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One moment, your business is thriving. The next, everything changes. A sudden life event pulls you away, your biggest client leaves, or your top-performing employee is poached by a competitor. These scenarios aren’t just hypotheticals—they happen every day, and they can shake even the most established businesses to their core.
But what happens when the crisis isn’t just about business?
Last week, a client of mine walked into a meeting looking unwell. Encourage to seek medical assistance, days later, they received a devastating diagnosis—terminal cancer. In another case, a business owner casually mentioned experiencing chest pains. I urged him to visit a medical centre immediately. Upon arrival, he was upgraded to an ambulance, and within moments, he was in full cardiac arrest.
In both these situations, The Engine Limited was there—not just as advisors but as trusted partners who could step in on an interim part-time basis to ensure operations continued. While these business owners and their families focused on their health and personal matters, we provided business continuity, leadership, and stability during their time of need.
Now Imagine This…
Your best-performing salesperson—the one responsible for nearly 40% of your revenue—is suddenly poached by a competitor. You’re left scrambling to replace them, retrain someone new, and rebuild lost momentum. Revenue drops, and pressure mounts.
Or worse—your biggest client, who accounts for 50% of your business, decides to leave. Whether it’s due to industry shifts, a change in leadership, or them simply outgrowing your services, their departure leaves a gaping hole in your cash flow. Suddenly, your once-stable business is in survival mode, and you’re forced into reactive decision-making.
These aren’t rare occurrences—they happen every day to businesses just like yours. And many business owners only seek help when they’re already in crisis, scrambling for solutions.
But what if you had a business continuity plan in place? A strategic roadmap designed to safeguard your business against the unexpected—whether it’s a health emergency, an employee departure, or a key client loss. With the right strategic business advisor or coach, you can build resilience, mitigate risks, and implement contingency plans that ensure your business isn’t left vulnerable when challenges arise.
The Best Part? You Don’t Have to Do It Alone The government could contribute up to 50%—$5000—towards this support. That means you can access expert guidance, build a resilient business model, and create a future-proof strategy—all with financial assistance.
Why Take the Risk?
You’ve worked hard to build your business. Don’t let one unexpected event take it all away overnight. Now is the time to prepare, protect, and plan for the future. Let’s talk about how to fortify your business today—before a crisis forces you to. Because being prepared isn’t just smart—it’s essential.
When the Unexpected Happens – Will Your Business Survive?

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Save thousands of dollars by avoiding simple but often-overlooked business mistakes with our monthly advisory newsletter.

This Was Meant to Reach You: Turning Motion into Momentum
The Mountain is You: Plan, Pivot, and Prosper in 2025

Are you busy in the trenches, or are you moving your business forward? There’s a difference, and it’s one I see too often in businesses stuck in a cycle of effort without tangible results.
2025 will reward those with a clear plan and focused effort. By now, like many of our clients, you, your team, and your business should be partway through your 90-day goal plan leading up to 31 March 2025, with a solid roadmap for the fiscal 2026 year. If you’re not, it’s time to refocus and realign. Without a structured plan, even the hardest-working teams can find themselves running in circles, busy but motionless.
Every business, no matter its size, needs a clear direction and a foundational structure to succeed. A roadmap isn’t just about big-picture goals; it’s about knowing what steps to take today, tomorrow, and in the months ahead. It’s about defining the “why” and “how” of your activities so your team has clarity, focus, and the tools to adapt when life throws curveballs. Without it, even the best intentions fall short, leaving teams overwhelmed and businesses stagnant.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: successful businesses don’t go it alone. They rely on external expertise—credible, holistic advisory companies that can provide the coaching and implementation support necessary to achieve sustainable results. These partnerships bring an outside perspective, helping you identify blind spots, set priorities, and create measurable outcomes that keep everyone accountable.

Late last year, we also took steps to enhance how we support and engage more with our customers, potential customers, reach more businesses and save time. We began working with one of our leading providers, Jef Kay Director of Cleva.bot, to create a game-changing experience for visitors to our rich content website. Now, when customers land on our website, they’re guided to the exact information they need through intuitive engagement tools. Not only does this free up our time to focus on helping people in real-time with their specific needs, but it also empowers customers to explore our expertise through a seamless and personalised digital experience. More on Cleva.bot on the next page—but trust us, it’s a game-changer.

