OUR STORY**BACKGROUND** Describe your business and your role. I serve as the VP of Operations at John Vince Foods, a family-owned food packaging and distribution company that specializes in dried fruits, candy, snack products, and nuts within the Canadian and U.S. markets. We manage several private labels in addition to our own.
**OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** What issue were you seeking to resolve with Linda Martin Results? Eight of my colleagues had previously collaborated with Linda Martin Results, and we aimed to further enhance their leadership capabilities.
**SOLUTION** What was their level of involvement? Eight of my colleagues participated in Linda Martin Results as part of our Elite Eight program, which concentrated on improving communication skills, particularly in presentations and team collaboration. Who comprised the team? We engaged with Linda, the Leadership Team Development Coach, alongside one other teammate. How did your partnership with Linda Martin Results begin? I initially collaborated with Linda 13 years ago at a different position, and we maintained contact. Once she started offering training programs, I began working with her. We have conducted several training initiatives with Linda Martin Results. What was your financial commitment? We invested approximately CAD 50,000 (around USD 39,000) for this specific program with Linda Martin Results. What is the current status of this collaboration? We have been partners with Linda Martin Results since December 2015, and this particular program ran from February to July 2021.
**RESULTS & FEEDBACK** What evidence can you provide that showcases the results of this collaboration? Out of the eight team members who took part in the training, three are set for promotions in the coming year. Additionally, others from the program are fostering stronger teams around them, which will likely lead to further promotions in the next few years. How did Linda Martin Results manage the project? I communicated with Linda through scheduled in-person meetings throughout the program, including one at the start, one midway, and one right before its conclusion. Linda also reached out via email and phone to discuss the team's progress as needed. What impressed you the most about them? Linda excels at connecting with our team, fostering self-motivation among members to ensure they successfully complete the program. Moreover, she and her team possess deep knowledge of the material and are adept at tailoring it to our specific needs. Are there any areas for improvement? I believe Linda could benefit from exploring an app-based system to engage a more tech-savvy workforce. Many training sessions that aren’t conducted face-to-face could be effectively delivered through an app. What advice would you give to potential clients? Clients interested in working with Linda Martin Results should clearly communicate their training objectives. It's essential to specify what they wish to achieve so that Linda can tailor the program for optimal outcomes.