What our clients say...
''Mark works with Iken Business to deliver and develop leadership in the sales and marketing team and provide strategic advice to the CEO. Mark has introduced rigorous sales processes, set targets in consultation with the directors and ensured that the sales team has delivered and exceeded on its targets. In 2011 Iken Business has achieved 29% growth and Mark's contribution to this success is impressive. Mark is a professional and trustworthy individual with many years of experience of sales delivery. I value his insight, his experience, his focus and his straight talking and have no hesitation in recommending him to other companies that are determined to achieve a high performing sales team”
Elizabeth Miles, CEO Iken Business
“Mark was a pleasure to work with and had a very positive impact on our business. He took time to understand our company, market and our ethos and this meant that the solutions he recommended were appropriate and in keeping with what we were looking to achieve. He was also open minded enough to look at different areas of the business and approached each element with clarity and structure.”
Natalie Bailey, Director at NTT
"Mark is not somebody who wastes your time. He addresses the issues with enormous skill and brings clarity and vision into the mix. If you need to sit and talk to an expert about any facet of your business then Mark is the man to talk to’’
Nigel Hudson, WORXiD Limited
‘…It was perfect, very well pitched and met all our criteria. We now look forward to putting it into practice…’
Steve Calvert, TomTom
’’Mark Ace is a true professional. He has listened to our business issues intently and using his exceptional facilitation skills helped us to understand what’s important within our business. Business Coaching is not something that we thought would ever suit us, but Mark is like an additional member of our management team, and his external view and excellent input has been more than worth the money. Highly Recommended’’
Martin Turner, MD, FreeIndex Ltd
“Mark is great at getting the most out of people in the sales and marketing arena. He keeps it simple so that you implement the essentials. He is really good at getting you to think of the opportunity from the clients perspective and to differentiate between features and benefits. If you need a sales/marketing coach Mark is your man’’
Mike Quinn, Director at MiroMedia Ltd
"I first met Mark at a group business improvement training course which was possibly the most enlightening training course I had ever been on giving real focus on my business. All who attended this course and others would agree the amazing value of the advice Mark gives and how his ability to identify processes that could be improved in order to increase business and save money is a very unique skill. I subsequently hired Mark to come into my business in 2010 which again gave us some real insight."
Matthew Wofinden, Director at Centonex
"I have known Mark for over 25 years, and during that time have seen him excel in senior sales and marketing roles at a range of blue chip companies. I see plenty of executives in large corporate enterprises who are very smart, and at the same time very specialized in their field. As business moves online, as marketing channels change, and as economic environments become more challenging, it’s very difficult to find people who are seasoned in business and at the same time capable of dealing with change, and delivering business results. Mark is such a person. He is able to cut through complication, listen, analyze and work with a variety of people at various levels to execute. That’s down in part to his considerable experience, but chiefly to his remarkable dedication and professionalism. I always get sound advice from speaking with Mark. He’s the very best small business consultant I have ever met. Asides from his business acumen, Mark is simply brilliant at working with people to make better things happen. I am proud to be asociated with Mark Ace and recommend him as a business consultant of exceptional calibre, without hesitation."
John Brewer, Expedia
"I engaged Mark to facilitate my IFA practice in planning the next 3-5 years of our business, so not a task for the fient hearted. Throughout the engagement Mark facilitated a process which enabled us to produce a blueprint which is measurable, within our capacity and capability, and achievable. Mark diplomatically managed the differing personalities in the close knit management team which has, over 3 short half days, got us to a position where we are about to launch an exciting proposition unique to our marketplace. I would highly recommend Mark and look forward to working with him again’’
Brian Hill, Hill Jones
“I have recommended Mark into a number of my clients. I have received positive feedback concerning Mark’s structured approach, personable manner and understanding of the link between the business requirements and outbound sales and marketing activities.”
Nick Marsh, Strategic Development Consultant, Business Link
’’Mark is an experienced business consultant. Mark quickly gets to grips with the task and approaches a challenge with a creative and determined mind. Mark worked for me at an early stage of the business start up and Mark’s work helped considerably in the development of the business strategy. Mark is a very personable guy and has a wealth of experience and knowledge.”
Nick Shaw, CEO, Cypherseal Ltd
’’Top man... sales consultants that deliver results, don’t get much better than Mark Ace!"
Ryan James, Director, Essential Marketing
‘… excellent, extremely engaging and interesting’
Shelley Lambert, Centurion
“I have used Mark on more than one occasion and he has always delivered excellent work. He has a great rapport with clients and is excellent value for money. He is a person of high integrity and takes client confidentiality very seriously. I would use him again in a heartbeat.”
