Client References
Karen Schwenke has been delivering training courses for constituents of the WA Institute of Public Administration Australia for some time now and so it was logical that we turned to her to facilitate a strategic planning session with our own Board.
I was impressed by her pre-planning, the depth that she went to understand us as an organisation and how she ensured that the actual meeting was productive. Karen's facilitation skill lies in her ability to lead and direct without being over bearing or allowing her own views to override those of the participants. What we ended up with was a diverse group of people fully engaged in the process, contributing ideas, providing comments both positive and negative and ultimately being happy with the outcome on the day.
I also appreciated her post meeting diligence and turnaround time in relation to finalising documentation with written outcomes. I was extremely impressed with Karen and her organisation. It is a pleasure to recommend her services and something I do with utmost confidence.
Alison Petrie, Chief Executive Officer
WA Institute of Public Administration Australia
On behalf of all of us connected with the Graduate Development Program, I would like to thank you for being such a willing and enthusiastic presenter to our graduates last Friday. Your presentation on presenting and influencing people was excellent and engaging, and no sleeping beauty's emerged in the deadliest of timeslots!!! It was a terrific and positive finish to their first placement.
You have been a great role model who has provided much inspiration for our graduates. We were still talking about your session on our way home!!!
Again, many thanks for Friday - we all thoroughly enjoyed it!
Lisa Bayly
Marketforce Limited have been working with Karen from S.P.A. Management Consulting since 2009. Karen was fundamental in modernising our Quality Management System and assisting in the development of associated documentation, therefore ensuring ongoing ISO accreditation. In actual fact, the executive overview statement made by the auditor facilitating the first surveillance audit post implementation of the revised Quality Management System commented as follows:
"Executive Overview - The audit found that there has been a substantial change in the attitude towards the management system since the last audit. Training has increased the knowledge of what is required and the purpose behind many of the requirements. It appears as though, for the first time, the management system is being viewed as a tool to improve the business rather than just a compliance requirement. The auditor has been pleasantly surprised at the changes made since the last audit" (taken from SAI Global Audit Report dated 30 November 2009).
Whilst numerous people within Marketforce were responsible for achieving such a fantastic outcome, it would not have been possible without the insight, professional expertise and guidance of Karen.
What is refreshing about Karen's style is that she worked alongside us, providing coaching as well as advice and guidance. This has enabled our team to manage many activities associated with the quality system themselves. In addition, Karen understands the need for compliance verses economic reality in terms of maintaining such systems.
Overall Karen represents great value for money.
Peter Durack, Director of Human Resources
Thanks Karen for helping me analyse the change management element of my project.
It was great to talk with someone who understands the challenges as well as the opportunities that good change management can provide. I was impressed at how quickly you understood the situation and how you were able to assist me in finding a positive way forward!
After our meeting I felt re-energised and optimistic about my role as a change manager within the organisation.
Caroline Horlock, Project Manager.
