Testimonials
Don Pierro Empowers And Engages University Club Audience In The First Business Growth Workshop Of 2014
In the first Business Growth Workshop of 2014 at the University Club in Pasadena, Don Pierro empowered and engaged his audience. During the morning session entitled, “Deep Change or Slow Death?”, the founder of the Empower Lab Coaching Group challenged the participants to look closely at their own businesses and the hurdles they face as business owners. Introduced by James Harwood of Total HR Management, the interactive presentation began by Don Pierro recounting how he had helped Harwood address his company’s primary concerns as a Vistage mentor.
The overall goal of the first Business Growth Workshop was to help participants understand the concept of simplified strategic planning for business owners by inspiring them to begin drawing up such a plan. An entrepreneur with an impressive track record, Don Pierro is the past founder and president of three private companies in three different industries. Each of his successful business ventures were later acquired by larger firms so Pierro could move on to new undertakings and enterprises.
Basing the discussion on lessons learned from his own experience, Pierro employed a slide show to carefully lead the audience on an organic journey of management questions and perspectives. What was so notable about the workshop was how Pierro was able to inspire direct participation from his audience. Asking probing questions about the values and the mission of their businesses, Pierro achieved detailed and thoughtful responses. As opposed to only one or two participants taking part, the vast majority of people provided feedback about a diverse range of businesses.
At the heart of the presentation was the challenging question of whether each participant believed their business currently was experiencing either deep change or a slow death. The clear implication was that without a strategic plan being implemented, deep change is not possible. The only way to avoid the slow death of a business was to place the implementation of a strategic plan at the forefront of a company’s ongoing priorities.
Dear Don:
Thank you for successfully leading our off-site planning retreat/workshop for the Public Policy Program team. Your guidance and practical tips on getting out of the box with our thinking so that we can approach our world (Extension and beyond) with more of an innovative mindset were very well received.
Florentina has mentioned her efforts to consciously change her approach to asking questions; Chris and Eric reference different tidbits you offered; I still have the picture of the firemen responding to “Cat!” as a reminder of how to be heard. In those few hours you were with us, you made a difference and we are clearly benefiting from the experience.
I hope all is well and I look forward to other opportunities to work with you.
Sincerely,
Catherine Showalter, Director
UCLA Extension Public Policy Program
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: testimonial
With Don's counsel I was able to take a critical situation and find the possibility... the potential. One employee was leading a group of our key technical talent out of the company as we were in the midst of a turnaround. As I considered terminating him, Don helped me recognize what I had on my hand was a "misguided leader" vs. someone that should be let go. In that possibility was the opportunity to focus on and mentor what was once a bad apple and 18 months later he was our key and star performer.
Steve Leach, CEO
Novacentrix Nanotechnologies
Austin, Texas
Don,
I miss your coaching. Last year when we started with the coaching I was feeling a lot of confusion and a real lack of direction in my life (marriage, job, ministry, etc.). Before too many sessions, you had me seeing things I couldn’t see before and making powerful declarations about what I wanted in life. Then you worked with me to formulate a plan for each one. Early this year I was seeing real results in having what I wanted in life. I still can’t believe some of the things that came to pass for me in the first half of this year when we were working together and I had a real sense of peace. You have a way of getting below the surface and getting to the real story of what is getting in the way. I even thank you for making me angry a few times because you had the courage to not let me weasel out of my commitments and my desires. You have forever impacted my life. God has given you a special gift. Don’t ever stop using it to bring people alive and to help make their lives richer and full of impact.
I hope to see you sometime soon.
Carlton Jones
I have known Don Pierro for over 25 years as a Business Associate & personal friend. He has been the ideal candidate to coach my office staff on how I think & operate my business. Without his coaching support I would have lost several of my employees, because he keeps them focused on the target so they don't get sidetracked on my misc. quirks.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call.
John Miller, President
Milco Development, Inc.
530/888-0191
To say Don Pierro is a masterful life coach and trainer would be a gross understatement. Don’s direct yet compassionate way of being assaults the limiting paradigms we fight so hard to preserve. His keen insights allowed me to see just how often I settle for good when so much more is obtainable. Yet it’s not about more, it’s about an abundantly balanced life that infectiously calls others into something much larger. I couldn’t more highly recommend Don for people whose lives are going well yet they know there is more.
