Posted in Uncategorized by Jo North
If you’re thinking about signing up for Idea Time to work on yourself and your business, you may be wondering what you can get out of it and where it may take you.
Here are some sneak peeks of what just a few of our customers have been up to, and what they have achieved as a result of Idea Time.
1. Sales growth and business development
“I increased gross business turnover by 300%”
Deborah Carr, Director, Total Spa Solutions
“Half way through my second year of business I found myself with lots of ideas and areas that I wanted to develop but struggled for time. I found it impossible to finish a task that wasn’t critical to the day-to-day operation of the business.”
Deborah told us that after her first meeting with Jo, she “left with an action list, a plan and belief” in herself. Deborah skyrocketed the annual turnover of the business 300% by using a new approach, which she adopted as a result of completing the Idea Time programme and her one-to-one coaching.
“The support and tools that were provided whilst working through the Idea Time programme are relevant to all businesses, no matter how established they are or the size of the business. I put the practical skills I learnt into action very quickly to help me plan and prioritise my day and tasks, to allow a much more productive and strategic working week.”
“Not only is Jo very experienced and knowledgeable, but she is also incredibly easy to talk to and a pleasure to work with. I would recommend Jo and Idea Time in a heartbeat and think the investment is returned in so many ways. Thank you so much for your support Jo, and for pushing me when I needed to be pushed!!”
This is amazing news Deborah, thank you! So many of us don’t proceed with our ideas, which means our goals and visions become dreams instead of reality. Deborah is now a productivity ninja, working smarter instead of harder to achieve consistent growth. For some of my top productivity hacks, check out my blog here.
There’s also a full Productivity Course inside the Idea Time Membership with even more time-saving tips and techniques.
2. Bring your business ideas to life
“Idea Time helped me think about amazing possibilities and gave me a new perspective on the business”
Amanda Selvaratnam, Associate Director of Research and Enterprise and Head of Enterprise Services, University of York. Director, The Training Gateway
“Idea Time gave me the unique opportunity to spend a focused 20-60 minutes every week on my business. It helped re-excite me and remember why I started the business. Instead of concentrating on the day to day issues and challenges idea time helped me think about the amazing possibilities and gave me a new perspective on my business. Idea Time has given me a wealth of new techniques that I can apply to all sorts of situations. Idea time is an essential programme for anyone in business who wants to not only to dream about the possibilities of where their business could go but also develop effective creative strategies to bring those possibilities to life.”
That’s amazing Amanda!
3. Business growth from New Product Development
“I am already seeing a ROI from Idea Time.”
Andrew Palmer, Managing Director, The Gravitas Matrix
“I am compelled to write a recommendation for Jo having been coached by her. The clarity of her thought process and the ability to get under the skin of a problem, understand others’ view points to help solve critical issues using some of the great techniques that Jo has developed for Idea Time are fantastic. She epitomises creativity in the way she teaches and delivers.
I am already seeing a ROI for my own thought and business processes that are positively impacting on my business development and the product development and helping grow my business. I approach my day-to-day thinking using the tools that Jo has shown me to create many light bulb moments. If you are stuck or want to develop an idea take a look at the material she has already created and posted and sign up to her course. It really will help.”
That is excellent news, Andrew!
4. Create a clear strategy and business plan
“If you want to really see things clearly, develop a clear action plan that delivers and enables you to get more from life, then this programme is for you”
Sarah Byrne, Director, Mosaic Events
“Idea time has been a fantastic experience for both me and my business, I started feeling really unclear about exactly what I wanted to achieve, how to progress and in truth I just felt stuck in time! The Idea Time process has been really great but most of all for really pushing me to look beyond the norm, I have realised in order to achieve what you really want you need to get out of your comfort zone. It’s been a massive benefit to really explore my options in depth and realising just how many I had to choose from! Working with Jo has been fantastic. If you want to really see things clearly, develop a clear plan of action that delivers which enables you to get move from life this is the programme for you.”
We totally agree with Sarah about having an actionable strategy and business plan! If you want to get started and create your own outline in less than an hour, have a look at my blog here, and download my free starter business plan template.
5. Have more, and better, business ideas
“Jo has an incredible energy and a real, infectious passion for innovation”
Paul Slater, Director, The Change Shed
“Jo has incredible energy and a real, infectious passion for innovation. She has a great set of tools, techniques and approaches for creativity and ideation. Clearly experienced in using these approaches, Jo uses a range of interesting ways to bring them to life – making them usable, useful and fun!
