137 LIZ FLEMING – The Efficiency Coach

Liz Fleming The Efficiency Coach

Supporting small businesses throughout Gippsland

Words by Chris West | Photos by Kim Keltie

As a business mentor and coach, Liz Fleming gains immense satisfaction from helping her clients to improve their efficiency and spend more time with family or pursuing their other interests away from their business. Her promise is more profit, more time and more fulfillment.

“Yes, people go into business to make money but it should not be at the expense of everything else. It’s about trying to find that balance. I’ve experienced this same sort of challenge as a small business owner myself,” she says.

“I try to bring a fresh perspective. Every successful business that you see in the media has a business mentor or coach in some form and I want to bring that way of thinking to small business as well.”

Liz seeks to make everything as efficient as possible whilst still making sure that the whole picture is taken into account.

“There’s no point in being efficient in one area at the expense of a different area,” she observes. A Chartered Accountant, Liz brings a rare mix of financial expertise, marketing nous and government sector experience to the table, which gives her a distinct point of difference. As she highlights, very few business coaches have the finance background and acumen that Liz possesses.

Hailing from a small rural town in New Zealand, Liz started her professional career as an auditor for KPMG. She also travelled extensively after graduating from university and spent time working in London. Upon her departure from the UK five years ago she chose not to return to New Zealand but instead made Melbourne her next destination.

After starting to apply for jobs in Melbourne, Liz secured employment in the Finance team at Loy Yang coal mine on twelve months maternity leave cover. Not having been out of Melbourne before, she relocated to Traralgon with no idea what to expect.

“I came on here my own and feel a sense of accomplishment as in the space of five years I have gone from not knowing anyone, to now having a whole network of contacts,” she says.

After working at Loy Yang, Liz joined State Government Agency the Latrobe Valley Authority.

“It was first time I had ever worked in government,” Liz notes.

“The knowledge and experience I gained in how government and its systems work was invaluable in helping to set me up for the work I’m doing now in supporting small businesses.”

Liz then took on a contract accounting role at BP Australia in Melbourne, commuting from Traralgon, but the pull of finally taking the plunge and launching her own business venture was becoming impossible to resist.

“Although I always loved maths, economics and accounting during my schooling, I never actually wanted to be an accountant,” she states.

Ultimately, Liz always aspired to work for herself in some capacity and control her own destiny in her professional career.

“It was time for a new challenge and I was ready to be in a space where I was maximising my opportunities. Another contributing factor was that I never really liked being pigeonholed into one particular role. However, what I’m doing now is not what I ever envisaged what my business or working for myself would look like. Being a mentor for Startup Gippsland was the catalyst for the exploring the possibilities of Business Mentoring,” she admits.

Liz commenced her business in August last year and has made every post a winner in her first twelve months of operation. She has attracted clients from all parts of Gippsland across a wide range of industries.

Her efforts have certainly not gone unnoticed, being listed as a finalist in this year’s Gippsland Business Awards in the New Business category. Amongst other notable accolades, Liz has also been selected as a participant in Rocket Seeder, an accelerator program for food and agriculture startups that is led by some of the brightest minds in the Australian Food and Agriculture industry.

“I’ve enjoyed working with all of my clients to date and have been able to make a positive effect in assisting them by tailoring my services to their business vision and individual needs,” she says.

“I love the interaction and have quite a unique style that is built on being approachable and engaging.”

Liz’s business is underpinned by her core values of Learning, Authenticity, Excellence, Creativity, Accountability and Connection.

Clients have a range of service from which to choose, from entry level packages offering either a two-hour Zoom session or a three-hour deep dive strategy session, right up to a three-month business coaching program.

In the current circumstances where many small businesses are facing uncertainty, Liz maintains it is now more important than ever that they seek to find efficiencies and engage the support of a business mentor to explore new strategies for their business. “I understand what people are going through and like every other business I’m trying to be agile and adaptable myself. I’m living this experience as I’m helping other businesses as well,” she says.

“When business owners feel like they’re wearing lots of hats and juggling lots of balls in the air, if they don’t change something, nothing is going to improve. If necessary, I am willing to challenge their perceptions of the their current business operations, but in a safe way where we analyse the options and pave a way forward together, towards more profit, more time and more fulfilment. At the end of the day, it is their businesses and ultimately everything rests with them. I am giving them the tools and resources needed to make informed decisions.”

Liz has a breadth of experience and skills to call upon, along with an extensive involvement in the local Gippsland community, that she can bring together to assist her clients.

“I’m trying to elevate small business owners’ knowledge, especially around financial capability, so that they can better understand their business and capitalise on opportunities. It’s extremely rewarding to hear feedback from clients that I am helping their businesses to succeed and to achieve their aims.”

Liz is also excited to have become part of the Gippsland the Lifestyle family. Commencing from this issue, she will be contributing information and tips for supporting small business to the magazine on an ongoing basis. Liz’s first column appears on pages 168-169.

If you wish to work with Liz to guide you and your business to efficiency and success, you can check out her website www.theefficiencycoach.com.au follow her on socials lizfleming_theefficiencycoach, send her an email hello@theefficiencycoach.com.au or Phone 0405 541 460.

“Liz has opened our eyes to the possibilities and opportunities for our business and has given us more time with our kids. Her ability to identify opportunities and efficiencies that we couldn’t see, has really transformed the way we do business.”

Aimee & Lynton, Kingfisher Citrus (Feb 2021)

what they're saying...

“Liz Fleming is an extremely approachable, knowledgeable, helpful business mentor. She has assisted us immensely with business planning, particularly around cashflow, marketing and streamlining our practices. Couldn’t recommend her services more highly.”

Kristi (Oct 2020)

“Liz has been instrumental in analysing the operation of my business to help refine my offering, get the most out of my time and make my business as efficient as possible.”

Zach, Design with Zach (June 2021) “Liz has gone above and beyond in providing me great knowledge and reassuring guidance, as my business was at a standstill, with no growth and gains. She showed me how to grow, and how to be more confident in running my business which has helped me restructure my company for the future good.”

Steve, Latrobe Valley (August 2021)