Human-resources professional and certified business coach Theresa Dowsett is the one to call if you have an executive who is being groomed for advancement, a manager who isn't fitting into a new position, or an employee who requires assistance being re-located to another company.

"In 2003, I incorporated Business Acceleration Inc. to focus on leadership development and career transition," says Dowsett, who gained much of her expertise during an 11-year stint as a rehab counselor at Toronto's Metro Hall.

"I work with individual managers and executive, or a team of managers and executives."

She is called in often to work with a leadership team that isn't being as effective as possible.

"We come together as a group, but I also work with individuals to develop group cohesiveness, effectiveness and a really fabulous group performance," she explains.

Sometimes the goal is not to integrate a person, but to move them out.

What used to be called "out-placement services" is now called "career-transition services" and is often done in-house.

"Responsible employers are actually offering this service and it's becoming the norm," she says.

"Being a good corporate citizen, they really have a moral obligation to help their employees succeed.

"Companies get a reputation as a good or bad employer. (Programs like this) help to attract and maintain good employees."

These are exactly the kind of services she provides as an associate coach with Right Management Consultants.

She also will go in-house to provide corporate soft-skills training, such as leadership development, management and supervisory skills, and effective communication skills.

"The goal is to get both ends, the employee and the team working at their best and in alignment with the company's needs," she says.

"I will also train managers to coach their employees."

In her independent practice, about 20 per cent of Dowsett's clients are small business owners who want to define their goals and develop action plans to grow and succeed.

"I will train in increasing creativity and strategic thinking as tools to reach goals and to increase opportunities and new and innovative solutions," she adds.

As part of her continuing education, Dowsett has become a paralegal specializing in employment law in order to assist her clients with contracts and other necessities relevant in the human-resources legal environment.

A graduate of Ryerson Polytechnic University, she has now assumed the role of teacher.

She has been on the faculty of a business-administration program at CDI College in Newmarket for three years, and has spent the past four years as a facilitator and coach for the government-run Small Enterprise Assistance (SEA) program in Barrie.

SEA program student surveys highlight the coaching component as the "most valuable piece" of the program.

Starting in February 2006, Dowsett began circulating her new e-newsletter to provide complimentary tips and ongoing practical assistance to business people who want to reach their goals.

To receive her newsletter or to contact her directly, she asks you to visit her online at www.excelyourbusiness.com.