Testimonials

"We made so much more money since we started working with Coach Thom. Last year our profits went up by 230%. We are a young couple in business together and to be honest- never dreamed our business could be where it is. Coach Thom humbly tells us our success is due to our raw talent, but I like to point to him that it's just a like a football team. Raw Talent doesn’t win Super Bowls- an experienced and great Coach is just as important. It hasn't been smooth sailing all the time- we've really gotten "beat up" in a few sessions but have learned lessons from it. Coach Thom' relentless focus on our cash flow has not only helped us through that first year of business when so many entrepreneurs go under, but helped keep our growth seems manageable. I would highly recommend the focus and guidance he brings.

When we first considered coaching we were nervous, wondering "how would we pay for a small business coach?" We were not quite sure if we wanted someone looking at our business dirty laundry. But working with Coach Thom Finn has been wonderful. Now we take credit for working very hard to get this improvement, but we know we could not have accomplished this working on our own. We know we are working with the "mean coach"- he's very demanding and tells it like it is whether we want to hear it or not, but we really look forward to our sessions.

Coach Thom brings a sense of security to our decision making process and the guidance and advice he brings to each session has been essential. He really has taught us a new way of thinking about our business that has saved us year of mucking around. When we look around at other business owners we see who are doing the same thing over and over and over again, we want to tell them they need a coach and they just look at us with blank stares. They just don't get it- that there is a new and profitable way of looking at their business that an outside point of view can bring. All of us small business owners have some sort of blind spot- and a coach shines a light on it so it's out in the open. We plan on working with Thom Finn for a long, long, long time."

Rachel and Jim Shenk
JimRay Farms

"In our three years of working with Coach Thom, our Net Income has increased -on average- 447%! Our first year, with Coach Thom's hammering us on revenue improvements, our net income was over 2,000%. He told us that was not possible and one of our homework assignments was to go back and check our math...thankfully our math was correct. We were eager to start on systems for our business, but Coach Thom insisted we work on revenues and thus net income first. He actually stayed until 700 pm with us one night making sure we understood the marketing plan concept he came up with for us. What has let us have consistent improvements were not only the single marketing strategies but the marketing systems that went with it-like our simple-easy to use Marketing Plan. We have been able to use our same system year after year."

Kevin and Teresa Jury, Owner
Kevin's Place Restaurant and Catering, Lykens, PA

"I'm a man of few words. The proof is in the numbers. After 9 months with Coach Thom our Net Income rose 118%. We went from losing money to making money. We really didn't need help in the marketing, so Coach Thom really pushed us in our shop and manufacturing efficiency. 118%..."

Omar Esch
Herndon Reload Company, Herndon, PA

The Camp Hill Profit Club has been everything and more than I could have hoped for, I appreciate your time and energy that has been put into getting our group off the ground and running, the chemistry amongst the members is wonderful with a great exchange of ideas and information. Contacts and friendships have been created that will last a long time.

Once again thanks for a great opportunity to learn and meet new business contacts, it is time well spent. Sincerely,

Jim Miller, President,
Four All Seasons Outdoor Power Equipment Center, Inc.

"Brian did very well. He's a dynamic and engaging speaker. We were all very pleased to have him back. The crowd that was there last year was really happy to see him again."

Donna A. Nicholson, Executive Director Credit Bureau of Lancaster County, Inc. Vice President, Pennsylvania Collectors Association

"About a year ago I read the E-Myth, and thought this is hopeless, I will NEVER be able to systemize my business - but thanks to Thom Finn, with ActionCoach, it is already happening!"

