21 Predictions for 2021
Trump won’t accept the election result. He’s too demented to do that. Millions of people will
everything Brilliant Starts with an idea .
If you’re looking for something new in your life or business, it will start with an idea. I’m an innovation coach. I mentor people to find and develop those ideas, get great results and create something brilliant.
I'm Mike. I am an innovation, business and Mindset coach and entrepreneur.
Most of my clients seek me out because they’re feeling stuck.
Most are in an OK place, but deep inside they feel stuck – they know that OK isn’t good enough – they’re capable of so much more.
They have the potential to accomplish something extraordinary but can’t easily see the path to make it happen.
If this is you, you’re in the right place.
You’ve found this page, so you’re already ahead, but changing your situation, finding or bringing an idea to life, or indeed changing something about yourself or your life isn’t like changing a lightbulb. It’s not always something you can just DIY.
There are three main reasons why people and businesses get stuck.
Ask yourself:
Are you:
– Feeling stuck, and overwhelmed and not sure what to do next, or
– Sure there’s something else you should be doing, but unsure about what it is, or
– Unconfident that you can stick to the plan and see it through?
This is where coaching comes in.
I’ve worked with hundreds of people and businesses from all sorts of backgrounds and sectors. Each one starts with a first call.
If you’re doing fine but want more out of life then let’s see what you can achieve with the support of a coach.
Join me for a free discovery session either in person or on a call, and let’s talk about what needs to be changed and how.
“Book Your DISCOVERY Session” below, and experience the power of coaching and the excitement of squeezing more out of life.
Let's Talk
Let's Book Some Time For A Chat. It's Totally Free. I Can Learn More About Your Challenges, And You About The Way I Work. What Have You Got To Lose?
Mike Allen
My Approach .
Here's the best way I can describeI the approach I take. It starts with the WHY - the vision and goals - what is it you want to ultimately achieve. Change is hard, but it's always easier to sustain when there is a clear vision.
Then we talk about the Value you can offer and the barriers and limitations that might exist. Some of those are real and tangible like working capital or skills, others are limiting behaviours and mindsets.
Then the next level down is the Idea, the Proposition and Business Model. Then at the base are the more normal elements of a business.
THE most common mistake I see is to start 'getting busy' at the bottom level and never really do the work above.
That said, I'm not so precious about the process that if you need my help with, say, your marketing I'm not going to force you into a deep and meaningful conversation about your life goals and values before I help you!
Then we talk about the Value you can offer and the barriers and limitations that might exist. Some of those are real and tangible like working capital or skills, others are limiting behaviours and mindsets.
Then the next level down is the Idea, the Proposition and Business Model. Then at the base are the more normal elements of a business.
That said, I'm not so precious about the process that if you need my help with, say, your marketing I'm not going to force you into a deep and meaningful conversation about your life goals and values before I help you!
Vision
What’s the big goal - the ‘why’?
Value
What’s the value you can offer?
Barriers And Limitations
What barriers do we need to overcome?
Proposition
What’t the offer?
The Idea
Business Model
What’s the commercials
Customers
How will we find customers
Our Ideal Customer
Who has the problem we solve
Ship It
How are we going to get this shipped?
Build It
Build, test, learn
TEstimonials
What My Clients Say .
Claire Byrd
Mike is a one-off. He has a unique mind and is an engine of innovation. He is a gifted collaborator and lateral thinker, who always seeks to include thoughts and ideas from those around him. He is supportive and encouraging and can help to develop the tiniest gem of an idea into a polished jewel. Everyone who works with him will learn something from their time together.
Bevan Stephens
Mike Allen is an innovation powerhouse, he really does live and breath ideas. Mike has created an open culture where anyone in the business can contribute to innovation, leading to some really fantastic outcomes. Since doing so he has gathered, nurtured, improved and helped deliver countless ideas, making him a pivotal person in the innovation department. I worked with him on a number of these projects as a UX designer and I leaned an enormous amount from doing so. Mike is a master of methodology, always exploring new approaches to uncovering opportunities. And is always happy to share his knowledge with those around him. As well as being an innovation legend, he's also a lovely person, with great empathy and communication skills.
John Davidson
Innovation is so much more than walls of post-it notes with crazy ideas on. When the rubber hits the road there’s so much more to do, starting with clearly identifying where innovation is most needed. Michael came in to help us define that and to engage people at that ‘fuzzy front-end’ of the innovation process. Michael has a real insight for how to leverage, build support for and align people behind innovation activity. Michael has a depth of experience in ideation and finding new ideas to solve old problems. He gets things done, turning the great ideas that our people came up with into actioned and value adding ideas. This is where real innovation happens and real value is gained. I would bring Mike in again to anywhere that I work without hesitation.
Chris Connon
I worked with Mike at EDF's Innovation Lab. He's a gifted coach, communicator, natural innovator with a brilliant mind for creating collaborative innovation. Mike is dedicated, self-motivated and very capable. If you're looking for someone to help you embed innovation at the heart of your business, I couldn't recommend Mike highly enough.
Susanne Henderson
Mike Allen is hugely innovative and inspirational. I have had the opportunity to work with Mike on EDF Blue Lab Innovation Challenges. He actively encourages collaboration and gladly shares expertise. Mike builds strong relationships, continuously initiates new ideas and gladly shares his expertise. It has been my absolute please to work with Mike and wish him best wishes.
Annie Brotherston
I had the absolute pleasure of working with Mike during a years secondment to EDF's innovation hub; Blue Lab. I had no previous experience of innovation, but Mike's open and encouraging way of working soon changed that. Mike has been instrumental in building an innovation culture within the organisation; working to deliver company wide (and smaller) innovation challenges. Mike is readily on hand to support those developing their own ideas, coaching them through the process from ideation to delivery, but is also a fountain of ideas himself.
Damiana Casile
I have never worked with a coach who puts in quite as much work and passion as Mike does. He is a doer and will sort anything out for you, he is flexible, capable and understands your needs. He genuinely wants to deliver a fantastic end product to his customers and help them achieve great results. I have never felt pressured by Mike, only supported. If you are in need of inspiration in order to resolve a small or big problem, Mike will have the tools to help you get there.
About me .
Hi, I’m Mike,
I’m an innovation coach, consultant and entrepreneur.
I have founded four businesses over the last 24 years; Europe’s first on-line photo processor, fotango.com, TalkFreely, this business, Brilliant Innovation Limited and Moments2Move (and that’s not to mention two businesses that never gained traction and failed…..but you absolutely learn as much if not more from your failures).
In my time as an innovation coach and consultant, I have uncovered thousands of ideas and worked on hundreds of prototypes and projects, so when I talk about my experience, it’s been in the trenches. If innovation feels hard to you…..it’s because it is and unfortunately I have the scars to prove it!
How could help you?
– Do you have an idea, but unsure what to do next?
– Perhaps you’re a business leader that knows you need some innovation, but not sure where to start?
– You might need, or have a direct report that needs a mentor?
– You may have a project that’s started but needs some new energy and focus.
– Or you may know you need to find some novel and creative ideas to kick-start a new projectI
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GET MY BOOK FOR FREE .
I've (co)written a book. I know. My Mum is ever so proud. You can get it here for free.
