Examples of our work

HR specialists developing business partner role

A key aspect of the business partner role is to be able to identify, define and deliver projects - an activity requiring skills beyond those needed for routine personnel administration.

We have designed and delivered programmes for several clients to help HR specialists make this transition. We tailor the design of the training to meet the current needs of the HR specialists in the organisation. So this has involved not only providing training away from work but also support to people in their project work.

Developing internal consultants

The task of an internal consultant is challenging in commanding the confidence and respect of colleagues. (And some years ago we sponsored research into the peculiar challenges facing internal consultants, which confirmed this). But the role is increasingly important as organisations seek to develop their own internal centres of excellence in mission critical activities.

We have designed and run programmes for internal consultants in both the public and private sectors. Some clients regularly send their people on our public courses - we provide all their training in consultancy skills - while others have commissioned special training to meet their specific needs.

Experienced consultants taking on a selling role

We designed and presented a short course to expose the consultants to the key transactions involved in selling consultancy. This included plenty of practical work, role-playing and case studies.

This training is essential for professionals hoping to progress; with career advance must come greater ability to win business. This training has had very beneficial effects, with participants reporting that afterwards they were able to win business they previously would have lost.

IT company launching a new consultancy business

The business managers needed to familiarise themselves with the nature of the business they were entering. After an initial appraisal, we ran a series of workshops to highlight the key actions required to address issues of operation, business development and managing specialist staff.

Bank head office department changing to a new role

Due to greater empowerment of the subsidiary businesses, the head office department was no longer the mandated supplier and had to win its internal "clients". At the same time, however, they had to implement head office mandatory policies. We were retained to design and deliver a series of training courses for all staff to develop skills at operating in both roles and have more confidence in dealing with their internal clients.

Sales division adding professional services

The company's experienced sales people needed to be convinced and equipped to sell professional services. Through a combination of training and coaching, the sales people developed a new set of skills with the ability to apply them in making bids.

Outplacement department advising on becoming consultants

This major company was making a large number of staff redundant, including specialists. We were retained to run a series of seminars for those considering setting up their own consultancy practice. These addressed the decision on whether this was the right route for them to take and, if so, how they should approach it.

Professional services firm developing a sales strategy

This prominent professional services provider sought to improve performance in managing the sales channel with clients. Our appraisal diagnosed where the most significant scope lay for improvement and we worked with the client to design and deliver suitable workshops

IT services business developing a competitive edge

This IT services organisation wanted to be better at identifying opportunities and winning business through competitive advantage. We carried out a preliminary diagnostic survey and then ran a workshop that has led to realistic action plans for increasing the competitive advantage of the business.

Local authority developing consulting skills of internal service providers

The London Borough of Bexley is a 4 star rated council with more that 3000 employees. Elevation Learning was retained to raise the level of consulting skills for all the OD and other functional consultants (e.g. HR, finance, audit, economic development) in the council.

To this end we designed and delivered a bespoke training course, which was run on several occasions. At the conclusion of the training, Ann Millington (Assistant Director OD at Bexley Council) commented "This has been one of the most practical and challenging courses I have attended."