Biz Savvy
the Lead Coach
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A Bit About Me
Hi there, I’m Sonya, the Lead Coach over at Biz Savvy. I’m all about helping businesses shake things up and make some serious transformational changes. Since 2018, I’ve been running workshops that dive into Programme Management stuff like Benefits Mapping and complexity assessments. Plus, I do one-on-one coaching online for workers who are just stepping into the project game—whether it’s Programme, Change, or Business Management.
I’ve also got a blog where I drop knowledge bombs to help out small businesses. I’m sharing all the lessons I’ve learned from a lifetime hustling in the corporate world, backed by some solid qualifications that got me here as the Lead Coach at Biz Savvy. I’m kind of semi-retired now, but if the right challenge comes along, you might just see me trading my golf clubs for some business strategy sessions.
My mission? To help businesses thrive with online coaching and workshops that drive transformational change. I’m all about sharing insights through my blog and creating a supportive community. I’m passionate about spreading knowledge and solving problems. Unlike many bloggers out there just chasing clicks, I focus on real engagement and empowerment. My goal is simple: I want to see you succeed. I believe everyone should have access to knowledge, and by sharing my journey, I aim to help businesses carve out their own paths.
But let’s keep it real— my blog is all about guiding you to make smart business choices. Think of it as your compass through the messy waters of business jargon, tips, and step-by-step techniques to help you get the most out of your hustle.
The impact of my blog goes way beyond just coaching. I’m committed to empowering anyone looking for guidance, inspiration, and problem-solving on their business journey. My blog is here to give you hope and practical help.
In my quest to support businesses, I’ve spotted some gaps in knowledge. So, I’ve whipped up a bunch of small guides on different topics to help fill those gaps. You can check them out on the home page. And guess what? I’ve just kicked off a new venture to help small businesses in France that offer services and products in English get noticed. It’s a website connecting English speakers, and I’m super excited about it!
Relevant Work Experience
Self -employed Consultant & Owner of Biz Savvy and Biz Où?
2020-present
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Providing remote, virtual coaching & consultancy support to small business owners
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Developing and establishing a new online directory in France for English speaking businesses.
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Leading delivery of the change through facilitating workshops and developing plans to deliver them
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Facilitation of workshops
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Providing leadership, strategic and business advise to smaller businesses
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Promoting the use of techniques which help with day to day management of the business
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Developing coaching tools
Lead Coach & Business Change Manager
2016 - 2020
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Providing remote, virtual coaching & consultancy support to programme & change professionals, individually and in teams, for change programmes to aid the development of the programme team, including sponsors, programme managers and change managers.
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Leading delivery of the change through facilitating workshops and developing plans/reports for a programme to ensure strategy is developed and is understood, programme is aligned and designed to strategy, and work is undertaken on the right change initiatives.
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Facilitation of Benefits Identification & Mapping workshops for change programmes.
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Promoting programme management techniques
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Promoting the use of measuring complexity of programmes
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Developing coaching tools
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Delivery of shorter-term change and provision of coaching for staff for longer term change
Programme Manager
2012-2016
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Programme Manager for two major programmes on the Sellafield Site with a combined delivery cost for lifetime in excess of £5 billion.
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Identifying and producing a programme plan with key milestones, deliverables & decisions. Providing timely updates on programme status, risks and issues, evaluating programme performance and health.
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Developing, managing and obtaining senior management approval of a detailed business case, including detailed benefits and links to organisational strategic objectives.
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Managing and reporting on the programme budget, acting on any variance and promoting good budget control across the programme’s work streams including developing and tracking efficiencies
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Managing and reporting of risks, issues and dependencies, promoting good risk management across the programme ensuring any changes to baseline are managed through change request and all impacts are considered
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Ensuring governance processes and decisions are applied consistently, standardised programme metrics and reporting driven out of Clarity. Management by exception of budget and schedule variance. Ensuring accurate and responsible status reporting. Escalating, co-ordinating any mitigates or remedial action.
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Management of the EDFE interfaces and developing and implementing strategies to deliver new customer demand requests and new contracted components.
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Leading and representing interests in Oxide business affairs in various strategic business projects, business and customer forums and various internal and external stakeholder forums
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Leading, on behalf of THORP, the business delivery necessary to meet the Oxide business objectives.
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Leading on the Sales and Operational Planning forums, acting as Chair, providing key input and strategic direction to the THORP lead team
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Producing all strategic and customer forum reports which are connected with Oxide programmes.
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Identifying, proposing and implementing improvements to existing and new business processes.
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Acting as Host Interface Representative for THORP during a WANO (World Association of Nuclear Operators) Follow Up Review
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Acting as ‘the face of THORP’ with NDA customers such as EDF and regulators, participating in West Cumbria Stakeholder meetings which included representation from pressure groups and local councillors.
Senior Consignment Project Manager
2008-2012
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Following regulatory intervention - established and implemented consignment improvements, which included chairing the SL Transport Governance Forum.
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Accountability for Project managing several high-profile shipments of Radioactive Material (RAM) overseas in line with strategy to repatriate RAM to countries of origin.
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Managing operations relating to the routine & non-routine consignments of Radioactive Material from the Site to ensure the safety and compliancy with the regulations. Responsible for pulling together the new and revised arrangements/procedures. Acting as Process Owner for Consignment of Radioactive Materials and Transport of Dangerous Goods and Deputy Head of Operations, Transportation Logistics.
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Providing the regulators with confidence that site procedures are compliant with regulations and that they are being adhered to. Interfacing on a regular basis to ensure a common understanding.
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Line-managing a team of technical specialists in support of site consignment activities
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Acting as Point of Contact for Transportation Logistics (TL) OU Sales & Operational Planning (S&OP) Level 3 and Lead Intelligent Customer for Radioactive Material Transport Consignment activities (licensing, package approvals, specialist advice)
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Acting as Peer Reviewer on WANO review for Emergency Preparedness
