Look Out World

Thanks to everyone who responded to my FaceBook call for contacts for overseas aid work.

For those of you who didn't know, I've recently been accredited by the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation APEC as a Business Counsellor.

What this means is that I am able to apply to work on APEC approved projects around the world as there are reciprocal arrangements in the US, too.

A Business Counsellor, in a way, coaches through the entire process of decision making and knows who and when to refer to for specialist advice. What I hope to get involved in is assisting emerging economies and start-up businesses gain an objective view of their business to identify the areas for improving performance.

Being a Business Coach already I believe that a business operator knows (and owns) their problems and is best placed to find their own answers. I help uncover those problems and answers through coaching. I may not be an expert in your field or your industry but as a good coach, I'm expert in coaching and there is a better chance of success at the end of the process if the business operator owns and implements rather than becomes dependent on me.

Having run a couple of small businesses for the past 20 years, I can also take the role of mentor as someone who has already travelled the path.

It is the type of work I have been doing for the North West Business Development Centre in Port Adelaide for the past decade.  So my plan is to build connections in 2012 with a view to at least one month's work in a developing country each year thereafter.

So thanks again for your interest, your contacts and for your support so far.