Case Studies

College Summit

In 2003 this nine year old education reform organization helping low income students and had no Capitol Hill policy presence to accomplish their goals. They knew that to really serve low income students they needed to become a voice on policy and they would need seed money to fund some of their work. After two years of strategy and lobbying coaching the organization had become known on the Hill and had received 40% increase in revenue from government sources. That seed money helped the organization really take off and after five years it experienced a 100% increase in revenue serving thousands more low income students. Today, in addition to the great work done at the community level, the organization is well known as a policy leader on Capitol Hill. As a policy leader this organization is better able to help low income students by passing laws that will effect the nation.

ARP

In 2004 a social entrepreneur left his 9 to 5 job with dream of creating a new international nonprofit organization that would have an international impact. He engaged RLT Strategies to help create a strategic plan. He had no board, no plan, no income and no clear idea where he could have the greatest impact. In 2008 his international healthcare nonprofit's work was highlighted at the World Economic Forum as the best example of bringing together public private partnerships to combat stigma and discrimination in healthcare. In three short years this nonprofit had raised almost one million dollars in support with USAID and corporate philanthropy as the prime funders.

What clients say:

"Don't start working with RLT unless you want unvarnished truth about yourself, unless you want to know what it really takes to grow, professionally and as a person..."

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"As a coach Rich has added value in a number of ways, but most importantly it has been in his ability to bring sharp focus to individuals' own unique strengths and goals, and to help them set priorities and be accountable for them in fair ways..."

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"His single greatest professional strength is in how he can, with little to no advance research or preparation, incisively help you discover your goals and motivations, and help direct the conversation or project in such a way that is mutually beneficial almost instantly..."

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"Rich added value by working with me on specific goals and discussing the steps I need to take to meet these goals. I also found the initial exercises on developing goals and a mission statement was extremely valuable in providing the foundation for the later efforts..."

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"His greatest strength professionally is his understanding of the client's strengths and weaknesses; building on the strengths and minimizing the weaknesses. He demonstrates considerable empathy while not allowing them excuses for not succeeding in their goals..."

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"Young professionals in DC often find themselves stuck in the coulda, woulda, shoulda rut - focusing on what's owed to them, squandered opportunities, and what if moments. Working with Rich Tafel forced me to reject this cry baby logic, and in return helped me be successful on the job. With Rich Tafel you have two options: show results or shut up. If you're serious about the former, he will make sure you get there..."

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"His greatest strengths are the encouragement and positive feedback he gives. Sometimes I think he is more excited about things than I am. I definitely need that feedback as I doubt myself too often. When..."

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"I hired Rich as a coach I was in a rut. I serve in leadership roles in numerous areas of my life, but increasingly I was not enjoying my work. Through coaching I had a chance to look at what was important to me all over again. I prioritized my life to make sure I was doing the important things again. These insights helped me renegotiate my professional life to better reflect my personal values. Now I am doing important work that I love..."

Career Coaching

In 2005, the VP for one of America's largest information management firms engaged with RLT Strategies for strategy and coaching. He has three reports below him and he reports to a Senior VP who reports directly to the President of the firm. In 2008 he reported on his amazing success this way.

"Together, in four years' time, we were able to double the size of the operation in terms of revenue and employees, increase profitability 600%, and go from a non-player in a certain industry, to a market leader."

The client recently gave a leadership presentation on his success. He described the strategic planning and coaching by saying: "I have had the good fortune to work with an executive coach for one hour, every week for the last four years. My executive coach's approach is to include personal life, current job, and career all together. He also includes spirituality as an option. I chose to include it because for me, at least in this stage in my life, all of these areas are intertwined. I cannot separate one from the other because they all make up the "whole" of who I am. The first sessions with Rich, were really about personal discovery. Once through this initial phase, we moved into identification of objectives: long term, mid-range and short term. At this point, we began working on a mission or purpose statement for me."

He completed his speech by saying: "I have already begun executing action plans based on these opportunities for improvement, particularly in regard to courage of conviction. It may seem somewhat of a cheat to some, but again, the advantage of having an executive coach helps with this. As a matter of practice, Rich and I regularly identify items on which to work, set plans in motion, and measure the results." The company has just engaged RLT Strategies to complete a thorough review and plan for Corporate Social Responsibility

What other coaches say:

"I can't think of a better strategic mind than Rich Tafel. Very few individuals see patterns and connections as well as he does. If you are navigating a policitcal or social environment, Rich is the person you'd want most to be by your side assisting and coaching you through the sophisticated and complex terrain." Lyn T. Christian , MCC,CFCC, CSSC/ Founder of SoulSalt Inc.

 

"Rich Tafel has a genius for helping you find your passion and your power. But even better, he makes you get up off your tuches and deliver on them. Rich is the finest coach, colleague, and strategist I've ever encountered..."

Kinney Zalesne, bestselling co-author, Microtrends

"Rich is direct and thoughtful and supportive of my creating a more balanced life. After about 4 sessions, he is already having an impact!!! He is a Covey trainer and uses some of their exercises along with his own experience to push me into more planning and less reactive administering. The time I take with him helps me be a more effective executive director. I'm finally doing the things that for years I said I would do, but never had the discipline to make life habits. I'm eating right, exercising right, doing right by the ones I care about, and, perhaps most importanty, seeing work in its proper life context..."

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"Rich knows how to take those vague and fuzzy spiritual yearnings and turn them into goals, targets, steps and realities -- realities that give energy to my more earthly ambitions. Just as a trainer at the gym motivates and pushes you to make the most of your time -- even when you have a million excuses not to work out, life coaching gives you the guidance, the encouragenment and accountability that ultimately gives harvest to fields of one's life that for years lain fallow. I'm finally doing what's required with the much I've been given, keeping promises to myself, and living life with fewer regrets..."

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"The most important thing I've accomplished with Rich's coaching is an informed ability to consider and strategize my desires and responsibilities. Rich's coaching process helped me refocus my everyday life around the goals I wanted to achieve and the values I wanted to live..."

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"Rich has a great deal of wisdom, its almost like he is predicting the future of what is going to happen in your life, but I have grown to realize that his advice is based on an array of experiences and knowledge which he then applies to his coaching. The power to take what you know and apply it at the appropriate time is true Wisdom and Great skill that his does very well. I truly appreciate the coaching, but just as important I value and appreciate him for demonstrating a process of how to apply wisdom to both my personal and professional life to be effective. Thanks so much Rich..."

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"Rich's coaching style with me has been a great combination of letting me figure things out for myself, and verbalizing directly and honestly the way that I have approached different types of situations. I've appreciated his straightforward style in helping challenge and push me to reach my potential. I feel better having Rich around..."

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"Finding ones way through life is such a treacherous journey. Rich has a kindness that touches my soul as we work through my needs. He is non-judgmental which is very important to me because I don't want my imperfections judged..."

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"Without a doubt, working with Rich has enriched my personal and business life. My goal of finding balance in my life was definitely met. Thanks, Rich! The coaching sessions have helped me to realize what is important to me, and to prioritize my goals - something I had never done before! I feel very fortunate to have Rich as a coach and I look forward to our sessions!..."

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"You are a rare combination of brains and compassion and I will always be grateful to have been a recipient of both..."

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"I so appreciate how Rich adds value to my life and my network. Indeed, he under promises and over delivers. He gives voice to the voiceless clients and coaches who need meaningful assistance to live achieve their "callings" and purpose..."