Recent and current clients include:Atkar
AUSAid / Community Engagement Workgroup
Branach
Business for Millennium Development (B4MD)
CARE Australia
Macutex
Ok Tedi Development Fund
PNG Sustainable Development Program
PerformanceCentre
TEAR Australia
Telstra – Broadband and Managed Services
Rimfire Resources
World Vision Australia
World Vision International, Urban Programming Unit
Past clients include:
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Testimonials:“Col designed and facilitated sessions with our senior teams in Australia and (initially) New Zealand to develop a three year management plan and ten year strategy. His skill in facilitating enabled people to question and challenge each other in constructive ways. Col ensured we reached clear and agreed outcomes to progress on our strategic development process as a connected team. Working across two countries was at times highly complex but Col connected well with both teams. Later in the process we engaged Col to test our thinking, conduct external stakeholder interviews and facilitate sessions to link our strategic plans with departmental operational plans. I considered Col a trusted member of the team but also one able to step ‘outside’ the organisational paradigm and provide clarity, analysis and insight.” Melanie Gow, Deputy CEO, World Vision Australia“We engaged Ergo on the recommendation of our IT consultants to undertake the complex operation of linking three SQL data bases and graphically representing the results. At all times I have been impressed with Derek’s professionalism and approach to the problem, and this has flowed through to the execution of the project with Christer’s help. A pleasing result for a complex problem, with a minimum of fuss.” P.G., Director, Atkar“Col used his highly nuanced consulting skills to ensure we got to a usable set of outcomes which reflected the original objectives. He impressed us by the way he was able to guide us through the finer art of strategic visioning / objective setting early on, and then use his experience to translate this into practical work plans and capability implications.” Randolph Head, Urban Programming Centre of Expertise, World Vision International“We began working with Col in the very early stages of an idea to bring together a range of organizations and cast a new direction together. Col has been instrumental in turning this idea into action, through his insightful advice and invaluable combination of excellent communication and strategic thinking. All involved have unanimously agreed that working with Col has been critical in setting a new direction for us to work toward.” Anna Powell, Youth Programs Manager, Oxfam Australia“In 2011, LINK Learning invited Derek Winter to assist with the delivery of our workforce capability development program, for the ABS. Derek designed and delivered a workshop on Strategic Relationships, as well as coaching some of the ABS leaders and teams. Derek’s excellent communication and professional facilitation style helped to make his workshops very beneficial for all involved. His pleasant and engaging personality was also appreciated by the ABS, especially in the coaching setting.” David Cohen, Principal, LINK Learning“Ergo helped us design an approach, process and methodology of collecting this data from our teams in a confidential, unobtrusive, effortless and timely manner. We have been measuring the ‘health’ of our team for the last 4 years together with Ergo’s support, coaching and guidance. Ergo and Derek have consistently provided this team with professional services, insightful feedback on how we are performing and have helped facilitated some tricky conversations across all levels within the team.” Natalie Gillam, Head of Supporter Services, Organisation Effectiveness, World Vision Australia“Col gave us much more than great workshop facilitation. His support before and after each workshop of us as co-Chairs was invaluable, providing us with informal coaching as we went along.” Anna Gaskill, Community Education Officer, CBM“When the Melbourne Office of Arup wanted to focus on building and reinforcing our culture of Client Care, we turned to Ergo. We chose Ergo because of their approach, their willingness to listen and their ability to quickly understand Arup, our objectives and our needs. Col and Derek provide an excellent blend of skills that work well together and work well with the culture that is Arup. Over six months we have had over 40 key leaders of our practice work to understand how we can reinforce a culture of client care within our team. Ergo, through their facilitation of our workshops, provided us simple, effective tools and learnings that we are now apply across the business. Throughout the process Ergo were responsive and adaptive, willing to change and adapt to keep momentum and enthusiasm alive within the process. We look forward to an ongoing relationship with Ergo across the Arup Practice.” Peter Bowtell, Principal, Arup, Melbourne Office Leader“In assisting us with our 5 year strategic planning process, Col’s positive and constructive style made a real difference at the individual and group level, and our stakeholder meetings were creatively and effectively facilitated. While Col has a background in education, his other experience in both the corporate and non-profit sectors helped to bring a fresh approach to strategic planning in an educational context. Col contributed above and beyond the brief we gave him to ensure that we achieve our end goals – with thought always to effective and consultative processes to ensure that the Council has effectively heard the key messages from stakeholders and that they