Not knowing your key strengths and weaknesses in business could be costing you a fortune, according to multi-award winning Australian business expert Andrew Priestley.

Andrew Priestley developed the Business Leadership Profile (BLP) to clearly identify performance related strengths and weaknesses in business leaders. He will be speaking to local entrepreneurs on June 26th, at an event hosted by the XL Results Foundation.

The Business Leadership Profile measures 36 traits associated with high performance in a business context.

It covers attitude, interpersonal communications skills, and the ability to deliver results. It shows you what’s working for you and what isn’t and what you need to work on – exactly – to improve your productivity and become more efficient.

The BLP was originally a pre-recruitment tool. Employers complain that applicants look good in interviews but too often don’t workout once placed in the role.

The big problem is the horrendous cost of mis-hiring – conservatively three times the person’s wage. The BLP – used in conjunction with a battery of HR assessment tools – is designed to minimize this problem.

But profiling is also used to assess existing staff to clearly identify management, supervision, training and coaching opportunities.

It is especially useful for business owners and senior managers where replacing really isn’t an appropriate option. In these circumstances the BLP is used as the pre-coaching assessment tool for a business leadership coaching program.

Andrew has countless examples of the financial value that profiling delivers. "For example, I profile many sales managers who can’t actually sell. The BLP identifies this quickly. Fortunately it also shows where they can be helped. If you have senior sales people the BLP is a very handy tool! You certainly don’t want to burn the investment you have already made in these people."

Andrew is passionate about making businesses financially successful. Research emphasizes the need for better marketing and sales; and efficiencies. In essence, better systems for making and saving money.

But people run systems. Profiling can help any business owner or manager identify the traits that will inhibit high performance in those critical areas.

When a business is succeeding, one thing it can do better is to fund either charitable or social enterprise projects from its increased profits.

The presentation will cover the benefits and limitations of profiling, how to choose a profiling system, the ethics of profiling (data protection) and importantly, how enhanced performance benefits others.

Andrew Priestley promises that business people will see immediate value in profiling systems like the BLP. “It doesn’t have to be my system – but I am encouraging business owners to carefully consider proven systems that help identify strengths and weaknesses and provide real-time, plain language benefits.”

Andrew Priestley is a successful award-winning business coach with degrees in psychology and education. In the past nine years, he has profiled more than 4000 managers and coached more than 300 companies ranging from small to medium enterprises to major corporations with annual turnovers of between £300,000 and £3 billion, achieving bottom line results for clients. He works with large corporates and SMEs across all industries from retail, manufacturing, legal, accounting to dental, hospitality and government.

The BLP is now used worldwide as a pre-coaching assessment tool for business owners, executives, senior managers and frontline staff.

Andrew's presentation on May 8th in Edinburgh was on 'The Amazing Coffee Experience' and was very well received by the audience, who were thoroughly educated and entertained by his practical insights and engaging humour. This event promises to be every bit as valuable and entertaining.

Seating is limited - and will fill quickly, so book now... and bring a colleague, to enhance your takeaway learning.

The event is being held on Thursday June 26th at The Melting Pot, 5 Rose Street (www.themeltingpotedinburgh.org.uk). Registration will be from 5.30 for a 6.00pm prompt start. Attendance is free for XL members and only £17.50 for non-members.