Facilitating strategies, ideas and innovations
23 Lodersfield Lechlade Gloucestershire GL7 3DJ - contact Cathy Shaw on T: 01367 252 206 E: cathy@mike-skidmore.com
"He is a man that has more ideas and energy than most people have hot dinners! He's been great at getting us to think outside the box as well as helping us focus on how we're going to deliver. He's very practical and happy to challenge if he doesn't believe you are on the right path.
He's an inspirational individual".
Claire Owen, MD, The SG Group
He's an inspirational individual".
Claire Owen, MD, The SG Group
Workshops don't have to be dull! Even the most basic of exercises can be fun, as well as very effective.
United Nations, British Council, Indian High Commission, Diageo, Unilever, United Utilities, RBSI, Barclays, Football Foundation, PDSA, Foreign & Colonial, Carlson Marketing Group, WebsEdge TV, Rolls Royce, Chartered Society of Designers, Chartered Institute of Marketing, Northampton University, Cranfield University, Buckingham University, Young Enterprise, Oxford Entrepreneurs, Design Wales, NACUE.
Make the most of your talent
Mike Skidmore
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“Mike has a unique ability to to bring difficult concepts to life. He gets immersed in your business and puts everyone at their ease, even when dealing with challenging issues. Mike
is a wonderful facilitator
and mentor".
Dr Greg French MD Belfor International
is a wonderful facilitator
and mentor".
Dr Greg French MD Belfor International
It's tailored. It's engaging. It meets challenges head-on. It brings out the best participants have to offer, and of course it delivers on objectives.
Having the right tools and techniques to suit the situation is essential, knowing how to get the best out of them is critical. Most of all, it is the facilitator's ability to understand requirements and context, 'read' participants and group dynamics, follow threads, and remain discreetly, yet firmly in the driving seat.
Having the right tools and techniques to suit the situation is essential, knowing how to get the best out of them is critical. Most of all, it is the facilitator's ability to understand requirements and context, 'read' participants and group dynamics, follow threads, and remain discreetly, yet firmly in the driving seat.
What is effective facilitation?
Facilitating ideas
Whatever the goal, generating strong, relevant ideas and formulating a realistic plan that participants want to get behind are always key components of a session.
Whether it be addressing departmental purpose and co-operation, agreeing a business strategy or generating innovative solutions for products and services, creativity is essential. My expertise lies in bringing out the creative flow in participants, whilst focusing the session on the objectives in hand.
I address 'workshopitis', and enthuse those involved with an approach that relies upon my skill and the specialist tools and techniques I have developed. As well as employing more conventional brainstorm and break out techniques, I also utilise areas such as:-
- Drawing and sculpture
- NLP
- Group psychometrics
- Role play and acting
- Games and challenges
- Debating
- Energising massage
Whether it be addressing departmental purpose and co-operation, agreeing a business strategy or generating innovative solutions for products and services, creativity is essential. My expertise lies in bringing out the creative flow in participants, whilst focusing the session on the objectives in hand.
I address 'workshopitis', and enthuse those involved with an approach that relies upon my skill and the specialist tools and techniques I have developed. As well as employing more conventional brainstorm and break out techniques, I also utilise areas such as:-
- Drawing and sculpture
- NLP
- Group psychometrics
- Role play and acting
- Games and challenges
- Debating
- Energising massage
There is no substitute for experience
Every project has its own unique mix of influences, yet many scenarios regularly repeat themselves across organisations both large and small. Rivalries, cynicism and wariness of being too open, along with an interesting mix of low confidence and over-confidence can make for challenging times.
However, using an outside, unbiased facilitator who can present the case objectively and win over those involved can open doors to positiveness, co-operation and creativity.
The experience I have to draw upon covers projects such as:
- Cross country co-operation around the supply of goods
- UK and India education and co-operation strategy
- Legal sector mergers
- Growth strategy for sports organisations
- Brand strategy for utilities
- Team building and away days
- Marketing strategy for education
- NPD for food and drink manufacturers
- Service and product development for businesses in the financial, creative and manufacturing sectors
However, using an outside, unbiased facilitator who can present the case objectively and win over those involved can open doors to positiveness, co-operation and creativity.
The experience I have to draw upon covers projects such as:
- Cross country co-operation around the supply of goods
- UK and India education and co-operation strategy
- Legal sector mergers
- Growth strategy for sports organisations
- Brand strategy for utilities
- Team building and away days
- Marketing strategy for education
- NPD for food and drink manufacturers
- Service and product development for businesses in the financial, creative and manufacturing sectors
Purpose-designed programs
If you would like to explore how I can create a specific facilitation program to meet your needs call me on 01367 252 206
“Three reasons you should not work with Mike:-
1. He challenges you. Endlessly. Since working with Mike I've looked at the business inside out and upside down. This has helped me see things that I hadn't seen previously. And to sort them out. The business is much stronger for it.
2. He takes no prisoners. If there is a white elephant in the room Mike will find it and deal with it. Removing the white elephant has focused people on the business at hand and for soh, has helped us build stronger relationships.
3. He has selective hearing. "It won't work". "It can't be done". "It's impossible". "They won't go for it". "We'll never do it". These are just some of the things that Mike can't hear.
Once you start working with Mike no doubt you'll be able to pull together a more comprehensive list.
Fran Fish MD soh
1. He challenges you. Endlessly. Since working with Mike I've looked at the business inside out and upside down. This has helped me see things that I hadn't seen previously. And to sort them out. The business is much stronger for it.
2. He takes no prisoners. If there is a white elephant in the room Mike will find it and deal with it. Removing the white elephant has focused people on the business at hand and for soh, has helped us build stronger relationships.
3. He has selective hearing. "It won't work". "It can't be done". "It's impossible". "They won't go for it". "We'll never do it". These are just some of the things that Mike can't hear.
Once you start working with Mike no doubt you'll be able to pull together a more comprehensive list.
Fran Fish MD soh