Nick Forrest
Published by erin on Tue, 07/26/2011 - 21:20
Pragmatic. Reflective. Truthful. These qualities uniquely position Nick Forrest as a forthright individual who has devoted his career to the study and practice of management and leadership. He believes that companies grow as a direct result of the level of excellence of the management team, and his passion is to build great places to work that deliver extraordinary results. He is a specialist in organizational transformation. Nick cherishes the knowledge that over the years, he has enabled hundreds of people to achieve what they sometimes thought was impossible.
Nick Forrest founded Forrest & Company Limited in 1987. Before realizing his entrepreneurial vision, Nick held several progressively senior roles in the food manufacturing and retail sectors in the UK and in Canada. This front line experience laid the foundation for Nick’s life-long fascination in determining what makes a good company better.
Nick’s personal practice focuses on consulting and coaching. Nick guides leaders in organizing their businesses to solve and effectively implement complex challenges in order to gain a significant edge over competing companies. He assists CEOs, presidents and other senior executives to execute strategy, and align and integrate the work of the entire organization.
Recent consulting projects include:
- For an iconic Canadian retailer: Assisted in the organizational transformation for a credit card division that delivered stellar results; reinforced the learning over twenty years under three separate CEOs
- For a major credit union: Implemented a complete organizational initiative which contributed to the best financial results in the history of the company
- For a medical laboratory services company: Executed a complete organizational transformation, which included initiating cost savings measures, reducing levels in the organization, and hiring capable talent; all of this permitted the company to reach decisions faster and actualize go-to-market strategies
- For a multi-national insurance company: Transformed the top team; built the capability that will enable the company to fulfill future strategies
- For a high-growth financial institution: Created a scalable structure and coached the top leaders in the company in order to realize long-term sustainable growth, while successfully managing expansion
- For an award-winning interior design company: Transformed the organization to profitably implement a brand-new strategy with the goal of differentiating its products from the rest of the industry
- For a national loans provider: Worked with the executive team to create a set of key strategies that made the company successful in new markets
In coaching, Nick’s style is exceptional. He has developed a reputation as a perceptive listener and sounding board, yet he will, when necessary, tenaciously drill down - he does not allow people to hide from the truth. Nick asks uncomfortable questions, but he does so in a comfortable way and at all times in service of the client. Above all, Nick respects the bonds of confidentiality; several of Nick’s coaching relationships span many years, demonstrating the trust his clients place in him.
Nick feels strongly that outside interests broaden the individual and make one a better, more motivating leader. He practices what he preaches: Nick’s eclectic pursuits include all forms of physical activity, but especially cycling and running. He has travelled extensively, and is an accomplished carpenter, gardener and bee-keeper. Over the last three decades, he and his wife Sally have gradually restored to its original magnificence a 1870s farmhouse in a small community north of Toronto.
Nick is currently writing a book on the craft of management entitled, How Dare You Manage. It will be released in 2012.
Forrest products and services expertise: