People who are willing to wear the colours and show they are supporters are of great comfort and reassurance for people who might be entering a period of career uncertainty or who are looking to make a change. Clements United has many supporters who have been willing to share their thoughts and feelings and some of these may resonate with you.
Lou has had the privilege of working with executives with varied backgrounds, functional expertise and industry experience. His clients have worked in Canada, the US and in other parts of the world. A sample of quotes found on his LinkedIn profile provides insight into how he is viewed and more can be found at http://ca.linkedin.com/in/louclements.
“I had the privilege of working with Lou during my recent career transition. Lou brings a measured and transparent approach to executive transition and outplacement support. He respectfully challenges your thinking, emphasizes and coaches you on strong search discipline, and employs practical tools to ensure you find the right opportunity in meeting your unique career goals. I highly recommend Lou if you are an executive in transition.”
Michael Read, EVP, President Consumer International & Specialty Products, Church & Dwight Co. Inc, Mississauga, ON
“Having participated in countless leadership programs over my career, I can categorically state that I have now seen the best – Clements United is the Premiership. My experience with Lou was nothing short of exceptional. Lou’s high touch approach helped me to better understand and appreciate my strengths, as well as my areas of opportunity. His approach is straight-forward and pragmatic, as is his program. As a coach, Lou was understanding and empathetic when he needed to be, and when appropriate, he jolted me into action. I often felt as if I was the sole beneficiary of all of his years of wisdom and experience. Another facet of Lou’s program is the access that he offers to his impressive network. It seems that he knows EVERYONE. I believe that many of the introductions that he made for me will be very important to me for the balance of my career. As a result of the Clements United program, not only do I understand myself better now as a leader and a colleague, but also as a person.”
Sean MacCormack, CFO, Home Hardware Stores Limited, St. Jacobs, ON
“While in transition from Loblaw Companies, I insisted on having Lou as my counselor as I knew, better than anyone that his style and experience would work well with my own. While in transition, the one on one coaching and support is as critical as the number of interviews or networking meetings you have scheduled each week. Lou quickly knew what approach to take in order to motivate, challenge and support me in each situation I encountered. He was a master at bringing me back to focus on my life goals when I was tempted to just ‘grab an opportunity’. Thanks to Lou, I learned so much about myself during my time in transition and all the while, he quietly facilitated this self discovery. From a personal perspective, I would look to Lou should I need his assistance in the future. From a Company perspective, I would be proud to know I provided people with the highest service level and transition experience possible.”
Kamy Scarlett, Chief Human Resources Officer, Best Buy, Minneapolis, MN
“Lou is one of the most grounded people I know. He has provided amazing coaching that considers personal life and work life. A wonderful sounding board for many of the most important life decisions.”
Alex Barseghian – Entrepreneur, Best selling author, FORBES contributor, Investor & Advisor – Oakville, ON
“Lou is a guy who asks the right questions. Lou was able to guide me through an interesting transition from thinking Canadian to thinking globally and forced me to look at the tough questions and provide specific and actionable answers. I find this skill, this ability to push another to seek insights by thinking along different axis through thoughtful inquisition, a valuable coaching and management capability.”
Brian Lang, President and COO, Real Matters, Toronto, ON
“Lou was an extremely valuable coach. He offered extraordinary insights during my transition process. Lou was supportive and very well connected. It was a pleasure to work with him.”
Tim Condon, President and CEO, AAA, Northern California, Nevada and Utah, Emeryville, CA
“Lou was a great guide and terrific coach. He helped me better understand my motivations, goals and areas for focus. He was very supportive and highly engaged throughout my transition. It was great to work with him.”
Ron McKerlie, President, Mohawk College, Hamilton, ON
“Almost a decade ago, Lou helped me through a career transition that at the time was stressful in the midst of the financial crisis. He provided the support necessary to move forward and work towards ultimately repositioning my career. We have remained friends since and I am forever grateful for this valued help and advice over the years. Rather than just thanking him personally, I wanted to thank him more publicly on LinkedIn. Thank you Lou!”
