Those who've been kloog'd

one of the best investments I have made in years! Carl, thank you very much for your time this morning – I got more out of our chat than I could have possibly expected or imagined. Kind regards,Carl Turner, Minister of Chocolate

I just wanted you to pass on my sincere thanks to Carl. I was somewhat misaligned but after our meeting I left focused, invigorated and driven. Great guy, great advice and I’ll update you on developments in the coming weeks/months!Kindest regards,Andy Bradshaw, Creative Director

Dear Carl, many thanks for participating in the Dragon’s Den evening on Tuesday night. It was extremely generous of you to give up your valuable time and offer your tremendous business experience to the students. The students relished the feedback that you gave them and although they found the ordeal nerve-racking, they thoroughly enjoyed the experience and felt proud of their efforts.Dan Coll, Head of Sixth Form, Silcoates School

Hi Carl, thank you for our meeting last week. The time with you just ‘whizzed Away’! We left feeling very positive and upbeat and ready to embrace 2010! Tricia Douglas and Anne Ma’aye, Director of Business Development, Tricia Douglas Interiors Ltd

Attended your seminar today, well worth every penny. Thanks Carl. Riyaz Patel, Gaj-it.com

Thanks Carl, loads to take in. Some great ideas using new media. Roger Masterson, Celtic Castles

Fabulous seminar organised brilliant business advice from Carl Hopkins lots to work with! Charlie Kemp, Splitpixel

Carl, thank you for your time today. I must say how much I got out of our time together. It is very difficult in business to find someone who can inspire you and make you want to be better and see the bigger picture. You really see the ‘good to great’ potential and are very motivational. I very much hope we can meet up again soon. I have already implemented some ideas from this morning and I’m very keen to maximise the potential of our idea over the coming weeks and months. Michael Dobson, Level Ten Creative Marketing

Hi Carl, just wanted to say a massive thank you for all the advice you gave yesterday. I came away feeling very positive and have a much clearer idea of how to move my company forward in terms of marketing. You advice and knowledge was fantastic thank you for sharing it with us. I can’t tell you how much it was appreciated. Watch this space Victoria Moore, Newfangled Furniture

Hi Carl, a huge thank you for today. I loved it! It’s like a light bulb has lit up in my head. I felt a world lighter when I left you and I appreciate it more than you know. Sometimes just the simplest things can make the world of difference. Thanks again for your time today, Claire Helm, Claire Helm Consulting

Hi Carl, thanks very much for your time today. It was great to meet you. I’ve come away with loads of useful info and advice and I’m really fired up and raring to go! Laura Silcock, Copywriter & PR consultant

Carl, I just personally wanted to say a big thank you for your expert guidance in helping us to look at our new business & marketing material. Following our coffee with you in April we completely revamped our material & we are delighted with it. It was such a shame that time was limited at the West Lancs session yesterday as we really wanted to show you how we had listened & taken on board your advice so that you could see for yourself the fruits of your labour. With much thanks & kind regards. Karen Jacobs, Strictly Lettings

Carl, just a quick note to say thanks again for your time this morning. Really enjoyed the chat and for some reason feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders! Thanks again. Richard Day, Managing Director, Daylight Media

Hi Carl, just a brief note to say thanks for coffee with Kloog session this a.m. – excellent. I love the no-nonsense, common sense approach mixed with business expertise and experience that I have seen so far – makes a refreshing change. Thanks again and a pleasure to meet you, cheers. Tracy Sheldon, Dip IDM

Hi Carl, thanks for the coffee today. Although I was buzzing so could have had the caffeine!! I already have action plans on the wall! Many thanks. Ruth L Milner BSc (Hons) RSCPHN RGN Cert Health Ed Occupational Health Advisor

Hi Carl, Just wanted to send a quick thank you for your time today. I very much enjoyed our discussion and the thoughts you shared. I really think this idea we discussed in particular is a gem and I really hope it’s a go-er. What excites me so much is while my success criteria is not world domination, the potential could well be. I really hope we’ll keep in touch. Thanks again. Andy Kostek

Hi Carl, It was great to meet you. Sal and I are sat here completely re-writing and re-designing the website as we speak! You gave us plenty of food for thought. Elaine Lines, MD, Go Publicity

