Columbus
A seasoned executive, John O’Brien has expertise in finance, leadership training, marketing, sales management, and ‘kaizen’ processes (continuous process improvement). Manufacturing, education, retail, and technology are fields John has focused on.
Growing up in a family automotive business gave John a foundation and ability to understand the challenges small businesses and entrepreneurs face every day. After selling his Dealership, he was recruited by the Saturn Car Company. Saturn was an innovative start-up during this period. General Motors used Saturn to experiment with new processes – from manufacturing through the retail experience.
Saturn Consulting Services (SCS) was the training and consulting arm of the Saturn Car Company. In the beginning, Saturn had a very progressive company management style, work team development, Lean/Six Sigma processes, creating a positive customer experience. SCS hired some great thinkers in business leadership, including Ken Blanchard, Steven Covey, and Tom Peters (McKinsey & Co), to mentor the SCS team.
John worked as a consultant and later National Marketing Manager for Saturn Consulting Services sharing Saturn’s successes with its parent company General Motors and its tier-one suppliers. His clients included Delco/Delphi Electronics, Hughes Corp., GM Truck Engineering, GM of Canada, and Oldsmobile Division. The experience with Saturn led John to start his own consulting business in 2001.
Shortly after venturing out as an independent consultant, John became an adjunct faculty member of The Ohio State University, Department of Continuing Education School of Business. He designed and delivered on-campus classes on Leadership, Developing Staff, and High-Performing Cross-Functional Teams. Additionally, the school assigned him to convention workshops and client training at their location.
The faculty role opened coaching opportunities with clients including Chase Bank, Nationwide Insurance, and T Marzetti Company in Central Ohio. Other projects included completion of a start-up project for Toyota Motor Sales, USA and completion of a financial analysis and strategic planning project for Volkswagen of America.
Having joined CEO Focus as an Executive Director, John is qualified to conduct a complete range of seminars, peer groups, and consulting services through his firm, CEO Focus of Central Ohio. While the coaching platform of CEO Focus is peer group (mastermind) facilitation, John also works with company owners/senior managers individually on specific issues like
Additional Services
Annual Business Planning (including retreats with leaders)
Change Management
Cost Reduction
Creating High-Performing business teams
Data Analytics
Financial package presentation for lenders or potential buyers
Employee Behavioral Change (JMT; DISC Certified)
Leadership Development
Marketing and Business Development
Online Reputation Management
Process Review and Improvement (Six Sigma Black Belt Certified)
Risk and Compliance Management
Sales Management and Sales Training
Start-Up and Turnaround Strategies
contact information
John O'Brien
CEO Focus of Columbus