KYLE BARBER, Chief Operating Officer
Cardiostaff CORPORATION
Taking our Responsibility to Heart™
Don,
Enclosed please find a check for your services. I know that the amount is not correct, and in no way reflects how immensely you’ve helped me. If I owe more than this please let me know.
I hope that California is treating you well and that you’re enjoying your work out there. Texas loss is truly California’s gain. If you are ever looking for a significant challenge for your skills, you can come join me in Saudi Arabia.
Someday hopefully I can share some stories with you. Thanks again and take care,
Thomas Little
I have worked with Don in a long-term coaching relationship in both business and personal situations. Don's experience as an entrepreneurial businessperson and his wisdom in life situations has been invaluable in helping me to effectively navigate through many difficult deal negotiations and troublesome partner discussions. He has also played a critical role in coaching me through a number of personally trying issues with my wife and my children. His support and insight have helped me take new ground in getting past some very difficult situations, and his counsel has been both relevant and enduring in helping me to live in a powerful and transformational way that continues to move me forward in achieving my life goals. Don is a huge asset, contributing in a tremendous way to my success at home and at the office. Thanks for being the gift that you are Don!
Warren Walters, Chief Financial Officer
Simmons, Vetter & Co.
Having Don Pierro as the coach for the management team of our company has turned around the way we do business. We have become a professional corporation from a “Mom and Pop” run organization. We have made some big changes in the way decisions are made and are able to think in terms of profits other than just surviving.
As Don coaches each person on an individual base he is able to see how each person works and what their giftings are and is able to coach them where they fit on the team. He is able to truly make us a team that can win. We all have different talents that he is able to polish and fit into the corporation better than they have ever fit before.
On a personal note, he has a way of opening up my mind and heart to see what a gift I am to the people in my life. Not just in a business atmosphere but on a personal one as well. As we talked the other day, he asked about my goals for 2008. My mind went blank and I could not think of anything and with his way of asking questions that spoke to my heart I was able to come up with some goals that are obtainable and exciting. And as of today I am actually working toward the goals I had planned for. Also the weekly talks are an accountability to the week before and to the other goals I had wanted to accomplish.
Don Pierro is definitely an asset to our company and I would highly recommend his ability and talents to any other organization that wants to move up a notch to a higher level of accomplishment.
Melanie Roberts, Owner
Action Cleaning Systems, Inc
Tyler, Texas
In the first Business Growth Workshop of 2014 at the University Club in Pasadena, Don Pierro empowered and engaged his audience. During the morning session entitled, “Deep Change or Slow Death?”, the founder of the Empower Lab Coaching Group challenged the participants to look closely at their own businesses and the hurdles they face as business owners. Introduced by James Harwood of Total HR Management, the interactive presentation began by Don Pierro recounting how he had helped Harwood address his company’s primary concerns as a Vistage mentor.
The overall goal of the first Business Growth Workshop was to help participants understand the concept of simplified strategic planning for business owners by inspiring them to begin drawing up such a plan. An entrepreneur with an impressive track record, Don Pierro is the past founder and president of three private companies in three different industries. Each of his successful business ventures were later acquired by larger firms so Pierro could move on to new undertakings and enterprises.
Basing the discussion on lessons learned from his own experience, Pierro employed a slide show to carefully lead the audience on an organic journey of management questions and perspectives. What was so notable about the workshop was how Pierro was able to inspire direct participation from his audience. Asking probing questions about the values and the mission of their businesses, Pierro achieved detailed and thoughtful responses. As opposed to only one or two participants taking part, the vast majority of people provided feedback about a diverse range of businesses.
At the heart of the presentation was the challenging question of whether each participant believed their business currently was experiencing either deep change or a slow death. The clear implication was that without a strategic plan being implemented, deep change is not possible. The only way to avoid the slow death of a business was to place the implementation of a strategic plan at the forefront of a company’s ongoing priorities.
Dear Don:
Thank you for successfully leading our off-site planning retreat/workshop for the Public Policy Program team. Your guidance and practical tips on getting out of the box with our thinking so that we can approach our world (Extension and beyond) with more of an innovative mindset were very well received.
Florentina has mentioned her efforts to consciously change her approach to asking questions; Chris and Eric reference different tidbits you offered; I still have the picture of the firemen responding to “Cat!” as a reminder of how to be heard. In those few hours you were with us, you made a difference and we are clearly benefiting from the experience.
I hope all is well and I look forward to other opportunities to work with you.
