The document discusses James Kirkwood, who brings executive-level coaching to small businesses in Whistler, British Columbia. Kirkwood previously worked in top positions for large companies and now uses his experience to help local business owners with strategies for growth, boosting sales, marketing, and employee engagement. He meets with clients both in boardrooms and during recreational activities like skiing to help them gain an outside perspective and plan for business objectives. Kirkwood is also involved in the Whistler community through organizations like the Chamber of Commerce.

1. Whistler Question www.whistlerquestion.com Tuesday, July 5, 2016 News 9
THE BIG IDEA
Thinking big for small
business
Michelle Ratcliffe
Special to the Question
Whistler is a town well
versed in the merits of
coaching to reach great
heights. While this may
be commonplace in the
athletic arena, what about
elevating achievements on
the corporate playing field?
Coaching is a big trend in
today’s business landscape,
with leaders increasingly
harnessing the power of
this approach to drive their
performance.
James Kirkwood is putting
this practice to work in his
backyard. His business,
Kirkwood Consulting
Group, is bringing
executive-level coaching to
Whistler businesses. This
personalized one on one
coaching aims to elevate
local business owners
and senior management
transitioning to leadership
roles.
Kirkwood came to
Whistler five years ago after
trading a top position in one
of the world’s largest media
companies for a professional
life devoted to putting big
business ideas to work for
small and medium sized
businesses.
“My passion is working
alongside leaders that want
to inspire change, explore
growth strategies, while
maintaining the ideal
work environment,” said
Kirkwood. “I’m excited to be
able to offer executive level
coaching to local Whistler
businesses.”
Aviewtothenext
level
Kirkwood frequently sees
local business owners tied
to the operational side of
entrepreneurship, struggling
to carve out the time to
take a strategic look at their
business.
This is where Kirkwood’s
toolbox of proven strategies
can quickly have a big
impact. Whether meeting
at a boardroom table or
on a chairlift, Kirkwood’s
service provides an elevated
perspective for his clients to
work strategically and plan
the execution for growth.
“I evaluate the way a
business currently functions
and identify opportunities
that support growth and
achievement of their key
business objectives,” said
Kirkwood.
The areas that are often
of top priority for small
business owners land right
in Kirkwood’s wheelhouse
— creating strategies to
boost sales, developing
key marketing plans and
improving employee
engagement are Kirkwood’s
key areas of expertise.
Provenpractices
When it comes to applying
best practices, Kirkwood has
indeed had ample experience,
with 25 years working closely
with high performance teams
for 1,000-plus clients globally.
“I’ve operated my own
business, worked on the
frontline and worked my way
up to a director role in a $1.3
billion media company,” said
Kirkwood.
This experience has
equipped him with
proven strategies to propel
businesses to their next level.
For small businesses that can
struggle to stay ahead of the
curve, Kirkwood can bring
a broad perspective with
a finger on the pulse of big
business trends.
“My continual professional
development has kept me at
the forefront of strategies that
plan for tomorrow and are
relevant today,” he explained.
“This is what businesses are
thirsty for.”
Awinningmixof
workandplay
Since arriving in Whistler
with his wife Shannon,
Kirkwood has immersed
himself in all aspects of the
community, both professional
and recreational.
“Biking and skiing are big
draw cards for us, but the
thing that really hooked us
in was the community that
we have become actively
involved with,” Kirkwood
said. “Working side-by-
side with entrepreneurs to
fast track their success is
something I love to do.”
As president for BNI
Mountain High in Whistler,
Kirkwood has gathered an
active group of business
owners specializing in
word-of-mouth referrals and
says being a director on the
Whistler Chamber board
means he sees firsthand the
challenges and opportunities
shared by the business
community.
Kirkwood mentored
emerging social
entrepreneurs in the 2016
Social Venture Challenge
and can also be found
facilitating implementation
of the Whistler Chamber’s
Whistler Experience service
methodology.
Keeping his ear to the
ground in the community
keeps Kirkwood tuned into
local issues and opportunities
so he can always offer a
Whistler-specific perspective
on strategy.
“Being mindful of the
recreational playground
we live, in I try to get out in
it as much as I can. I must
admit that some of my most
productive meetings have
happened on skis or two
wheels.”
Make business easy — tune
in to The Big Idea, a bi-weekly
column from the Whistler
Chamber of Commerce
showcasing a Whistler
business innovating in their
sector.
online
Check out
www.whistlerquestion.com
for more
local business stories
James Kirkwood brings executive-level coaching to Whistler.
Photo submitted
Congratulations
whistler waldorf school
graduates
In The Question’s graduation feature published on June 28, two Whistler
Waldorf School students were incorrectly identified. We sincerely regret
the error.
Meronek rowanBennett ren
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