Testimonials & Case Studies - Empowering Insights

Talent and organisational development project delivery case studies

Challenge	Solution	Result
A large educational service provider division required re-structuring as the existing resourcing model was not well aligned with priorities and did not facilitate optimum performance.	Reviewed the state of play against a change management framework and established future goals and priorities, and agreed the success criteria. Completed a detailed SWOT of each function, as well as review meetings with management to form an evidence base against a bespoke review framework. Re-designed commercial, business and strategic structures and re-aligned capability producing a suite of tools: organogram, business case, forecast costings, capability profiles and new job descriptions.	Created a clear departmental blueprint and roadmap for each function with underpinning rationale to be change ‘ready’. Sound long term resourcing plan to equip functions to meet business goals; as well as reduce costs by up to 20% and/or get a better return on resource investment.

Challenge	Solution	Result
A leading public sector services business had a desire to revamp the approach to early careers strategy and hiring based on high attrition, lack of brand awareness and a disconnect across divisions; as well as utilise the levy. The challenge was to create a brand new degree apprenticeship, improve the candidate experience and get a ‘better quality and fit’ for new talent.	Established an ideal apprentice profile and devised an end to end hiring process; informing the degree apprentice campaign strategy. Engaged business units, a university provider and worked in tandem with a business sponsor to drive change. Developed a bespoke assessment approach and materials including technical case studies, strengths-based interviews and interactive group exercises. Provided guidance and training for the assessors and rolled out the campaign across the UK.	Re-shaped UK early careers hiring approach; producing a blueprint for future apprentice and graduate talent management. Received excellent feedback from candidates and hiring managers – 100% of candidates surveyed were ‘happy to recommend the hiring experience’; and successfully onboarded the first cohort of degree apprentices; launching a new degree apprenticeship programme. The degree apprenticeship attracted new talent into a lesser known sector with skills gaps; building expertise for the future UK economy.

Challenge	Solution	Result
A university needed to plan and implement an apprenticeship programme as part of staff CPD and make best use of a largely unspent levy; as well as drive a culture change in the approach to staff development; given apprenticeships were an unknown or misunderstood option.	Reviewed the current state of play and progress with the first qualification piloted. Devised a framework to map over 50 technical job roles against apprenticeship standards and identified relevant pathways. Reported on results and gave recommendations about embedding apprenticeships in the staff development strategy and prioritised areas to pursue; and from this led engagement of departments with the concept, process and value including an ‘introduction to apprenticeships’ workshop for staff and their managers; and design of a new end to end process and supporting guidance.	Based on the insights and newly embedded infrastructure, a broader programme of 15 apprenticeships was rolled out to staff including recommended functional standards and a range of technical qualifications. Staff successfully engaged in a new CPD option; up-skilling the workforce to meet future business needs, as well as gaining an ROI from levy funds.

I have really enjoyed working with Liz on organisational design for the division to meet future business requirements. Despite a changing context and environment, she pro-actively delivered value-added outputs and her positivity and focus on the end game has been admirable. She challenged in a constructive way and frequently provided new insights and moments of discovery; she is a trusted confidante and demonstrated a flexible approach throughout. Liz displays many strengths: strategic insight; customer focus; commitment to delivery; as well as a solutions and action-oriented approach. She would be top of mind when recommending organisational design and change consultants.

- Higher education client

I had the pleasure of engaging and working with Liz as we created a new Early Career Strategy for Amey. We had the opportunity to reshape and as we were launching a new Rail Degree Apprenticeship Programme we also had the autonomy to do things differently. This would not have been possible without Liz's skills and expertise around the attraction and selection element of this. Her experience and knowledge was paramount to help shape and and guide our business to undertake something new. She is driven, meticulous for detail and ensures that everyone is on board before progressing forward. Liz is a credible professional in her specialism and an asset to any organisation whether this be for short or long assignments. Thank you Liz we couldn't have done it without you.

