So Mr. Consultant, why should I be interested in you?

It’s a fair question that a CV or whizzy website can’t answer.

There are so many great consultants, coaches, mentors and agencies out there, it’s hard to see the wood from the trees.

So I thought I would let you know why you should be interested in me.

Stop reading now if you like ... but you never know, we may be right for each other

You know already that my name is Simon, but you do not yet know that with my experience, energy and ideas I can help you and your business improve.

No MBA, no jargon and no shiny suit.

Just 35 years of business experience.

Firstly I love what great businesses can achieve, and love being part of that energy.

I’ve run big businesses and small businesses.

I’ve started businesses, grown businesses, bought and sold businesses.

I’ve sat at a thousand board meetings, written hundreds of budget proposals, presented

umpteen strategic plans and design ideas.

I’ve developed new products and improved existing ones.

I’ve refreshed brands, reviewed brands and found the truth in brands.

... and I’ve run the numbers many, many, many times (yawn).

Written brochures, sales collateral of all kinds, white papers, green papers, paperless papers ... and content in every form.

I’ve drafted acquisition proposals and information memorandums.

I’ve given good news and bad. Wrestled with costs. No. Fought with costs.

I’ve overspent and controlled expenditure.

I’ve cut costs and painfully had to cut some more.

Systems and processes have frustrated me ... but I’ve seen technology change the game.

I’ve engaged with people who care and dealt with those who don’t.

I’ve helped steer a course through the unseen and

unexpected ...

Like wars, ash clouds, disasters, fatalities, accidents and

tumbling markets.

I’ve engaged with more good people, welcomed ideas, made things happen.

I’ve loved being part of a team. Been overjoyed and overwhelmed, disappointed and delighted.

I’ve celebrated success and learned from failure.

I’ve always tried to lead by example and manage with empathy (well most of the time).

I’ve made tough calls that were right and made judgments I’ve regretted.

I’ve found solutions in unlikely places and wrongly ignored minor irritationsthat turned into problems.

I’ve learned a lot: about myself and about the people

I’ve worked with and for.

Both good and bad, for richer for poorer ...

I’ve learnt that businesses I’ve created or helped to grow will change.

They will never stay the same.

And through all that ... I’ve gained the confidence to:

• listen• ask questions• challenge• and simplify

The future is your business challenge. I understand your business challenge. I can help you see your future more clearly and help your business improve.

In context. With ideas. With energy. With experience.

Thanks for reading. Hope I answered your question.

See the next page for my detailed CV if you are interested

Simon Tobin. Experience can make a difference.

• For 9 years I was a main board director of Holidaybreak plc and MD of The Adventure Travel Division which included Explore Worldwide in the UK, Djoser in Netherlands, Travelworks & Carpe Diem in Germany and Divantoura in Belgium.

• Through organic growth and acquisition I grew the division to be leader in the sector with a turnover of £ 90 m.

• Previously I was MD of Keycamp Holidays and founder of Drive France and went from Tour Guide to UK Director of Contiki Travel.

• I was a Director of ABTOF (Association of Tour Operators to France) and a committee member of AITO (Association of Independent Tour Operators).

• I speak publicly on Leadership, New Business Start-Ups, M&A for SME’s and Brand Development among other subjects.

• After a period of mentoring & consulting and advising corporate investors on the Travel & Leisure sector, I founded Tobins Consulting to make use of this experience in order to help companies and individuals improve.

simon@tobins-consulting.com