If we can do it - anyone can!

Hi - we are Audra and Sue - two 40 something blondes in business together! So here is a little about us....

Hi – my name is Audra Lamoon – strange name but I love it! When telling people how to pronounce my name I tell them to say “ordra pint for me please”!

I live in Kent in a little seaside town called Deal with my dog Coco.
My career began in the passenger shipping industry, working for market leaders Sealink British Ferries, P&O European Ferries and Hoverspeed. My key roles were Passenger Manager, Training Manager, Deputy Port Manager and Promotions/Duty Free Retail Manager.

I progressed into the arena of Facilities Management, working in a senior management position for Pfizer UK Limited focusing on managing refurbishment, relocation, building and engineering facilities on multiple sites. Through these roles I was fortunate to work in various locations including the United States, Ireland and the developing regions of the enlarged EU.

As a Senior Consultant I have managed the demanding expectations of companies such as LUL, the world’s number one media company and Railtrack, delivering workshop solutions on projects in varied sectors. I am totally people focussed establishing relationships based on trust, respect, professionalism and fun!

These are the things I do in our company’s Your Impact and Kawader Impact:

• Private and professional coaching for executive business performance
• ‘One on one’ coaching and development of training videos
• Presentation skills and presentation critiques for large bids
• PFI Consultancy
• All the finance stuff – because Sue won’t!
• Getting ideas off the ground
• Tailoring training course designs for company’s in construction, shipping, hotels, Government, media, PR, leisure industries
• Global networking activities
• Partnering and Associate formation

I also help to raise the profile and funds for dog charities and have helped raise funds for the construction of a veterinary hospital for wildlife, forming relationships with media to include television exposure and various events to raise awareness.

This all makes me sound not like me – but when it comes to work I am really adamant about getting it right and giving the client what they need – outside of work - well that is another book!

Sue

Hi my name is Sue Gilkes – like Audra people have trouble pronouncing my name too – the surname that is! If you’re having trouble pronouncing my first name, we may have trouble! So phonetically it’s Soo Jillkes – Does that help?

Well regardless – it doesn’t really matter – I have been called many things! I don’t mind.

Ok – I live between Bristol and Bath – with 2 of my children – well one is an adult now and whose boyfriend lives with us and one is sixteen. The eldest has left home but lives down the road.

I have three dogs currently – Holly my own dog and Rocky and Pippa my foster dogs – but Rocky will stay forever now – too old to move on and Pippa - well she is my naughty child – plays up each time I find her a home so she gets returned!

I’m a grandma at 43 to 3 grandchildren! Shocking and lovely!

In regards to work, my style is apparently one of ‘doing it’! Ok come on be serious – experiential learning, self discovery and on the job training. In my opinion training is often a waste of time and money – unless it is immediately transferred to the work place, is relevant to the work place and provides a return on investment. I like nothing more than a challenge of a target of improvement.

I have written weekly columns on Customer Service and Leadership for a national newspaper abroad and is a Certified Business Professional Instructor (CBPI) in Leadership, Customer Service and Sales.

My strength (we don’t believe in weaknesses!) has always been my relationships and practicality – asking straightforward questions and giving straight answers – when a business is at stake, real action is required.

These are the things I do in our company’s Your Impact and Kawader Impact:

 Management training
 Leadership Programmes
 Effective Meetings
 Customer Service
 Consultative Selling
 Counselling skills for managers
 Coaching services
 Communication skills
 Performance management
 Time Management
 Goal Setting
 Stress Management/Meditation

I also have to do the techy side of things as Audra won’t just like I won’t do the finance – we’re a match made in heaven!

I also am a avid dog fan as you may have gathered and quite often in the summer you can see me at a stall trying to get people to part with their cash for dogsfriends.

What else can I say? I love walking and reading, want to live back in Barbados – that is one of the things I get called ‘Barbados Sue’. Love to have a drink and a giggle. So that’s it enough from both of us – if you want to know lots more – and if you haven’t already bought the book – then you better hurry up! You can find it here:
www.blondesinbusiness.com

Audra and Sue signing off…………………….