Testimonials
Corporate
Just prior to starting to work with Douglas I took up a number of new responsibilities in the Bank. I feel that my discussions with Douglas have provided me with the opportunity and catalyst to work through the challenges that these new responsibilities presented. I have learnt new techniques which in turn I have used on my self and with my reporting staff.
The contribution made to my performance this year using a coach was acknowledged in my annual appraisal review.
Paul Dutton, Director
Business Banking Finance
HBOS plc
I think I have now come to a point where I feel the support and process you have guided me through has really paved the way for me to move forward. I am now in full-business mode and am starting to spread the word around. I could not have reached this point without your guidance and I am really grateful for that. It’s amazing how the coaching process helped me get clear about what was important to me and how values were so key. I am so excited about what this has opened up for me in terms of this new business and where this is going to lead me to.
Thank you very much for all your support and ideas, inspiration and considerations that you have given me – you coached me to put the P for Passion in project management which really was what I needed to start my business idea.
Dheepa Nedungat
Projects Manager
CSBS
TELECOM NZ
Thanks very much for the discussions we had this year as part of the Leading the Way program.
I particularly benefited from the way you managed the discussions. While it would have been 'easier' if you had provided answers to my questions / concerns, the benefits of doing so would have been diluted. The questioning technique you employed soon made it clear that I had the majority of the answers at my disposal but had not clearly thought things through.
Having you as an independent point of reference, particularly without any baggage, helped me arrive at an objective outcome…
Another primary benefit I got from our sessions was that, although I had specific predetermined topics for discussion, you allowed (and ensured) that issues arising from discussions that did not have an obvious link to the planned topics were talked through as part of the problem. We deviated from what I thought were the primary issues on occasions, but always seemed to establish that 'the deviation was in fact not a deviation but part of the issue or obstacles that had to be dealt with'.
The potential solutions to issues I discussed with you (there were always multiple options generated from our discussions) all worked - a first for me, having experienced 'coaching' in the past. Past experience has always, and at best, seen limited success as an outcome. The strike-rate of 100% from our sessions was fantastic.
… I have used the questioning technique you employed with myself with members of my team to really good effect - a sideline bonus in that we never intended this.
Thanks again for the help. Most beneficial.
Regards
Bevan Alter
National Sales Manager – Grocery
Coca-Cola Amatil (N.Z.) Limited
I worked with Douglas as my coach for 10 months. As a result of the work we have done I feel much more confident in my abilities as a leader. People turn to me more for ideas than in the past. I find myself doing much more in the way of coaching my own staff now. I ask more questions, listen more, and encourage my people to generate their own solutions. I know that this approach will save me time in the long run, through developing the team's abilities and self-belief.
I spend more time planning my desired outcomes (from meetings / training etc) than in the past and as a result these are producing better results.
I have worked with my team to develop a new culture. We did this using approaches I would never have thought of (or had the confidence to try) without the support and encouragement of Douglas as my coach. I now have a team that works together, has fun, and delivers!
Douglas listened to what I needed from him as my coach, and ensured that I remained focused on the priority areas. Every so often we would review progress and this reflection opportunity helped me recognise that I had made some big changes.
Jo Forrest
NZ Business Manager
Cardinal Health 217 N.Z. Ltd
I worked with Douglas as my coach for approx. 15 months.
In this time I had a couple of changes of role, and found the coaching extremely useful in supporting me through the early stages of these.
I feel I have developed in a number of areas through the coaching: my influencing skills; my resilience; making time for planning and thinking; managing my direct reports; investing time in building and maintaining relationships.
I have been able to introduce better systems and processes in my area, and broken down some barriers that previously existed in the area.
Douglas used a coaching style which encouraged me to explore my ideas within a non-judgemental and supportive environment. I gained great confidence from the fact that many solutions came from within.
October 2005
Navin Chandra
Operations Manager - Designate
Coca-Cola Amatil (Fiji) Ltd
Eight months ago I became the business development manager for our company. I was the second person within 12 months to be employed in this role . While we could clearly see the role was having an impact in our business , there was very little structure in place around it.
What to do next ?- I was from a processing rather than sales background. It was suggested that we should try business coaching! Now at first I was a little skeptical but how wrong one can be.
