Reach your potential
– and enjoy the journey

Strategy, Client experience, Stakeholder engagement & Conflict resolution

The magic that happens...

when organizations and people reach their potential. Positives attract more positives – everything flows.

Create more impact

You strive to make a difference to your clients. To make a difference in the world.

Imagine you were able to create more impact. What wouldn't you achieve?
I help organisations and people make a bigger difference. And when you work with me, you will enjoy the journey.

Problems I solve

"Our strategy is no longer fit for the current times."
"Our staff are not acting in line with our values and vision."

"Our service delivery is slipping but it's difficult to pinpoint the cause."
"We are unsure if we are still serving our clients well."
"We need to redesign our service while we keep serving our clients."

"We want our stakeholders to be involved in co-designing a new initiative but we're unsure about the best approach."
"We are struggling to make sense of a complex situation and come to a decision."

"Poor working relationships between teams are impacting our service."
"Entrenched conflict within the organisation is affecting morale."
"People have different agendas and we can't agree on a way forward."

Photo of a strong wave, photo by Tim Marshall

The value I add

Create more impact with a razor-sharp strategy, excellent customer experiences, deep understanding of your stakeholders and productive working relationships.

With my help you will achieve more impact in these cash-strapped times because:

Your staff, management and Board are inspired by your strategy, vision and values — which they have co-created.
You are providing a service that clients value and that makes their lives better.
Your service experience is top-notch, creating loyal clients and positive word-of-mouth.
Working relationships within the organisation and with stakeholders are healthy and productive.

I bring a fresh perspective, working collaboratively and stimulating ambitious thinking — which I help you convert into a pragmatic, realistic action plan.

Photo taken with strong perspective by looking down from the top of a very high pastel blue spiral staircase, photo by Faris Mohammed

Services:
A different perspective

What is obvious from the outside is often a blind spot on the inside.

I help you to take a different perspective:

A big picture perspective to sharpen your strategy and implement it.
The perspective of your clients and your stakeholders — seeing the world through their eyes so you can be more effective.
A new perspective on conflict situations — seeing clarity and a path forward.

Perspective-taking is my superpower.

Strategy | Client experience | Stakeholder engagement | Conflict resolution
Read more: Services

I work with organisations and teams in the private, public and third sector. Clients include: law firms, the NHS, ACOSVO, Macroberts Arts Centre, the Compass Centre (Rape Crisis Shetland), Scottish Women’s Aid, Historic Environment Scotland, Scottish Mediation, Mediation Hertfordshire, Relationships Scotland. See case studies

Tools

My toolbox is stocked with well-sharpened tools:

Visioning, Strategy development and Action planning
Facilitation/Co-creation
Design thinking/Systems thinking
Social research/User research
Impact assessment/Evaluation
Conflict coaching/Mediation

Trusted expertise:
A kaleidoscope of perspectives

I have 20+ years experience working in/with large corporates, SMEs, the public sector, the third sector and academia. I have a multidisciplinary background: PhD in Engineering, business degree (MBA), postgrad in Mediation and qualifications in coaching and facilitation. My career path has included User Experience Designer, Change Manager & Project Manager and Strategy Analyst.
I am driven by helping you feel fulfilled and achieve more impact in what you do.

Read more: Bio

Impact focused | Pragmatic & creative | Challenging & encouraging | Evidence-driven | Inclusive (people) & selective (organisations)

“ Catherine supported us to assess and consider a range of options for our future planning. She asked really insightful questions that made us think hard about our priorities, and it was really helpful to have an external person to stimulate thinking with (and between) various stakeholders. The time we’ve spent with Catherine, her insightful questions, and proactive approach has been a real motivating force.”
Kathryn Welch, Operations Director, Macrobert Arts Centre

“Catherine & Amanda designed and facilitated a series of exploration and co-design sessions. What we valued about their approach was their understanding of the complexity of the topics and their emphasis on designing impactful sessions centred around psychological safety. Although focus group participants were sharing intimate and emotionally taxing experiences, Amanda and Catherine managed to create a welcoming and safe environment. Furthermore, they approached the project with flexibility and were happy to collaborate and adapt as necessary.”
Mar Roigé Oliver, External Relations and Partnerships, Historic Environment Scotland

“ “The workshop made you think about refreshing everything! I look at everything differently although I am 100% customer focused.”
“It made me think about the client’s perspective and how things look from the other side.”
“It helped me focus on what we do well and what could be improved collectively.”
“Everyone was motivated and a doable collective action plan to work towards was created.”
Feedback from participants of a Customer Experience Excellence workshop for law firm Inksters

“I thought the session was really interesting and lots of food for thought on avoiding conflict and on resolution when it happens.”
Participant in "Managing Chair & Chief Officer Relationships": interactive webinar for ACOSVO (Association of Chief Officers of Scottish Voluntary Organisations)

Reach your potential – and enjoy the journey