Matt Snader, www.snaderservices.net

My biggest anxiety when considering coaching was "can I afford it?" But I quickly saw first hand the difference that having a coach made and saw for me that yes-it was worth it! I believe that the coaches are very aware of their clients' investments and work very hard to make coaching pay for itself very quickly. In fact coaching actually paid for itself faster than I thought- within the first 6 months we took my gross profits from 17% to 46%! Coach Thom also helped me improve my AR which in turn helped my cash flow. Coach Thom worked very methodically with me on where we should focus and what we should work on first. He moves at a pretty fast pace and is pretty demanding but it was exactly what I needed. For example, Coach Thom had some great ideas for ads so we ran a few new ads in different medias, then we tested and measured and found out what was working and –just as importantly what was not working-this has helped me to not waste money on ads that just weren't working. My Action Coach also helped me set up systems so now things don't fall through the cracks and our clients have noticed the improvement in our shop appearance.

I am very thankful I signed up with Coach Thom and I would very much recommend coaching to any business owner or executive who wants to grow, improve and reach their dreams. It is great and a good feeling to know you have someone you can call to get advice anytime. I think it is very important to have someone from the outside looking in. Coach Thom can help me make much better decisions. I can not imagine not having a coach!

Matt Snader, Snader Computer Services

When we first considered coaching we were nervous, wondering "how would we pay for a small business coach?" We were not quite sure if we wanted someone looking at our business dirty laundry. But working with Coach Thom Finn has been wonderful. Our net income is up an astounding 230%. Now we take credit for working very hard to get this improvement, but we know we could not have accomplished this working on our own. We know we are working with the "mean coach"- he's very demanding and tells it like it is whether we want to hear it or not, but we really look forward to our sessions.

Coach Thom brings a sense of security to our decision making process and the guidance and advice he brings to each session has been essential. He really has taught us a new way of thinking about our business that has saved us year of mucking around. When we look around at other business owners we see who are doing the same thing over and over and over again, we want to tell them they need a coach and they just look at us with blank stares. They just don't get it- that there is a new and profitable way of looking at their business that an outside point of view can bring. All of us small business owners have some sort of blind spot- and a coach shines a light on it so it's out in the open. We plan on working with Thom Finn for a long, long, long time."

Jim and Rachel Shenk, Owners, JimRay Farms

"The best thing I've gotten from Business Coaching has been cash and business growth. I hired ACTION International as my Business Coach because I was looking for a new way to grow my business. I felt that I was stuck and didn't have the skills or knowledge to grow the business the way that I wanted. Moreover, I didn't have a system to generate leads, train sales people or track results effectively. The results I am getting are Awesome. I've gone from 2 sales a month to 8 sales a month. I also went from having a slow lead-gen source of referrals to a telemarketing lead source which gives me 10 appointments a week. We currently close 20% of the telemarketing leads. I expect this number to climb to 30-40%. During one week, I landed 4 new sales with a 57% closing ratio up from 20% AND I beat a competitor for the one sale. Also, the new yellow page ad ACTION International helped me with works! My yellow page ad started in Feb of 2003. As of June 25, 2003, I've made 4 sales totaling $14,400, compared to NO sales off the old in-line block I had last year. If this ratio continues I should sell $34,656 this year off the ad which cost me $2,532 for the year. This is a 1368% return on my investment. I'd say the biggest result is a sound business growth plan that over the last 3 months has continued to grow and change my business in the direction that I was looking for. I have always considered myself to be a very motivated person, and now I have a focus to my motivation. I would and do recommend this program to business people who are willing to really change the way they do business. There's nothing about the program I would change. For me one of the hardest mental things to get over was the price. When I looked at my cash flow I was nervous about how I would be able to pay for this but the conclusion that I came to was ... I could not hire an executive with this knowledge or go back to school to learn this information for the amount that I would pay my coach. Everyday I am thankful that I took the risk and hired ACTION International as my Action coach."