have been effectively engaged in the process. A great deal was achieved in a short time-frame – one board member commented that the process was amazingly well-paced – we didn’t feel rushed – nor that we wallowed or wasted time.” Jane Furness, Chair Tara Anglican School for Girls, School Council“In 2010, LINK Learning partnered with Derek Winter of Ergo Consulting, to deliver a Career Development Framework for the Department of Defence. LINK selected Ergo to be its IT business partner for this project because of the excellent work they had done for us with the Australian Public Service Commission’s whole-of-government ICT skills framework. On this occasion Ergo’s expertise was evident once again, as they competently led us though a well-constructed development phase, identifying and then building solutions for our pilot IT-model. The Defence project was successful and the work completed by Ergo for LINK Learning was an important part of this.” David Cohen, Principal, LINK Learning“Col Duthie was involved in design and implementation of a major organizational reform process for the largest Development Foundation in the South Pacific. He worked closely with senior management to successfully lead the largest organizational change in the Company’s eight year history. Aside from having sound technical knowledge on how business and not-for-profits generally work, Col tailors his approach to the needs of the business. There are no cookie-cutter solutions with Col. Here in Papua New Guinea the operating environment is complicated and difficult. Here, you need to have outstanding communication and social skills and the intellectual dexterity to make change happen – Col is one of the rare people with the full suite of such skills.” Todd Clewett, Chief Operating Officer, PNG Sustainable Development Program Ltd“We had a need to combine a team building session with an end of project wrap-up and Col was able to come up with the perfect solution at the ACMI for our web team. The use of content that was relevant to the industry to facilitate discussion was great, and it provoked interest and thought on the future of our industry. The session gave us an opportunity to get away from our desks and look at back inside with a different view. This achieved all of our goals and more. Thanks again Col for setting up a great day.” Mark Bryant, Web Services Manager, Department of Primary Industries, VIC“Derek is well versed in facilitation skills with good ability to adapt to suit the moment. In particular, his facilitation is very pointed at the role of the participants, true to the brief provided (development of program). He reads the audience well “in the moment” and can adjust to enhance participation and/or return participants focus. As a facilitator of various staff development programs, Derek has been very diligent in his understanding of material, how said material fits/enhances other methodologies and the philosophy behind the material.” Nicole O’Shanassy, Operations Support Manager – World Vision Australia“In his facilitation of the DPI Knowledge, Information and Technology Annual Planning and Investment Workshops (2008 and 2009) Derek has shown good understanding of group dynamics and engagement approaches. He has developed a sound knowledge of government process and exhibited an ability to track the mood of a group and bring focus to agreed objectives. We have benefitted from his willingness to provide astute advice in relation to the construction of an effective agenda.” Stephen Northey, Strategic Analyst – Department of Primary Industries“Chris & Jeff an exceptional effort delivering ahead of time and ensuring the cutover today was a success. The delivery time frame was always an extremely tight one and what I admire is you guys lifted to the challenge. Not only did you deliver on time, you did it with the pressures of a move as well as through the delivery of a new family member. Top effort!!!!!” Scott Ellis, Process Owner – Telstra Networks & Services FulfillmentHaving seen (and influenced) some of the work produced by Ergo’s team at another company, I enlisted Derek and his team to produce a similar capability for me at Jemena. Derek is a pleasure to work with and remains in contact throughout the delivery process ensuring customer expectations are met and a good robust solution is achieved by all parties. Together we have produced a product that is reliable, professional and fast becoming a critical information source on which key platform decisions are made. I would welcome the opportunity to engage Derek and his developer team at a future time if the need arose. Rob Testi, Server & Desktop Manager – Jemena Ltd (formerly Alinta)I have found the Ergo team to be good partners, professional service providers, and great friends for the journey. I love their commitment to people and to various good causes around the globe. If there were more companies like this, the world would be a much better place. Alan Hirsch, Author, Speaker, Consultant – The Forgotten Ways“Col, Rachel and Shannon, the innovative approach you brought to our review has been fantastic. You’ve worked hard to understand our operation, our alignment with the wider organisation, our staff and our customers. With sensitivity you’ve distilled a clear picture of how the Customer Service Group can improve moving ahead. Your wisdom experience and passion has been inspirational and addictive.” Andrew Johnston, Head of Customer Service – World Vision Australia“Ergo facilitated a highly successful business planning and team building workshop for 50 of my staff recently. I was very impressed by the level of commitment and focus that Col and