Learning & Development

Tailored training solutions

Sometimes one of our well-established standard programmes isn’t exactly what you want. If so, we’re happy to work closely with you to design a bespoke solution and match the outcomes you want. Our specialisms include organisation-wide project management frameworks, cultural and organisational change, and leadership or management training for specific teams. In recent years we’ve also developed specialised programmes for customers on developing user experience, storytelling and remote cross cultural management.

We work comfortably at all levels – including Boards – delivering training, facilitation, coaching and related consultancy. We work internationally, in Europe, North America and Africa.

Our customers include housing – West Kent Housing Association, Gateway; universities – London Business School, Henley Management College; arts and culture organisations – Scottish Book Trust, RSC; local authorities – Hackney, Powys; and charities – British Red Cross, MS Society.

Coaching & facilitation

You may need support for a very particular challenge – an individual who needs help to deal with a specific issue, or a team who would benefit from a structured intervention to help them identify an effective way forward. In each case a skilled outsider can act independently and objectively.

=mc has a team of trained and skilled coaches and facilitators able to offer structured support to individuals and groups. We can provide this support for a one-off, high impact session or as part of a rolling programme.

Coaching enables others to realise their potential and develop confidence as part of the process. Individuals are offered a safe, confidential and empowering environment where coaching is used to challenge existing working practices and introduce alternative approaches. Or it can be used to provide a sounding board for new ideas and challenges or to work on embedding specific skills. =mc coaching has helped organisations such as Amnesty International, Sightsavers, NSPCC and Medway Council. Click here to learn more about 1:1 coaching.

Facilitation enables teams to problem solve, create innovative new approaches or make decisions. The most effective approach ensures true participation and creates tangible action plans that can be taken forward. =mc facilitation has used this approach to tackle complex issues for Frontline Aids, Into Film, and Anthony Nolan.

Added value: blended learning and formal recognition

Learning doesn’t all happen in the classroom, which is why we offer blended learning options to support your programme.

These could include:

• participant led pre programme learning, such as reading material and structured reflective practice
• peer to peer mentoring – both during and after the programme, encouraging ‘on the job’ development
• support materials that document learning, which participants can take away including a booklist and web links for further reading
• additional support and application of the programme content through online learning, such webinars
• the set up and facilitation of action learning sets
• post programme work assignments, particularly effective on modular programmes, where participants present back key learnings.

We have delivered blended learning solutions for customers such as MS Society, Evolve Housing and Support and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Many of our programmes are recognised by The Institute of Leadership and Management as Institute Approved. This means that they have been assessed by The Institute and meet their high standards for quality learning.

Participants who attend Approved programmes can also have their attendance on the programme recognised. The benefits of Institute Approved recognition include:

• A certificate for completing the programme, marking their professional development
• Additional benefits for participants (provided by The Institute):
  • Free Student Membership for one year
  • Eligible to become full members if participants would like to progress in their leadership journey (additional cost)
  • Access to the My Leadership, The Institutes award-winning digital learning resources
  • Access to events and professional seminars or webinars
  • Access to a community of over 30,000 leaders
  • Access to Edge online

New ways of working

There are many challenges associated with contemporary working practice – remote teams or managers, desire by customers for joined up approaches, complex projects to be delivered with multiple internal stakeholders, or even external partners. These challenges require new ways of working – and new skillsets and mindsets. =mc has number of frameworks to help.

At the centre of our approach is a radical new way of project working which avoids the complexity of PRINCE2. The =mc Systems Model allows you to successfully run ‘messy projects’ – ones with uncertain elements or where the exact approach is difficult to plan. Find out more via the Project Planning Tools link below.

We also offer training in a range of frameworks from our well-established Innovation Toolbox to the Strategy Canvas – see the links below for articles on these. if you’re keen to radically rethink your business model then Red Ocean Blue Ocean may provide significant insights.

Performance & assessment

At the heart of success sits performance and at =mc we’ve worked with every kind of organisation to help transform performance. We have a range of tools and frameworks to help you build up a picture of competencies and competence at individual, team, department or whole organisation level.

Among the tools we offer are:

• Good to Great, an assessment framework based on Jim Collins’ book, with a linked training programme
• Leadership, Practices Inventory: Kouzes and Posner’s 5 elements model – suitable for senior teams
• =mc’s Competency Assessment Tool: looks at the key skills needed by a Board or senior team
• Emotionally intelligent Leadership: to establish your appropriate leadership style, based on EI
• Social Styles: a simple, practical tool for understanding differences so that everyone’s strengths are respected and used well

We can offer most of these tools as 360^º assessments using secure online platforms.