Testimonials

We engaged Ces Riccioni at Big Picture Thinking as our business coach in 2018 and worked closely with him for a period of approximately 4 years.  Over that time Ces helped us evolve as a business with monthly meetings that kept us accountable on agreed action items.  From a business perspective we found this accountability and feedback invaluable, as it enabled us to develop detailed processes and systems on how we deliver advice to our clients.
Ces also helped us develop a structured staff appraisal and review process which has led to a higher level of engagement from our staff. Ces would join our management team in these meetings and help us (where required) to manage challenging HR issues.
From a business perspective we have increased our profitability over the period of engagement, and now benchmark ourselves against industry best practice. 
Having an independent third party assist in clarifying the long-term strategy and vision for the business was important.  With this long-term approach, we were then able to break this down into smaller manageable action items.
Whilst we are still evolving and continuing to improve our business, having Ces on the journey has certainly helped accelerate this process. 

"Ces Riccioni of Big Picture thinking has been assisting our business for over 7 years. 
The services he provides is vital in the continued successful growth of our business in a carefully planned and measured way.  Personally his business coaching has improved my efficiencies by organising  my time that I spent on clients, the business and marketing, allowing more time for me to spend on those things important to me and my family.
Ces also assisted RNG Lawyers in the successful and smooth transition for myself into partnership on 1 July 2016 and he is also developing future succession planning strategies. I would have no hesitation in recommending Ces and his services for without him our business would not be what it is today."

"Avril and Cesare helped in the planning and lead up of Eureka's transition to Eureka Whittaker Macnaught.  It enabled the existing team to own the detail and the immediate challenges of the deal and the transition.  We were then well-positioned for the July 2013 implementation phase."

"Lloyd Simpson played a key role in the repositioning of our SMSF specialist firm Ward Financial Group.  Two key challenges were faced within a couple of months of each other - the implementation of the succession plan for the principals Barry and Lesley Ward, with four staff taking a partnership stake, and the Global Financial Crisis.  Lloyd was instrumental in defining the boundaries of the management roles in the succession transition, and implementing a process of handover.  At the same time he undertook a review of the value proposition of the business, some pricing inefficiencies, and was able to help position Ward Financial Group to ride out a serious crisis, and recover from a small downturn with a 30% growth in business income."

"Eureka hired Lloyd Simpson as our business coach during a period of growth and transformation for our practice. We changed the way we price our advice and manage our people. We implemented an Advisory Board and improved the value proposition, delivery to our clients, and established our brand in the media. As a result in 2011 we were awarded as Financial Wisdom's Practice of the Year."

"When I worked with Lloyd, Avril and Ces, they struck me with their passion for, and knowledge of, business coaching, making an impact on people, and the underlying issues and opportunities within a business. Lloyd's insight into matters of a strategic, financial and corporate governance nature is outstanding. His work with a large number of independent financial advisory practices during a very challenging period earned him many deserved accolades. Avril is one of, if not the most, talented business coaches from a people perspective that I have had the pleasure to work with. Her insight into personality and emotional intelligence is of the highest order. She has a thirst for knowledge, a continual drive to be a better professional and a passion for what she does that sets her apart from the rest. Ces possesses an understanding of and insight into the workings of financial planning practices that sets him apart from most coaches or consultants. His work ethic & willingness to challenge adviser principals make him an asset that produces a return on investment that is tangible to the practice. If you have the need or the opportunity to discuss your business growth, and/or improvement desires with Lloyd, Avril or Ces, I would encourage you to do so."

"Ces has assisted and guided our business and us personally on a journey that enabled our business to more than double in revenue and productivity over a period of two short years.
He is always there when need be and always there to remind me, and the team about the goals we need to be focused on. He himself focuses on the areas of our business that would achieve not only our business goals, but just as importantly our personal goals. 
Ces is extremely personable and logical in his approach, which in turn enables us to take the stress away from many business decisions. We would highly recommend Ces for his utmost professionalism, help, guidance, support in the good times and the not so good times. He has a personal touch that is second to none, as he truly believes and supports the visions of his clients and their businesses.
Most importantly, he always has our best interest at heart.
Ces has extensive experience as well as a large business network which has been invaluable on many occasions. 
On song, Ces is unbeatable at what he does."