Good Morning. Just a brief note to say thank you for your time yesterday. I left the meeting very inspired, with confidence restored and subsequently had a really successful day! Once again many thanks. Rebecca Roberts

Hi Carl, What a morning! What a result! What progress! I left feeling very strange after I attended your coffee with kloog. So much so I had to e-mail, today made me realise how far I have come over the last ten years thank you for all your advice on marketing – I felt very inspired. Take care. Yvonne Thurley

Carl, Just wanted to say a massive thank you for yesterday…I really enjoyed meeting you and our chat. You have given me the focus and clarity that I needed, and I am now flooding with ideas of things to do, I’m going to be busy next week writing, writing, writing, which is fantastic – you have changed the way I’m thinking about the way I do things now and what I offer. I’m really very excited about the year ahead. Kate Gledhill, Director, KG Marketing Consultants Ltd

Carl, thank you for your time and expertise today. It really was a valuable meeting for us at, and not just the three of us but for the whole team. We’re so excited to be making good roads forwards, but of course with some great extra little gems picked up from you today, these should really help up to become one of the leading agencies in the Northwest along with our determination for an outstanding 2009 of course. It’s great to meet someone who has been there and done it, sharing his experiences to help others like us. So thank you. Adrian Lomas, Managing Director, Blueleaf

Hi Carl, I want to really thank you for the brilliant session last I found the evening inspirational and was even more enthusiastic today as I reflected on what we had learnt from you. Throughout my career, I have had many experiences of marketing experts presenting their ideas and secrets. I found your contribution the most stimulating I have been involved in and your passion for charitable causes is clearly evident. Your energy and enthusiasm was refreshing and your clear, direct and straight talking approach was really powerful. Ian McKenzie, Simon on the Streets

Hello Carl, what a great morning we have had – our heads are still buzzing from our meeting as such great ideas came out of it. You have given us so much food for thought – thank you for being so honest. We know that it’s the only way we can learn. It will be good for us to focus on the points you raised… wow…we have a lot to do! Thanks once again for your time and trouble in coming to see us. It was great to meet you. Julie Henderson, Martin House Childrens Hospice

Hi Carl, I’m inspired by your drive to bring your ideas to life – and it’s given me the push to actually take some of my own thoughts off the drawing board and have a real go at making them happen- at least then I won’t die wondering! Malcolm Harvey, Client Services Director, Storm

Hi Carl, thank you so much for your time on Friday. I found it a revelation! Really amazing! It also gave me real clarity on what I need. Thank you again for your time. Janet Wilks, www.adoptcoaching.co.uk

Carl, many thanks. Feel like I’ve been slapped with a big wet marketing fish, in the nicest possible way! It feels good to suddenly see the wood, and not just the trees! Thanks for the feedback on our print media and all the B2B ideas. We have much work to do! Many thanks again from the glass makers. Kate & Stephen, Gillies Jones Glas

Not only was Carl’s advice outstanding but he is also a genuinely good guy to just sit and have a chat with. He gave me an understanding of what to focus on in the business and unlike so many marketing people who baffle you with jargon like use more experiential marketing! (whatever that means) Carl told me in plain English where I could improve, what I might be doing wrong and how I could move the business forward. Overall, great advice, great guy and great coffee too. John Watts, Watts That Production

Without Carl I would have been fucked. Mark Appleton, Symmetry Design

Hi Carl, thanks for last night’s session with the trustees. As with these kinds of things you rekindled stuff that we knew but just weren’t doing! But you gave us so much more than that which was fantastic. I think we all gained a much greater insight into marketing and how we can keep things moving positively along the way. I’m also sure that in the space of 2 or 3 hours you seemed to cram in more than we could have hoped to gain from a 2 or 3 day course! Your energy and enthusiasm was pitched perfectly for us; we like to get excited about the future and you have certainly made us do that! Clive Sandle, Leeds Simon Community

I would not hesitate to recommend “Coffee with Kloog“. Having worked with Carl many years ago at JDA, I knew that he had a sharp business brain. Now running my own agency, I have found Carl’s insight invaluable with crystalising our thoughts both with regards to setting growth targets and structuring for the future. Tim Barber, Director PCD

