Before working with me as coach or consultant, you may want to know a few more things – Please take a few minutes to read the Interview and Frequently Asked Questions below.

Interview with Gina

Tell me more about yourself – Who are you, how long have you been consulting and coaching and what experience do you have?

I am a business success strategist, consultant, coach and the founder of Inovizion, a strategic consulting and coaching practice, based in Gauteng, South Africa.

I have been a business and management consultant for more than 20 years and have been a self-employed professional since 2003. Before starting up my own business, I gained more than 12 years’ management consulting experience with Accenture, one of the world’s largest management consultancies.

During my career, I was responsible for various strategic projects and clients, working across a number of industries, including Public Sector, Telecommunications, Retail, Products and Mining.

My formal qualifications include a Bachelor of Commerce (University of Pretoria), as well as a Certificate in Business Communication (UNISA). In addition to these, I have participated in various continued-learning activities and seminars during my professional career, both in South Africa and US / UK / Europe.

I am a Results certified coach and a registered NBI® practitioner and I’m affiliated with the ICF (International Coaching Federation) and COMENSA (Coaches and Mentors of South Africa).

On a more personal level – I’m the Domestic COO for a busy family. My interests include travelling, running, gardening, visual arts and graphic design, outdoor-life, social media, entertaining and reading.

How did you get to be a business owner, coach and consultant?

Let me share the story of my transition to self-employment and how I got to where I am today.

A few years ago I held a senior position with one of the world’s largest management consultancies. Great remuneration, big clients, busy projects, overseas training and travel, and many other things that made me feel important. As a working mother, I was always trying to balance professional and personal demands, and with the support of extended family, helpers, au-pairs, day-care and various other outsourced services, I managed to get by (or at least I thought I did).

Most days I spent long hours on the road commuting, leaving home early and returning late. During the week, I often did not see my young son awake and I hardly had any time or energy left for my husband, let alone family, friends and other interests.

On the upside, we had great holidays every year, but work often travelled along!

The defining moment that moved me to self-employment happened on cold winter’s morning in 2002. I was in the Executive Boardroom of a large Government Department, waiting for a client that was late (as usual). Make no mistake, I loved the consulting work, but long hours, unreasonable clients and excessive travelling were simply taking its toll on my family life, health and relationships in general. I was not the super-woman that I thought I could be. I desperately needed to regain energy, passion and enthusiasm. I needed more balance and personal power in my life, but how could I do it?

That morning, I realised that it was time for me to make a choice. No matter what it takes, I had to take back control of my professional and personal life! I was not quite sure WHAT I had to do or HOW I was going to do it, but I knew that I needed a personal plan, a business plan and an exit strategy. I was determined to find the solution.

Eight months later I resigned – I had eliminated all major debt, built up a financial cushion to take me forward for a few months, had a small consultancy set up and started contracting consulting services on my terms (mostly!).

I was up and running – leading a far more flexible life, being able to spend more time with my family. Initially I felt as if I was living my dream! But in life, things change. By 2004 I had my second child and early childhood months were not easy.

Being self-employed, I did not take a proper break and was right back at work within weeks of her birth. My daughter did not sleep well at all (something which only improved by the time she was almost 5 years old) – I was exhausted most of the time and found that it was virtually impossible for me to balance personal and professional life (once again!).

Professionally I was enjoying the problem-solving nature of consulting, but could not continue trading hours for money! I had to find other options. Over time I made a few adjustments such as not taking on new work that was out of town (commuting had become a nightmare due to increased traffic volumes and ongoing road works), as well as being far more selective in who I work with, but once again I was heading towards burnout – it was time for me to make a personal change. I took on less work and started additional creative studies, hoping to find the right direction, but I needed much more decisive action to shift my life and live my dream!

The next major defining moment came in 2008. A few months earlier my husband received an almost-irresistible offer to work abroad. We decided to give it a go and my family and I were getting all fired-up for an exciting 1 -2 year live-and-work experience in Australia. We were working at break-neck speed to get through bureaucracy and get the necessary paperwork done, but as fate (or rather luck) may have it, our plans did not quite work out as intended. With our migration plans moved out of the way, I realised that I had neglected other personal and professional goals for some time. I had to refocus and get my personal life, professional focus and business back in order.