John Urry, Contracts Manager, Northern Arc Ltd
"I have used Mark Ace to support me in making key changes in my business as well as implementing a business planning process. I found Mark extremely easy to work with and intuitive when it came to making key decisions around personnel. He gave me two pieces of significant advice that I acted upon. I often wonder what the consequences would have been had I not taken his advice. Its a pleasure to recommend him and his services."
Top Qualities: Personable, Good Value, High Integrity
Mark Gallen, MG Training Solutions
“Mark is a highly resourceful and well-rounded consultant - this is actually a very unusual combination. His skill is in being able to pinpoint what needs to be done. He can see the wood for the trees and this enables his clients to run better, more profitable businesses. It is as simple as that!”
Robert Craven, The Directors’ Centre
“Mark delivers exactly what he says he will in a very professional manner”
David Hedley, Business Advisor
"Having worked with Mark on various projects I have no hesitation in recommending the work he does and the results he achieves for his clients. He has the ability to engage with people at all levels and he never fails to deliver what he has promised."
Marlene Hole, PES
“Mark was called in to assist a New Project Team in setting client acquisition and marketing targets. He provided excellent support and guidance and increased the Team motivation.”
Grant Cozens, Northern Arc Ltd
’’Just wanted to thank you for the training... I thought it was excellent. We have a marketing plan in place at ETS but it’s given me a kick up the backside to revisit it and apply some of the techniques we went through and regularly keep it updated. I also thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon session, even though I was on your sales course in the Autumn I gained new knowledge and skills that have had their first roll out today. I won’t hesitate to recommend your services’’
Jan Evans, MD, ETS Ltd
“I have worked with Mark on various projects over the last few years. I have always found him to be very client focused, extremely reliable and flexible in his approach. He is also good fun to work with. I would have no hesitation in recommending Mark as an excellent business partner on a variety of projects.”
Sandra Webber, Director, Kudos Group
’’...that was one of the best training sessions I have ever had’’
James, West Country Vending
"I have worked with Mark on at least 2 occasions with 2 very different types of organisations. On both occasions Mark adapted his style to suit the audience ensuring they gained maximum benefit from his marketing & sales workshop. Many of his ideas and strategies have been adopted in both organisations. I have no hesitation in recommending Mark to clients." Top Qualities: Great Results, Personable, Expert
Veronica Parsons, Consultant, Resource Futures
"Mark sets a high standard for anyone to follow BUT IT WORKS. He isn’t afraid to challenge a client, set them tasks they may find difficult and he’s got plenty of ideas to help their business progress in the right direction. Highly recommended and I will certainly be back for more!"
Darren Moloney, Director, All Things Web
’’We really enjoyed our day with you yesterday; we all found the session incredibly productive and feel sure that as soon as we implement even just some of what you recommend, our professionalism and profit will soon improve!’’
Debbie Thatcher, SDS Ltd
’’By far the best training course I have had since working at wcvs!!... the course was spot on... Already a big difference in results for my job within 2 days’’
Sarah, WCVS Ltd
"Mark was an inspirational manager who always led from the front and motivated his team to achieve and exceed their goals and aspirations. He was exceptionally perceptive with regard to people and their potential and created an energetic, highly successful sales environment which allowed him to concentrate on creating winning strategies for the Division. Mark was pivotal in shaping me as a person and as a successful Sales Manager and I am delighted that I had the opportunity to work for him."
Joanne Brownbill, RAC
“Mark has that rare ability of being able to ask the effective question, listen well to the answer, and help you reach the solution that is right for you. His skills of reflecting back caused me to think carefully about choices that our business needs to make, and gave a clear way forward. Thanks Mark, in a world where consultants often want to transmit more than receive it was a pleasure to work with a professional.”
Diane Banister, Intelligent Dialogue
“Mark has coached C3 sales teams locally and nationally as well as sales management training for senior management. I still refer to his detailed notes regularly. His methods are tailored and very specific and has been a significant help to me and our business.”
Nigel Davies, C3
“Mark has a superb, in depth understanding of business and what it takes to be successful. he is adept at passing this on to others. Not by telling them, but by asking hard questions which really make you think about how your business is performing and how it could be better. I would have no hesitation in recommending him.”
Jeremy Humphries, Satsuma
“Mark provided us with excellent advice particularly on compeptitive analysis and pricing.”
Peter Prater, Qtac