Working with you to develop the skills to grow your business
My Story: ‘Foundations’
“Where it all began for me.”
My passion for business development and entrepreneurship goes all the way back to my late teens. I was a pretty handy junior athlete, playing state representative hockey and like many kids at that age, trying to figure out what I might do for a job after high school. I explored many paths and kept coming back to Entrepreneurship as something that excited and resonated with me. This path seemed to be a way to channel my active energy into something I could drive and create.
Among the many books I read, Robert Kiyosaki’s seminal “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” became a game changer for me as it talked about the importance of Sales and Marketing as the number one skill in business. This and a few other influences such as the late Dr Mark Patton (Lecturer in Professional Selling at Curtin University) lead me to choose Sales & Marketing majors for my Commerce Degree and then pursue a career in sales, business development and eventually General Management.
As good, motivated and ‘strong’ as I thought I was, I learnt early in my career I had a lot to learn!. I also quickly came to terms with the fact I wasn’t a ‘natural’. I had to learn to relate and connect to people in a very different context which was a challenge early on, being an analytical person who tends to think deeply about things.
In truth natural born sales people or Business Development Managers are rare. They do exist but in my experience most people, including those who work in the profession, are not one of the chosen few ‘naturals’.
Learning to “get out of my head and into my heart” (as Tony Robbins would say) is something I had to work hard to develop. Ultimately business development and relationship management became a journey of self development and discovery. Over time I developed these skills as well as the mindset to sell and eventually 'hunt' for new business.
I dedicated myself to learn the craft of the profession, studying some of the greats such as Zig Ziglar’s, Tom Hopkins, Brian Tracy and Grant Cardone as well as learning formal sales strategies as SPIN, Challenger and Miller Heiman. I also sought out mentors in the profession and have been lucky enough to work closely with and be mentored by some of the top performers in industry. I invested the time to model strategies, tactics and technique as well as develop my mindset and psychology under these mentors.
In 2014, to broaden my knowledge and skill base, I decided to enrol in an Executive MBA at Monash University, completing in 2018 with Distinction.
Finally in 2020 after 20+ years in industry, an EMBA and four kids I launched my own brand. A little longer than expected but no regrets!
I now offer a boutique, tailored service to clients, incorporating my years of experience, study and training in the field. I also incorporate concepts learnt and implemented during my EMBA such as a “Strengths Based Approach” to people development.
I’m also a very patriotic Australian with the firm belief more professionals, business owners and leaders need to invest in and develop sales, relationship management and business development skills to grow their business, advance their cause and support their team.
Please get in touch if you think I can help:
drew@dklconsulting.com.au