Sincerely,
Catherine Showalter, Director
UCLA Extension Public Policy Program
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: testimonial
With Don's counsel I was able to take a critical situation and find the possibility... the potential. One employee was leading a group of our key technical talent out of the company as we were in the midst of a turnaround. As I considered terminating him, Don helped me recognize what I had on my hand was a "misguided leader" vs. someone that should be let go. In that possibility was the opportunity to focus on and mentor what was once a bad apple and 18 months later he was our key and star performer.
Steve Leach, CEO
Novacentrix Nanotechnologies
Austin, Texas
Don,
I miss your coaching. Last year when we started with the coaching I was feeling a lot of confusion and a real lack of direction in my life (marriage, job, ministry, etc.). Before too many sessions, you had me seeing things I couldn’t see before and making powerful declarations about what I wanted in life. Then you worked with me to formulate a plan for each one. Early this year I was seeing real results in having what I wanted in life. I still can’t believe some of the things that came to pass for me in the first half of this year when we were working together and I had a real sense of peace. You have a way of getting below the surface and getting to the real story of what is getting in the way. I even thank you for making me angry a few times because you had the courage to not let me weasel out of my commitments and my desires. You have forever impacted my life. God has given you a special gift. Don’t ever stop using it to bring people alive and to help make their lives richer and full of impact.
I hope to see you sometime soon.
Carlton Jones
I have known Don Pierro for over 25 years as a Business Associate & personal friend. He has been the ideal candidate to coach my office staff on how I think & operate my business. Without his coaching support I would have lost several of my employees, because he keeps them focused on the target so they don't get sidetracked on my misc. quirks.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call.
John Miller, President
Milco Development, Inc.
530/888-0191
To say Don Pierro is a masterful life coach and trainer would be a gross understatement. Don’s direct yet compassionate way of being assaults the limiting paradigms we fight so hard to preserve. His keen insights allowed me to see just how often I settle for good when so much more is obtainable. Yet it’s not about more, it’s about an abundantly balanced life that infectiously calls others into something much larger. I couldn’t more highly recommend Don for people whose lives are going well yet they know there is more.
KYLE BARBER, Chief Operating Officer
Cardiostaff CORPORATION
Taking our Responsibility to Heart™
Don,
Enclosed please find a check for your services. I know that the amount is not correct, and in no way reflects how immensely you’ve helped me. If I owe more than this please let me know.
I hope that California is treating you well and that you’re enjoying your work out there. Texas loss is truly California’s gain. If you are ever looking for a significant challenge for your skills, you can come join me in Saudi Arabia.
Someday hopefully I can share some stories with you. Thanks again and take care,
Thomas Little
I have worked with Don in a long-term coaching relationship in both business and personal situations. Don's experience as an entrepreneurial businessperson and his wisdom in life situations has been invaluable in helping me to effectively navigate through many difficult deal negotiations and troublesome partner discussions. He has also played a critical role in coaching me through a number of personally trying issues with my wife and my children. His support and insight have helped me take new ground in getting past some very difficult situations, and his counsel has been both relevant and enduring in helping me to live in a powerful and transformational way that continues to move me forward in achieving my life goals. Don is a huge asset, contributing in a tremendous way to my success at home and at the office. Thanks for being the gift that you are Don!
Warren Walters, Chief Financial Officer
Simmons, Vetter & Co.
Having Don Pierro as the coach for the management team of our company has turned around the way we do business. We have become a professional corporation from a “Mom and Pop” run organization. We have made some big changes in the way decisions are made and are able to think in terms of profits other than just surviving.
As Don coaches each person on an individual base he is able to see how each person works and what their giftings are and is able to coach them where they fit on the team. He is able to truly make us a team that can win. We all have different talents that he is able to polish and fit into the corporation better than they have ever fit before.
On a personal note, he has a way of opening up my mind and heart to see what a gift I am to the people in my life. Not just in a business atmosphere but on a personal one as well. As we talked the other day, he asked about my goals for 2008. My mind went blank and I could not think of anything and with his way of asking questions that spoke to my heart I was able to come up with some goals that are obtainable and exciting. And as of today I am actually working toward the goals I had planned for. Also the weekly talks are an accountability to the week before and to the other goals I had wanted to accomplish.
Don Pierro is definitely an asset to our company and I would highly recommend his ability and talents to any other organization that wants to move up a notch to a higher level of accomplishment.
Melanie Roberts, Owner
Action Cleaning Systems, Inc
Tyler, Texas