- Corporate client

Asked Liz via consultancy to explore development of the area of apprenticeships at the University of Leicester. Found her to be energetic and refreshingly delivery orientated on tight timescales. Work was of high quality and felt like it met the organisations need rather than any other agenda, definitely bespoke. She is a font of knowledge in respect of apprenticeships and was prepared to bring her own network to bear on our area of development. The output is high quality and exceeded my expectation. Liz sets a high bar.

- Higher education client

Liz has played a fundamental role in devising the strategy and developing the framework and tools to establish five diversity hubs across England working closely with NAS; engaging city mayors and local partners. Liz has re-invigorated the Apprenticeships Diversity Champions Network, re-engaging and building relationships with national employers such as Barclays and the BBC which has resulted in gaining 20 public pledges to D&I in apprenticeships. She’s also implemented a KPI framework to drive the Network towards success and played a key role in cascading best practice approaches and facilitating solutions to overcome common challenges.

- Government body client

(Virtual assessment centre) Very unique and engaging. I thought it was interactive and forgot it was an assessment. I had worried about answering in a group, but was able to engage well during the process. Everyone was very friendly.

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Career transition and coaching case studies

Challenge	Solution	Result
Deliver an engaging workshop for junior managers; equipping participants with the tools and know-how to facilitate career development, and enable them to progress in their current organisation or elsewhere.	Researched organisations and participants attending and identified challenges experienced and key training and development needs. Provided a series of interactive exercises and thought provoking inputs embedding the latest practice and statistics in hiring trends; and offering practicable advice and tips including 1:1 CV and profile creation support. Offered follow up support to participants.	Successful workshop; received positive feedback from 100% of participants about their experience and from the client about the positive energy and high level of engagement. From this session one candidate applied the techniques at interview and got a job, another adopted a new management approach freeing time for more strategic activity, another totally re-designed their CV , and two others were inspired to apply for promotions; overcoming self-limiting beliefs.

Overall an excellent experience and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for workplace/career coaching. I liked coming away from each session with a number of actions, and I particularly liked the question about how motivated I was to do them, and what would make me more motivated. That prompted me to consider different ways of working, and for actions to feel enjoyable.

- Graduate client

I found it enormously beneficial; far above my expectations. At a time when I was feeling very uncertain and vulnerable having been placed on furlough I was fortunate to be put in touch with Liz. Through powerful questions and silences Liz was able to coach me to recognise strengths I had not allowed myself to express over the years. I started to feel like “me” and remember how successful I am and recognise the basis I have to drive my future ambitions. The sessions were inspiring and somewhat emotional in places when I was encouraged to evidence aspects of my abilities. The reflection elements where she fedback were very insightful. I feel so focussed and energised with my future plans.

- Corporate client

I was lucky enough recently to have Liz give me a day's guidance on furthering my career, through CV advice, interviews skills and a better awareness of 'personal brand' - fantastic day, great advice, thank you.

- Public sector client

Liz provided an unbiased and open space to discuss thoughts and ideas. Together we identified some real ideas and areas of improvement. I found roll playing hypothetical meetings very useful. I learnt a lot. Liz was able to swiftly build rapport and to create a trusting environment that allowed me to forget what I had on my mind when I began the session! Thank you again!

(Activate Outplacement Programme) It was really good to have some thinking space around my own wants and needs. The sessions were open and supportive which made me feel comfortable in sharing my own feelings and thoughts.

(Activate Outplacement Programme) I gained a better understanding of how I am presenting myself to prospective employers and my peers, and what I can do to improve. Critiquing my LinkedIn profile was very useful as I have been trying to improve it for a while. The programme modules were well written and had meaningful and useful content. Liz comes across well and is very likeable.

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When patterns are broken, new worlds emerge.
– Tuli Kupferberg

making a difference

adding value

creating impact

Talent and organisational development project delivery case studies

Career transition and coaching case studies