GKC LTD. g.patrick - managing director
I run an IT business specialising in the implementation of Observability Technologies, ensuring that organisations get the right answers to the right people at the right time. Before meeting Lance, I primarily discussed my business questions, ideas, and concerns internally or with friends who owned businesses. This approach had its limitations, which became evident when I joined a group led by Lance. This group brought together owners and CEOs from various industries, providing a structured environment where we could openly discuss issues that were difficult to address within our own companies or with friends.Being part of this group gave me a lot of freedom of thought and significantly contributed to my personal and business development. Additionally, I worked directly with Lance as a business mentor for several years. He was an exceptional sounding board, capable of listening beyond my words and helping me focus on the core issues, whether they pertained to the business, the team, or my customers.Having someone like Lance, who understands business dynamics without the bias of being in the same industry, is incredibly valuable. I highly recommend Lance to any business or business owner looking to grow, stabilise, or simply improve.
WARMSHOWERS.ORG tahverlee.d anglen - ceo
During the past eighteen years of my senior leadership experience, I have traditionally reported to an international board of directors and worked with many different chairpersons along my journey. Lance is, by far, the most effective chairman I have ever worked with.
A few of the key traits that prove why he is an expert; he takes great care to ensure all board members have the chance to be heard and their knowledge brought to the table, he works tirelessly when faced with a challenge to create the best solution moving forward – but does so with swift forward movement, he is not afraid to think outside of the box while keeping the big picture at the forefront, he is 100% collaboratively focused. He does this with fierce respect for all parties involved. Lance ensures the organization’s milestones and goals are reached, and everyone comes out on top – a win-win.
When he joined Warmshowers.org (global bike touring organisation) it was facing a crisis with very little money in the bank, an unsustainable business model, based solely on donations, a software platform that was due to be discontinued in 18 months, and needed to be replaced, and a Board that was stuck in the past. Lance was elected chair in February 2020, and he set about creating diversity around the table. We now have a balance of gender, geography, ethnicity, and age; it has bought a new level of debate, discussion and consensus decision making to the governance table that serves us well. He led the board through a process to create a new strategic plan that was focused on helping the organisation become sustainable and more relevant to its worldwide community. He was then instrumental in creating a new business model that was implemented in January 2021. And then Covid arrived, further complicating matters, and challenging our new business model. The Board remained positive, innovative, resilient and upbeat to the extent that we not only survived but thrived. A new web platform is about to be rolled out and has been fully funded from cash flow. New staffing positions have been created and the organisation is now looking forward to expanding its footprint even further across the globe.Lance is a rare leader who puts his entire heart and wealth of expertise into everything he does. He sets the bar high, and it has been my pleasure to learn from him and witness what a great leader embodies.
A few of the key traits that prove why he is an expert; he takes great care to ensure all board members have the chance to be heard and their knowledge brought to the table, he works tirelessly when faced with a challenge to create the best solution moving forward – but does so with swift forward movement, he is not afraid to think outside of the box while keeping the big picture at the forefront, he is 100% collaboratively focused. He does this with fierce respect for all parties involved. Lance ensures the organization’s milestones and goals are reached, and everyone comes out on top – a win-win.
When he joined Warmshowers.org (global bike touring organisation) it was facing a crisis with very little money in the bank, an unsustainable business model, based solely on donations, a software platform that was due to be discontinued in 18 months, and needed to be replaced, and a Board that was stuck in the past. Lance was elected chair in February 2020, and he set about creating diversity around the table. We now have a balance of gender, geography, ethnicity, and age; it has bought a new level of debate, discussion and consensus decision making to the governance table that serves us well. He led the board through a process to create a new strategic plan that was focused on helping the organisation become sustainable and more relevant to its worldwide community. He was then instrumental in creating a new business model that was implemented in January 2021. And then Covid arrived, further complicating matters, and challenging our new business model. The Board remained positive, innovative, resilient and upbeat to the extent that we not only survived but thrived. A new web platform is about to be rolled out and has been fully funded from cash flow. New staffing positions have been created and the organisation is now looking forward to expanding its footprint even further across the globe.Lance is a rare leader who puts his entire heart and wealth of expertise into everything he does. He sets the bar high, and it has been my pleasure to learn from him and witness what a great leader embodies.
SCALLYWAGGS EDUCATION & CARE SERVICES
Martin ENNOR - CEO
Lance brings multi sector expertise and a wide range of business skills to our advisory governance board. He always goes well and beyond his board by providing support for me as CEO between meetings, and also helping with a number of other projects that my family and I are involved in, just because he is interested in helping. I feel much more confident in our business going forward with Lance alongside me.Lance is astute, practical and focuses on getting the important things done in a cheerful and pro-active way.
rebecca wilson Executive
Lance is one of those leaders and mentors that you hope to experience at least once in your career lifetime.Lance’s leadership and decades of experience in senior CEO and Directorship roles over a number of industries is second to none. On every project I have worked on with Lance, his vision is clear, communication precise, and support unwavering – often fighting the good fight for the best outcomes of an organisation. So often Lance is in positions where organisations need transformation and strategic leadership, and his speciality skillset is being able to identify where value can be added, by looking at all aspects of a business’ ecosystem. I have personally benefited from his insights, and I know many of the senior individuals that he has mentored have benefited substantially in many areas of their business cycles.I’ve not only been privileged to have worked with Lance professionally, but also have benefited from his mentorship. Lance is always incredibly generous with his time and knowledge. He has a natural ability to listen and understand individual aspirations and concerns, with the unique ease of providing support and guidance, but also being able to guide through those times where constructive criticism/mirror holding is required. He has always encouraged and supported my development and growth, encouraging me to pursue new opportunities and expand my horizons.Anyone who is looking for sound judgement, business and commercial acumen, leadership and critical thinking – should make sure that they get some time with Lance. He has been invaluable to my career and growth over the years and has been an immense support system in the difficult times. Anyone who gets to work with Lance is incredibly privileged.
TECHTONICS GROUP paul mctaggart
While Managing Director of Techtonics Group Limited I was part of a business advisory Board chaired by Lance Bickford.This advisory board consisted of X senior business leaders that would come together monthly for a round table to share ideas, discuss key topics and support each other to help solve business issues or add ideas to business initiatives.Lance would chair these advisory board meetings as well developing areas that were important to the group. He would then find and bring in speakers and subject matter experts to add value to the topic area that the board members were looking into.As well as chairing the advisory board Lance also engaged in one-on-one mentoring, assisting members with insights and collaboratively working to drive key projects forward.Lance has an open and collaborative style of communication and working. He is always looking at how he can encourage, develop and support business leaders to grow and develop both themselves and their business. He has strong business acumen and a keen eye for business development.I highly recommend Lance both as an advisory chair and as a business mentor.
RESONANT LTD
Adrian VAN DYK - GENERAL MANAGER
Lance has been a mentor and advisor to me for a number of years and his honest and sage advice has assisted me in a number of business and personal situations. His broad business experience and no-nonsense approach has provided clear direction when I may have been at the crossroads deciding which way to head.