Specifics of our client relationships are respected as completely confidential. The following are actual testimonials even where they are not attributed.
I’ve reflected back on our conversations and for the most part, you have been point blank right.”
Testimonial from an early stage startup entrepreneur
I hired Michael two weeks after launching my consulting business, after I’d sent emails to everyone I knew and realized I had no idea what to do next. In a matter of weeks, he helped me create a unique position in the market, make my website more targeted and succinct, collect great testimonials from former clients, start a blog, manage a website redesign, and write for industry publications. With his frank and spot-on advice, I went from fearing I’d destroyed my career to signing long-term contracts for two clients in a matter of weeks. His tips on how to talk about rates also gave me the tools and the confidence to ask for (and get) more than I might have if left to my own devices. I’ve passed Michael’s name to friends struggling with their careers, and I know I’ll be a return customer if I find myself in need of coaching again. I recommend him wholeheartedly.”
Coaching testimonial from a Media specialist
Michael took a quick look at my resume and a long look at me and synthesized what was needed to make them match. He drew things out that I hadn’t articulated, and helped me breathe a sense of what I really did into those words on paper. I made those changes on my LinkedIn resume and three months later I was recruited via LinkedIn for an amazing job. I am convinced that wouldn’t have happened without Michael’s insight and infectious energy.”
Coaching testimonial from a Social Media Director
With the precision of a skilled surgeon, the creative mind set of a celebrated artist, and a grounded-ness that is only gifted to the very best and brightest, Michael Pollock set to work on helping to shape the professional me. I came to him looking to focus how I represent myself as a leader in my field, and I emerged out of our collaborative process with so much more than I expected. Now I have the the materials to walk my walk and talk my talk–and even more exciting–my contemporaries and their bosses at the biggest tech and creative players across the country have stood up to take notice. So I ask, what hasn’t Michael Pollock done for me? He’s been my rock, my cheerleader, my articulate second set of eyes, my coach and my spark. I have recommended him, and will continue, to anyone who is inspired to change. And I will continue to work with him as I build my career and my business. I would be crazy not to…he makes me a better me.”
Coaching Testimonial from a Digital Strategist: Posted on LinkedIn June 6, 2011
I reached out to Michael when I felt I was at a turning point in my career. As I explained to him on the first call, “I feel that I’m close and that the answer is right in front of me but I can’t see it.”
He helped me see it. Michael is a good listener and very intuitive. He looked at my website, he listened to me, he asked me questions, and the light went on for me. He listens so closely that he would grab at a word or turn of phrase that I said and ask me to explain further. And wouldn’t you know it, the answer was buried in there.
He then worked with me on a path to get where I wanted to be. There were twists and turns but he kept me on track and honest with myself. I really appreciated that he knows entertainment so well, and all that goes into it, whether it’s being creative or networking, or websites. He’s smart, really easy to talk to and very funny.I recommend him to anyone who’s looking for their “Now what?”
Coaching Testimonial from an Entertainment Business/Social Media expert: Posted on LinkedIn Jun 6 2011
Having just finished working with Michael, I can enthusiastically say he brought great insight and value to my thinking about next steps in my career. He quickly grasped my past accomplishments and future aspirations and expertly kept us moving forward, making sure we achieved all agreed upon goals.
Michael helped me see how my particular expertise might have value to a wider audience than I might have originally thought and assisted me in sifting through and evaluating current opportunities. Perhaps most importantly, Michael encouraged me to view those current opportunities as potentially valuable steps toward my ultimate goal. The clarity he brought was enormously helpful.
In short, I’m far better equipped to move forward now than before I began working with Michael.
Coaching Testimonial from a specialist in Sponsorships and Publishing
I am going to accept a position with [a major entertainment company]tomorrow. They have somewhat created a position for me …I’m excited because this brings together all my skills/experience in Music, Sponsorship, Marketing and allows me innovative thinking. I wanted to thank you for our sessions together. What you did was help me find my confidence and voice again. Through our work, I became centered and clear on the results I produced and the value I had to offer others. It really made a difference.
I was surprised by how much my career trajectory and the way I thought about the business of print journalism changed over my sessions with Michael….by using Michael’s techniques I have doubled the number of magazines I work for, strengthened existing relationships with editors,…. I won’t hesitate to work with Michael again next time I reach a roadblock in my career.
I went from lackluster “brand’ materials (cover letter, resume etc.) in serious need of improvement to getting job offers and finding new opportunities in the span of weeks.
