Harry Touzel and Maxtron Services Ltd

Skills, experience and qualifications

Skills: I am good at listening, crystalizing ideas and helping people get focused and take action on what is most important. Some other demonstrated skills are Facilitation, Coaching, Mentoring, Relationship Management and Team Building, Analytical and Numerical skills, Proficient in Spreadsheet Modelling, Project Management, Writing, Speaking and Presentation.

Experience: Recently – business consultant, coach, lecturer in management and leadership. Formerly an economist, and in the more distant past HR. My experience is wide-ranging, in-depth and varied, enabling me to bring value to any business situation requiring strategic management and leadership.

Qualifications: Master in Business Leadership (Strategic Planning focus), B.Admin degree (Industrial Psychology and Public Administration), Diploma in Datametrics (Operations Research and Statistics).

Philosophy and approach: Do for others as you would have them do for you. I am also strongly results-focused and believe that if we are clear about what results we would like to produce it puts everything in perspective. It enables us to cut through the clutter and focus on what really matters. Once we get clear on our results and start the habit of regular action, every bit of advice, self-help books, business planning guides, coaching, guides such as the one I provide for free, will help you improve. Why? Because you are now doing all of this with a purpose and direction.

Personal: I am happily married, have two daughters – now grown up. And I keep myself busy with playing guitar, Toastmasters, reading, travelling, and socialising with friends.

Why believe me?

Dont. Make up your own mind. Talk to me and conduct a FREE consultation with me, where you can judge my performance, approach and services, and its relevance to your needs. Always do a background check on anyone you want to work with.

Who is Harry – a wider look than performance… if you need that

Fairly ordinary

I am fairly ordinary, and cannot tell you how I went from living in a car to a mansion in six months. I have had my up and downs, some self-inflicted some I had no control over. I learned about life and about people, and what it takes to succeed. I also learned that there are many definitions and many routes to success. And… I want people to follow their own route on their terms – not mine.

Married since 1987

Married since 1987 – still married which I take some pride in. I have two grown daughters. One of the challenges I referred to was that, when my children were small they were in and out of hospital with respiratory and various other illnesses – all fixed now. At the same time I was managing significant research and consulting projects, as an economist at South Africa’s largest research company the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. On top of that I was doing a 4-year Masters degree in Business Leadership.

Interesting work

At the CSIR I did varied and interesting work. I remember, a month before the election of Nelson Mandela in 1994, sitting on beer-crates amongst a number of small builders and laborers, in one of the most dangerous areas in Cape Town – the shacks of Crossroads. I was there at the request of a community leader who wanted me to inform them of some of the development in the low-cost housing sector (especially the opportunities that could open up for them immediately after the election of Nelson Mandela) – an area which I had wide knowledge of. I remember on the other end of the spectrum facilitating workshops at the Southern African Construction Industry Initiative, in which 10 countries participated. I ended my career by winning the tender to prepare South Africa’s Country Report for the United Nations’s Habitat agency. I facilitated 4 regional and national workshops of key building and construction industry stakeholders, and compiled the Country Report.

Lives in New Zealand

More recently my experience has been with small business owners in New Zealand. In 1997 my family and I moved to New Zealand. This was not without its challenges. I again changed careers and have focused on consulting and coaching small business owners ever since. I share the frustration of all business owners, sometimes wondering if it would not be easier just to do a simple job and not try anything difficult. Then I remember that when I started working I had just that and it drove me to distraction. The grass always seems greener on the other side, doesn’t it? I also lecture in Leadership and Applied Management, which also meets my passion to coach and to teach. I have always had a great interest in entrepreneurs and small business owners, which is the reason for my change in careers. At the beginning I often asked myself “what are you doing? You have a family to take care of and now you start a new venture in a new country?” Many people asked why I did not pursue a similar career than in South Africa. My answer? I have an enthusiasm for what entrepreneurs and small business owners do and an appreciation for the challenges they face. I love working with them.

Currently

Apart from my business consulting and coaching, I am also pursuing a range of interests from photography, classic guitar, lead guitar, piano (rather poorly), travelling, a fondness for science fiction, DIY projects (not always successful), attending a local Baptist church, Toastmasters, and stock market trading. I like to entertain and cook for guests in his home, see new places and meet new people. I am not always successful in balancing all these pursuits.

What do people say about Harry?

As an economist I had a reputation for being able to bring a strategic perspective to the table. I was often asked to be involved during planning and strategy session, by both colleagues and clients. They appreciated my strategic insight, the ability to help clarify what is and what is not important, and to identify the key steps that were needed to move forward. I was able to do this in a variety of projects. More recently business owners have had similar good things to say about me. People appreciate that I maintained their focus, kept them to account, was enthusiastic, challenging, persevering and much more…

I bring all this experience, insight and perspective to your life and your business. I want to help you succeed on your terms. The one thing people in leadership value most from me? Being their Sounding Board!

Testimonials

“Harry added great value to my planning. He helped me focus, determine priorities, and narrow down many ideas into clearly focused action plans. His experience, knowledge and qualifications makes him a very effective sounding board and strategist.” Mike, former Global Operations Manager, CEO.

“The best question you asked me was – why don’t you make an offer?”. Entrepreneur, sold business share for multiple $millions after 7 years.

“I have found Harry to be very useful in our business development program. He is enthusiastic, challenging and persevering”. Accounts Director, Fire Protection Service and Retailer – Marine and Commercial.

“Harry has extensive knowledge and the ability to challenge established theories and existing processes. I have learnt much from him, in terms of some of the newer concepts and assessment methodologies and about industry in general. He is thought provoking, interesting and dependable. He delivers what he promises, at the time he promises to deliver it.” Freddy, Independent Business Consultant and former Polytechnic Campus Director.

“I now have the foresight to change direction and not stay stuck in one place. Still focused on sales and profitability”. Owner, Manufacturing jeweller.

“Harry kept my focus on what the game is about” (referring to life and business balance). Owner, Security firm – Safes, banking and commercial.

“Harry helped me keep direction, with a sensible approach to business and putting systems in place.” Owner, Carpet Retail outlet.