Tom Malesic, EZ Solution, Lancaster, PA
www.ezsolution.com

"Before working with Action International, we hardly measured anything. Now ACTION International has us testing and measuring just about everything. Because of the systems ACTION International helped us put in place, I can now tell you exactly how many leads we need each month to break even for the month and how much profit I will make for each additional lead. We've also made significant improvements in our sales process and customer guarantees. We've added a referral program and joined a referral based networking group. After working with ACTION International our conversion rate has more than quadrupled from 11% to a whopping 46%. Now, I never feel like I am wasting my time when I do an estimate. It's very exciting to know that for every three estimates I do I'll get one job. With ACTION International's guidance we continue to improve each and every week. I now have a much more positive outlook on the future of my company. Thanks ACTION International!"

Chad Longenecker, Owner, The Chad Group, Lancaster, PA

"One of the most important components of working with my coach, ACTION International, is that I'm forced to track and monitor what I do every week to make sure my revenue stream and assets under management continue to increase. He helped me clearly define some very rough marketing strategies I was using, but more importantly has shown me how to really achieve success in my target markets. As a result, my revenues have increased dramatically and my total assets under management have increased by about 75% over the past 6 months, even in one of the worst bear markets on record over the last fifty years!"

Pat Cloonan, Financial Planner, Legg Mason, Lancaster, PA

"I am really excited about my learning experience with ACTION International. There are so many things I want to do now that I see there is a better way. I guess his job now is to keep me focused so I don't spin off in all different directions. My sales team likes what they are hearing and they are anxious to participate! ... I want to thank you for conducting your Alignment Training Day at Fastening Products of Lancaster. I thoroughly enjoyed the Business Accelerator Boot Camp last month and I am excited to have this learning experience shared with my Team Members. I appreciate that you really care and help me focus to stay on course. I am excited about the future of my business. I have a good group of Team Members who are willing to work hard. I have a family that supports the extreme requirements of running a business. Thank you!"

Curt Welk, President, Fastening Products of Lancaster, Lancaster, PA

"Before my involvement with Action, I spent most of my 60-80 hrs per week on routine maintenance and operational upkeep of the business. I worked many 'behind-the-counter hours,' and I thought this was the most valuable place for me to be. I was wrong! It took a leap of faith to let Action show me that my business can run well without having me at the counter, but I'm glad for it. Now I have developed systems that check and balance the performance of my staff, while I am spending that new found time developing marketing and enhanced operational strategies that will grow my business. Action has also helped me prioritize the projects that will benefit my business the most. For instance, I spent a great deal of time improving the way the business worked internally, so it could handle the increased volume without compromising our high standard of customer satisfaction. Before rolling out marketing programs that Action helped me format, I had help developing a 'Testing and Measuring System' so I could learn the true results of these marketing efforts."

Karl Ross, Owner, Laserdome Entertainment Center, Manheim, PA
www.laserdome.com

I can honestly say I've benefited from each meeting of Profit Club. I would highly recommend this concept for anyone in an upper management or ownership position. Although not all of the concepts are new, they are all beneficial and allow me to refocus my time and efforts within my organization.

In addition to the benefit of business training, I have developed many good contacts; some I would even call friends. I haven't been involved with a group like this for over ten years but I'm glad I attended the introductory meeting and I'm certainly happy I made the commitment to join the organization. I look forward to sharing many more business concepts in the upcoming months.

Stephen J. Sikking, General Manager, Eden Resort Inn & Suites
www.edenresort.com

"ACTION International kept the [staff training] event interesting for my employees with new information they can use on the job and in their personal lives. They learned a lot about themselves in a 1 1/2 hour seminar and I could see the difference in their attitude the next day. It's been like heaven around here!"

Dave Gish, President, Little Britain Store, Quarryville, PA

"ACTION International has helped me by showing me the areas of my business that needed improvement. They also gave me the tools, and the information I needed, to make the changes I had to make, in order to grow my business. With ACTION International's help and encouragement I was able to implement best business practices that have me, and my business, prepared for future growth and opportunities. There is no doubt in my mind that the value I received from ACTION International's business coaching program has far outweighed the cost. I believe that the thoroughness of Action's programs and the depth of knowledge they bring to the table is an asset that virtually any business would benefit from!"

