CONSULTANCY
Drawing on substantial experience I work with clients (individuals or organisations) to clarify what they want to achieve. This, in itself, is often a valuable resource and can often lead to organisations realising that what they think they need is not actually what they do need!
This process of asking probing and exploratory questions to achieve this clarity draws extensively on the kind of powerful questioning which is used in coaching
Chief Executives of Organisations have commented that they particularly valued my assistance in providing them with a “safe thinking place” where they can order their thoughts and think through options without pressure. In order to refine and tailor the services I can offer, I discuss with them their requirements and wishes enabling them to take time to work out what they want, away from their, more usual, experience of being asked to provide a solution immediately!
I use a variety of techniques to help them draw out the answers which can sometimes seem so elusive in the hurly burly of day to day work. This refinement can be particularly helpful when ensuring that they do not neglect the future of the organisation by becoming too entrenched in today and its issues.
Feedback I have received on this includes
Ø ”Mary provides feedback in a “pro-social” way, meaning I was able to hear both positives and negatives – making my job clearer and easy to accept and act upon."
Ø "What makes you special is your real ability to engage with people in a way that makes them feel responsive and their views important and this means that an atmosphere of trust easily happens. Your organisational abilities are significant and I had complete confidence in you completing the task with skill, thoroughness and within agreed timescales” Head of Service
Ø Focused objectivity and clarity. Able to give negative feedback and energise and move forward with the person. Chief Executive, Voluntary Sector Organisation.
One of my deepest held values is that of integrity and loyalty. I approach each new challenge with a desire to achieve the best outcome for my client.
I have skills in saying difficult things in a way that enables these observations to be heard, and debated, enabling consensus to be reached. Feedback from clients has been that, having gone through such a process and being faced with my rigour and questioning, they have felt more confident in making their case to funding bodies, management boards, trustees or other senior executives.
If I do not have the necessary expertise in a particular area I will refer on to other colleagues who can offer advice in specialist fields such as fundraising or research. If it is in the best interest of a client and their outcomes then I would consider working in partnership to achieve the client's goal.
Clients include: Norfolk County Council, Suffolk County Council, Voluntary Norfolk, Families House, YMCA, Ministry of Justice, Capacity Builders, Citizen's Advice Bureau, Waveney Community Forum, MENCAP.