The next
morning, after returning to Seattle, Sylva checked her email. To her
amazement and delight, one of the emails was from the owner of the software
company, and she was interested in selling! Sylva talked with her husband
Bob. They decided to go into business together and buy the company.
What
changes were made as the new business was added?
At the time of purchasing the company, Sylva was using her consulting
and coaching skills in her full-time executive coaching practice with
15-20 clients. The first thing she decided to do to take this software
product to the next level was to cut back her coaching practice. Meanwhile
Bob was also making changes in his work schedule to assist in the company.
One of
their first strategic decisions was to upgrade the software. They wanted
it to be point and click, robust and easier to use. Sylva, in Bob's
words, "is a walking wealth of information on money and time saving
tips and resources." She was bursting with ideas about how she envisioned
having the product improved.
The upgrade
was demanding. It took long weeks, that grew into even longer months,
during the spring and summer of 2002. They were both exhausted and delighted
to re-launch the software as Client Compass™. Once the re-launch was
complete, Sylva was proudly sharing the product via conferences, professional
meetings and professional contacts. She had already developed many of
these contacts through her executive coaching business, Turning Point
Northwest.
Diversity,
One of the Keys to Their Success
Sylva and Bob represent a diversity of styles. Sylva is by her own description
a "gung-ho visionary." Bob through his planning and methodical attention
to detail provides the solid structure that allows Sylva to innovate
and market. Bob helps Sylva slow down. He also provides excellent management
skills to create teams to address company needs. When Bob gets too analytical,
Sylva is there to expand the view and return to strategy and vision.
Sylva
has always thrived on having more than one job or business. She is confident
that diversifying by adding this software product was the right decision.
Another product of hers is The Talking Mirror, a 360 feedback process
that she developed out of her 10-year experience of helping executives
improve their performance. With the upgrade complete and automated processes
in place Sylva is now re-building her Executive Coaching practice using
The Talking-Mirror together with The Client Compass™ software.
How
will this new software product make a difference?
The Client Compass™ software raises the level of professionalism of
coaches and promotes the science as well as the art of coaching. It
can help any coach or consultant improve their services through effective
systems that provide consistency and stability to the administrative
side of business. And, it is easy for right and left-brain thinkers
to use as it provides structure and flexibility at the same time!
What
are your biggest business challenges today?
"Time and money! Having enough of each is key to implementing the great
R&D ideas we have for the software. We have opened a Phoenix office.
Bob is taking Client Compass™ on full-time and we are exploring how
best to tap into the other customer bases that can use this software
product. We plan to broaden our customer base to include consultants,
public speakers, therapists, chiropractors, realtors and other professionals
who have clients with billable hours or large client bases for tracking
information."
Do
you create balance in your lives as entrepreneurs?
"We didn't have balance when we were upgrading Client Compass™." One
of the major things Sylva noticed was missing for her was having time
in the sun. When she got clear on her intent to have sun once again,
a friend's condo in Phoenix became available for she and Bob to lease
for a year. Being in the sunny environment has already begun to restore
some of the slower pace Sylva was committed to achieving.
What
keeps you going during challenging times?
"We started out with very clear guidelines about how we wanted the business
to work. We knew who would take what roles and we carefully mapped out
how each person's responsibilities would look. That planning and adhering
to it has allowed us to feel supported and be supportive of each other.
We also have had tremendous help from colleagues, mentors and coaches".
What
would you like to share with other Trailblazers or Trailblazers in the
making?
"When you are creating new trails talk to others about possible pitfalls.
You can learn from them especially when you consult them as you come
to a fork in the road. Have a vision and carefully crafted plans with
clear goals. Use a business perspective to get systems in place and
define roles and responsibilities. Chart your path with a high quality
compass!"
How
has having your own coach contributed to your success?
For Sylva, coaching has made a big difference. Last year she worked
with two master coaches, Laura Berman Fortang, who helped her take on
outlandish goals, and then Vikki Brock who helped her achieve balance
and focus while moving forward. She has learned to stretch without snapping.
Bob asks Sylva occasionally to be his in-house coach and seeks the wisdom
and expertise of others to minimize the mistakes in moving forward.
Reach
Sylva via her website at www.clientcompass.com.
Contact
me now to set up a 30 minute Introductory
Conversation
.... and let your coaching adventure
begin!
