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Our broad client base across multinationals, large corporations, business schools, small enterprises, coaches and facilitators have high praise for the practical effectiveness of the Thinking Environment in their organisations and Maryse' way of engaging leadership to enable new ways of transforming their organisations into Thinking Environments. Here are just a few of their words...
“Time To Think has transformed our EXCO meetings; they have structure, we carefully think about the agenda, pose all topics in question format to stimulate thinking, everyone has a voice and is heard. If you sit at the table, you have an opportunity to listen, think and contribute without being interrupted. This approach changed the performance of our business. We were 11% to budget in June and ended the year 114% to budget in December. What changed? 1. Accountability of delivery moved from the Directors / Shareholders onto the whole EXCO team as they had were treated as equals and were heard. 2. We focused on the future and not the past – became more strategic in our discussions as a functional team.” Maria Lambros CEO, The Prestige Cosmetics Group
"The Time to Think programme has been a life changing experience for me, as I have been able to apply the skills not just on in my professional capacity but in my personal life. This is a life long skill, which I have enjoyed sharing with my children. The Thinking Environment assists in creating a safe environment where all the voices are heard and every one is included, all thoughts and feelings are given the space to be expressed honestly without fear. The Thinking Environment again highlights the power of listening and that you are never to young or too old to learn the skill of listening."
Vuyelwa Mtimkulu - Clinical Psychologist |
"Maryse has worked in ABI across many levels, across multiple functions and I find her “Time to Think” principles and processes very effective in our environment. Maryse brings with her commensurate professionalism, wonderful positive energy, a strong ability to challenges our leadership on their current ways of thinking, and has the ability to drive individuals and teams to take personal accountability for change and performance. I would highly recommend Maryse without any reservation." KIm Usher - Amalgamated Beverage Industries (ABI) "It had a deep impact on me and really made me reflect on how to better manage myself to be more efficient". HR - Nestle
Verbatim comments for Maryse from a session with a major international investment bank:
• Self-awareness, thought provoking, action driver. Amazing way to engage. • Outstanding, inspirational, memorable. • Exceptional. • Fantastic expertise and delegate engagement. • Energising and passionate. • Was blown away. • Best session of the week. • I learned something new in this session. Was given new ways of thinking and tools to apply. Great session (even on a personal level). • Wow - Maryse has the presence of a Giant and the voice of an angel! • Massive impact felt by all. • The best session by far. • This was most awesome. • Hugely insightful. Personal learnings were massive. |
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"In my work of HR director for Johnson & Johnson, I have been exposed to the concept and the philosophy of the Thinking Environment for many years. Given the complexity of our organization and the many hours that people spend in meetings, we are working on a cultural change and shift, where we really want to include all employees and stimulate their best thinking.We now have more than 500 managers and executives initiated to this concept. It is clear that there is business return of applying the Thinking Environment as a way of connecting. People are much more motivated when they were heard and involved in a respectful way in a meeting, there is a better outcome of the meetings, and engagement is higher.
I have worked with Maryse Barak for 9 years. She is one of our senior consultants to teach the Thinking Environment. She is very trustworthy and a pleasure to work with. Given her experience, she is able to work with all levels of management. Maryse is breathing the Thinking Environment." Mieke Smet HR Director, Workforce for the Future Janssen Pharmaceutica a J&J Company (Belgium) "I am over the moon! I have chaired two meetings today, and with no prior preparation, ran them exactly according to the model we were shown yesterday. The way the meetings ran, the quality of the thinking, the diversity of options put forward, the clarity of the actions arising and the feedback from the people in attendance was nothing short of amazing. Even my stodgy technical types were full of praise for the process! I cannot thank you enough for giving me this opportunity."
For and on behalf of Booyco Engineeering (Pty) Ltd Jeremy Pougnet - Managing Director Joe Public is South Africa's largest independent advertising group of agencies.
"Our organisation has been engaging with the Time To Think methodology through Maryse Barak since 2011. Over this period, we have implemented the theory into action within our working meetings, including our Executive Board meetings. A culture of listening is fundamental for any company that's in the business of selling their thinking, and I could not recommend this practice more for any business leader who's interested in growth of his or her people, business or country." Pepe Marais - Founding Partner - Joe Public, South Africa |
"Maryse is one of the most outstanding and professional facilitators with whom I have had the pleasure to work. She's one of the best in South Africa and works successfully internationally. She consistently receives a high level of client recognition and endorsement. I have personally attended her courses and found them invaluable in my own work. Her ethos is impeccable, her reliability excellent and character uplifting.
I highly recommend her." Professor jon Foster-Pedley, Dean and director Henley Business School, Africa "I used the Time To Think approach with a top team to explore assumptions the following week and they were all blown away … by the end of the session they were all huddled in a tight circle around the CEO who was ‘Thinking.’ magical is the only word I can use!"
Abby Malan, Certified Integral Master Coach Cape Town, South Africa "The Time to Think Foundation Course is an amazing experience. Maryse is a brilliant facilitator who lives out what she teaches. The content of the workshop is practical and experiential which enables one to internalise the learning. I bring in the Time to Think principles to various workshops that I facilitate and teach leaders about the concepts. I run meetings where possible in the Time to Think way and it definitely stimulates participation and creates an energised environment."
Sandra van den Ordel - Lead Consultant ǀ Industrial Psychologist You have accelerated my ability to better manage people. I am yet to find a facilitator as effective as you. Enjoy!!! Standard Bank
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