Public Seminar Feedback
SaskTel Course—In-House
Feedback
Feedback from November 17-19, 2003 RSP workshop |
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| Public Seminar Feedback |
| Regarding Facilitators Steve Haines and
Others |
"Captures years of ‘things’ into meaningful
process! Thanks."
|
"Application/lessons learned in how to’s not how
to."
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"Interest was retained throughout. Changes in presenters
were effect."
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"Well worth the trip from Zambia."
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"Excellent seminar, challenged/stretched my strategic
thinking, planning and management."
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"Lots of practical info—tools to take home.
Including text, Steve’s book was great. Great focused discussions."
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"The simplicity in delivering a complex subject and the
leisurely pace on the surface with multiple short breaks and laid-back informal attitude
was great for a true learning environment."
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"Though most say they ‘know,’ few really do.
Common sense must prevail and this course is centered around it. I appreciate ‘down
to earth’ people. It helps me connect. We’re all in this together."
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"Did a very good job in covering a comprehensive and
sometimes difficult topic—providing strategic planning in a simplified way
(ABCs)."
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"The Systems Approach is a KISS approach, the variety of
presenters, good informative and actual examples was superb."
|
| "Excellent materials and diagnostic tools. Great venue
on Mission Bay." |
| Government Departments |
| "All of the participants of the Strategic Planning considered the event a huge
success. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise with our public service
employees." (4.9/5.0 Eval) |
| Vice President—Int'l Telecommunications Firm (Canada) |
| "My first impression of Steve was a positive one. The
more I deal with him, the more positive it gets. I wish every educator had Steve's
knowledge and enthusiasm. He makes learning fun. He has also gotten our executives to
believe in strategic planning." |
| Cellular Phone Company Executive |
| "Thanks for everything during our Strategic Planning course last month. Your
coaching, leadership, and guidance were much appreciated. You are truly an artist at your
craft." |
| Executive Participant |
| "Practical, common sense approach, knowledgeable and
experienced with strategic planning, high energy." (10/10 Eval) |
| Andrea Sims—Vice-President,
Synapse, Inc. |
| "Steve was very informative and extremely helpful. I was very impressed with his
honesty and sharing of personal experiences. He is very knowledgeable and made the three
days highly satisfying!" |
| Barbara Shourounis—Director
Government Securities Commission |
| "Your seminar was most interesting and relevant.
I’ve already used some of your concepts and phrases in our planning process." |
| Basil Ciplitsky—General
Manager, SaskTel Mobil Communications Inc. |
| "I enjoyed a number of items about the program. First
your professionalism and delivery style were most effective. I also like the flow to your
strategic plan process and the tools you provide for implementation. I love a program that
I can put to use immediately. Great Job!" |
| Tara Santha—Business
Planner, Employee Development Center |
| "I would like to thank you for the time and expertise
you provided so willingly to myself and so many others who were exposed to your Strategic
Planning course. I appreciate as well the advice and tutoring in the planning area you
gave to me in my new position." |
| John Watkins—Director,
Strategic Planning, Foodmaker |
| "The best seminar of this type which I have attended.
Very effective—Thank you, Steve." |
| Rick Williams—Executive
Environmental Organization |
| "…able to get action and interaction from all. Well
done!" |
| Betty Hoffart—General
Manager, Corporate Development |
| "My first impression of Steve was a positive one. The
more I deal with him, the more positive it gets. I wish every educator had Steve’s
knowledge and enthusiasm. He makes learning fun." |
| Ray Morrison—Director,
Strategic Planning, SaskTel |
| "Steve is one of the few trainers who ‘calls a
spade a spade’ and is familiar with SaskTel’s situation." |
| Chuck Gustafson |
| "The comprehensive power of this methodology is
unequalled in business literature. It takes all of the popular tools and creates a
unique/effective context within which all these tools fit and reinforce each other."
(from Reinventing Strategic Planning Workshop) |
| Lawrence Cassidy—TEC
Chairman |
| "A solid, do-able approach to planning in an organized
way." (from Reinventing Strategic Planning for the 21st Century) |
| Robert M. Earl—President,
Earl Construction Company |
| "I wanted to let you know how successful my use of your
strategic planning model was in my teaching of the CM129 Construction Management course at
California State University, Sacramento this past semester. Your program of strategic
planning was ideal for the purposes of this course. The simplicity of the model coupled
with the thoroughness required in the preparation of a viable plan resulted in student
plans which were well thought out and highly comprehensive. The model was easy for the
students (and their teacher) to grasp while at the same time requiring significant
preparation and thought about the specific ingredients." |
| TEC Participant—CEO |
| "Can use the concept of parallel planning
immediately—very good resource." (from Strategic Planning) |
| John Snelgrove—Excellence
Quest |
| "Solid design/tested concept/bite-sized learning."
