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CLIENTS/TESTIMONIALS
"ScanCam™ is a new security technology we designed and developed for the global retail industry right here in NZ. Rob was referred to us by a colleague as a marketing expert. He got right to work helping us with the development of a marketing proposition and strategy. Not only did he do the strategic work but he also brought on board a designer and film company.
"Rob has a long-standing association with the advertising industry going back to his early marketing career. More recently he led the charge for the industry on the Food Industry Group initiative in 2006-07 and since 2008 has been convenor of judges for CAANZ's Advertising Effectiveness Awards (EFFIEs). Rob oversees the build up to the awards each year, runs various training initiatives and the judging process. He is well known in industry circles as someone with a unique understanding of clients and agencies who can be relied on to act with integrity across the many business relationships he holds.
"Tasman Insulation commissioned Rob Bree to assist us develop and drive our business strategy and marketing plans. Rob’s input added that extra zing we were looking for via a highly personalised approach. Working closely with the senior team and then the marketing team, Rob rapidly developed an understanding of the underlying issues and opportunities that our market and business faces. He then led a process through which we collaboratively developed a set of documents which delivered a clear strategy, clarified the vision, set future goals and provided a clear set of action plans to achieve our aims. What is he like to work with? Full of energy, ideas and a passion to help make a difference. He is excellent at engaging staff at all levels in the business. His follow through and direction made the tasks both enjoyable and successful. His style and approach to the work was professional, personal, well planned and results focused. He is commercially focused, able to provide an independent viewpoint and highlight areas worthy of further development. His skill, honesty and forthright style ensured that our teams stayed focused on the task and actions.”
"We engaged Rob to facilitate and lead a review of the NAB market offering and organisation structure. His method was very collaborative using one-on-one interviews followed by a highly productive one day session and written recommendations at each stage. His experience in business allowed him to quickly identify and understand our unique issues and opportunities. The outputs of the project were a united team vision plus a clear set of possible structures with one a standout to pursue. He also helped us to identify and agree specific and achievable next steps.
"We commissioned Rob to help us develop the Charlie's Trading Company Five Year Growth Strategy.
He really delivered on our expectations of the project. What stood out
for me was his refreshing and 'real' approach to life in business. He
was excellent at identifying the true breakthrough strategy and got us
focused on the required actions to help us achieve our aims. Not only
did he outline our growth strategy, goals, vision and mission but
importantly helped us to agree and capture the details and the actions
within a clearly documented, articulate plan. We are very satisfied
with his contributions. We will use him again and am very happy to
recommend him and his talents to others wanting to grow their business
and realize their growth potential.”
"What really stood out for us is his ability to take the diverse and complex and create a picture that everyone can see with clarity. We had identified that a segment of our customer base was experiencing strong growth and undergoing significant change in the size and scope of their operations. It was considered critical that we build relevance to this group. Rob took a "what? so what? now what?" approach; the purpose being to develop and validate a picture of how changes in this segment would look going forward. He began with a full round of interviews of company employees, followed by a literature search and interviews with a broad group of customers and stakeholders. He then adeptly distilled this information into a range of actionable options for the company to realistically pursue. Rather than simply provide pat answers, as so many consultants do, his special skill is very much in asking the right questions in a way that supported us to determine the best answers for ourselves in a collaborative manner. As well as that he provided a realistic plan including prioritization and suggested timelines that we are subsequently actioning.”
"We worked with Rob on a workshop he produced and ran to assist in the development for launch of a new on-line product. I wanted his help primarily in providing some strategy and guidance behind the development of a new brand name. He understood my goals and worked with me to achieve them. He kept our session well-paced, interesting and very thought-provoking.He definitely provided the strategic process that I was after. We ended up using one of the suggestions that came out of the session! I was certainly pleased with the nature of the work and would definitely recommend his services.”
"We engaged Rob's services to help us improve the overall functioning of the Marketing Dept. He interviewed each of the team members individually on a number of topics and then came back to me with a full set of recommendations as to how to improve departmental performance, efficiency and create a more productive marketing environment. He subsequently facilitated a one day workshop with the team, the outcome of which was a plan which the team could use themselves and present to the rest of the organization.
"Think of someone who not only inspires and motivates your team, but helps guide you through the process of discovery that delivers “what” and “how” you and your teams can achieve the impossible. He can create an environment and levels of participation that lead to practical, actionable and ultimately successful strategies and great results – something we are all pursuing.”
“During 2006/7, while also running his consultancy, Rob was engaged as Executive Director of the Food Industry Group representing the interests of FIG members ANZA, CAANZ, NZFGC and the Media. Rob coordinated the many different and often difficult aspects of engagement with the Ministry of Health and various government and non-government bodies. His high energy level and efforts helped to greatly enhance the profile of the FIG and the position the industry took on this important and very public debate.”
“Rob has worked with our association to engage our members in the issues and threats to their businesses which have arisen as a result of the increasing incidence of obesity in the community. Due to his role with the Food Industry Group, he has been able to forge a sense of common purpose across the industry and its diverse stakeholders in New Zealand. Rob’s unique talents have meant that, with regular dialogue and the sharing of information, he has been able to convince a wide range of interests to take action and present a united response to the issues involved.”
“Rob is passionate about his work, and always seeks opportunities to share his knowledge and learn new knowledge. He was responsible for bringing the health and food industry sectors together to work in partnership on innovative projects aimed at addressing Obesity and Type 2 in Counties Manukau .More specifically his contributions were: developing a joint programme for both sectors; driving and overseeing the work programme; providing leadership and advice on effective strategies and real substantive changes that could be made to achieve the partnership agenda. Rob performed his role admirably with much enthusiasm and focus, helping our organization to progress towards its goals and for increasing the greater food industry’s awareness, knowledge and understanding of the combined LBD programme and its aims and objectives.”
"Rob was great. He brought a high level of marketing insight and experience that enabled our team to develop a successful and robust marketing strategy and plan that delivered on both the business and branding objectives of our client.”
"The fact that he has worked across so many categories means that he immediately understands your issues and gives real examples of how he has handled similar problems….this is what makes him different…he's been there, done that. I can’t say that about other consultants who tend to use theory instead of real life application.”
"Rob will be used as a yard stick for all others. His compact and very intense session left us much clearer on who we are, what we are about, and what we need to do to achieve our goals. He then gave us a document which we can use as a tool to keep us on our chosen path. Once Rob casts his spell you are overwhelmed by his sense of confidence and focus and it becomes contagious.”
“It was a very intense but also very pleasant experience. He was highly skilled and brought a much needed detached determination and energy to the project and clearly had my best interests at heart at all times. Our interaction seemed to take place in a space where there is no boundary and at a level where only a truthful exchange can take place. Without a doubt the most critical contribution he made was extracting a clear value proposition from my chaotic and complex set of objectives. The outcome was that working with Rob gave me the inspiration I needed to move on with confidence in a new direction.”
“Rob listened to the brief, took time to understand our needs and did not deliver a ‘text-book’ paraphrased solution – rather the solution was tailored to the needs of the company and the select audience. He gave us an understanding of growth and in addition there is also now an understanding on what will be needed to research / market / action to achieve this growth. I was very satisfied with what was delivered and the feedback from the team was excellent – they all got lots out of the day that will help them with 2007 and onwards.”
“Rob’s made a huge and positive difference to the work. His involvement and questioning has always led to better advertisements and clearer briefs. That’s saying a lot. We benefited from his marketing experience, his global thinking and his ability to build a structured and comprehensive strategy. He's great value and great fun too.” |