Jeff Weaver, President, J&T Computers, Willow Street, PA

I originally considered business coaching to eliminate negative elements in my business. My coach has taught me how to enforce discipline and accountability to maintain focus. Having a business coach has personally changed my life as well as professionally. I am now able to trust my employees more, which frees up my time to spend with my family. Your coach is with you for your highs & lows and brings coaching/consulting to a personal, individualized level. If someone were considering investing in business coaching, I would say, "You can't afford not to do it. Within a year you will see results."

David Howell, Columbia Cleaners & Formal Wear, Columbia, PA

Profit Club has become an appointment on my calendar that I look forward to. Running a small business, with 4 people, presents an interesting set of opportunities. Being able to listen to other small business owners share the same thoughts and concerns that I have, and know that I am not alone, is very refreshing. Even more exciting is hearing how they creatively dealt with a opportunity.

We are a mixed group of individuals with different business backgrounds, and as such, we hear numerous perspectives on the issues we discuss. The topics that the coaches present are relevant to running a small business today.

Darwin Davis, Stauffer Compressor N' Machine, Inc.

Even after 20 years in business, we felt we needed to "sharpen up" and become more efficient. We did this by investing in an ACTION International coach. So far we have seen three major benefits. One, our business now has more direction. Two, we have improved communication channels in the business. And three, we are looking at our business through new eyes after 20 years. I've learned that ACTION business coaching is non-threatening, as far as being kept on a schedule. They teach you accountability with flexibility and everything is for the good of the business. I would recommend anyone to at least sit down with ACTION International or attend one of their free seminars. Keep an open-mind, having a coach may help your situation.

Mark Amway, Inside Track, Lancaster, PA

We decided to invest in a business coach because we were in total chaos! Nothing was working and we kept trying different methods, but nothing worked. In our first year with ACTION International, we saw a 50% increase. Our second year brought a 30% increase and we also expect a 30% increase this year as well. We have also gained valuable knowledge on systems and now we have processes in place and have upgraded our software and computer systems. My experience with my business coach has been invaluable and I think most people could benefit from their services in some form at some level. Even businesses that run smooth could be fine-tuned to run more efficiently. I would definitely recommend ACTION International to another company.

Les Kreider, Kreider's Upholstery & Canvas

My business was growing and I had little to no experience managing others. I was sure I was missing a lot of knowledge. That was my main reason for considering business coaching. ACTION coaching has given me the confidence to move forward in setting up and fine-tuning systems. Employees have been advancing faster and I am able to delegate better. I am running the business, not vice versa. I have learned that the business coaching has been more valuable then I ever thought possible. I knew I needed coaching, I just didn't realize how much. The coaching has paid for itself in giving me more time to manage what I have and fewer days on the road. You can't afford not to work with a coach!

Sam Stoltzfus, Lanchester Gas

Women in Action is a small intimate group of women who have similar goals and objectives – simply put, to be a successful entrepreneur. We all measure success differently. In the short time we have been meeting, I have not only gotten to know a few really talented women better on a business level as well as a personal level, but I have also developed some great advertising, marketing and networking skills. Through the educational component, I have now available in my "toolbox" some useful tools for establishing goals and developing a unique selling proposition. Most importantly, I have a peer-group to which I can turn for advice, feedback and most importantly accountability.

Diane M. Gutshall, Capital Region Benefits
www.capitalregionbenefits.com

"My biggest benefit from investing in an ACTION small business coach has been seeing who I am & what I can change to be a better person, leader and owner. I have gained more confidence and I am now focusing more on myself and my business. The systems that we have put in place have increased our employee productivity greatly. Our employees have become "team members" working together better and understanding roles better. I have learned that coaching is not ACTION International running the business. I would compare it to, "not fishing for me, but teaching me how to fish." Investing in an ACTION small business coach is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your business. Great coaching! Brian Dombach took me to new levels and focal points every time."