Jeff Bouganim, Chief Financial Officer, Purpose Investments, Toronto, ON
“As there is no growth in life without some discomfort, Lou and the team pushed me out of my comfort zone, increased my self-awareness and encouraged me to use my resourcefulness to strive for results. Lou was not only interested in my success, but was thoroughly engaged, supportive and his enthusiastic encouragement provided the fuel that helped motivate and propel me to a successful journey.”
Paul Roach, President, Belmont Meats, Toronto, ON
“Notwithstanding my high expectations and aggressive time frame for transition, Lou was very skilled at peeling back the obvious objectives on the surface and formulated a strategy that was very effective. Through a combination of tough questions and penetrating observations, I was able to specifically target my search and process. I would highly recommend Lou to others – as I have done so already, and encourage others to get to know him.”
Tony DiEmanuele, President and CEO, Mohawk Medbuy Corp., Burlington, ON
“Lou has terrific instincts and knows how to be and when to be a consultant or a coach. As a consultant he can quickly assess, develop a mutually agreeable process and draw from a score of experience that will chart a course for success. As a coach he is a wonderful motivator and knows how to constructively critique which is what created the most value for me. In every executives career there will be a time when the path forward will be unclear, fogged in if you will. Lou, like a compass can point you in the right direction and bring clarity to your path forward. He is one of the finest consultants and coaches I have the pleasure to engage. I would recommend him to my friends.”
Chris Thatcher, Board Member, Micro Interventional Devices, Langhorne, PA
“Lou is not only an excellent career coach, but he has also become a good friend. I found Lou’s advice invaluable throughout the entire career coaching program. The tools and methods that he uses are created by him and are leading edge. I found myself discussing all aspects of my career and how it interrelated to my personal goals and what I wanted and needed for the future. I fully recommend Lou as a career advisor and I am proud to be a graduate of Clements United.”
Renzo DiCarlo, VP, Global Business Excellence, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Boston, MA
“Lou has been a trusted, personal advisor since my first career transition 10 years ago. His personal commitment to his clients well exceeds the transactional aspect of outplacement, and is the primary reason why he has maintained a list of successful, fiercely loyal clients over the years. Speaking from personal experience (twice over my own 35 working years), Lou’s approach is a productive blend of active listening, well-positioned feedback and positive support, leading to a well thought out career decision on the other end!”
Tom Gunter, T.A.G. Consulting, Toronto, ON
“Lou came highly recommended to me and I began woring with him at the end of 2009 while he was at Miller Dallas. As a professional consultant myself, it was the relationship that mattered the most, and Lou is a master. His easy going manner immediately sets you at ease, while his deep experience and mentoring skills prepare you for the challenges he knows you are going to face. He becomes personally interested, and guides you through the pain and frustration while celebrating your successes along the way. Lou’s integrity was highlighted when he chose to continue working with me through his own career transition. He never let up and saw me through to my new career even while his own career was on hold and uncertain. I have nothing but respect and admiration for Lou. Oh, and his great sense of humour helps too!”
Craig Siddall, VP, Consultant Relations Manager (Canada), T Rowe Price Inc., Toronto, ON
“As a VP Human Resources, I have supported many people during their career transitions and been empathetic to their situations. However, when faced with my own career transition, I was awakened to the affects this major life event can have on a person. Now I needed support and my expectations of the person who would provide it were high. Lou Clements met every expectation and more. His calm manner, sense of humour and optimism set the right tone with me from the beginning. Then his expertise guided me through a process of self-reflection and preparation for the future that built my confidence and led to success. Lou told me that he took pride in his clients always being prepared as they looked for that next opportunity. In my case, Lou helped me know who I was and what I wanted from my career. Then, with each step in my transition journey, Lou was there to encourage and celebrate. Lou was a friend in every way during this challenging time and I would highly recommend him as an outstanding career coach.”