(from Strategic Planning workshop) |
| Nora Marie Klus—Hamilton
and Klus Associates |
| "…The model itself was great. It confirmed in my
mind some learnings I didn’t know that I had and provided a systematic way to
accomplish planning." (Strategic Planning Workshop) |
| Public Service
Commission |
| "This was as practical and applicable a workshop on
Strategic Planning as I think is possible to achieve. I really enjoyed the mix of theory
and application, including many examples." |
| V. Crofford—Agriculture and
Food, Saskatchewan Public Service Commission |
| "The seminar helped me understand the concept of
strategic planning and how each part interfaces to produce the final product." |
| Mike Cassano—Telecommunications
Firm |
| "The strategic planning will and should benefit everyone
at SaskTel." |
| Stewart Anderson—Director Policy and Planning Farm Credit Corporation |
| "I was quite impressed with the Strategic Management
(Planning and Change) course presented by you and the depth of knowledge which you
demonstrated on this topic. I am often critical of such courses and I also had high
expectations…You surpassed these expectations. This course
helped to reconcile my knowledge and ideas with respect to Strategic Management and I am
now confident that I could lead other organizations through this process." |
| Patrick Shave’s feedback on
Reinventing Strategic Planning Seminar |
"Steve and Jayne,
"Thank you both very much for opening your home to me and the others during the
intense but hugely fun week of learning. The barbeque was great and provided an excellent
opportunity to meet with the two of you, your associates and the other participants. If
you make your way back up to Edmonton I would like to return the favor.
"I have to say that the course and certification that you put on was great. As I had
mentioned, you had me hooked 20 minutes in and still do now. Every time I pick up one of
your books or go through an exercise I get an ‘Ah-hah’ —Systems Thinking
does make a lot of sense.
"You may be pleased to know that I was given the opportunity to implement your
approach and have gotten tremendous support from Senior Management here at
Enbridge.
"I would also like to thank you for making me feel so welcome during the entire week
even though my years of experience are not that great. Take care
and we’ll cross paths again sometime."
|
| George Poe—DuPont |
| "I attended two of your sessions a few
years ago, in San Diego and in Banff, Canada. Since then, I have
recommended your training to a few other people. When I attended, I was
working at our DuPont site in Puerto Rico. Since then I moved back to the
US (Illinois) for 3 years, and have now recently relocated to Paris,
France....still with DuPont. Thought you would like to know that I have
used many of the tools learned from you in every position/location I have
been in. It was a good investment."
Return to top.
|
| SaskTel Course—In-House Feedback |
| Comments from SaskTel
Executive Participants |
| Basil Pogue—SaskTel |
| "Very effective. His reputation preceded him and I was
glad to find it was well justified. His credibility was enhanced by his willingness to
discuss experiences with other companies." |
| Pat Horning—SaskTel |
| "Good model/concept development; knows data process; has
depth and experience; addresses issues raised; positive force." |
| Gerry Lawrence—SaskTel |
| "Skilled, credible instructor/facilitator." |
| Arnold Schellenberg—SaskTel |
| "Excellent—sensitive listener, very solid material
and presentation." |
| Don Kuski—SaskTel |
| "Very professional and knowledgeable. Dynamic." |
| Carmelle Sikma—SaskTel |
| "Excellent; kept on track and useful credible examples
and experience." |
| Basil C.—SaskTel |
| "Solid job—good knowledge and communication." |
| Ray Morrison |
| "Although the fundamentals are familiar, this is the
first process that provides the appropriate checks and balances for a successful
implementation." |
| Sally Wasylyk |
| "Consistency is important; model is practical." |
| Tom Millette |
| "Well structured model with all the necessary
components." |
| Betty Deck |
| "A must if we as a company are to survive." |
| Mike Cassano |
| "It can and will bring us closer to where we want to be,
i.e. knowing where we are going, how we will get there and when." |
| Arnold Schellenberg |
| "The focus on implementation is the biggest piece
we’ve missed in previous attempts—let’s do it!" |
| Pat Horning |
| "Good model/concept development." |
| Mike Cassano |
| "The strategic planning will and should benefit everyone
in SaskTel. I plan to use it in my work in the Market Management area." |
| Lyle Sampson |
| "I hope SaskTel puts together a whole plan on this
model. It would add a lot of focus." |
| Janice Warren |
| "Originally thought the process diagram looked very
complex but after the last two days, realize process is straight forward and easy to
follow. Very valuable to get appropriate people through the course." |
| Bill Beckman |
| "It pulls together a lot of the divergent yet related
activities we are involved in." |
| Ken Mazur |
| "Operational and effective—need the
commitment." |
| Dennis Terry |
| "Discipline in the planning process will instill
corporate values, ensure accountability, and facilitate the change required to deal with
competition." |
| Basil Pogue |
| "Solid job—good knowledge and communication." |
| Executive Participants |
"Very effective, very knowledgeable, presents facts in a
very logical manner. Answers all questions. Approachable."
