About the Owner – Simon Smith – “Smifffffy”
About the Owner of Southern Cross Coaching & Development
Simon Smith, or Smifffffy as he is often known, is a qualified Coach and Trainer with a practical, results orientated, solution-focused, forward thinking, supportive, get-into-action philosophy, which he has lived his life by.
“Entrepreneurial, intuitive, positive, empathetic, and down to earth”
Simon is an entrepreneurial, intuitive, positive, empathetic, and down to earth person, passionate about getting people into action to achieve their own success – and equally as passionate about doing it with integrity.
“A track record of personal small business, leadership, & business development success”
Simon has a proven personal record of accomplishment in both small business and the corporate world. Combined with his leadership experience and wide variety of life experience in general, this solidly underpins his business and leadership expertise, his understanding of people, and his ability to support business owners, leaders, and managers in fulfilling their potential.
“Set up his own business, making nearly $100,000 profit in the 1st tax year.
Simon successfully set up and runs Southern Cross Coaching & Development, and made nearly $100,000 profit in his full first tax year in business. Current clients include SMEs from start-ups to several hundred million dollars turnover, corporates, and NSW Government, including Department of Premier & Cabinet.
“Strong sales experience – highest billing consultant in the UK out of 28 offices…”
Simon previously set up an internal executive recruitment business for a Publicly Listed Australian company, building it from zero to approx $500,000 revenue in less than 2 years. Back in the UK, he was the highest billing consultant in the country out of 28 offices in terms of annual revenue, and regularly made the monthly Top 5 list.
As the Australian National Business Development Manager for 19 companies in a large, multi-national organisation, Simon grew key accounts by between 243% and 312% in less than 7 months (i.e. from $350,000 to $1.1+ million. He was also Business Development and Coaching Project Manager for a national coaching organisation.
“Managed teams of up to 45 staff. Small business & Publicly Listed Company experience”
Simon has lived, worked, and operated small businesses around the world, including the UK, Borneo, Philippines, parts of Asia and Central America.
Simon’s career originally started with 10 years as a Commissioned Officer in the British Royal Air Force, directing Air Defence fighter aircraft and leading and managing teams of up to 45 people in peacetime and non-peacetime situations.
“Ex-RAF Officer. SCUBA Diving Instructor, videographer, marine researcher”
Simon has also worked as a commercial diver, SCUBA diving instructor and marine researcher, and ran a successful underwater videography business in Borneo.
Relevant Qualifications
In addition to Simon’s Coaching qualifications, he also holds qualifications in Small Business Management, Training and Assessment (TAA04), and Mentoring, as well as accreditation on the suite of GeneSys psychometric assessments (including 360-degree feedback tools). He is also a trained Lifeline telephone counsellor.