Client Testimonials |
From a Board Chair:
"We are a strong organization, a much better managed entity and the relationship between staff
and board are now excellent.
"We can attest to [Olive Grove Consulting’s] outstanding support and assistance. They are extremely
thoughtful in their recommendations regarding how we can improve various activities and in all
cases, their suggestions have been truly focused on our particular needs. In addition, their
recommendations take into account our human and financial resources that enable us to implement
them with success.”
From a Successful Placement, One Year Later:
“Coming into the position it was really helpful to me that you had done such an extensive interview
process with staff and board. Your notes helped me to avoid land mines and chart my course with
greater ease the first few months. The interview process itself was very smooth.
As a candidate I understood the steps and time line, I felt comfortable asking you questions without
the awkwardness associated with the asking the same questions of a future boss and I appreciate
how straight forward you were with me. I know that the board feels good about the how organized
and on schedule the process was. They accomplished a lot and stayed focused and got the job
done.”
From a Staff Member of a Search Client:
“Thanks for your excellent work in a thorough and thoughtful search, and for including the staff
throughout the process. We are all excited about having [the new Executive Director] with us.”
From a Board and Search Committee Chair:
“I was very pleased with the outcome. A few people afterwards mentioned they never thought we
had a chance to make the schedule we set out. They were impressed with that and the candidate!
Obviously everything went pretty smoothly, but our success, I believe, was in large part, because
you laid out a process and time line and did a great job helping us stick to it.”
From a Coaching Client:
“I don't know if I "officially" thanked you for your input this last year. I feel like I'm a completely
different person today, than I was when we first met. The issues with the staff are still present, but I
feel much more confident in knowing what's needed to get the job done, and effectively
communicating these needs. I'm not sure what the next moves for the agency are, considering the
funding issues, but we will still go forward. Of that I am positive.”
From a Strategy Retreat Participant:
“Just wanted to compliment you for managing this disparate bunch of folks. While your demeanor
was professional, your light touch and humor shined through and kept the day from becoming
ponderous. The fact that we abandoned the agenda is not a fault, but rather to your credit, as it
allowed us to take off in creative ways. I witnessed several "aha" moments on the faces of more
than one board member. We might not have got there had we stuck to a rigid agenda.
It was a long but satisfying day – thanks.”
From a Client:
“Thanks again for doing an excellent job: as a consultant, a retreat leader, a planner, a healer, and
on and on.”
From a Workshop Participant:
“Thank you for facilitating a great forum. I really learned A LOT and I have gotten excellent feedback
from the other members. People say it was one of our best meetings. I think founders/founding
directors leaving is such a taboo topic that people say they felt relieved to learn how to do it right
and to view it as a normal part of strategic growth. And people thought you did a great job and
appreciated you sharing all your insight and experience.”
From a Staff Member at a Board/Staff Strategy Retreat:
“Your leadership was invaluable last Thursday. The results are very useful and yet not so deep as to
have the board involved in the day to day operations - a great balance.”
From a Search Committee Co-Chair:
"We are a strong organization, a much better managed entity and the relationship between staff
and board are now excellent.
"We can attest to [Olive Grove Consulting’s] outstanding support and assistance. They are extremely
thoughtful in their recommendations regarding how we can improve various activities and in all
cases, their suggestions have been truly focused on our particular needs. In addition, their
recommendations take into account our human and financial resources that enable us to implement
them with success.”
From a Successful Placement, One Year Later:
“Coming into the position it was really helpful to me that you had done such an extensive interview
process with staff and board. Your notes helped me to avoid land mines and chart my course with
greater ease the first few months. The interview process itself was very smooth.
As a candidate I understood the steps and time line, I felt comfortable asking you questions without
the awkwardness associated with the asking the same questions of a future boss and I appreciate
how straight forward you were with me. I know that the board feels good about the how organized
and on schedule the process was. They accomplished a lot and stayed focused and got the job
done.”
From a Staff Member of a Search Client:
“Thanks for your excellent work in a thorough and thoughtful search, and for including the staff
throughout the process. We are all excited about having [the new Executive Director] with us.”
From a Board and Search Committee Chair:
“I was very pleased with the outcome. A few people afterwards mentioned they never thought we
had a chance to make the schedule we set out. They were impressed with that and the candidate!
Obviously everything went pretty smoothly, but our success, I believe, was in large part, because
you laid out a process and time line and did a great job helping us stick to it.”
From a Coaching Client:
“I don't know if I "officially" thanked you for your input this last year. I feel like I'm a completely
different person today, than I was when we first met. The issues with the staff are still present, but I
feel much more confident in knowing what's needed to get the job done, and effectively
communicating these needs. I'm not sure what the next moves for the agency are, considering the
funding issues, but we will still go forward. Of that I am positive.”
From a Strategy Retreat Participant:
“Just wanted to compliment you for managing this disparate bunch of folks. While your demeanor
was professional, your light touch and humor shined through and kept the day from becoming
ponderous. The fact that we abandoned the agenda is not a fault, but rather to your credit, as it
allowed us to take off in creative ways. I witnessed several "aha" moments on the faces of more
than one board member. We might not have got there had we stuck to a rigid agenda.
It was a long but satisfying day – thanks.”
From a Client:
“Thanks again for doing an excellent job: as a consultant, a retreat leader, a planner, a healer, and
on and on.”
From a Workshop Participant:
“Thank you for facilitating a great forum. I really learned A LOT and I have gotten excellent feedback
from the other members. People say it was one of our best meetings. I think founders/founding
directors leaving is such a taboo topic that people say they felt relieved to learn how to do it right
and to view it as a normal part of strategic growth. And people thought you did a great job and
appreciated you sharing all your insight and experience.”
From a Staff Member at a Board/Staff Strategy Retreat:
“Your leadership was invaluable last Thursday. The results are very useful and yet not so deep as to
have the board involved in the day to day operations - a great balance.”
From a Search Committee Co-Chair:
- "Listening: sought to understand our ideal candidate"
- "Perspective: you had a thorough knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of the
candidates you presented" - "Honest: you told us the truth...we were not just another client”