When I meet business owners wondering why their team feels stuck despite their busyness, the answer is almost always the same: there’s no plan. A well-defined strategy transforms motion into momentum, enabling you and your team to measure progress, adjust course, and build on successes. Whether it’s planning for growth, improving efficiency, or navigating market challenges, a solid plan is the anchor that keeps you steady in turbulent times.
Now is the time to ensure your 2025 goals are in motion and your team is aligned. If you’re not where you hoped to be, it’s not too late to course-correct. Together, we can ensure that your efforts are focused, your team is empowered, and your business is equipped to climb this mountain. Because with the right guidance and a shared vision, even the steepest climb becomes achievable. Let’s make 2025 the year you work smarter, not just harder. Reach out to be the change your can be for your business – we have the experience.
This Was Meant to Reach You: Turning Motion into Momentum
The Mountain is You: Plan, Pivot, and Prosper in 2025

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Save thousands of dollars by avoiding simple but often-overlooked business mistakes with our monthly advisory newsletter.

Boldness Unleashed!

Why Others’ Perceptions Should Never Define You

In life and business, boldness is not just a trait; it’s a strategy. It’s the willingness to step into the world unapologetically, knowing your worth and communicating it without hesitation. But boldness often bumps into a stubborn barrier: other people’s perceptions of who they think you are. The truth is, their limited view should never dictate your actions, your value, or your success.

The Power of Knowing Your Value

Before you can project confidence outward, you need to solidify it within. Knowing your value is the foundation for any bold move. It’s not just about skills or experience but about recognising the unique qualities you bring to the table. Once you internalise this, communicating your worth becomes second nature. Imagine walking into a room filled with doubt—not yours, but theirs. Their perception might question your capabilities or dismiss your ambitions. But when you are grounded in your value, their doubts don’t define you. Instead, they become irrelevant noise.

Rejection Is Proof of Progress

The fear of rejection often holds people back from bold action. But here’s the truth: rejection is a sign you’re aiming high enough. Chris Dixon’s words resonate deeply here: “If you aren’t getting rejected on a daily basis, your goals are not ambitious enough.” Rejections aren’t failures; they’re the stepping stones to success. Each “no” brings you closer to the “yes” that matters. Once you stop caring about how others perceive your “no’s,” you’ll realise they’re simply a numbers game. In sales, in networking, and in personal growth, the equation is simple: the more you ask, the more you get.

Committing to the “No’s”

Commitment to rejection may sound counterintuitive, but it’s essential. Every successful person has a story of persistence in the face of countless “no’s.” They didn’t stop because of the opinions of others. They kept pushing, knowing each rejection was a necessary step to achieve their goals. When you embrace the “no’s,” you remove the emotional weight they carry. A “no” is no longer personal; it’s part of the process. And with each one, you build resilience, sharpen your pitch, and move closer to the “yes” that will change everything.

Boldness Is a Practice

Boldness is not an innate gift; it’s a skill you can develop. Start small:

– Practice articulating your value clearly and confidently
– Challenge yourself to take risks that make you uncomfortable.
– Set goals so ambitious that rejection becomes inevitable—and welcome.

The more you push yourself, the less other people’s perceptions will matter. Over time, boldness becomes second nature, and their opinions fade into irrelevance.

Final Thoughts

The world’s perception of you should never limit your boldness. Know your value first, communicate it relentlessly, and embrace rejection as part of the journey. When you stop fearing the “no’s” and start seeing them as milestones, you’ll find that success is not a matter of if—but when. So, go out there and be bold. Not because others believe you can, but because you know you can.

We’re here to help you take the next step, whether that’s handing over the reins temporarily or finding the right long-term leadership solution.

Contact businessadvice@theengine.biz for a conversation.

– Catherine Cooke

Founder and Leading Business Advisor

Subscribe to  The Engine Business Coach.

Save thousands of dollars by avoiding simple but often-overlooked business mistakes with our monthly advisory newsletter.

Is it time to step back from your business?

Welcome to The Engine’s Interim CEO/Business Manager Service.

As an entrepreneur, knowing when to step back from your business or bring in a dedicated leader is one of the most pivotal decisions you’ll face. Your business is your passion, but as it grows, so do the demands on your time and energy. What once felt like a manageable challenge can gradually become overwhelming. Juggling the operational tasks, nurturing the vision, and ensuring long-term strategy all at once can lead to burnout—not just for you but for your team as well. It’s important to realise that reaching this point isn’t a sign of weakness or failure. Instead, it signals a critical moment for your business to evolve.

