Facilitator, Trainer, Coach, Consultant

Facilitator

We provide highly interactive facilitated events. Some of the workshops we have run

 

A dazzling array of possibilities and designs from simple conversations for small groups, through board meetings to whole-system events of hundreds. We can deliver Team Workshops for a wide variety of purposes, Whole Company Events that are focused on moving the business forward, happy and positive events and Project Meetings.

 

Jim managed a strategic planning retreat for my management team. It was fab. Very focussed, very enjoyable and with great outputs. He has immense integrity and fab ideas.

Steve Andrews, CEO Whitewater - Leading Marketing Agency for Charities

"I've worked with Jim in training, facilitation and coaching scenarios working with prime clients and repeatedly seen people consistently expand professionally and personally beyond their expectations and limits. Jim is always thoroughly prepared and makes sure he understands the results business is chasing. He designs experiences that purposefully extend the skills and range of the participants. And he pushes on the accountability. If you want genuine outcomes you should chat with Jim. I am happy for anyone to contact me to expand further on his capabilities as a facilitator, trainer, coach or Non Exec."

Andrew Priestley, Managing Partner, Andrew Priestley

Trainer

Over 40 training programmes that we can tailor to your needs. Or give us your brief and we will meet it. Our range of programmes includes Managment Development including Action Learning approaches, blended learning and Manager Mentoring (see more below). We also provide an exceptional range of Professional Skills programmes to help you get the most from employees or yourself.

 

"Jim ran a business development programme for fifteen of my staff at Royal Haskoning. Our primary aim was to change the culture of our approach to sales: to be more proactive in developing and closing opportunities. Jim's approach was fantastic throughout the programmme. He has a pragmatic and down to earth style that really inspires people to follow through. He is focussed on delivering great outcomes and the team have been truly fired up to make a difference. I have no hesitation in recommending Jim."

Sarah Budd, Director, Water Management, Royal Haskoning (top flight global engineering consultancy)

 

"For almost 10 years Jim has been my first port of call for a steer on anything centred around developing people and teams. He gives of his time freely and will challenge and narrow down the precise requirements. Hugely competent and knowledgeable, his pithy direct style is so refreshing; Jim is a joy to work with."

Mark Nicholls, Director, Northern Arc Ltd

Board Development

 

"Jim's knowledge and out of the box thinking certainly helped our business. He always gives 100% and I would have no reservations in recommending him."

Bob Rist, MD, Alexandra Tool Hire

Consultants

Our consultants are all very experienced business practitioners. We do not pull the normal trick of sending in boys and girls to work on your assignments. Who you see is who you get. We provide impetus, structure, methodology and experience in growth planning. Helping you to develop robust and exciting plans that work. We deliver our service by talking one-to-one with key managers, delivering facilitated sessions, through training your staff in strategy, marketing and change management and by developing frameworks for your plan.

Coaching and Mentoring

We have some of the UKs best Business Coaching and Mentoring practitioners and a set of well designed core methods and programmes. We work on subjects such as New Career Directions, Motivation Improvement, Work Performance Improvement, Outplacement, Managing Under Pressure, Planning and Project Management.

Research

Sometimes you need to know. Using our facilitation skills, we work with your customers to ask penetrating queiitons and deliver insights from your customers or your staff. We can help you to design effective research programmes, Facilitate Focus Groups and undertake Qualitative and Quantitative Research studies on your behalf.

Optima can help you develop and grow, using one or a combination of many tools and have a variety of people who can work with you. Whether you need an excellent Coach, a Mentor, a Trainer or a Facilitator, Optima can provide it.

 

 

"Jim McLaughlin very quickly grasped the essence of our company and helped us formulate a great 5-year strategic plan covering all aspects of our business, ranging from defining and recruiting key positions, developing a marketing plan through to choosing tactics to operationally execute. He is a born marketer, but he has that special plus of also being operationally savvy, action oriented and without blah-blah. He is effective, has integrity and is just a very likeable guy."

Lise Madsen, Honeyrose Bakery


"Jim is the most talented large group facilitator I know. He's the best in the business at getting buy-in, and is a master of guiding people through attitude change. When Jim facilitates an event, it's enjoyable, engaging and impactful. When I think of Jim, I think of integrity, intelligence, warmth, and results."

Resli Costabell, International Keynote Speaker

 

"As well as being one of the good guys. Jim is an inspirational colleague who is always a pleasure to work with. He is highly motivated and an excellent project director and deliverer."

Lyn Wakefield, Managing Director, Sunfish UK Limited

 

"Jim is an exceptional guru, consultant and advisor. He outhinks any other consultant I have met ...and he's on your side. Practical 'cos he runs his own very sucessful business but enjoys coaching/consultancy. Every time I spend a session with Jim I walk away with a big smile and a fistful of unstoppable ideas."

John Donnelly, Inspirational-Edukational-Perspirational Speaker, Learning Point

 


 

SHALL WE TALK?

We don't do hard sell. We gladly offer preliminary ideas and suggestions on a friendly, no fee basis. Perhaps that's all you need.

Jim McLaughlin

e: enquiries@optimaandco.com
t: 020 7652 5343
m: 07931 382 676