Shannon were able to bring to the 2 days; all outcomes were achieved and more importantly, feedback from the participants has been great. A major success factor was the pre-workshop planning and interface with Col and Shannon, who took the time to meet with branch senior leaders to ensure that the purpose and outcomes of the workshop were clearly understood and also their key roles in making the days a success. Team building activities were innovative, fun and relevant and Col’s facilitating style is very engaging and inclusive. I would highly recommend (and already have) Ergo to any organisation looking for professional partnering in planning and facilitating workshops or team building activities.” Gayle Porthouse Director, Infrastructure & Facilities Management – Department of Primary Industries“Ergo have been played a major part in developing our on-line products which have resulted in an increase in customer satisfaction, product functionality and customer usability. The teams open, pragmatic and forward thinking communication Nigel Crawley, Director- Rimfire Resources Pty LtdOpen Space technology, as conducted by Ergo Consulting, proved a clear and productive way of articulating problems and finding their appropriate solutions. I found it to be a great way to manage a highly dynamic group with a range of different agendas and opinions on particular issues. Alana Smith, National Director – V-Gen WorldVision Australia“Working with Ergo Consulting on our People and IT systems review was an exceptionally positive experience. Derek, Joanna and Andy were great to work with.They successfully managed to understand and interpret our complex work environment and the challenges we faced, which was then supported by sound advice that will help us create a new framework for our organization to grow in the future.Your professionalism and holistic approach to working with clients was greatly appreciated.” Peter Sacco, Corporate & Government Affairs Manager -Conservation Volunteers“The training that Ergo delivered has been an incredible experience for all of us, and has expanded our comfort zone. Ergo have taken the company to a different level as far as training and staff development is concerned.” Miranda Foster, Reservations & Systems Manager – TT Line/Spirit of Tasmania“Ergo have been a catalyst for profound change within our group.Their partnership has provided insightful direction on a journey to cultivate a mind-set and culture that is focussed on delivering meaningful outcomes. Ergo has engaged the conversations that matter most to our group and our direction.” Andrew Martin, Operations Manager – World Vision Australia“Apart from their strong training and facilitation skills, what impressed me about the Ergo team was their ability to think on their feet and deal with client issues as they arose. Col and his staff were an integral part of a highly successful project and I would have no hesitation in recommending them for any work in the corporate advising field. Ergo comes across as one of those rare organisations where the staff seem genuinely committed to both their clients and each other – they were an absolute pleasure to work with.” Adam Libbis, Executive Director – WalterTurnbull“Col’s experience and knowledge in strategic planning, particularly within the not for profit environment was obvious. He understood the needs of our staff and Board as well as the needs of our customers and the feedback on the strategic planning process from those involved was very positive. I was personally impressed by his communication skills, his ability to apply his knowledge in a suitable and practical manner and by his methods in encouraging and supporting input from all parties present that evening.” Ann Burgess, CEO – ReachOut Southern Mental Health“I would like to share my sincere appreciation for the wonderful team at Ergo. The team are fabulous positive people who communicate and mentor with integrity. Ergo has been involved with TT-Line Company for approximately 4 years, during this time they have assisted us with developing strategically by facilitating personal development programs for our staff to help them engage and provide the highest quality service to our customers. They have provided quality coaching and support to both me and my team on our journey for greater success in leadership. I have grown both professionally and individually from the guidance, inspiration and motivation given to me during this time.” Ruth Bannon, Telephone Sales Supervisor – TT Line/Spirit of Tasmania“Col has a passion for ideas and creativity and the genius of his work is to design strategies that liberate others. His approach to organisational change and management is to democratise and energise the process in which people engage with their work environment. He has an uncommon ability to engage in complex discussions around strategy and vision using language that de-mystifies the process for others. He is an enthusiastic promoter of change and is able to help others to conceptualise and articulate their dreams. I know few people have a similar ability to co-ordinate discussions in a manner that so effectively engages all participants.” Trevor Thomas, General Manager – Ethinvest Pty. Ltd.“Col Duthie leads Ergo with a productive mix of integrity and creativity. His work in managing through change is especially contributory. Over the years I have known Col we have studied and argued and envisioned together. His integrity and creativity shine through all that he does. I have learned much from him… and he is a person who leads with both heart and mind.” Donald McGilchrist, International Vice President – The Navigators |