Frequently Asked Questions
This is a compilation of the most frequently asked questions we receive from business owners during our initial Discovery Meeting.
Are you a Business Consultant?
No. We are facilitators who work collaboratively with you and your team.
Are you a Business Coach?
No. We are facilitators who work collaboratively with you and your team.
What’s the difference between a Business Consultant, a Business Coach and what you do?
A Business Consultant is typically presented a problem by their client and after researching and investigating the issue, presents a solution in report form or presentation.
A Business Coach typically uses a pre-determined fixed model or process, often provided by a franchised system, to tell you how to run your business better.
We are facilitators, who work collaboratively with you. This means we use our knowledge and experience together with a vast array of proven methodologies to help you understand the cause of the issue(s) and together we work out the best strategies to resolve them. Our approach is more like having a business partner, teacher, friend and confidant that helps to guide and support you with your business journey.
Are you going to come in and tell me what to do?
No. Absolutely not. We work collaboratively with you.
What are your qualifications?
Dean holds a Bachelor of Business from the University of Southern Queensland and is an Accredited Member of Mindshop.
What experience do you have?
Dean has been working with owner-operated businesses for over 30 years. He has worked with businesses in every industry and with every possible ownership mix and operating structure. He has owned and operated a financial services business and has assisted business owners at every stage of their business journey.
How much do you charge?
We use a fixed-price model that is customised to every client based upon their needs, capacity and resources.
What’s you hourly rate?
We have moved away from an hourly rate model and provide our services via a fixed-price model which is customised for every client based upon their needs, capacity and resources.
Do you charge for phone calls and e-mails?
Yes, but it’s built into the fixed-price model for every client, so they do not pay extra if they have a question or need some ad hoc assistance.
Do you work with start-ups?
Absolutely, in fact we have a pricing model that works perfectly for them!
Do you only work with people with business experience?
No. We love the entrepreneurial spirit and have a program to help you get started.
What do you mean by ‘sustained success’?
Success for some business owners means more money, profit, growth, cashflow or wealth so that they can live and even indulge a little. For others, it’s more time, freedom, clarity and focus so they can live more and enjoy what life has to offer. We work with you to help you achieve the success you want, while guiding and supporting you to ensure it is sustained over the long term.
Why is your business called ‘Stoked”?
If you look up the meaning of “stoked” you’ll find it’s an adjective meaning excited or euphoric. It is often used and associated with the surfing and skateboarding communities. Dean’s been surfing since he was 5, so when he saw the transformation in business owners enjoying their business and life, ‘stoked’ just seemed to fit, as it described what clients were able to experience.
We regularly update this list of frequently asked questions. However, if you have a question and it’s not listed, please contact us. We’re more than happy to answer any questions.