Hi Carl, I just wanted to write to say a very big thank you to you for spending so much time with me today, your ideas are really exciting and I intend to put all of your advice into practice directly. You’ve really turned my head and motivated me even more with your thought provoking business advice and I am extremely grateful to you for sharing it with me. Wendy Caley, ViPA Online

I met with Carl after a recommendation from a colleague. After two hours, Carl give me so many pointers on sales and marketing which as an HR professional I was unaware of – there were so many “light-bulb” moments it was silly! I have taken on board many of the suggestions and will bear others in mind for future changes to my marketing/sales strategy. I would definitely recommend Carl if you want straight forward no nonsense advice. Carl says it as it is. Suzie Bogle, Breathing Space HR

WOW! It really is true what they say about Carl, not only has he got a great business mind and inspirational he is also extremely personable. Immediately making you feel at ease, with his humorous charm and then putting his business hat on. He has really helped to make me look at my business differently, I already feel more confident and inspired about it. And to top it off after our chat I had a meeting with a creative agency, so tested the new focus of my business and it worked. I still can’t get over that it was Carl I communicated with, which makes it an even more inspiring moment in my life and business. Huge thanks Carl, I hope that one day I can give back to people what you have given me and others. Sophie Morford, Bizari Promotions

Hi Carl, I attended coffee with kloog and you motivated me and re-activated my self- belief – this really made me see a future and Carl, you didn’t realise but this was the best gift you could have given me- confidence. I will always be grateful to you for that. Closing now, you are an inspiration. Jayne Wells www.jaynewells.co.uk

Hi Carl, just thought I’d drop you a quick line to say ‘thank you’ again for taking the time this morning to share your talent. You certainly walk your talk. My mind is now buzzing with new and definitely improved ways to progress with my niche proposition going forward – THANK YOU. I never mind the swearing… the way I see it is most of the time when a pertinent point needs to be made colourful language is the only way to disperse all the froth! Chrissie Lightfoot, For and on behalf of Lee & Priestely LLP

Hi Carl, it was great to meet you too. I found meeting you inspiring and am keen to work with you in the near future. You made some really valid observations and gave us all a lot of food for thought. We would be interested to talk further with you. Tom Stevenson, Digitronix

Carl, I’m buzzing. Will have top line thoughts and action plan in place tonight. Am restructuring the business to make it happen. Speak very soon and thank you. Andrew Critchett, PURE Artwork

Hi Carl, thanks so much for your time, we don’t get too many legends in our offices! It was great chatting to you and I hope we get the opportunity to do so again. Thanks again Carl. Anon, Agency Owner

Hi Carl, I really enjoyed the kloog session – I was astounded that two hours had gone by! Your session did ‘what it said on the tin’ – the important bits about marketing without the froth and I’ll be looking out for your branding session. I’m now going to immerse myself in your brand with a cup of coffee and chocolates – thank you! Ros Raine, Charity Manager

Carl has a no bullshit approach to business, His straight talking combined with honest pragmatism means that what you see is what you get – and what you get is great. Rob Wilmot, Quba

After four years forming our charity we were becoming more aware of the potential for development. Meeting up with you Carl provided us with very valuable and honest feedback on our current position and the small achievable things that we could do quickly to make a big difference. You encouraged us to focus on one or two key areas where we can make some small developments that will give us a great leap forward. Thanks for making the time to visit us and we would hope to be able to meet you again in the near future. Christine Hawthorn, JUMP Chairperson

Carl came to The European Marketing Agency even before it was officially launched and ensured that we created a memorable and distinctive brand. The great thing about the way he works is that he isn’t just some kind of consultant; he listens to what your company is about, comes up with fantastic idea, clear branding solutions and logos then follows these ideas and designs by bringing them to life. We also really appreciate his no nonsense yet creative approach and his wealth of experience of running agencies is invaluable. What better endorsement than to say we are now working on building an ongoing relationship with Carl. Jim Hart, Managing Director, The European Marketing Agency

Carl, I must thank you for spending time and sharing your views and ideas with me, I found it really beneficial and could have spent all day there! Caron Munro, Managing Director, CM Networking