Creativity isn’t just about ideas though. Yes, Jo’s Idea Time programme leads to the creation of rich veins of ideas you might not have otherwise had. But it also focusses you on how to make those ideas happen. That’s where your ideas become valuable.”
Thank you for your kind comments Paul – We love working with you! If you’d like to learn more about how to think creatively, there are some great tips here.
6. Time for you – leadership development
“Idea Time helped me to achieve my BHAG (Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal)”
Joe Lavan, Director, Coffey Northumbrian
“I completed Idea Time with Dr Jo, I found it enlightening and enjoyable. Idea Time helped me to achieve my BHAG (Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal), with surprisingly little effort. I found the techniques very effective, and certainly I am a better equipped leader, with simple tools and tricks in my pocket through Idea Time. I looked forward to my one on one discussions with Jo and always finished these highly motivated. Idea Time has re-awoken a desire in me to learn and undertake further personal development, I highly recommend Idea Time, and have encouraged team members, who are now chasing their own BHAGs through Idea Time.”
We’re excited to hear what the future holds for you, Joe! To learn more about how to achieve competitive advantage for your business through high performing people, have a look at our article here.
7. Successful business transformation
“Idea Time has truly enabled me to move forward during a time of major transition for me”
Joy Parvin, Director, Centre for Industry Education Collaboration
“I’ve found the combination of reading, thought-provoking activities, watching Jo’s Friday videos and one-to-one phone calls with Jo, extremely effective. Jo’s experience, knowledge, and gentle way of making great suggestions, has truly enabled me to move forward during a time of major transition for me; from being one of two Directors running our small organisation, to being sole Director, with a changing team, and the need to build a strong vision for our future.
Idea Time, more than any training I have participated in, has had the largest impact on my practice, helping me to work more effectively with the ‘bigger picture’ and with those that are on this journey with me – from my immediate team to my wider network of colleagues across the companies we collaborate with.”
That’s impressive stuff and really great to hear, thank you Joy!
8. Future-proof your business
“Just by having the confidence, everything has fallen into place for me. I’ve had month after month of the best months ever!”
Andrew Firth, Owner, Ascensor
“At first, I saw the Idea Time Programme as homework and didn’t put as much time aside to concentrate on it, but Jo encouraged me to see it in a different light; as working on myself and my business.”
Ascensor is having a huge year this year, with legal contracts being worked on for a new building move. It was Andrew’s Big Hairy Audacious Goal to be in the new building by September this year and it’s all going to plan, thanks to the Idea Time Programme, which helped him focus on his goal.
“As I’ve got older, I’ve become more cautious and Jo helped me map out the pros and cons as to whether to make the move or not. It would be more of a threat to our business by standing still and not making this move, rather than going for it.”
Since completing the Idea Time Programme, Andrew has recruited amazing people who have hit the ground running and he says it’s all to do with taking the time out to focus on the business and himself. With taking time out, doors have opened for him that he didn’t expect.
Amazing, Andrew! We’re so pleased to hear this! We can’t wait to hear more about your big move and what you’ve got in store for the future.
A step-by-step guide to the Idea Time decision-making process that Jo and Andrew worked through together is in the article here.
Join the Idea Time Membership and I will work with you to help you accelerate your business growth and achieve your big, hairy, audacious goals – click here for more info and to join.
You will have access on tap to high-quality, time-efficient professional innovation masterclasses, creative tools and techniques and a wealth of meeting and workshop resources, not to mention a community forum.
Plus, whenever you’re ready, if you sign up as an annual member you will also benefit from one-to-one innovation coaching with me that will help you to think differently and skyrocket your success.
I will help you to create some time for you to think freely, fearlessly, explore options and risks, and make the best decisions for you and your business. I will also provide an invaluable expert perspective and fresh pair of eyes.
You’ll need to commit just a few hours a month to make the most of the new materials that I will publish for you each week to help you work towards your goals. I’ll be there to guide you, supporting you as little or as much as you need me to.
There’ll be playbooks, toolkits, video tutorials and bite-sized chunks of learning (called “lightbulb moments”!) to accelerate and strengthen your innovation process.
You can also choose to get the support of a group of other likeminded innovators who are all committed to entrepreneurial thinking, professional and business growth.
Can’t wait to work with you inside the Idea Time Membership!