I knew I wanted to be self-employed and run a specialised consulting and coaching business, but I had to address a number of personal challenges first! I realised that I cannot do this on my own.

I got in contact with a super life-coach to support me in regaining focus. Within less than a month, I set new professional goals. I enlisted the help of business and marketing mentors and have since restructured and reorganised my business to not only better serve clients in a rapidly changing business landscape, but also to be better aligned to my personal values, dreams and goals. The result – once again, my business is growing in a brand new direction, but I had to learn how to do things differently (and still continue to learn!). Today I am much closer to living my dream than ever before and there is no way that I am turning back!

I have since made it my professional mission to coach and consult to other women entrepreneurs, business owners and independent professionals to plan for success, get more organised in business and take decisive action to get better business results.

I will passionately support, coach and consult to individuals who really want to go BIG in their businesses, or who are planning to trade the corporate world for an alternative career, self employment or new business venture.

Who are your typical clients?

I typically work with advancing executives, inspired entrepreneurs, independent professionals and women in business who need a Strategic Thinking Partner to plan for success, get organised in their businesses and take decisive action to get results.

I lead my clients to define exactly WHAT they want to be, have or do in business and HOW they intend to get there – in essence, charting a unique roadmap for their business success.

My typical client plays a strategic or leadership role in his/her organisation or business. Usually a 35+, results-oriented professional, who is quite familiar with modern technologies such as the internet, email and social media, ready for new challenges, open to new ideas and willing to shift boundaries to create remarkable results.

As a coach, I have experience in dealing with strategic executives, senior managers and business owners from various industries and walks of life, including:

• Legal Professionals
• Management Consulting Executives
• Wealth Managers
• IT Sales Executives
• Directors and Program Managers in NGO’s
• Business-, Executive- & Life Coaches (Yes, I even coach coaches!)
• Event Planning & Marketing Consultants
• Professional Image Consultants
• Health-, Nutrition- and Fitness Coaches

I have a special interest in supporting professional woman (and cool guys) who want to up-level their professional and/or business performance.

As a consultant, I have completed more than 40 major projects and strategic work initiatives, and I have gained more than 15 years’ management and strategic change experience. The following are some of the clients I have dealt with during my extended consulting career:

• Accenture
• City of Cape Town
• City of Johannesburg
• City of Tshwane
• CNA
• CSIR
• Department of Labour
• Department of Social Development
• ERWAT
• Eskom
• Goldfields
• Motor Industry Bargaining Council
• National Treasury
• UNISA
• UNICEF / Department of Health

I currently prefer to work with small- to mid-sized service enterprises, where I have direct access, interaction and influence with decision-makers and executives.

What type of person do you work best with?

Being an action-oriented planner, organiser and go-getter, I am typically known to work best with other action- and results-oriented individuals who:

• Maintain an open mind, ready to make personal or business changes to achieve results.
• Recognise that there is room for growth and development.
• Are willing take personal responsibility and ownership for the required change.
• Can make the required financial investment for coaching or consulting.

Is there any person or business for which your programs or services will NOT work?

I am selective in who I work with. From time to time, I turn away a prospective client, or even end an existing client relationship where I feel that I am unable to add value or deliver the results that a client expects.

My coaching and consulting is not suitable for individuals (or businesses) who are financially desperate. It is my experience that those who are under absolute financial pressure, are unable to focus and follow through with strategic actions required for them to progress. They tend to see their coaching or consulting fee as an expense and a pain-point, rather than an investment in their future.

Finally, please note that I am also not willing to work with individuals with an overwhelmingly negative or skeptical mindset, or those who have not yet assumed full responsibility for their personal actions or results.

How are you different from other coaches and consultants?

What separates my services from others is my ability to creatively combine and package the best of consulting, coaching and mentoring, to provide practical and results-oriented solutions. Because of this, my clients

• Rapidly regain strategic professional and personal focus;
• Revive professional passion, enthusiasm and confidence;
• Improve time management and organisation, thus enhancing work-life balance;
• Become more effective in getting clients, improving productivity and increasing profits; and
• Accelerate personal, career and business development.

