
Embrace coaching to benefit from clear thinking and experience!