Feedback & Testimonials

Feedback And Testimonials

Meet Rachel Weaven (HR Consultant) who

decided against a written review of our accredited mediator training, and sent us this video instead!


Jon came and spent time with us to facilitate mediation.

 

Jon, Liam and Pete were all fantastic in explaining the process, helping with logistics, offering conversations with our team beforehand so they knew what to expect on the day.

 

I had many questions and they were readily available and quick to respond. All follow ups and check ins have been clear. I would certainly recommend Pragmatism Mediation.

Feedback from our employee to Jon:


"Please can you feed back my thanks to Jon and how supportive he has been mediating an environment that has taken into account everyone's feeling and views and supported all involved in the process"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alex (Mediation Client)

 


Anonymous (Mediation Attendee)

 

"After five months of profound mental anguish and distress, Tuesday was a watershed day for me.  The day and the outcomes from the day start the process of healing and feeling OK. 

 

I feel that because of Tuesday the three of us are in a better place to have more constructive conversations about our shared commitment to, and the challenges of, working towards eradicating racism in our organisation."

 


"We are one year and a month or so on. Are we perfect? No. Who is? Are we healthier than we were? Yes. There is trust again and an assumption of best intent. Quite a different place than we found ourselves.

We are still using the language together we developed in our session with you ... helping things to move forward. We are creating a new strategy and although it is not as fluid and fast paced a process as I would like there is a willingness to engage with a new world.

I hope and trust your work continues to go from strength to strength. The work place is all the better for it".

CEO

('Difficult' Conversations Training Client)


Vicky

(Leadership Training Delegate)

I attended a two day Managing 'Difficult' Conversations course on 8-9th November with work colleagues.

Charlotte is an extremely knowledgeable and experienced Mediator, I feel more confident with approaching difficult conversations and will use the strategies taught on the course both in and outside work.

I was somewhat hesitant prior to the course, in anticipation of it being mentally tiring, but it wasn't at all. The group discussions and role plays with colleagues were both helpful, insightful and enjoyable.

I have recommended the course to others already.

 


Pragmatism offered one of the best courses I have ever attended!

 

It was super engaging and fun and everyone who attended enjoyed themselves. 

 

The content was really good and the trainers were outstanding at not only the knowledge they have in their field but also their ability to train others was exceptional.

 

Hands down, the BEST course I've been on!

 

Sarah

(Mediation Training Delegate)


Stephen

(Mediation Training Delegate)

Thank you to Pete Colby and Charlotte McCourt from Pragmatism (UK) Ltd for the last 3 days, of possibly the best training I have ever been on! Understanding mediation to such a professional level has really opened my eyes on how companies can save significant disruption, costs and anxiety by taking a let's talk mediation approach! 

 

Truly a total eye opener, and some great learning on how sometimes you have to step out of the HR mindset to get the right thing done, reducing complexity and anxiety along the way. Totally blown away, and can't recommend these guys highly enough! Save yourself the pain, find out more about why mediation may get you back to productive performance quicker than other processes!

 

Well done to all of the cohort that made this such a fabulous programme, so much learning from all of you, thank you!


I'm sat waiting for my train home after another fantastic experience with Pete Colby and Charlotte McCourt at Pragmatism Mediation. I can honestly say that the 5 day mediation programme is the best training experience I have had in my career! I’m shattered but feel that I have accomplished something - that feels good.

 

I did the five days split into 3 days and then 2 days. I was fortunate to learn with two great groups of people who worked really well together, checked in on one another for support and who had no problem sharing personal vulnerability as well as ideas and information.

The discussions at the bar in the evening were equally as interesting and great light relief after a day of learning. Thank you Pete and Charlotte and the ‘Feb’ and ‘April Crew’ it was an absolute pleasure.

Nicola

(Mediation Training Delegate)


Stuart

(Mediation Training Delegate)

Quite honestly, the best course I have ever attended! I'd certainly encourage anyone thinking this over to invest, you'll have the pleasure of being trained by the best (Charlotte McCourt and Pete Colby) and meet some amazing people along the way. Plus, you may even get to try Pete's delicious Rocky Road - sorry Pete, it had to be said!



I can go on and on about Pete and Charlotte and the lessons I’ve learned having only just completed the 5 day course. Pragmatism is the perfect name for this company! Down to earth, they care about people and about keeping things simple - giving people their control back instead of continuing on with a formal process that rarely does anything other than upset everyone involved needlessly with one or other party still feeling aggrieved and ultimately costing the business a lot in time and money.

 

If you’re reading this review, then you’re already of the mindset that says you want a better way. A way that helps not hinders. A way that does get to the root of the problem and helps people to work it through to a mutually agreeable point while supporting them to really look at the cause of the issue. This course, be it 3 or 5 days will teach you so much that you will use both professionally and personally. You will meet fantastic like-minded people who you’ll learn valuable things from, you’ll receive training, coaching, support and advice that will prove invaluable.

 

Pete and Charlotte were truly amazing and gave me so much that thank you just doesn’t quite hit the mark. So stop procrastinating, stop wondering and worrying and get yourself booked. You won’t regret it, you may even start to wipe out that imposter inside who says you can’t do it - I know I have. Thank you Pete and Charlotte

Jody

(Mediation Training Delegate)


Anonymous

(Mediation Client)

I recently used Pragmatism Mediation for a complex ER Case. Derek and his team where fantastic, they were supportive and patient throughout the process and enabled us to move forward in a collective approach.

 


We had an ongoing site culture of grievance and counter grievance, a management team that had lost confidence and trust in each other following 20 years of organisation re-structures and numerous changes in management outsource service providers. 

