When you work with an advisor, you want someone who is competent, trustworthy, and aligned with your interests. Here’s how I work.
Process
1. Fiduciary
If you ask a butcher what to eat, she’ll recommend meat. If you ask a nutritionist, she’ll give you a range of options. I’m the nutritionist. I don’t sell food, just options.
2. Unlimited
I don’t believe you should make a value decision every time you or someone on your team contacts me. For that reason, I only offer fixed-fee, unlimited access retainers.
3. Transparent
One of the biggest criticisms I see about marketing service providers is they obfuscate their work and/or their results. I prefer total transparency and plain-spoken explanations of what’s happening.
4. Transformation
For your business to grow, you’ll need to do things differently. I help companies make the changes necessary to see measurable financial growth.
5. Strategy
Successful marketing strategies requires making trade-offs. I’ll help you plan, budget, and implement a strategy that grows with your business.
6. Systems
No change is lasting unless it’s built into the fabric of how you operate. We don’t just “do work”, we’ll turn our ideas into a system that becomes an asset to your business.
7. Oversight
A big part of what I do is ensure each piece of your marketing is performing and working in harmony so you don’t spin your wheels or veer off course.
8. People
When you need outside support, I’ll make direct introductions to vetted specialists. I never mark up nor take a referral from anyone I recommend.
9. Data
Hunches have a place in marketing, but so does data. I’ll help you get your data in order so you can make decisions based on the key metrics that matter most.
10. Advocacy
At the end of the day, I see myself as an advocate and champion for you and your business. We all need someone we can trust. I take this responsibility to heart.
Highlights
I understand business fundamentals—This should go without saying, but I’m often surprised at the lack of business knowledge some marketing consultants have. I have owned (and sold) an event & experiential marketing business, ran a distributed web design and digital marketing agency, and have a post-grad certificate in Entrepreneurship.
I have been doing this a long time—After doing years of freelance web and graphic design work for my family and friends (for free), I decided to start charging people for my time in 2006. Thus began the path to where I am today.
I treat my clients like family—When I give advice, I think about what I would do if it were my mother or father asking. I look at and discuss risk and reward openly. I tell them when I don’t know. Most of all, I bring genuine care to the table.
I was born in Ireland—In the 80’s, my family immigrated to Ontario, Canada, where we’ve lived ever since. My wife wishes I had stayed in Ireland long enough to develop an Irish accent. Sadly, I do not have an Irish accent.
I also am proud a father, husband, and dog owner.🐶
Education
- BA, Philosophy, University of Guelph (2008)
- Post-Graduate Certificate, Entrepreneurship, George Brown College (Honours) (2013)
- Certificate, Web Writing and Social Media Communication, (Honours, 94% av.) (2014)
- Ongoing investment into the latest information on all things marketing (digital and traditional)