Testimonials

What our clients say about us

“John was instrumental in supporting the process and facilitation for our strategic planning work. He created thoughtful agendas, provoked a high level of collaboration and built rapport immediately. John’s organization and listening skills propelled us to achieve our goals ahead of schedule.”

Sara Penner
Board Member, Ducks Unlimited

“John was absolutely brilliant. It was very important to have someone like him who actually explains how to implement certain things into the practice . . . I loved our time with John. He was highly engaging, kept bringing questions back to the group, and was clearly knowledgeable on the topics covered. Would work with him in a heartbeat.”

Program participant

McGill Executive Institute

“He was not good, he was great . . . John is knowledgeable, has experience and is active in the area. From what I could see, he was able to instruct the participants, and more than that, to inspire them.”

Program participant

McGill Executive Institute

“John’s strong knowledge of leadership theory, coupled with his business acumen, added significant value to this award-winning program (CSTD – 2014 Canadian Award for Training Excellence).

“His high level of cultural awareness and emotional intelligence made him a very suitable facilitator and coach for our operations in both Canada and Burkina Faso, West Africa.

“His ability to flex from executive-level strategist to compassionate leadership coach in a third-world country is beyond compare. The impact he has had on our global supervisors will never be forgotten. I will no doubt call in him for opportunities in the future.”

Lisa Parker

Human Resources Manager, IAMGOLD

“Even though I had no prior facilitation experience, John — with his unifying charisma, talent, passion, extensive experience, and patience in sharing his knowledge — helped awaken and develop the manager that was dormant within me.

“John is an excellent coach, generous with his time, and someone you can always count on.

“I wholeheartedly recommend John to any manager seeking to develop their management and leadership skills and benefit from outstanding support in competency development. Through his structured and innovative approach, John led me to explore and apply concepts that made me a better-equipped manager, capable of handling the most complex aspects of management and facilitation.

“John has unmatched energy and exudes confidence.

“John Koloda is a man of his word, with deeply rooted values. He is an honest and loyal person whom I recommend without hesitation.”

Marc Carle

Facilitator, IAMGOLD

"Based on a referral from one of our advisor clients a number of years ago, we engaged John Koloda to develop a training framework for our sales and management teams. John's insights and sessions have been invaluable in helping us develop a professional sales team for the future. Our industry is undergoing continuous change and the value of a sales coach like John cannot be understated in helping us adapt and better serve our advisor and employer clients."

Mike McClenahan

Chief Executive Officer, Benefits by Design

“Working with John enabled me to achieve personal and professional results. He held me accountable, kept me moving forward and allowed me see things from a different perspective. He listens in a way that allowed him to ask pointed and powerful questions enabling me to make better decisions and enrich my leadership skills. John brings the added value of his professional experiences and resources to his coaching sessions. Having John as an executive coach was invaluable to me.”

Kim Macey

Chief Executive Officer, Benefits by Design

“[A friend] fell ill with a terminal disease which ultimately took his life at the age of 53, leaving a wife . . . and three children. My friend owned and operated an insurance brokerage business and his wife needed to sell the business after her husband’s passing . . . John interposed himself into the affairs of the insurance brokerage business prior to the death of my friend, and thereafter until the business was sold . . . John set the business up for auction and solicited the interest of various competing bidders . . . and assisted us in selecting the final bidder for the business, leading up to a quick closing and a smooth transition . . . John’s caring towards the family and the business went above and beyond . . . [He] gave me and the family the best advice.

“I have only the highest praise for John.”

Mitchell J. Sanders

Lawyer