Recognising when it’s time to step back can be tricky, but there are telltale signs to look out for. One of the clearest indicators is when you find yourself constantly bogged down in day-to-day operations, with little time or mental space to plan for the future. You may feel like you’re running on a hamster wheel, always busy but not moving the business forward in terms of innovation or long-term growth. This is a strong sign that it’s time to delegate some of your responsibilities.

Another warning sign is when your passion starts to dwindle because you’re too caught up in the details to focus on the big picture. As an entrepreneur, your greatest value lies in steering the vision of the company—not being buried in tasks that others can handle. When you’re consumed by the minutiae of running the business, creativity and strategic thinking take a back seat. This not only hinders your growth but also limits the potential of your team to rise to the occasion.

Additionally, if your team’s morale starts to decline, it could be because you’re too stretched to foster the strong company culture you once had. Employees can sense when a leader is burnt out or distracted, which can lead to disengagement. Bringing in a fresh leader with the right skillset and energy can revitalize the team, realign everyone’s efforts toward your long-term goals, and even infuse new ideas that could be transformative for your business.

This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to step away entirely. For many business owners, the ideal solution is to shift from being involved in every aspect to focusing on strategic, high-level decisions. Bringing in a strong leader, whether that’s a CEO, COO, or another executive role, allows you to maintain control over the vision while empowering someone else to manage the day-to-day operations. This not only frees up your time but also helps prevent decision fatigue, ensuring that you can focus on driving innovation and expansion. Don’t wait until you’re burnt out to make this pivotal decision. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or uncertain about your next steps, it may be time to explore your leadership options.

Contact us today to discuss how interim leadership could benefit your business, or visit our Interim CEO page here:

We’re here to help you take the next step, whether that’s handing over the reins temporarily or finding the right long-term leadership solution.

Contact businessadvice@theengine. biz for a conversation.

– Catherine Cooke

Founder and Leading Business Advisor

Subscribe to  The Engine Business Coach.

Save thousands of dollars by avoiding simple but often-overlooked business mistakes with our monthly advisory newsletter.

Do You Feel Like You’re Stuck in the Mud, or Going Around and Around the Merry-Go-Round?’

Welcome to The Engine’s Think Tank.

As 2024 winds down, many business owners find themselves stuck in a cycle—working hard but not seeing the growth or progress they desire. It’s easy to feel like you’re spinning your wheels, moving but not really getting anywhere. If this sounds familiar, it’s time to shift gears and set yourself up for a powerful start to 2025. At The Engine, our Think Tank Business Group Coaching program is designed to help you break free from the rut and start driving your business forward with other like-minded business owners. Whether you’re struggling to gain clarity on your next steps, overwhelmed by day-to-day operations, or simply need a fresh perspective, our coaching sessions provide the structure and support you need to make meaningful progress.

Why Now is the Perfect Time to Take Action : As we approach the end of the year, it’s tempting to coast through the final months, waiting for January to bring new energy and opportunities. But here’s the thing: the success of your 2025 starts now. The groundwork you lay in the coming weeks will determine whether you hit the ground running or spend the first quarter playing catch-up.

Our group coaching sessions are designed to:

– Clarify Your Vision: What do you want to achieve in 2025? Together, we’ll define your goals and create a roadmap to get there.
– Build Accountability: With the support of a group of like-minded business owners, you’ll be held accountable for taking the actions needed to move forward.
– Unlock New Strategies: Gain fresh insights and strategies from experienced coaches and peers who have faced similar challenges and overcome them.
– Boost Confidence: With a clear plan and the right support, you’ll head into the new year with confidence and motivation.

Don’t Wait for the New Year—Start Building Your Success Today: Imagine entering 2025 with a renewed sense of purpose, a clear plan, and the momentum to achieve your business goals. That’s what our Business Group Coaching can offer you. Don’t wait until January to start working on your dreams—take action now and give yourself the gift of a strong start to the new year. Ready to get unstuck and take your business to the next level? Join our next group coaching session and start building the foundation for a successful 2025.

Read more here or take action and Sign Up Today and make the commitment to invest in your business’s future. Let’s break the cycle of procrastination and start driving your business forward—2025 is yours to conquer!

– Catherine Cooke

Founder and Leading Business Advisor

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Save thousands of dollars by avoiding simple but often-overlooked business mistakes with our monthly advisory newsletter.