After an initial meeting with Douglas from No Limits we decided to proceed with a series of weekly one-hour meetings to work on developing some structure around what I was doing and then looking at some ways to measure their success or otherwise. What I didn’t realise was how much I already knew about what we needed to be doing and what actually was working.
While Douglas didn’t have a working knowledge of our business he was able to ask the right questions to make me realize that I actually knew what needed to be done. Douglas' coaching helped me to identify processes & resources which enabled me to make an immediate impact in my role.
The regular frequency of the initial meetings was key as I was continually focused on what I needed to achieve and also what I had committed to achieving within the week allocated. The meetings were held offsite and allowed me to clearly identify what was important and part of my role and also what need to be passed on to other areas of the business.
As time moved on, the need for such regular meetings decreased and the frequency became fortnightly and then monthly .
Now this particular journey is finishing and I am recommending Douglas to others who wish to unlock their own potential.
Our business results and my own personal growth over such a short period are quite remarkable and Douglas’ methods have been a key component of this.
Business Coaching – Definitely worth a go.
Mike
Mike Fitzgerald
Business Development Manager
United Home Loans
Phone 09 357 3431
Mobile 021 409 881
Fax 09 3573438
Small business
When I began my coaching sessions with Douglas I had just launched myself as a freelance marketing planner and copywriter. That first step took all my courage! It was difficult to keep up the reserves for actually making a go of it - handling the inevitable knock backs and maintaining my momentum.
Douglas's coaching helped me immeasurably. He is a natural motivator, and the sessions helped me to quiet that 'negative voice' in my head as well as focus on the real issues and hurdles to overcome.
My coaching extended beyond the sessions - Douglas would call the day of a pitch to see how things went. His approach is relaxed, nurturing and best of all - highly motivating!
Susan Moran, Smart! Marketing Communications
Grey Lynn, Auckland
Since working with Doug over the last six months, I have been able to focus on my goals in life and business in a more efficient and effective manner.
Doug's well-structured coaching sessions have enabled me to prioritise my short and long term goals into reality and to untap my unlimited potential.
I would be more than happy to recommend Doug's excellent coaching services to anyone wishing to move ahead and beyond in life.
Anthony Fong
Fitness Trainer & Massage Therapist
AUCKLAND
Many thanks for all your support over the last six months.
You have brought a great third party conscience to our business and acted as the facilitator with a number of projects and ideas. Having a programme and deadlines to work to has meant that we have implemented some great processes and developed ideas through to fruition in the early stages of our business development.
Pam Brown
Colourplay
AUCKLAND
To whom it may concern.
I recently had the pleasure of meeting with and subsequently using the services of Douglas Lang as a Business coach.
I had recently started a new business as a Real-estate sales person. As with any new business there are lots of "Unknowns" that crop up. Douglas was able to help me prioritize action steps so as to still maintain an income and put systems in place that have ultimately set me up to build a profitable expanding business.
Whilst working with Douglas I found him easy to relate to and we followed a logical process at a good pace, so as to be able to produce measurable results.
I would recommend Douglas to anyone who is looking for an easy to relate to, non threatening coach, that gets results.
If you thinking of working with Douglas. I highly recommend him!
Regards
Richard Hayes
Property Consultant
Lochore's Real Estate Ltd MREINZ
Personal Development
Over the last few months Douglas has been coaching me, mainly in the areas of my life related to career direction. I was cautious in my expectations initially however I found the process and style Douglas deploys worked very well.
Early in the process I was able to identify clearly the areas of my life that are well organised and on track. This gave me confidence to focus in the one or two areas that needed commitment, energy and action. Douglas was able draw from me the things that were most important and to have me commit to myself realistic actions to take me forward.
Douglas has a personable style that combines constructive facilitative skills with quiet discipline to ensure forward progress is achieved. His questioning – listening - questioning with gentle challenges – listening approach brings out insights and for me on a couple of occasions the ‘penny dropped’ and I had clarity on issues that had been occupying my mind for sometime.
I consider that with the guidance of Douglas I have been able to achieve some clarity, focus and direction that I would not have otherwise achieved. I enjoy our sessions, finding them constructive and always progressive.
Brendon O'Connor
CHARLTON ROAD CONSULTING
