Six Reasons Why Caroline Smith Should Be YOUR Executive Coach!

Reason #1 – Caroline Achieves Results

“I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the great work we have achieved together.  I will sheepishly admit that I found our sessions to be a good deal more valuable than I thought they would be.  I am truly very grateful to you for your efforts and a bit surprised by my efforts.  One of the reasons that I bought in to your coaching was that I saw results.  Your coaching made it easier for me to achieve good results when thorny issues arose.  I was able to get out of situations and people what I needed.  I wasn’t really aware that I was not getting the right answers because I was not asking the right questions.  So again, thank you.  You have helped me to learn how to focus on the right things and how to organize my thoughts and actions.  Your coaching, and friendship, is appreciated.”  - Philip J. Koesterer, Partner, Phoenix Building Group, Inc.

“We have worked with Caroline for about 5 months. She has revolutionized our company. As an owner it becomes very easy to rationalize what is happening/not happening. Caroline pointed our strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities. When I carefully reviewed our weaknesses, they were all driven by me–the owner. That was a little humbling.  In the past 5 months we have turned a corner. We have a brighter future/outlook. As a company we were not fatally flawed, just frustrated by the economy, by clients who were slow-playing, by intense competition, by our own self-limiting tho’ts. And while Caroline did not make these things go away, she caused us to re-think our strategies, re-invest in some inexpensive software, re-invigorate our employees thru a series of meetings and surveys. In short, Caroline has changed our outlook. We are now managing our business, it is not managing us.  Sounds simple enough, but what I find is that trying to manage and maintain 15 to 20 people/employees in this economy ( with no floor in it ) is way more challenging than you think. For us it was dispiriting. We lost our confidence and our go-get-’em attitude. This has been restored.  I will caution you. There is no quick fix. It’s not an oil change; it’s an overhaul. This is a ( sometimes ) slow process that demands management’s attention and will cause you to really evalute your core values, your core purpose and just about every systemic thing you do to create profit margin in your business. The good news is that Caroline is NOT a consultant, she’s a coach. She works hard. Get’s in the trenches, figures it out and brings you back the good, the bad, the ugly and provides time-based solutions.  If you’re in pain, call her. I’ve worked with a number of consultants over the years and even the folks that have been on your team for years as consultants tend be more “historical reporters”, if there is such a term. Caroline is more than an historian; She is a proactive agent of change.”  – Gerry Crawley, Owner, a.r.c. General Contracting

“My wife and I agreed before we hired Caroline that if we were to invest in coaching, we would have to see a return on investment.  Little did we know that we would see this ROI in only a month’s time with only 166 hours of labor!  My profits have increased 33% after just 2 months of coaching!  Coaching has really changed our lives.” – Rick Stuart, Owner, Better Homes and Repairs

“Just ask her to take charge of something and watch out!” – Michael Embry, Development Manager, Enterprise Data Warehouse, Harrahs Entertainment

“Caroline is my favorite type of person to work with, not only does she drive to get things accomplished, she drive to get them done right as well.” – Rob Armstrong, Director, Technical Marketing, Teradata

Reason #2 – Caroline can communicate effectively

“Caroline is a guru at effective communication.  She knows how to create value from corporate data.”  – Michael Hawkins, Director of Data Warehousing, Travelocity

“I first met Caroline when she presented to The Data Warehouse Institute about Travelocity’s success with Teradata CRM .  It was such an interesting story I stood in line to meet her after the presentation.  She is a charismatic individual with creative ideas and I am fortunate to know her.” – Kim Stanick, Director of Technical Marketing Strategy, Teradata

“Caroline Smith is an in-demand industry and technology speaker at Teradata events.  The event managers are always excited when she accepts an invitation to speak as she is an acknowledged leader in data warehousing solutions and attracts a large audience to her presentations.” – Marty Caskey, Marketing Specialist, Teradata

“Travelocity has won a number of awards, and is well known in the BI community for its innovative excellence and ability to execute. Much of this recognition can be attributed to Caroline’s direction, marketing, and leadership in the BI community at large”  – John Stafsholt, Sales Manager, Teradata

“Caroline’s presentation at the annual data warehouse conference is always one of the most well attended sessions.  She has built a reputation for interesting presentations about the benefits of business intelligence and data warehouse technology in the travel industry.” – Michael Askew, Principal, Marketing, Sabre Holdings

