Frequently Asked Questions

Our services are usually provided virtually as this is the most convenient and cost-effective option for most of our clients. However, we are also able to also provide in-person services if required in most cases. We can provide you with an individual quote if this is an option you would like to consider.

We offer a complimentary initial consultation to all clients, during which we will discuss your current circumstances, goals and what we can offer you.

Mary is always the first point of contact on any initial complimentary consultation so that clients have a personal connection point with her. At this point you can request her to continue with you personally if you wish. Mary works with as many clients as possible, but in the event that she is fully booked at the time of your request you will be given the option to either wait until she has space available, or be connected with another consultant or coach with Mary retaining oversight.

Our consultancy work is usually invoiced as a series of instalments in advance as each section of work is completed, although depending on the precise nature of the consultancy work other arrangements can also be applied. The best payment arrangements for your particular project will be discussed and agreed with you prior to any work commencing.

Our coaching work is usually invoiced in advance for a set number of sessions, as discussed and agreed with you prior to any coaching sessions commencing. Where our coaching services are retained on an ongoing basis, we will discuss and agree with you the best payment solutions to meet the circumstances.

Our invoices can be paid either by secure credit or debit card payment or by bank transfer. Please note that we do not accept PayPal or cryptocurrency payments.

For our consultancy work, wherever possible we work to specific outcomes agreed with clients at the outset and we only retain our fees where the agreed outcomes have been met or exceeded. Where is it not possible to work to specific outcomes, if for whatever reason you are not satisfied with our consultancy services you just need to tell us so within 48 hours of the completion of a session or piece of work and we will provide you with a full refund.

For our coaching work we only retain fees where clients are satisfied with the services we have provided. If for whatever reason you are not satisfied with our coaching services, you just need to tell us so within 48 hours of completing the session and we will provide you with a full refund.

Each session starts with defining the focus and what you want to get out of our time together. We work on deepening your understanding of your specific circumstances and experiences, as well as on what you see as your obstacles to moving forward towards attaining your goals and aspirations.

The role of a coach is to employ active listening whilst keeping a broad view to illuminate fresh perspectives. This involves interjecting with powerful questioning and intuitive thoughts, as well as challenging any assumptions and negative biases. A coach reflects observations back to you to broaden your thinking and open your mind.

A coach is able to challenge and stretch you in a way that only an objective, unbiased professional can – being your support system every step of the way and encouraging you, but also keeping you accountable for your progress. A coach doesn’t give you the answers to your questions but instead guides and empowers you to unlock your own solutions as well as supporting you to execute them.

Between sessions, you can work on your action steps if you wish to do so. In a coaching relationship there is never any judgement and there is always complete confidentiality.

• Providing career path clarity
• Managing stress & emotions effectively
• Creating work-life balance
• Building confidence & finding their voice
• Enhancing communication skills & inter-personal effectiveness
• Improving decision-making
• Developing strategic and big picture thinking abilities
• Managing change, challenges & transitions
• Navigating organisational dynamics & company cultures
• Enhancing entrepreneurial skills
• Building effective leadership skills & executive presence
• Developing holistic business strategies
• Improving resilience, adaptability & effective mindsets
• Creating strategic processes
• Managing & building teams effectively

These terms are often used interchangeably and there is considerable overlap between them. From our perspective if you are anyone other than a business owner, executive coaching is most suitable for you. If you are a business owner then either business coaching or executive coaching will be suitable for you – in this instance the distinction is not really relevant as we will in any event tailor a coaching program specifically designed for your needs.

However, in essence business coaching has dual focus on both the success of the individual business owner as well as on the success of the business itself, but with the emphasis placed more heavily on the operations of the business.

Executive coaching usually focusses more on individual people within a business. Although also with the aim of achieving the overall success of the organization or business those people work within, it is often more tailored to having the focus on individuals, leaders and teams.

Our coaching is designed to help you create lasting change and achieve long-term, sustainable growth. The results you achieve depend on your goals and commitment. However, many of our clients report experiencing significant changes within the first few sessions. We will work with you from the start to set realistic milestones and help you stay on track.

Our coaching is designed to fit into your life, not overwhelm it. We will create an actionable plan that complements your schedule and priorities. The time you invest now can save you time in the long run by helping you become more focused and efficient – in fact, having more time is one of the main benefits that the most clients gain from executive coaching.

This varies significantly depending on the particular business, market, circumstances and goals, but in essence business and management consultancy work usually involves a comprehensive analysis of the business as it currently is plus recommendations for changes and additions to be made to the business in order to achieve the desired goals and/or solve problems.

Our consultancy services can be engaged just for the analysis of the business and provision of recommendations. In addition, we can also help the business to execute the recommendations if desired.

Business coaching focusses on guiding and empowering business owners to find their own solutions through providing new perspectives, engaging in insightful questioning and challenging assumptions. Business consultancy focusses on objectively analysing a business and all of its operations in order to make recommendations as to how to improve all aspects of the business and achieve the desired outcomes.

These terms are often used interchangeably and there is considerable overlap between them. Commonly business consultancy is associated with specific, time-limited projects which analyse and assist a business at a particular stage, management consultancy with a more long-term involvement and a focus on strategic direction and the lifetime of the business, and business advisory with objective advice and guidance relating to a specific problem or aim that a business wants to achieve.

However, from our perspective the distinction between the various terms is not important. We always discuss each business’s particular circumstances and aims and tailor our consultancy plans to be ideally customized to meet these.

• Increasing revenue and profits
• Enhancing productivity
• Recruiting and retaining top talent
• Improving company culture
• Rapidly scaling their business
• Building customer loyalty
• Optimising processes
• Enhancing work quality
• Thriving in hard times
• Increasing and diversifying revenue streams
• Enhancing effectiveness
• Reducing expenditure
• Refining and improving business strategies
• Streamlining operations
• Increasing customer satisfaction

This depends on the exact circumstances of the business and what the business is aiming to achieve, however our consultancy services are designed for as rapid and impactful effect as possible. We will discuss and agree with you at the outset what we are aiming to achieve and the timescales within which we anticipate to be able to do so.