Jacob Aldridge’s Alumni Client for Life Programme

Welcome to my Client for Life page, designed to remind my alumni clients that I am always here to chat and help.

Jacob Life Updates

Update January 2023: With the pandemic restrictions behind us, and the looming ‘pay the piper’ economic downturn ahead of us, it’s an intriguing time to be in business. I’ve started the new year all guns blazing…so expect to see a new Brand, new Website, new Team, and possibly even a new Location by the end of this year.

Update January 2021: Paternity leave is over, and I remain ‘trapped in paradise’ here in Brisbane. If we haven’t caught up for a while, now’s the time – 0427 151 181; jacob@jacobaldridge.com

Update March 2020: Are you subscribed to my YouTube channel “Don’t Waste a Good Recession“? Jump onboard for timely economic updates and business forecasts in Australia, the UK, and the USA.

Update March 2019: We have a baby! Many of you know it has been a long slog for us, and your support has been most welcome. “Paternity Leave” for me is going to look like fewer client days per month, and also more remote coaching as we travel the world as a family. Follow along here.

“All great relationships are built on clear expectations.”

That statement has formed part of my sales proposals since I began my business coaching and advisory career (with Shirlaws Group) back in April 2006. And yet the other end of a client engagement – how do we stay in relationship between, or after, coaching projects – hasn’t been clearly documented until now.

The purpose of this page is to make it clear to you – my alumni clients, to whom I remain grateful – how I intend to honour our relationship for the long term.

Once you have become a Jacob Aldridge client, you are my client for life.

Wherever we worked together: Shirlaws, NavitasIP, #RealReach, businessDEPOT, and more…

Over 15+ years, I have handed over a few business cards. I’ve worked in 25 different countries, was the youngest person ever offered global partnership in Shirlaws Group, and also spent 2 years as a partner of businessDEPOT back in Australia.

I continue to work with an amazing team of specialists and generalists around the world, and since the birth of my baby daughter in March 2019 I have put family first and removed my commitments to those other businesses.

This decision was largely based on feedback from my active clients – while they love the frameworks, the offices, and some of the perks the larger companies provided, ultimately they invested in working with Jacob Aldridge and didn’t want to be passed over to another coach or advisor.

So how do I help my Alumni?

Let’s get specific. When you invested in me, I made a commitment to help your business ambition. And my commitment didn’t stop when our projects or coaching ceased.

I would never charge you for these things, so feel good about reaching out for:

1. A regular, or one-off, coffee chat
   I would love to hear how your business and life are going, especially after the Coronavirus Recession. In person or via Zoom, let’s catch up. And if you need someone for a coffee (or breakfast) every month or so, who better to chat with than someone who already knows your business.
2. A team or partnership refresh
   The strategic frameworks we used weren’t a one-off – it was about building strategic systems in your business. And that includes taking your team on the journey. Have they forgotten why you do what you do (the Context)? Maybe you’ve grown or turned over key team members? Invite me in for a team training session, to refresh our previous plans and conversations
3. The right introduction
   Like all good advisors, I give more referrals than I take on new clients. As someone who has seen ‘beneath the hood’ of your business, I may be in the best position to make you an introduction to another supplier, advisor, or business owner who can help with whatever keeps you awake at night.

I’ve made this offer now to more than 1,000 alumni clients of my advisory and group training: it may surprise you that barely a handful reach out in any given month. So you’re not imposing on me – I am here to help, for the life of your business.

Email me jacob@jacobaldridge.com or shoot me a text message (or even risk a phone call!) on +61 427 151 181.

Since January 2020, I am back living in Brisbane. Since January 2021, my paternity leave has ended, so I am back working full-time.

How can we work together again?

Our paid advisory relationship ended for a reason: ongoing investment wasn’t going to deliver a return (either because you reached a sweet spot or because we didn’t get the engagement expectations right).

With 15+ years of experience now, I’ve fallen into a rhythm with many clients like you:

• New Projects
  Not sure what’s next, or how to best achieve those goals? With a clear scope and a fixed project fee, leverage my deep generalist business expertise to get you through the next speedbump, hurdle, or brick wall.
• Annual Check-in / Strategic Retreats
  You have the capability, and the team, but once or twice a year you convene to review Strategy – and you engage me as a trusted advisor to maintain your momentum
• Team Training
  If you keep photocopying a photocopy, the resolution gets blurry. Return to source for semi-regular team training – what are the key frameworks we use, and how do we apply them here.
• X-Factor
  Sometimes your business hits molasses, or your mojo goes walkabout. Exactly why – and how to rejuvenate the energy – may not be clear, but that’s when my experience as an advisor and in your business specifically comes in handy.

So if at any time you want to chat specifics about re-engaging me to help your business vision, reach out and let’s chat.

But let me be clear: my offers to meet with you or your team for free are in no way a disguised sales pitch. I will never put a proposal in front of you unless we are both clear that I can bring substantial value.

How do I send you a Referral?

My best fun clients comes from referrals. If you know someone that might benefit, please do make the introduction – I am always happy to talk business, and help in any way I can (just a chat, making more introductions, or working with them directly).

The clients I work with are mostly:

• 12-96 employees, or roughly $1.5 million to $17 million in annual revenue
• Privately-owned, by an owner, couple, or partnership with growth ambitions
• B2B or professional services, rather than B2C like retail or hospitality, since my business expertise means I understand their customer as well
• Strong, healthy businesses seeking more – I’m a personal trainer, not an ambulance. Most of my clients have been in business for a few years already – they have proved the concept, but need help scaling up

If you know someone who meets that description, the best next steps are:

1. Get their permission to make an introduction to me. If you’re not sure what to say, explain that “Jacob is an international business advisor with a lot of experience helping businesses like yours. And it costs nothing to meet with him, if you’re willing to invest in growth.”
2. Send a 3-way email, from you to both them and me and including their best phone number. Ask me to reach out and organise a meeting – that gives me permission to make a phone call, and they know to expect it.

I promise to close the loop and let you know how the conversations progress. I can’t help people who don’t want to change, and I will also make a further referral (with your OK) where I believe that is a better solution.

Thanks Again

Expectations set? Then let me end by thanking you once again for the faith you put in me and my team.

Owning and growing your own business is among the most emotional and rewarding experiences in life. To invite someone in alongside you requires great trust, and it has been my privilege to be there with you.

You’ve made the investment. Keep making the return!

With love,

Jacob Aldridge