Unlike other coaches, I do not offer “coaching-by-the-hour” – Please do not expect hourly coaching or consulting rates. I have unique consulting, coaching and creative packages and programs to suit individual requirements, budgets and schedules. 

My service commitment further sets me apart from other service providers. As Consultant, Mentor and Coach, I make the commitment to:

• Respect strict confidentiality at all times.
• Deliver a professional service, with programs or interventions as specified.
• Provide quality materials and products.
• Meet all time commitments and to give my undivided attention during all subsequent coaching sessions or personal consultations.
• Support clients in choices that are in line with their vision, values and goals.

In addition, I may offer challenges and alternative viewpoints from time to time. As appropriate, I may offer suggestions for my client to explore and investigate. It may be in the form of reading materials, business resources, templates, worksheets, tools or inspirational materials.

I aim to meet and exceed expectations, but where I am unable to do so, I commit to inform my clients as long as possible in advance, in order to make alternative arrangements.

How do you typically interact with your clients?

I interact with my clients in various ways, including workshops, face-to-face sessions, phone (including skype and tele-conferencing), email and web. I use web-based assessment tools (NBI ®).

I have various clients all over the country on a weekly basis, working from my office. Due to technology, I am able to connect and deliver a fantastic service.

What is the difference is between coaching, consulting and mentoring. Can you explain this in a simple way?

Consulting is a specialist advisory service where specific solutions are identified and/or implemented, in consultation and deliberation with the client.  This includes business- and strategic planning.

In essence, Coaching is an ongoing, co-creative professional relationship that helps people to produce extraordinary results in their lives, careers and businesses. Coaching with Inovizion is a goal-oriented, facilitative and supportive process used to unlock potential and maximise individual or team performance.

Finally, Mentoring usually involves an experienced or trusted advisor who provides specific support, guidance and leadership to an individual over a period of time.

I believe in bringing together the best of Consulting, Coaching and Mentoring to help my clients create remarkable business results.  The following diagram explains more:

How does your coaching process typically work?

The following diagram illustrates the typical 6-month coaching process in Inovizion:

Do you use specific coaching methods, tools, systems or programs in your practice?

Yes, we utilise various programs, tools, methods and proprietary systems, the most relevant include:

• Results Coaching System – As a Results certified coach, my approach to individual and group coaching is guided by the research and methods of RCS. Although I have tailored my general coaching methods over time, the basic RCS goal-directed system is the foundation Inovizion’s coaching practice. This is HOW we coach.
• Inovizion’s Strategic Success System – This is a unique system with 12 critical success factors for executives, business managers and entrepreneurs. Depending on individual needs, we might do coaching on all or only selected success factors.
• Inovizion’s Profit Formula – This is a simple formula with five specific BUSINESS levers, which enable entrepreneurs, business owners and sales-oriented executives to multiply revenue, profits and productivity in their businesses, or work-places.  Depending on individual needs, we might do coaching on all or only selected business levers.
• NBI™ Whole Brain Assessments – For executives, adults and students, to understand thinking preferences and discover professional passion to guide career, business and life choices.
• Strengths Finder– For any one in the workplace  to understand unique strengths and talents, and discover unique ability to guide career, business and life choices.

In addition to the above, I have a comprehensive resource library of quick and easy to use templates, worksheets, tools and books, covering a broad range of business- and professional development activities. I provide these to clients as needed.

What are your product and service offerings and what is included in each?

Inovizion offers various consulting, coaching and creative programmes and interventions to suit individual requirements, budgets and schedules. These include:

Strategic & Business Planning

For organisations and businesses (or leaders in business) who need a helping hand with the planning of strategic, business improvement or change initiatives

• Business Strategy or Facilitation: ½- or Full-day interventions (On- and Off Site)
• Blitz Business Planning and Business Planning Done-for-You
• Power Hour Sessions: Short facilitated presentations (On request, On- and Off Site)

 [click here]

Coaching and Mentoring

For executives, entrepreneurs and business owners – A facilitative, supportive and forward-looking process to unlock your potential, maximise performance and bring about POSITIVE CHANGE.