Craig Foster, Vice President, Human Resources, The North West Company, Winnipeg, MB (Retired)
“Lou Clements is an outstanding career transition professional and one of the best in the country. Working with Lou was transformational for my career. He was fully engaged during the process, provided deep insight and was a great sounding board for me. But most importantly, he ensured I always had the support I needed and always made himself available, even when on vacation overseas! Thanks to him, I am now repositioned in my career and have more focus on what my career means to me and how I plan to shape the direction I would like to grow in. If you have an opportunity to work with Lou, don’t think twice about it!”
Adeel Syed, VP, Commercial Partnerships & Client Solutions, Interac Corp., Toronto, ON
“Lou has lovely way of guiding executives through times of professional transition bringing them to a place of self discovery and new confidence. His tools and methods are rigorous but not intimidating. The benefits of his services are best appreciated at the end of the engagement when you find your way to new oportunities and happier goals. Working with Lou was a gift.”
Delaine Hampton, Adjunct Professor, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
“It was a great working with Lou. He’s a good man and is very effective as a coach and counselor. Lou is very well connected and really works to understand your particular situation and goals. I’d recommend him to anyone looking to make the right transition at any point in their career.”
Glen Grunwald, Executive Advisor, Canada Basketball, and Senior Advisor, Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto, ON
“In transitioning from my career to semi-retirement, I was very impressed with Lou and his compassion and understanding for this stage of life. As an independent solopreneur he had an understanding of what I needed to tackle, in moving from 30 years of corporate to a new horizon of self employment and pursuing my next stage of life. Lou’s various approaches and systems truly helped me to land a clearer vision of my future. He is a valued confidante with whom I put my trust.”
Ferg Devins, Chief Conversationalist, The Devins Network, Toronto, ON
“I met Lou at a critical inflection point in my career when I was looking to make a shift from Bay Street finance to a corporate operating role. Lou’s approach included tough but insightful questions regarding my past experiences and future career goals and while the process was uncomfortable at times, it inevitably helped me gain confidence in my ability to secure my desired role and succeed once on the job. Lou truly cared about the role he played in my transition and we continue to stay in touch, discussing both professional and personal milestones. With Lou’s assistance, I landed exactly the kind of role he helped me to define – I am thrilled with the company I’m working for and feel truly prepared to excel in the next phase of my career.”
Ben Fash, Chief Financial Officer, Fluence Corporation, Toronto, ON
“Lou Clements is the most effective transition coach I have ever met, or worked with. I knew a number of executives who had worked with him previously so when I needed support there was no doubt that in my mind that I wanted to work with him. Lou provided the perfect blend of direction, thought-provoking conversation, feedback and counsel. His approach is flexible and the process definitely focuses you on your strengths and opportunities for improvement. I came away from each of our conversations with a better understanding of myself and how to more effectively approach my transition. Working with Lou was a pleasure and I would certainly recommend him to both individuals looking for transition assistance as well as HR leaders sourcing executive level transition services.”
Nick Johnson, VP Human Resources, Skjodt-Barrett Foods Inc., Mississauga, ON
“I first met Lou about 10 years ago when I was fortunate enough to be recommended to him by an CHRO colleague who has worked with him numerous times in the past. He took a very personalized approach to what I, as a professional and human being, needed at the time given my circumstances. Lou was instrumental in helping me find my way to a new opportunity. His approach is high touch and agile. I have since recommended him to friends and colleagues who also found him incredibly helpful. I recently engaged Lou for a completely different situation and, true to his style, took a very targeted and personal approach. He is insightful and helped me think differently. He is tactful yet challenging. And, above all, he cares. I am forever grateful for his guidance.”
Nadia Vattovaz, CFO & Head of Logistics, Sporting Life Group, Toronto, ON