Carl, thank you so much for taking time out to meet yesterday. I really enjoyed our chat and I was glad to make some decisions as an outcome of our conversation. I feel relieved! I really appreciate your totally honest feedback as I know that you can only get better at what you do when someone tells you the truth and gives their honest opinion like you did! Helen Morris, Managing Director, New Business Clinic

If you want to be better at what you do then ask someone who’s already walked the path. Carl Hopkins’ one day workshop was insightful, to the point and gave us some excellent ‘quick fixes’ which we have already implemented and, in doing so, improved day to day operations. He also made us think about wider strategy. Would we use him again? Certainly. An excellent day. Phil Hopkins (no relation!), Managing Director, The H2 Company

Carl, many thanks for Friday. My head has been buzzing all weekend with all we discussed! Phil Byrne, Director, The H2 Company

Carl has a number of attributes that suit 21st century business requirements. He is clever, hard-working, determined to achieving and enjoying success – and then putting something back into society. Angela Walledge, Managing Director, Walledge Associates

Carl is very passionate and enthusiastic about business. I noticed him focusing on all the potential in my business immediately as if it had already been created. That’s what I call positive thinking. I would like to have a recording of him in my head. Rachel Walmsley, SUCCEED Training and Development

I’ve been busy writing as much down as I could of the brilliant advice you gave me. I’m very excited too, I very much want to put some of your ideas into practice. My head is buzzing. Wow! I am so excited I can hardly type. What’s great about you is that you have both theory and practice whereas most ‘business advisors’ have never actually run a successful business. Marcia Hutchinson MBE, Owner, Primary Colours

Carl is one of that rare bread of business consultants who forces you to take a step back from what you are doing, look at what you should be doing and reminds you of why you were doing it in the first place. All whilst injecting the most incredible amount of enthusiasm into the process. His knowledge, experience and support to date has been absolutely invaluable and we cannot recommend him highly enough. Kaley Gardiner, Managing Director, The Last Detail

Carl is an inspiration and a truly good guy. I would recommend anyone in business to him and I am delighted he’s on the Forward Ladies’ Board. He has already proved to be an asset. Etta Cohen, Director, Forward Ladies

Carl, I found the chat really useful. I’m realizing that designing the future is a bit bigger than I originally thought! I think you have the right balance of challenge, creativity and practicality to make a real difference to designing my future. Gill Thewlis, Director, Aperté

Carl you are a star! I really appreciate you giving up your time this morning for us. Once you’d left I was part ‘action stations’, part reflective and part ‘oh shit we didn’t get you a bun’! You’ve highlighted areas where I know we’re crap so I’ll deal with those. I think I’ve got a good understanding of where you’re at… somewhere I’d love to be. Thanks for your supportive words. Rob, Managing Director, ‘A Design Agency’

If you think my reputation precedes me, you should try Carl, who has one of the sharpest business minds I’ve ever come across. I was only glad he was on my side and not working for my competitors! And if I was starting up now I would value any advice he gave me …even if I didn’t like it; this is one who tells it how it is. Judith Donovan, CBE

Hi Carl, Thank you for this morning, not bumpy at all. It was brilliant to have the industry advice that we really obviously need. Alex and myself would like to marry you, but we understand that you are already taken. It was very refreshing to have your insight and an honest opinion. Thank you again at least now I know our task isn’t impossible! Charlotte Johnson, Creative Director/Owner, UTOPIA

Hi Carl, Just wanted to drop you a quick email to thank you for an interesting and inspiring discussion yesterday….my head was buzzing and thoughts of ‘teapots’ etc on the train on the way back to South Wales. Really good to meet you and I’m looking forward to having a bit of fun with direct marketing! …Watch this space! Thanks again… Dr. Gillian Whitfield EPA CPA, ASTRUM-IP Ltd

Hi Carl, Thank you so much for this morning’s event, it was immensely useful and particularly so in providing me with the reality check I’ve needed for some months. My business has been sitting still for months while I have been expecting it to take off, thank you for the tools to pick it up off the ground so I can provide a solution to the people with problems I can solve at a price that suits them while providing me with an income. Brenda Thompson, Peak Achievements