Elsewhere on this website we have told you about who we are, what we do and how we work. We have also given you an extensive list of examples of projects we have conducted for leading organisations. Don't rely just on our words however. Hear what some of our clients have to say:
Back in 2004, shortly after G4S plc was created as the result of a global merger between Group 4 Falck and Securicor, I was in the process of designing a major leadership development programme aimed at some of the most 'high potential' leaders in the new organisation. The help I received from Frank Penson of Strategies for Training at that time was crucial to the ultimate success of the programme - utterly objective, and supportive but challenging in equal measure - an ideal "devil's advocate" as we went through the complex and potentially sensitive process of creating a multi-faceted initiative that could address the needs of the brand new group. The work we put in at that stage was rewarded when the programme won the "Best Executive Development Programme" category at the "HR Excellence Awards 2006" but has paid off in many other ways too: individual growth and career development for participants; a high profile for leadership development in the group; increased investment in similar initiatives in subsequent years, and so on.
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Thinking back, my decision to contract Frank Penson for the creation of a multi-functional competency framework is one of the best consulting engagements I have ever made. To accelerate the maturing of our Eastern European affiliates and the acceleration of our talent development, we needed to build a stronger process around performance, learning and talent management. The strategy was to anchor these and other people processes in a common framework of demonstrated high performance behaviours. Frank was brought in to drive this development work, which comprised multiple functions (sales, marketing, finance, medical & regulatory) and which at the same time had to be relevant across the diversity of cultures existing in the region. Moreover, we wanted the framework to have a high degree of simplicity and usability, while operating with several proficiency levels delineating the development and growth employees were expected to pursue within role/function and across functions. Frank led the effort end to end including several management input/review workshops and managed through his leadership and mastery of facilitation to ensure a very high level of engagement and buy-in from leaders across the region. His broad experiences and insight into the core of the various functions, as well as his cultural sensitivity, clearly led to a very robust process and a highly innovative competency framework, where the balance between simplicity and comprehensiveness was kept intact. Moreover, I have to say that what made my partnership with Frank such a strong one was on the one hand his ability to readily translate my lofty ideas/vision into a tangible solution/deliverable and with a turnaround time that is second to none.
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Strategies for Training recently guided us through a project to create a Learning & Development Strategy for our newly merged UK businesses. Addressing the needs of over 30 businesses and 10 divisions required a level of objective, structured thinking that Frank does well. His focus on meaningful and measurable activity that really adds value to the business goals meant that the strategy was readily accepted by the UK leaders. The resulting learning and development programmes were well attended, well respected and some will be extended to Europe and the US. The strategy has stood the test of time with the focus now on individual talent development and change management, in order to weather the demanding economic climate. I have previously engaged Strategies for Training to design a Talent Assessment & Succession Planning process for our European businesses. Again this was adopted around the world as a best practice. The process led managers through key stages in identifying and classifying talent into development pools and, by focusing on matching the needs of both the business and key individuals for the future, we were able to concentrate attention where we would derive most value from developing and retaining our talent. It also supported proposals for the need to recruit now to secure a pipeline for the future.
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Working with Strategies for Training we were able to define the skills and behaviours for a competency framework that really met the business requirements. Individuals knew what we needed from them at every stage of their development and career and this allowed us to remain competitive in the global marketplace. Then, with Liz Pinfold mentoring and coaching our people development leader, we were able to establish and embed a coaching centre of excellence across the business, which helped individuals to deliver results and ensured that we could internally support the succession requirements of the future.
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Novo Nordisk Europe North has engaged Frank Penson from Strategies for Training on a number of occasions over many years. He has helped us review various internal HR practices and policies to ensure that they were effective and competitive in the market. He has also been a great support in helping us to design improved structures, where the reviews showed room for improvement. Since the business area spanned 6 countries, the projects were highly international and often complex in character. We are very content with Frank's work and give him and Strategies for Training our warmest recommendations.