Reason #3 – Caroline knows how to bridge the gap between technology and business

“Caroline brings clarity to any business problem.  She can take any technical ‘mumbo-jumbo’ and turn it into something that non-technical business leaders can understand.  She was an invaluable member of the marketing team — translating technical jargon into business language and vice-versa, and coming up with the technical solutions to our marketing business problems.  We couldn’t have solved many problems without her.”   – Melissa Gerstle, Manager, CRM Strategy, Travelocity

Reason #4 – Caroline is highly respected in any industry where she works

“The most extended opportunity I had to work with Caroline is on the Teradata Partners Steering Committee, a voluntary Teradata Users Group governing body that is responsible for, among other things, organizing the annual Teradata Partners Conference.  While Caroline was a relatively new addition to the voting body (15 customers) of the Partners Steering Committee, she quickly and constantly provided us with insight, balance, creative yet practical ideas, and inflicted all of us with her boundless energy and enthusiasm.  She definitely impressed me with her leadership, decisiveness, and bias for action.  I think I can safely speak for the entire committee that her leadership and friendship are sorely missed.” -Alan Chow, Senior Vice President, Teradata Research & Development, Teradata

“Caroline was able get us an appointment due to her positive past working relationship with Exxon Mobil’s being invited back as a consultant to a former employer is a testament to Caroline’s abilities and positive personality” – Mark Hofstetter, Solution Architect, Teradata

“I’ve seen Caroline’s involvement in data warehousing for over three years.  She’s seen as a leader in the industry and can help take your company into new levels of business intelligence.” – Michael Embry, Development Manager, Enterprise Data Warehouse, Harrah’s Entertainment

Reason #5 – She is enthusiastic, insightful, innovative, versatile, and tireless in the pursuit of new possibilities

“Tireless?  You should see her at a Teradata Users Conference” – Michael Embry, Development Manager, Enterprise Data Warehouse, Harrah’s Entertainment

“As the Business Manager for a Girl Scout Day Camp, Caroline has shown innovation and has kept the most thorough records ever.  She was asked to help train other camp business managers because of her expertise.  She proved to be a most effective trainer, as well.” – Linda Freer, Day/Twilight Camp Coordinator, Girl Scouts of Tejas Council

“Caroline knows how to ask the right questions and is not afraid to challenge the status quo!  You want out of the box thinking, Caroline’s your gal!” – Mamie Millard, Senior Vice President, Product Development, Travelocity

“I lobbied to get Caroline on the Partners Steering Committee to help plan the conference because I knew she’d be creative, have great ideas, and follow through to make them happen.  I was right.  She did!  We need more members like her to keep the conference fresh and vibrant.” – Vickie Farrell, Vice President, Teradata Warehouse Marketing, Teradata

“As a member of the Teradata Partner’s Steering Committee, Caroline has shown the ability to think out of the box and find really innovative ways to Make A Difference.” – Art D’Silva – Senior Manager – Information Architecture & Strategies – Royal Bank of Canada Financial Group

“Sweet Caroline…Good times never seemed so good” – Neil Diamond, singer/songwriter

Reason #6 – Caroline is a great listener, mentor, leader, and friend

“I’ve known Caroline for over 10 years. She’s a true friend and was an honest and well respected co-worker, manager and director.  Caroline is always truthfully honest, tells it like it is.” Susan O’Con, Sr. Developer, Travelocity

“Caroline is an incredible person and an extra talented and unassuming person.  Her talents know no barriers.  From a savvy businesswoman to a tile woman to a handbell ringer, she is just fun to be around.  The minute she walks in with her sparkling blue eyes and her refreshing smile she brings a happy mood around inviting the mischievous in some of us.  She is a fabulous asset anywhere she goes.” – Souad Shrime, friend and fellow handbell conspirator

“You are a great mentor.  I know I can always count on you when I need someone to give me an honest opinion.  As a boss, you know how to cheer your team up.  You can keep your priorities straight.  You know how to stand up for your employees.  I have learned a lot from you on how to be a great leader.  Outside of work, you are still a great mentor and a great friend.  You also know how to appreciate people’s hard work and reward them accordingly.” – Heather Chan, former intern, Travelocity

“Caroline saved my life with the greatest single act of kindness, generosity, and love of my lifetime” – Greg Schuck, friend

“Caroline is not only an expert in her field, she is one of those people you really enjoy working with on even the most challenging of projects!  Not only does she know her stuff, she can scrapbook the entire history of your company!” – Dana Thomas, Sr. Manager, Travelocity

“Caroline is a fantastic leader full of tremendous enthusiasm.”  – Melissa Gerstle, Manager, CRM Strategy, Travelocity