Mr. Consultant, why should I be interested in you?

1. So Mr. Consultant,
why should I be interested in you?

2. It’s a fair question that a CV or
whizzy website can’t answer.
There are so many great consultants,
coaches, mentors and agencies out there,
it’s hard to see the wood from the trees.
So I thought I would let you know why you
should be interested in me.
Stop reading now if you like ...
but you never know, we may be right for each other

3. You know already that my name is Simon,
but you do not yet know that with my
experience, energy and ideas I can help you
and your business improve.
No MBA, no jargon and
no shiny suit.
Just 35 years of
business experience.

4. Firstly I love what great businesses can
achieve, and love being part of that energy.
I’ve run big businesses and small businesses.
I’ve started businesses, grown
businesses, bought and
sold businesses.

5. I’ve sat at a thousand board meetings, written
hundreds of budget proposals, presented
umpteen strategic plans and design ideas.

6. I’ve developed new products and improved
existing ones.
I’ve refreshed brands, reviewed brands and
found the truth in brands.

7. ... and I’ve run the numbers
many, many, many times (yawn).

8. Written brochures,
sales collateral of all kinds, white
papers, green papers,
paperless papers ...
and content in every form.
I’ve drafted acquisition
proposals and information memorandums.

9. I’ve given good news and bad.
Wrestled with costs. No. Fought with costs.
I’ve overspent and controlled expenditure.
I’ve cut costs and painfully
had to cut some more.

10. Systems and processes have frustrated me ... but
I’ve seen technology change the game.

11. I’ve engaged with people who care and dealt with
those who don’t.

12. I’ve helped steer a course
through the unseen and
unexpected ...
Like wars, ash clouds, disasters,
fatalities, accidents and
tumbling markets.

13. I’ve engaged with more good people, welcomed
ideas, made things happen.
I’ve loved being part of a team. Been overjoyed and
overwhelmed, disappointed and delighted.
I’ve celebrated success and
learned from
failure.

14. I’ve always tried to lead by example and manage
with empathy (well most of the time).
I’ve made tough calls that were right and made
judgments I’ve regretted.

15. I’ve found solutions in unlikely places
and wrongly ignored minor irritations
that turned into problems.

16. I’ve learned a lot: about myself
and about the people
I’ve worked with and for.
Both good and bad,
for richer for poorer ...

17. I’ve learnt that businesses I’ve created
or helped to grow will change.
They will never
stay the same.

18. And through all that ... I’ve gained
the confidence to:
• listen
• ask questions
• challenge
• and simplify

19. The future is your business challenge. I understand
your business challenge. I can help you see your
future more clearly and help your business improve.
In context. With ideas.
With energy. With experience.
Thanks for reading.
Hope I answered your question.
See the next page for my detailed CV if you are interested

20. Simon Tobin. Experience can make a difference.
• For 9 years I was a main board director of Holidaybreak plc and MD of The
Adventure Travel Division which included Explore Worldwide in the UK, Djoser in
Netherlands, Travelworks & Carpe Diem in Germany and Divantoura in Belgium.
• Through organic growth and acquisition I grew the division to be leader in the
sector with a turnover of £ 90 m.
• Previously I was MD of Keycamp Holidays and founder of Drive France and went
from Tour Guide to UK Director of Contiki Travel.
• I was a Director of ABTOF (Association of Tour Operators to France) and a
committee member of AITO (Association of Independent Tour Operators).
• I speak publicly on Leadership, New Business Start-Ups, M&A for SME’s and Brand
Development among other subjects.
• After a period of mentoring & consulting and advising corporate investors on the
Travel & Leisure sector, I founded Tobins Consulting to make use of this
experience in order to help companies and individuals improve.
simon@tobins-consulting.com