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Strategies for Training has provided AMEC with a comprehensive service of Training, Learning & Development (including Management Development) for all levels within the organisation. The particular strength of Frank Penson and his associates was to take our minimum brief of requirements, examine it in detail, engineer a series of effective positive solutions and then to guide us on the delivery of structured training to achieve agreed outcomes. This was particularly valuable to the success of the business in a difficult time of transition. With their systematic approach they also steered the company through the process of achieving Investors in People status. Our association with them has been a long and very fruitful one and they have made a major contribution to us achieving our business goals.
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On the number of occasions that I have engaged the input and support of Frank Penson, Strategies for Training, I have found his approach and level of service to be excellent in supporting my businesses in achieving the established objectives; delivering outcomes that have vastly improved people, team and organisational performance. Frank has the experience and the ability to facilitate and deliver practical and realistic solutions that will give "added value" to the business, providing excellent returns on the investment made to engage his skills, knowledge and expertise.
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Strategies for Training carried out work for ODPM / Communities and Local Government to develop a potential professional qualification for people working within the Supporting People programme. The work was delivered efficiently and effectively, and included positive feedback from the individuals who participated in the pilot programme.
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For the last three years Strategies for Training have provided a programme to Southwark Council's planning service to prepare professional staff for management. Staff taking part have all been extremely positive about the experience, which has helped some of them make an accelerated move into a management role. For all the participants, the programme has helped them become more effective in a wide range of business skills.
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Frank undertook a professional and well structured project within our organisation. He was responsive to the needs of the organisation and adaptable in his approach. Frank's particular strength was his ability to work effectively with staff at all levels of the organisation. His input was valued and respected by all who came into contact with him and his contribution helped us to achieve our goal.
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Strategies for Training really took the time and trouble to understand what we needed and then tailored a programme to meet those needs. Our workshops were skilfully delivered by Frank Penson and were well received.
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What Our Partners Say
From time to time we undertake projects for or in partnership with other consultancies. Hear what they say about the experience of working with us:
| Frank represents my benchmark for professional integrity. He and his team can be relied upon to offer high quality advice, coupled with pragmatic supporting consultancy and, in so doing, will always have the client's best interests at the forefront of their minds. Rick Emslie Managing Partner EP-First
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| I have known Frank for many years now. Initially it was in a business capacity but I like to think that now it has also evolved into a friendship. This says a lot to me because it means a consistency in a relationship that involves integrity, ethics, openness and honesty as well as quality of service delivery to our own clients. This has been built up by regular communication and sharing of information. In my case I have also benefitted from Frank sharing his knowledge. All this has given me the confidence to introduce Frank to our clients because we know, with absolute certainty, that he will provide an excellent service that will be beneficial to them. He shows the same generosity with his time and knowledge to his clients as he does with me. This has never failed to be the case. It will be our 15th Anniversary in business in 2010. During this time, because of the formal and informal validation procedures that are used, we have only built up a relationship with a small number of associates. Strategies for Training are at the top. Roger Wass Proprietor Peer Assisted Learning Systems
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| We have worked with Strategies for Training for two consecutive years in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and we have been very pleased with the level of dedication and flexibility demonstrated throughout the partnership. Our Oil & Gas clients from across the South East Asia region have been impressed by the level of work delivered on-site during the training courses organised. We foresee great opportunities ahead in our collaboration with Strategies for Training in the near future. Easwaran Kanason Director and Co-founder PetroEdge
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| Strategies for Training has proved to be a reliable, competent and cooperative partner for The College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, on a range of international training projects. This included work for LPGTrans in Russia, Kuwait Petroleum Company, NNPC in Nigeria, Petrotrin in Trinidad plus EU funded projects in Azerbaijan and Estonia. Ian Williamson Founder Director The College of Petroleum & Energy Studies
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| Frank is the most trustworthy man I have ever met: his integrity ensures that our clients have faith in us because Frank delivers excellent results with honesty and openness. Neil Townsend Managing Director The Next Step Team Limited
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