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"Steve is extremely knowledgeable and explains or shares
well with group."
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"Knows his stuff and should be considered as the
consultant to lead our executives through this process."
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"Very knowledgeable. Open, honest at challenging our
processes."
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"Enjoyed every minute. Covered a lot of material in the
time frame."
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"Steve did a very good job. Very knowledgeable and good
intent."
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"One of the best I have experienced."
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"Very professional and good communicator."
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"Knowledgeable, excellent examples, able to explain
material well, good listener."
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"Excellent, very perceptive and knowledgeable about
SaskTel."
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"Very knowledgeable with good experience in this
field."
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"Extremely professional and competent. Well done."
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"Excellent. His experience and knowledge depth helped a
lot in answering questions and elaborating."
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"Very intelligent in business structures, successes,
etc."
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"It applies common sense and is easy to relate with and
associate with."
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"Very valuable—SaskTel needs this kind of planning
to start everyone moving in one unified direction. Everyone needs to know where we are
going or we become dysfunctional and ineffective as a corporation."
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"Consistency in process—consistency in
implementation—understanding of executives as to their ROLE."
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"Comprehensive tools for practical application."
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"Provides the elements to be considered in developing
and implementing plans."
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"It is a systemized, organized approach to a very
vague/complex/uncertain activity."
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| "It’s the first one that seems to have universal
commitment from the top." |
| Comments from other SaskTel
Participants |
"Provides a model for everyone to follow and ensures
consistency."
|
"It is a systematic approach to strategic
planning—without an approach we jump around and lose direction."
|
"Very valuable, consistent means of delivery in the
corporation, very good, consistent language."
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"We need one common method that is practical and
understandable. Let’s follow it."
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"It is structured, covers all aspects, provides a road
map."
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"As a company it is a process we really need to
implement and ensure all groups do in fact utilize. Without a process, the organization
will continue to flounder around the market while losing customers to our
competitors."
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"It is a concept that is easily understandable and is
applicable to SaskTel as a whole."
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"Structured process. Can be implemented at various
levels in the corporation."
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"Consistency in process application with respect to ease
of integration amongst business units into corporate."
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"It applies common sense and is easy to relate with and
associate with."
|
"Very valuable—SaskTel needs this kind of planning
to start everyone moving in one unified direction. Everyone needs to know where we are
going or we become dysfunctional and ineffective as a corporation."
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"It is a must for SaskTel to enter into the 1990s."
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"It’s an interesting management system that should
produce results, if adopted."
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"Comprehensive tools for practical application."
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"Provides the elements to be considered in developing
and implementing plans."
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"Loved the real life examples."
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"Excellent—provided a systematic process for
planning that is useful and useable."
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"Excellent! Thanks! Should be a corporate objective to
standardize on planning process."
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"Excellent, I would recommend all managers take this
course."
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"Very good organization and well informed
instructors."
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"Overall excellence."
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"Excellent course. Would recommend more people to
attend."
|
| "Instructors were very knowledgeable and professional.
Good course." |
| What was the most helpful to you in this course? |
"A structured/strategic management process."
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"The process is clearly mapped out, makes sense. I like
the idea that this is a process, on going, not a document."
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"’Excellently prepared materials. Knowledgeable
instructors."
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"Instructors have good working knowledge of the concepts
and can articulate into real life experiences."
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| "Learning a structured approach to planning." |
| Advanced Strategic Plan
Course—Train-the-Consultant |
| Comments from SaskTel participants |
"Great. Glad to finally have this fantastic learning
opportunity."
|
"I appreciated the one on one help and consulting. I
learn better by learning and assimilating and the examples used were helpful and
informative."
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| "To step back and review plan as system thinking." |
| What was the most helpful to you in this course? |
"To step back and review plan as system thinking."
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"The practice of facilitation and seeing other
participants’ ideas."
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"Hands on approach is more relative."
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"Practice was great."
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"Loved the real life examples."
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"Excellent—provided a systematic process for
planning that is useful and useable."
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"Excellent! Thanks! Should be a corporate objective to
standardize on planning process."
|
"Excellent, I would recommend all managers take this
course."
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"Very good organization and well informed
instructors."
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"Overall excellent."
|
"Excellent course. Would recommend more people to
attend."
|
| "Instructors were very knowledgeable and professional.
Good course." |
