Young Professionals

You have been in your career for 3 or 4 and are wondering what’s next? It’s time to take stock, review your progress and decide if you should change direction. Some people realise that the career path they’ve chosen no longer excites them. Perhaps you followed someone else’s dream, to be a lawyer, engineer etc. but now find it is not fulfilling you.

Perhaps you are on the right path but progress is slow and you want to know how to make greater impact.

Maybe people see you as successful, but they don't know the price you have to pay. The job is not your passion, and you are finding the job stressful and can begin to understand how people can burn out.

Working with Denise is not just about finding another career. You may want to discuss how to handle a challenging work situation, recover from a disappointment or plan a strategy to increase your profile. Work through your options and put your career on track with the guidance of an expert, caring professional.

QUOTES
After discussing the best way forward I completed the Highlands Ability Battery and your detailed explanation of the results made it clear why I had been feeling like I had been trying to swim up hill through treacle at work. Irene Gordon

“Our work together has allowed me to recognise and re-kindle my continuing passion for science and innovation, understand my preferred work style and identify the roles that are most likely to match this style … As well as the content of our work, I have really appreciated your open and supportive coaching style” Julia Elliott

Clare quickly got promoted in the "blue chip company" she joined as a graduate trainee. She was on track for a successful career but recognised that as she "climbed the ladder" it was going to get harder to get the next promotion. She undertook this programme so she could see how to make the most of her natural style and if she should look for a specialist role. Her natural people management abilities are a real strength and she now has a structured development plan so she can exploit them to the full, learning how to adapt to different people and scenarios.

Mary and Lyndon came to see me as they were thinking about starting a family but both have high powered stressful jobs with considerable travel. Mary was wondering whether to continue to seek promotions at work or to stay where she was and start trying for a baby. Lyndon enjoyed time after work for his sporting activities and did not want to give these up. After several sessions they had a plan in place that optimised a possible future as a family.

 

Career Changers

Is your career on track?

Are you considering a change but not sure how to make the first step? Cars and equipment have annual services, so why not schedule one for you and your career?

A Career Review gives you the opportunity to discuss your thoughts and feelings about your career with an unbiased professional. Are you 'on track' or do you see a need to make some changes?

Schedule a 2 hour or half day career review to get you and your career working to your optimum. You will have time to think and gain the benefit from expert advice and an objective perspective.

Use this session to:
• Reflect on the last 12 months and make plans for the year ahead.
• Review a recent appraisal, or disappointment at interview or assessment centre
• Take assessments you may encounter at future assessment centres
• Consider who you are and what you want, in your work and personal life
• Prepare a strategy to enhance your career prospects
• Discuss ways of developing your career; perhaps your intended career path is now blocked?
• Discuss current or possible changes in your organisation or field of employment
• Focus on you, especially if you feel you are heading for burn out
• Take stock of your life and career and decide whether to focus on regaining the passion for your job or to make the transition to move elsewhere.

It’s your time – tell me what’s happening and we can address this in the session. Undertake some pre work so we make the most of our time.

Career Review

Schedule your 2 hour or half day career review to get you and your career working to your optimum. The fee includes pre work and other materials that will be useful for you.

2 hour session £150
½ day session £250 (includes the MBTI Step 2)  

QUOTES
“Taking career counselling with you has been one of the best decisions I’ve made and some of the best money I’ve ever spent. I also want to thank you for providing such a personal service and for advice on job applications and interviews that provided invaluable. I only wish I'd come to see you years ago.” Lewis, Oxford

“The whole experience gave me invaluable knowledge as relates to my career path and where I should look to focus my professional intentions … Through the two way journey that was undertaken, I feel more confident that I can follow my dreams and will be successful as you have helped to identify my skills and natural abilities necessary to do this. I would eagerly recommend working with Denise to anyone who was unsure of what they wanted to do with their career, whether this is a first career or a career change much later on.” Pippa, Derby  

Anna wanted to discuss a disappointing appraisal and to decide how to address the areas of not accepting criticism well, unwilling to get involved in areas outside of her job description. It was the organisational culture that was a poor fit, so Anna moved to a company where there was a better match with her personality and values

Henry was an accountant. He felt he should be content with his job, after all it was what he trained for, but it was becoming a slog to get into work each day. The assessment package showed he did have natural abilities for the role but it was the wrong organisation. He should be in a small organisation with a product he could relate to. He loved high performance cars, and quickly found a job as group accountant for a car company. He loves it!

