Case Study:
SHEQ Management

How Business Coaching Helped a Consulting Business Navigate the Pandemic and Come Out Stronger

Carmen needed more than survival. She needed strategy, clarity, and a coach who “got it”.

Like many business owners during the pandemic, Carmen found herself overwhelmed and uncertain. With nearly 60% of clients gone and no clear plan for the future, she knew something had to change. She didn’t just want to recover - she wanted to rebuild stronger.

Client Snapshot: Safety, Environment & Quality Consulting

In 2020, the business took a major hit. Client work dropped, uncertainty skyrocketed, and without the right systems in place, everything started to fall on one person’s shoulders. The pressure was relentless, and burnout was setting in fast.

What was needed wasn’t just recovery - it was a new way forward. A clear strategy, structured support, and a plan for sustainable growth.

The Key Challenges

  • 60% drop in clients during the pandemic

  • No documented business plan or strategic direction

  • Carmen overwhelmed, working in the business with no time to lead it

  • Lack of systems to manage workflow, team responsibilities and growth

  • No framework to scale or improve client experience

  • No personal boundaries — work-life balance was non-existent

Coaching Results

  • 50% revenue increase

  • Monthly 90-day action plans in place

  • Improved staff accountability and ownership

  • Reduced micromanagement and day-to-day stress

  • Enhanced team communication through DISC profiling

Why Carmen Sought Business Coaching

Carmen reached out to us after seeing our track record in business planning and business coaching in Perth - she was looking for more than advice, she wanted real support to rebuild with clarity and structure.

"What stood out to me was that Suzzanne is a high achiever who also lives with balance. I was burning out. I didn’t have a clear direction or end goal. I needed someone who had done the work and could guide me through it."

Our Business Coaching gave Carmen the structure, focus, and accountability she’d been missing. Together, they set big goals, defined the ideal customer, built core service offerings, and laid the foundations for long-term sustainability.

Our Strategic Approach

Here’s how we supported Carmen through tailored Business Coaching to turn things around:

  • Developed a strategic business plan with stretch goals and timelines

  • Defined ideal clients and aligned services with higher-value outcomes

  • Implemented clear roles and workflows to reduce micromanagement

  • Used DISC profiling to strengthen communication and team dynamics

  • Restructured pricing, increasing rates by 20% with positive client response

  • Maintained momentum through ongoing coaching and peer accountability

  • Collected customer feedback to improve service delivery and experience

  • Introduced 90-day action plans to improve focus and forward planning

The Results

  • 50% increase in revenue achieved through smarter pricing, improved client retention and new leads

  • Productivity gains across the team with everyone clear on their roles and accountable for their outputs

  • Greater confidence, reduced stress as Carmen stepped into leadership with confidence and clarity

  • More family time and flexibility with systems in place, Carmen was finally able to switch off

  • A thriving culture of accountability
    “I’ve learned to hold the team accountable while giving them ownership and freedom. That’s leadership.”

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The Impact in Carmen’s Words

"Working with Suzzanne has reduced stress, provided me more time, and made me step up as a business leader.

I’ve now got peace of mind and pressure taken off me. I have the flexibility to be there for my family and the confidence to switch off, which is balanced by greater efficiency.

I love the fact that I now have a roadmap. What I’ve gained is a clear action plan and strategies I was not aware of before, and most importantly, I have accountability. Every month I know Suzzanne will be there to celebrate my wins, or give me a pep up, and be my sounding board."

Suzzanne Laidlaw Expert Professional Coach and Facilitator

Suzzanne has been awarded global leader in business planning for multiple years running, placing her at the top of over 1,000 coaches worldwide.

As one of Australia’s top business coaches and strategic planning consultants, her passion lies in helping business owners to strategically and proactively plan and build a leveraged business model for success

We’ll help you to strategically plan a model that works for you, as we understand every business is unique.

Facilitated by #1 Global Leader in Strategic Business Plan Consulting

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