WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID . .
Susan Anderson (Coordinator / Facilitator: Whanganui Restorative Justice Trust)
Since 2006 Ian Harper has met with me as my Supervisor on a monthly basis. Ian fully understands the sensitive nature of the work I do and the sensitivities around that in regard to the integrity and confidentiality that underpin the restorative process and has provided me with professional advice and support in a wide range of areas.
Ian demonstrates highly developed communication skills and is quickly and objectively able to assist me with problem solving strategies and responds appropriately and in a timely manner to a diverse range of workplace situations. I value his listening skills and ability to maintain and encourage dialogue, summarise information and ask relevant probing questions as we work through issues and problems.
As a Coordinator and Facilitator I note Ian’s flexibility and value the input he has provided in terms of strategic guidance, critical thinking and the ability to provide helpful and supportive feedback for my work.
I value the input that Ian provides and the way in which he engages respectfully on a meaningful and professional level and fully support him in any future work or projects in which he may be involved.
Robina Nicholl (Programme Facilitator, Jigsaw Whanganui)
Ian and I have worked as co-facilitators of parenting programmes over the last three years. At all times I found Ian to work cooperatively and respectfully. He has expertise in group dynamics and adds to this with humour and innovation. We were able to work creatively together following the group process. This is quite some skill.
I have also had the privilege of attending groups that Ian has facilitated through STEM:NZ and found that an enjoyable learning experience, Ian has the ability to hold an audience when that skill is necessary.
Sue Wells (Programme Facilitator: Jigsaw Whanganui)
This is to confirm that I have been privileged to work with Ian Harper from
September 2011 to July 2014, facilitating parenting programmes.
I have really appreciated Ian’s sense of humour, even when dealing with the heavy issues that parents bring along. He has a lot of energy and passion, and also compassion for parents and the problems they face. He faces issues with reality as he facilitates, and is able to present topics simply and break them down to help parents find their own solutions.
I have enjoyed the way Ian shares himself with us as staff and with the parents in the programmes. This helps sessions come alive as he brings his own stories and real-life examples.
Tim Metcalfe (Executive Officer Jigsaw Whanganui)
For the past 3 years we have contracted Ian Harper on a regular basis to co-facilitate the agency’s parent education programme, The White Water Years.
Ian has brought a high degree of enthusiasm, reliability and competence to this important work. He has built up strong relationships and synergies with his agency colleagues and contributed generously to ongoing improvements in the design and delivery of our White Water Years programme
Ian is an extremely competent programme facilitator. A high personable and engaging man, he has established very positive and purposeful relationships with programme participants, bringing a sound understanding of group dynamics and adult learning processes to this work.
I have also over the past 16 years, along with numerous other health and community organisations, engaged with Ian through his management consultancy, STEM. I have very much appreciated his very usable systematic tools, and sound understanding of organsiation dynamics communicated in a very real and practical ways. Ian brings an astute awareness of the operations of power, genuineness, innovation, great humour and integrity to his consultancy and training roles.
I have very much valued my association with Ian and recommend him very highly a sound, wise and extremely skilful trainer and facilitator in the field of human services. Iwish him well in his future endeavours
Chrystal Hamlin (Manager: Pathways)
It is with a sense of great honour that I write this reference for Ian, who has provided supervision for me since 2005. Over the past 9 years it has been my experience that Ian has always main tained the highest standard of professionalism.
Ian’s gentle personality and remarkable sense of humour are further complimented by his attentive listening skills, his great insight and the unique way he generates the promotion of self awareness within discussions.
I highly recommend Ian to be one of the greatest assets to any organisation or business.
Cathy Adams. Executive Officer. Marlborough Chamber of Commerce.
The Marlborough Chamber of Commerce has utilised the services of Ian Harper and STEM:NZ on a number of occasions to present a range of training programmes here in Marlborough. We found Ian was always professional in his dealings with both the Chambers and the participants on the training programmes. His material was relevant and his presentation was well researched and entertaining with good interactive elements to turn the material into something relevant to those attending. Participants found the programmes helpful and thought provoking.
Ian was prepared to work with the Chamber to provide programmes to meet the needs of our members, which helped make the sessions a success for everyone involved. I would and have recommended Ian and his programmes to other Chambers and organisations who were looking for a trainer in the area that Ian presents.
Tania Thomas and Lauren Emanuel. NZ Health and Disability Commission.
Ian’s input into our conference, greatly extended the knowledge base and skill development of the participants. We value the time and energy that he gave to us and the feedback from participants reinforces his effective and unique style.
Stephen Bethel. Beacon School Manager. King Edward VI Camp Hill Girls’ School
“Motivational Fuel — 6 key skills of leadership”
Content: Extremely relevant. The fact that it dealt with ‘down to earth’ issues such as time management and communication skills in a jargon-free and wholly understandable way was of great benefit. A number of colleagues commented on it being the best in-service training they had attended because of this direct relevance to their every day “struggle”.
Delivery: The delivery of the material was professional, humorous and thoroughly prepared. As a result the delegates were able to absorb the material throughout all four of the work sessions. The fact that there were follow up materials and the option to purchase the PowerPoint presentation for study at leisure were of particular benefit to myself.
Overall impression: This was a highly polished course with a relevant down to earth approach from which all delegates, at whatever level of management of leadership they were at could not fail to benefit from. I would have no hesitation in employing the speaker to lead another training day in the future.
I certainly found it beneficial and I know I will spend time in the future reviewing the presentation and finding items of relevance that I missed on the day or have since forgotten.
Wendy Jackson. Manager Ag Challenge Limited (NZQA Accredited Training Centre)
The training that we have had with STEM has been fun, entertaining and always a great learning experience. At no time are you put in a position where you do not feel comfortable. So far Ian has given us instruction in time and stress management. Valuable tools when working in today’s action packed business world. We book a programme every year for our staff and look forward to Ian’s input and I have no hesitation in recommending the Human Resource training that Ian offers.
Judith MacDonald (CEO. Whanganui Regional Primary Health Organisation)
STEM offers advice and support that is objective, professional and responsive to issues associated with change in the workplace. STEM supports organisations by moving the focus to ‘big picture’ longterm outcomes and moves employees thinking to improve productivity and employee satisfaction.
Well worth the journey !
Gavin Ander (Manager Sommerville Centre for Special Needs
Ian is a top quality speaker who uses a mixture of humour and knowledge to stimulate his audience (He would also be good for an MC role or an after dinner speaker). Ian came to speak to my Rotary Club one time, and I have to tell you our sides were aching at the end because of the laughter.
I really do highly recommend him. His back ground is in psychiatric nursing but is now a consultant predominately for the health and disability sector, although he also does a lot of work for the commercial, private and educational sectors.
He has developed a very easy to use performance appraisal system which we use here at Sommerville Centre, it is certainly the best system we have come across.
Frank Bristol (Balance NZ Bipolar Network)
Ian presented an excellent talk on Governance at our National conference. He made this an enjoyable learning experience for all with his humorous delivery of what can be a very boring topic The participants asked him to continue beyond his allocated time slot which he was only too happy to do.. We will be using Ian to deliver further training to our organisation.”