Matt Martin, Old Homestead

"My experience with Brian Dombach of Action International, has been very good. I am a hard-driven, analytical, perfectionist scientist. I'm good at many things - very good. Because of how I am wired, I know I am also lacking in some other ways. Brian has successfully and gracefully pointed these areas of needed improvement out to me. I am working on positive changes through this effort and have grown in my people management skills over time. It has not been easy but growth is occurring. I would highly recommend Action coaching to any professional scientific consulting group/company."

Brian J. Beahan, P.G., President, Alternative Environmental Solutions, Inc.,

Seminar Attendee Testimonials

"I have a situation coming up in the next couple of weeks which I was not sure how to handle, but I now have some skills to use. Thank you!"

Sherry Salisbury, Supervisor

"The seminar gave specific procedures that both a new and seasoned supervisor could and should use."

Sheila Mullen, Sr. Trainer, Mercy County Board of Social Services

Action Coach's Coach Testimonials

"I began coaching sessions with Jeff Witmer as a Coach's Coach in the fall of 2007. During this time period, I was banking just below Gold level. Currently as of May 2008, I am banking just below Platinum level, and expect to be at Platinum level for the summer months of 2008. I plan to be certified as a Platinum Coach by September 2008. I have doubled my billings in 7 months.

Coach calls with Jeff Witmer are a motivating and learning experience. Jeff is a great coach and a great coach's coach. Jeff has the experience as a coach to have "been there, and done that." Jeff is fantastic at asking the tough, probing questions that make you stop and think. As in stop thinking you know the answers, and think about the other possibilities. He is also tough on the accountability side, which I believe as coaches, is what we need the most.

The other aspect of the coaching which was huge for me personally is that I had a brief "confidence crisis" at the end of the 1st quarter this year brought on by a couple of bad coaching experiences with some tough clients. With Jeff's help, I came out of this very strongly and raised my rates confidently!

I would be happy to provide more detail, or answer additional questions to anyone interested."

Rick Munson, Gold Master Coach, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

"Thank you for a tremendously educational and invigorating conversation today. The energy and generosity you so willingly share is a clear indication of why you have been immensely successful in acquiring and helping clients. You made me feel special as you took time to share your knowledge and experience. Your kindness today overwhelms me! You truly are living the principles of ACTION International, and your demonstration of those principles in practice is inspiring."

Rice Pierce, Business Coach, Action International, Tennessee

Our Women In Action group began in late 2006. The benefits of being a part of this group have already come to fruition for me. One of the series of topics that Coach Marcia brought to us for discussion and introspection was finding a "Unique Selling Proposition" or a USP. From the tools she provided us and the process she led us through I decided to have my first staff retreat in January. I incorporated many of the items we discussed at our meetings and was overwhelmed at the success we had at our retreat in evaluating what we do and setting strategic goals for this year. My staff actually shocked me when they argued that the goals I suggested we set for the year were too small based on our evaluation of last year and our objectives for this year...so, we set our sales goals HIGHER!

Coach Marcia brings basic, easy to relate to and use, practices...ideas...and experience to us. We as a group use these things to motivate each other and to keep each other to task on our business and personal goals. I think the one thing I would say that rises above anything else Marcia does in our group is that she really "listens" to what each of us says and then challenges us to "hear" ourselves and use this information to evaluate, plan and grow our businesses.

Lisa Stokes, B.R.P. Entertainment

"Thank You for being a GREAT teacher and for bringing lots of reality into the classroom with those thought provoking session, doing the '5 ways' and perturbing me with those phone call role plays. I LOVE being on the phone, now! Thank you! Thank You! Thank You! With gratitude..."

Jacqui Nonis, Action International, Singapore

"Looking at my business, I realize how much your leadership has meant to all of us in the USA Team. I admire you for doing things that help the rest of us."

Jim Shumate, Action International, Florida