 

Seeking Promotion

When you need help to get that promotion

You are seen as successful in your current role, and are ready for the next step, but you are not having the success you deserve. Let Denise help you to improve your self marketing, enhance your confidence and help you to be successful.

Perhaps you feel you are being sidetracked and need to make a greater impact at work. Let Denise take an objective look at your situation and give you helpful feedback on how to develop yourself, then be motivated to implement a plan as you move towards a goal.

Denise can help you to focus on
• How you present yourself • Increasing your profile in your company and industry
• CV and application form enhancement
• Techniques to improve your performance at Interviews, Presentations and in Group Exercises.

QUOTES
“The transformation that you have achieved for me is remarkable. A couple of months ago I was coming out of interviews having failed completely to get my points across. With your help I have learned how to prepare myself, focus on the interviewers’ questions and ensure that I communicate all the important facts concisely and effectively. You have also provided the all-important boost to my self confidence, by spotting and building upon what I did well, as well as acknowledging my weaknesses with constructive, practical tips to overcome them. Debbie, Warwickshire

Doug came to see me as he wanted to discuss a strategy for promotion. He recognised that he was not someone to sell himself into the organisation, so we developed and trialled a strategy to help him seek promotion at work.

 

Senior Executives

"A coach is part advisor, part sounding board, part cheerleader, part manager and part strategist. They're for people who value unambiguous feedback"
The Business Journal, April 10, 2000

Talk to an expert who understands business and can support you
• Do you need to make a quick impact in a new role?
• Would an external perspective provide a useful sounding board?
• Are you technically brilliant, but need support in developing your interpersonal skills?
• Do you need to review the balance between work and family?

As an outsider with no investment with your organisation, Denise is free to address challenging and sensitive issues in a constructive and supportive manner.

Denise can be your confidante, your personal sounding board. She knows that as a senior manager it can be hard to admit you need help and who can you talk with? Often you don't want to burden your family and it's hard to be honest about concerns with colleagues and bosses.

Coaching sessions are focused on what’s important to you. It could be around self understanding to help in relationships with colleagues, staff and clients. You may want to discuss a business decision (Don't forget Denise was an Assistant Director and also has a MBA). You may want to discuss how best to manage your career and how to raise your profile, manage your career while you manage your division, become effective at job search - both planned and unplanned.

Coaching sessions can also focus on what’s important to you at work, and perhaps in getting some balance into your life.

Take some time out - even if it is just half a day to review objectively what is going well, discuss your challenges, focus on your goals and create some new ones and celebrate your successes.

Let's talk. Whilst I offer various assessments and programmes, let's take some time to discuss your objectives so we can work out what will be the best way for us to work together, so it really helps make a significant impact for yourself and your business.

QUOTES
“Your professional experience and qualifications made a big difference in my search for a coach, but from the sessions I was pleased to learn that you had made a major career change and had real experience of the challenges faced in doing so – I felt that I was working with someone who had not simply changed career to become an “instant” coach, as was the case for many coaches that I researched”. Alan, London

Fliss had taken over as sales director for the Midlands region and whilst successful to date, wanted to make sure that she would make an immediate impact in this new role. Talking with Denise on a fortnightly basis gave her an external perspective, to keep her focussed on business and personal goals.
Barry was noted as a success, but his macho style wasn't getting the results in this new role. He chose to work with Denise for some honest feedback on how others see him, to develop effective team working, and to ensure that the strategy was accepted by all so the staff worked with him rather than against him.

 

MBAs

What will you do now you have your MBA?
Should you study for a MBA?

I help clients work through career choices to make effective decisions for their post MBA career. Clients ask questions such as:
• I’m studying for an MBA. Wondering what to do when I graduate?
• I’ve got one year left on a part time MBA course and want a job that uses my qualification. Can you help me make the move?
• I'm about to sign up for a full time MBA programme; can I discuss my options with you?
• How can I get my employer to see me in a different light?
• I want to move to a new company, how can I narrow my search?
• Can you help me to market myself?