• Platinum: Fast-Track Coaching (3 x 60 min private 1-on-1 coaching sessions pm, 3 x ad hoc laser calls, unlimited email access, business resources, weekly accountability emails – minimum 6 month commitment. By far the program that will create the best results in the shortest space of time.)
• Gold: Top-Results Coaching (2 x 60 min private 1-on-1 coaching sessions pm, 3 x ad hoc laser calls, unlimited email access, business resources, weekly accountability emails – minimum 6 month commitment. A program that delivers great results at a steady pace.)
• Silver: Basic or Maintenance Coaching (1 x 60 min private 1-on-1 coaching session pm , weekly email updates, business resources – ideal for ongoing maintenance coaching.)
• VIP Coaching (1 x ½ day private 1-on-1 INTENSIVE coaching – Agenda is set around unique client requirements which may range from visioning or business planning, to marketing and new business development . Inclues 1 x  follow-up session / call)

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Mastermind 2013 

The Inovizion Strategic Success Mastermind for 2013 is a high-quality coaching experience specifically for advancing female executives and entrepreneurs, as well as top-tier women in business.

If you are worth a high six-figure+ / 7-figure annual income with BIG ideals, handle significant budgets, are responsible for a team or multiple resources, or are ready to step up into a bigger leadership role, you will benefit from working with a group of dynamic women. The focus is on strategic growth and development, as well as honing leadership and business development skills, in order to strategically multiply your impact in business and/or community.

 Monthly LIVE meetings in Pretoria East, Monthly Question and Answer calls, a Year-End Celebration at the end of the year. By far the most affordable way to get support, establish accountability and create great business results.

[click here]

NBI® Whole Brain Preference Profiling

For individuals in all walks of life to understand thinking preferences and discover professional passion to guide career and life choices
[click here]

How much does coaching or consulting with you typically cost?

As mentioned earlier, I do not offer “coaching-by-the-hour” like most other coaches.  I offer unique consulting, coaching and creative packages and programmes to suit individual requirements, budgets and schedules.  However, you might want to look at the following 2012 industry guidelines for coaching – The investment requried for my value-packed offerings fall well within the industry norms and boundaries:

Will I recover the investment I put into coaching or consulting with you?The investment required for my value-packed offerings fall well within the industry norms and boundaries.

Yes, you are quite likely to recover your investment. This is often done by merely adding a new client, making a few extra sales, increasing productivity or implementing a new revenue stream. I’m more than willing to explore just how you can do this when we get acquainted during our introductory session.

How does payment typically work?

Coaching clients are typically invoiced MONTHLY in advance. VAT invoices are emailed to clients and becomes payable on presentation. Payments must be made using EFT or direct deposit into our bank account. Credit card, debit orders and installment payments, can be utilised for selected products and programmes.

I know which programme I want, how do we get started?

Congratulations on making a decision for success! One of the characteristics of successful people is that they take decisive action – I am excited to work with you to achieve your professional, personal and business goals.

I invite you to a no-obligation introductory session, where we get acquainted and see how I can best support you with your unique business challenges. Here’s what you do – Just link up with me via email (info@inovizion.co.za) indicating the programme of choice, or by submitting a request via the Contact page and I will respond, getting the ball rolling! If you have any additional questions, send this to me – I will l be happy to answer it.

I can’t wait to meet with you in person or on the phone to get you started on journey towards professional passion, personal power and success.

If you feel that you want to get to know me better, you are welcome to browse through my website, link up with me on Linked-In, Facebook and Twitter, read my blog or sign up for my free report or resources.

Once you are ready to take the next step, we can schedule no- obligation, introductory session, where we can get acquainted and I can answer other questions.  Just reach out and contact us via email info@inovizion.co.za or our contact page – Contact Me

From time to time, I have other no-cost or low-cost offers, such as short courses or Open Days. I announce these through my Newsletter or you can have a look at my Events Page on the web.

Finally, as a certified NBI® practitioner, I am quite sure that you would get immense benefit from the NBI ® Advanced Adult Assessment as it provides so much insight into personal preferences to inform life and career choices.  At only R300 (including VAT) for the assessment and feedback report, this is a worthwhile investment. This can be ordered from our on-line shop => Click Here 

I have some additional questions, can I have a personal call with you to discuss these?

Sure, please send us a direct email at info@inovizion.co.za or link up via our contact page – Contact Me