Michael was absolutely instrumental in helping us to design and build a new strategic broadcast capability for RedWorks. Through partnering with Michael I learned that he possesses a truly unique blend of strategic savvy and operational experience – thinking at 30,000 feet while simultaneously piecing together the jigsaw on the ground. And he does it all with a much-valued sense of humor. Without Michael’s help, we would never have ended in as good of a place as we ultimately did.
Quinn O’Brien
RedWorks, an Ogilvy Company
Director of Global Operations and North American Managing Director
I hired Pollock*Spark to help me sharpen my business efforts by focusing on the Clients likely to use my services. He challenges my thinking, helps me become the master of my own destiny and always looks at my situation from a fresh and smart perspective. He hates bullshit and is incisive but always tactful. His contribution is like having your very own management consultancy, except it’s like dealing with the partner and not the pimply -faced recent graduate. His experience is earned and wisely applied. You can take away anything you want from me but don’t take away my Michael! As seen on Yelp.com
I was well positioned, knew my value prop and just made it clear that no one else could come close to what I am able to deliver to them…Since working with you, interviewing is like shooting fish in a barrel. Thanks!
Since we [worked together] I have not stopped working. I have been booked solid. I shot nine new spots in the last eight weeks. Being able to shoot with the confidence of knowing my strengths has been a great pleasure. I have never had a run this strong.
I was surprised by how much my career trajectory and the way I thought about the business of print journalism changed over my sessions with Michael….by using Michael’s techniques I have doubled the number of magazines I work for, strengthened existing relationships with editors, and become confident about walking into a room filled with my professional peers. …. I won’t hesitate to work with Michael again next time I reach a roadblock in my career.
Michael (Pollock, pollock*spark) has a very strong ability to focus deeply on a company and draw out important, often overlooked, issues. His suggestions for next steps and action plans are excellent. Michael has been instrumental in helping us clearly define goals and working towards achieving them.
I was surprised by how much my career trajectory and the way I thought about the business of print journalism changed over my sessions with Michael….by using Michael’s techniques I have doubled the number of magazines I work for, strengthened existing relationships with editors, and become confident about walking into a room filled with my professional peers. …. I won’t hesitate to work with Michael again next time I reach a roadblock in my career.
I was able to see that I have way more interesting skills/experience than what is outlined on my resume.
I have, and will continue to recommend the coaching. The coaching sessions truly are a “spark”. …the sessions got me excited about what I’ve done, what I can do and what I hope to do. It’s one of the best investments you can make if you’re in the creative field.
Even the CFO was impressed!
A client received this “testament of our work together” from a connection of hers:
“I clicked on (a LinkedIn update) and saw your name with an intriguing quote so I clicked again, and WOW!! Girl, you are so creative and vibrant, it just screams off the electronic page… I scanned the resume. It is the first exciting, creative resume I’ve EVER read. Anyone scanning your page would immediately offer you work, even if they didn’t have any.
You took us to a whole new level that we would not have reached on our own
Before the sessions my general outlook was…somewhat dire. From the beginning, Michael saw my strengths and encouraged them.
..instrumental in helping us to clearly define goals and working towards achieving them.
The Pollock*Spark report has served as a trusted guide for the board of directors and the professional staff. It has helped navigate the substantial structural and behavioral changes the association has gone through, helped change the way AICE conducts its business and the way it informs and engages its membership. The difference has been extraordinary. From the attitude of the board to the renewed sense of purpose of the membership, AICE is a reinvigorated association thanks in no small part to the careful and insightful work of pollock|spark.
this (coaching) was a terrific experience …. Thank you for your creativity, honesty, and insightfulness. You’re easy to open up to. I never felt judged. You were always prepared and able to quote things I had said 2 sessions before. It’s invaluable as a human being to be listened to on that level, and incredibly empowering as a businessman
You asked many questions that we had let lurk in the shadows and pointed us in the right direction.
I said good things about you to your face and I’ll say them behind your back as well. I thought you navigated a potentially difficult internal political situation at our company very well (difficult because of the self-perception differences between the partners), advertised your services accurately and delivered an analysis that is relevant, clear and integral to creating forward movement.
Your support and wisdom have already improved our business, and we’re looking forward to continuing the collaboration.
Although you laid out the structure and the “mini-goals”, it gelled in our final meeting beyond what I expected. As if it were a well told story and we came to the third act. I hope we do another round 12 months from now. It’s really as important to me as seeing your doctor regularly to check your blood pressure etc.
I am excited about moving forward
Hey Obe Won: I feel really lucky to be working with you on this stuff.