Once you have an MBA you have some real strengths to offer organisations, but you will want to clarify exactly what company and role is right for you.

Denise is a MBA graduate, and member of the Association of MBAs. She has been in your position, and now works with MBA students and graduates to make the right career decisions for them. You may want to book a one off sessions to talk through your ideas or to help you decide if you should indeed study for an MBA. Let’s consider options and impact on family and your self before taking on a significant investment, in terms of time and money.

QUOTES
“I'm currently enjoying being back at the Hospital in new role, home life is much better, as being far more open. I must put a lot of credit your way for making me rethink life as a whole and I'm glad to report much more positive over last 12-18 months." Chris, Staffordshire.

Barry was an engineer who already had a diploma in management studies. He wanted to take on a broader role, but his company had a limited vision for him, and he was just not considered for other jobs. He had decided to study for a full time MBA but had some concerns. He came to see me to discuss options. As we talked about his various commitments, study part time was going to be much more suitable for his life.
Pat was in her final year of study for an MBA with the Open University. She had already received promotion at work and was now involved in business change. What she wanted was to move into a role that enabled her to use her strategic management capabilities, and to make a significant contribution to the business direction of the organisation. Going through the programme enabled her to be very clear on her requirements and how to sell herself in a competitive market.

 

Own Business

Should you become a business owner?

The number of people disillusioned with being an employee is growing and people want their own business. For many this can be a successful career path, but for others a frustrating time. Before you make the leap why not have someone help you decide if a career as an entrepreneur or business owner is the right one for you.

Working with Denise we can discuss:
• Whether you are ready to take the first step
• What type of business is right for you – do you want a business or to be a sole trader? Would a franchisee suit?
• Your skills, strengths and assets, plus areas of challenge
• Vision – where do you want to go?
• How you will find the time to get your business off the ground
• Getting started – how to market your business, financial considerations etc
• How resilient you are to deal with failure. Things will go wrong, and how you react is a good measure of future success
• Being ready for success so you don't sabotage yourself

You can also complete an objective assessment of your personality and abilities for setting up a business and benefit from some of the lessons learnt by an experienced business owner.

Maybe you are already setting up your own business.

We can discuss:
• The importance of prioritisation so that you do get to have a life outside of work
• Getting help – you can’t be good at everything so what to outsource so you play to your strengths

Let's talk. Whilst I do offer various assessments and programmes, let's take some time to discuss your objectives so we can work out what will be the best way for us to work together, so it really helps make a significant impact for yourself and your business.

QUOTES
“Imagine having someone objective to bounce ideas around with, someone with personal expertise, and high levels of idea productivity. Someone on your side who wants you to succeed – Denise can provide this for you.”

“Thank you for listening, sharing in a very generous, giving manner, and making me feel proud of my past. Your structured approach to taking the next steps are easy to follow and I'm making good progress and feeling much more positive about the future. Your guidance and suggestions “outpaced” two other organisations, making me feel comfortable when other so called experts did not have the depth of experience you demonstrated!” Mark Edwards, Worcestershire  

 

Return to Work

• I've had a career break and am not sure if I want to return to the old job.
• I'm returning to the job market and I'm lacking in confidence.
• I don't want to go back to work, but I need to bring in some money.
• Is my CV professional enough to get me short listed?

Many people have had a successful career but after a break for family commitments can be a bit apprehensive about fitting back in. They say things like "I'm not sure I’m the super committed worker any more. Now my family is my top priority."

You may have taken an adventure, gone travelling, done voluntary work and are now wondering what to do next.

Plenty of people I talk with really don't want to go back to work, but the pressure is on and the bills need to be paid, so it is a necessity.

What we do depends on what you want.
• If you want to get a career that utilises your talents and interests choose one of my programmes.
• If you need to discuss the transition, then let's talk for an hour or two. We can discuss what you have already learnt about yourself and how you would like your future to be.
• Perhaps running your own business is under consideration. I can share the experiences I've gained through running a business and we can discuss whether this would be the right route for you.

