Testimonials

'We look after people better'

Senior Manager, Sydney: "Dear Carol, As you can see I will be starting a new position on Monday ......... The package is very good with a little more money than XXX and a car and better hours which is great. Carol, I cannot thank-you enough for the support and your expertise during this time. I thought the end of the world had happened 5 months ago and I would have loved to have had a tape of the first conversation that we ever had to look back and realise everthing you said was on the mark although I did not realise it then. My very sincere thanks also go to Ho-yen, Cheryl and Sarah for helping me during this time and also putting up with my very ordinary computer skills which I have to say have improved a fair bit. I will come in and see you and the girls as soon as I get a chance and thank-you all personally for the help and support during the last 5 months."

Executive Director, Government - Australia: "From our first meeting it was very clear to me that Ros was a person not only of high integrity but also someone who was able to connect and provide a genuine sense that she was there for me. A professional in all respects she knew her business but was also balanced and was quickly able to establish my needs and what areas she was able to provide assistance. Whilst she was engaged by the employer I felt she was for all intents and purposes my personal tutor. Follow up meetings in my home were especially appreciated because it was clear that she was interested in my family and not just me. This was something that I had not experienced before. Her contact was regular, informative and supportive. Having a very positive person assisting me was extremely important to me. It was also nice to know that where my CV was ok she told me so and we built on that. Ros was able to demonstrate that she had a solid knowedge of contemporary issues and experiences which she was able to draw on when providing advice. Being told what I needed to hear rather than what I wanted to hear was refreshing. I very much appreciated the post employment feedback and followup. I had an opportunity to brief the CEO of the Local Government Association of XXX of my experiences and advised him that I thought all Councils should avail themselves of the services that Donington offers and have in fact recommended them to other General Managers. As long as Donington continues to utilise staff of the calibre of Ros Macfarlane there will be a role for them in Local Government."

Terry McCaul - Manager Human Resources - major energy company (New Zealand) I have had the pleasure of working with the Donington team for a few years now. The professionalism and sensitive manner in which they approach things makes it easy for both the organisation and the individual to derive real value from the process. As a senior manager in several different organisations I have often had to call on Donington to provide services in career transition and career development. Occasionally these services have to be delivered into an uncomfortable environment, with unwilling participants. I always seek feedback from the candidates who go through the programmes and every single one has talked about how they got so much from it. I believe the investment pays off very well, particularly in the case of senior managers who need a greater degree of support and assistance through difficult periods such as transition. I will continue to use Donington as I view them as the highest quality in NZ in this type of work.

Human Resources Executive, Major University (Australia)....I carefully researched other Outplacement providers, speaking with and visiting a number of them. I found some to be almost factory like in both atmosphere and in processes. One in particular accommodated their clients in very small corrals in a very noisy area and it was an environment that was not at all conducive to career reflection. The other was insistent that their set program needed to be followed, and lacked sensitivity and probably capability to accommodate individual needs. By contrast, the services provided to me by Donington were very special. I will always think fondly of the very personalised support that I received, and your very professional and harmonious team who all gave so much to assist me. The facilities are just excellent - prime offices, professional, discrete and most appropriate for the service provided. It was a treat for me to work there. Your library and reference materials were all that I needed and your communication and IT systems were all in place. The environment is essential but also key is the quality of the service. From the beginning, I felt a genuine interest in me and especially appreciated your understanding and support. Your individualized approach to Outplacement is necessary and the regular, daily one-on-one coaching particularly around networking and marketing was invaluable. You focused me, helped me to adapt to the business world and gave me practical advice on how best to utilize my transferable skills in the private sector. I believe that the service you provide in Outplacement is the supreme model for others. Thank you again for such a rewarding experience......

Senior Executive, Mining Industry (Australia).....When I commenced with Donington, my world had just fallen apart. I felt I had failed, and that the failure would mark me forever. I was confused, angry and feeling very helpless. In a very practical, yet caring and non-intrusive way, Donington helped me see what had happened was an opportunity rather than a defeat. They helped me reassess and re-evaluate, through their experience and guidance to find a new path ahead. Their approach of networking and direct marketing to organisations or businesses for whom one may wish to work is very helpful in job seeking, but applies also to anyone seeking to start their own business. I strongly recommend the services of Donington to anyone who suddenly finds their life changed by business or organizational pragmatism.....

Senior Manager, Services Industry (Australia).....Just a short note to thank you regarding the choice of Donington as the outplacement agency. I must confess I was somewhat skeptical of the whole concept but went along anyway. I couldn't have been more mistaken. They are professional, competent, have impressive connections and I am not only pleased with the ongoing process but also confident of a good outcome at the end of it. If client satisfaction is a guide then I certainly have received value for money......

Senior Manager, Manufacturing Industry (Australia).....I wish to take this opportunity to thank you and your team for the wonderful support you have given me since I was made redundant. You and the team have helped me enormously in finding a new position in the workforce. Not since the late 70's have I had to seriously look for a job, boy have things changed. Your very professional approach has enabled me to gain the skills and techniques necessary to find employment. During my time with Donington I have put over forty resumes into the market and attended over twenty interviews. I have now gained a challenging position that will give me the opportunity to earn more than triple my previous earnings. I have also appreciated the friendly and supportive atmosphere in the Donington office.....

Middle Manager, Manufacturing Industry (Australia).....A very big thank you to the Donington team for the wonderful support you have given me. I find I have gained a lot over the last few months and have a far better perspective on my career and with that greater motivation and drive.

National Director of Human Resources, Global Leader Professional Services (NZ) .....Further to the recent Donington Career Advantage Workshops which were run for us in both Auckland and Wellington I wanted to convey my appreciation for the excellent manner in which these were conducted.The merger and subsequent redundancy exercise was an extremely difficult time for all involved and it was critical for our organisation that the outplacement/career transition process was handled with the utmost professionalism and sensitivity. Our aim was to provide those individuals affected with the best possible resources to help them deal with the change and make the next step in their careers.While such a process is never easy, it was reassuring to hear the feedback from those that attended your Workshops. Nearly all participants commented on how pleasantly surprised they were by the new and valuable skills that they learned. In particular the work on understanding the impact of change proved very popular and helped them to view the change in a positive light and to feel more optimistic about the future. The level of interaction and the customisation of the workshop to those areas of greatest concern were also commended, with the general response being that the workshops had certainly been very worthwhile.I would like to thank you for the way in which you personally made the participants feel at ease and enabled them to get the most out of the day. I would have no hesitation in recommending Donington to others.