You may want to talk through how you are feeling. It's OK to opt for radical change, but before you make an important decision you may want to think it through with an understanding and supportive person. Or you may want to plan a strategy so you return to your old job on your terms, deciding in advance what is essential and where you may compromise.

Jules had been a very successful stockbroker who loved the buzz of a high powered environment, but wasn't sure this was going to be the right role for her to return to with 2 children under 3. She now has different priorities in life. Work with Jules is on going but she is now clear it needs to be a part time role, utilising her high levels of logical problem solving and organisational ability. She is finding out more about events management as this pulls together many of her abilities and ties in with her interests and need to spend time with people.
Kate had taken a 9 month maternity break and now had to decide whether to return to her job as a marketing manager in a fast moving city firm. She was well rewarded but the job had taken over her life. Completion of the programme showed that whilst her interests, skills and abilities were in line with her current role she also had trong leanings towards charity work. She has a great deal of career and life satisfaction now she is working 3 days a week with an environmental charity.
Fran has 3 children and the youngest started school this autumn. She wasn't sure about returning to her previous role as a teacher, but was feeling apprehensive and lacking confidence. Working with Denise included exploring a number of alternative careers that closely matched her interests, abilities and values.

 

Redundancy

Has your job been made redundant and you’re not sure whether to stay in your current type of work?

Are you in need of support to get you through this challenging time?

Do you need help with creating a CV, interview practice and how to get a job?

Whilst redundancy can be a shock it can also be a time to take stock and ensure you are heading in the right direction. Many people in your position never gave much thought to what they were going to do, so use this time well to make the right choice for you.

Once you decide on your next steps, you can be supported in developing an effective CV, Interview practice, and negotiating the salary package – I can quickly help you to move from exploration to marketing to the first 90 days in your new job.

Working with Denise is not just about finding another career. You may want to talk about how you are feeling in a safe and supportive environment.

Are you getting some support from your employer? Ask them to sponsor you on our programme. Many companies do.

Chris had worked for a large retail organisation for 10 years as a sportswear buyer. Due to company changes his job was to go. The programme helped him to see that his interest in the arts was not being met at all, and his high level of abilities in the areas of design were not being utilised. he has now found an organisation willing to develop him to become a buyer for prints and pictures in a different retail establishment.
Simon had never had a career, but had always seen himself as happy enough doing office administration. Finding his job moving to India and being made redundant was initially a shock but he then realised he could take stock and decide what he actually wanted to do with his future. He came to this programme with a very open mind and was surprised at the possible careers that were identified - he is now retraining as a chef and is so thankful to finally have a job that excites him!

 

Approaching Retirement

You could spend 30+ years in retirement, what sort of retirement do you want to have?

Retirement is one of the most difficult life adjustments adults make. A recent survey showed that 41% of those who recently retired didn't want to settle for a typical retirement. They still want the challenge of work, and the feeling of accomplishment that came with the job. Let me help you to find out the right career option and life style options for you that meets your needs and utilises your natural talents and abilities.

Many people have reached the company retirement age but are not yet ready to stop working. What are you going to do next? You could stack shelves in the supermarket? Do voluntary work? Or perhaps you have some dreams you still want to achieve.

You may have sufficient money so you don't need to work, but having been a bit of a workaholic are wondering whether playing golf and household chores will be enough. A number of clients opt to take the Highlands Ability Battery. Not only to help think around work options but also for developing new hobbies and interests in music, arts, genealogy etc.

Or perhaps you never did get around to investing for the future and you need to earn just to pay the bills?

Take some time to plan the rest of your life, and explore paid work and other interests.

Jim always referred to himself as a workaholic and his family were used to him working on holiday. So much of his identity was wrapped up with his job. Having to leave at 60 was a bit of a shock and he found it difficult to make the adjustment. He needed to have an intellectual challenge, but recognised the need to adapt to this new life stage. He was proud not to have hobbies, so we used the Highlands Ability Battery and Strong Interest Inventory to identify other interests. Following 4 sessions he was able to create a balance of part time paid work, and to develop an interest in family history.
Mike had worked in journalism, but with his complex personal life he was not going to survive on his pension. We discussed alternatives, and took a creative look at how he wanted his life to be in 10 years time. He then created a plan to pay more attention to his finances and other areas of his life.