 

Peter assimilated the detail and quantity of information very quickly and got straight to work on the mediation. He engaged with the colleagues involved and held 121 mediation meetings with them, before identifying requirements for pairs or threes within his mediation support, before achieving a group outcome mediation. The result was trust and buy-in to the external mediation process, working through historic issues, concerns, anger, resentment and hurt. The sceptical bought into and trusted his approach.

 

4 months on - we have the one collaborative team that we had hoped for, accountability and ownership with performance matters being dealt with informally at the appropriate level and a team that now are embarking on a development journey together as one leadership team. The past has been left in the past, and the weight and wasted energy invested in historic matters has been put to much better use. I highly recommend Peter's approach to mediation, with nowhere to hide but to address, resolve or agree to leave behind deep seated personal conflicts. A truly valuable skill set.

Richard Hind

(HR Professional)


Brian Mc Laughlin

(DuPont UK Limited,

Country HR Leader)

"I am happy to recommend Pete Colby, Director and Lead Mediator at Pragmatism (UK) Ltd.  Pete’s approach to addressing employee relations issues including his mediation service reflects the name of his organisation, pragmatic and results focused.  I found Pete approachable, capable and astute in knowing how best to secure a win-win outcome."  


 

"A truly brilliant end to end service offered by Pragmatism. Instilled a great sense of personalised service right from the start. My only regret was not engaging Pete and his team sooner. A note to my HR counterparts. Be brave; put the formal HR processes to one side and be confident in the mediation process. You won’t regret it!"

 

Stuart

(University of Salford)

 


Anita Scales

(Lead HR Business Partner)

"I used Pragmatism UK earlier this year to support with a complex ER case. Pete was professional, responded quickly to the needs of the business and provided excellent advice. It was a pleasure to work with Pragmatism UK and I would definitely recommend."


"I used Pragmatism, in particular Pete, to conduct a very complex disciplinary hearing for a client of mine, and he was excellent. You really do get as promised, his assistance is practical and is tailored to the client's needs. I will certainly be recommending Pete and Pragmatism in future."

Stacey Cox

(Lawyer)


Kirsty Hanberry

(Director)

"I cannot rate Pete Colby and Pragmatism Mediation more highly. Pete assisted our company in a high- level disciplinary hearing which was an extremely stressful situation for all involved. He was kind and patient with my employees involved in the process and took the time to understand both the nature of the business and the practicalities involved. Pete helped to both reduce stress and provide an extremely professional service throughout. He helped to make a very difficult situation that bit more bearable to deal with. Thank you Pete!"


"I've known Pete for almost ten years. During that time, he has dealt with a number of significant employee relations issues as well as some national level negotiations. Pete has managed these situations extremely professionally, ensuring buy-in and taking time to ensure understanding of all parties to achieve the right outcome for all concerned within reasonable time frames. Pete has a good working relationship with trade Unions which has been proven in different workplaces across the country."

Tony Tinley 
(Unite Regional Officer)


Hans Waltl

(President)

"We engaged Pete's services to help improve trust and communication throughout our Team and the result was beyond my wildest dreams. Pete's ability to improve openness in a safe environment was awesome. Can recommend highly enough."


"Pete is fantastic, reassuring and knowledgeable. He enabled me to be more focused and clearer about a difficult situation and to determine the next steps that are right for me."

Jessica Flack

(Individual Client)


Zoe M

(Individual Client)

"We used Pragmatism services to mediate a dispute between employees and we had a great experience. Peter has a way to get people to talk and to take the passion out of things that makes him an outstanding mediator!"


"I had need to call upon Pete's unique skills for a potential sticky situation in a long-established team. Not a team in a large business, relationships within it turning sour could have had a really negative impact. Pete took the time to understand the wider dynamics of what had gone wrong and from this was able to support them in planning a route back to a relationship that could be rebuilt on renewed trust and mutual respect.

I highly recommend any business in need of any form of mediation engaging with Pragmatism and Pete. It will definitely be an investment worth making. Not just for the longer term good but because it can decrease the risk of any financial impact employees not getting along can bring. Issues going unresolved negatively impact the peace and harmony of any workplace and allowing them to fester in the hope they will resolve themselves is not the way to manage this.

People who get along with each and work and always strive to work as a team are more productive all round and if you don't have this environment engaging with Pete is well worth the time and effort."

Alison Thompson

(Director)


Head of Academy Trust

"Pragmatism were recommended for a dispute I had that I never dreamt could be resolved. It was a tiring day, but we sorted all the issues and more. Incredible - thank you so much - you saved me a fortune in legal fees, and you’ve taken away my stress. Highly recommended!"


"I had the privilege of working with Pete during a significant period of change. Pete was tasked with negotiating and implementing the most radical and ground-breaking Modern Working Practices agreement ever achieved within Rolls-Royce.  Pete utilised his Lean / Sigma skills to ensure waste was removed from the process, keeping customer and business objectives at the forefront of his mind."

Mike Williams
(Executive Vice President)


Jon Johnson

(Managing Director)

"Pete is brilliant! top bloke and knows what he is talking about! better yet he actually cares about you and what happens as he treats it like his own."


"I found myself at a loss while going through a particularly trying time at work and personally. The service Pete provided was outstanding, nothing was too much trouble dealing with matters at any time of day or night. Many thanks for assisting in bringing the matter to a close."

Mark Bond

(Individual Client)


Russell Walsh
(Production Manager)

"Pete has the rare ability to be able to interact with people at all levels. He is a great listener and a great member of any team. He is a genuine person, not interested in the politics, what you see is what you get, and he never gets stressed as he has the ability to deal with all situations. I enjoyed my time working with Pete and owe him for helping me develop my style of management and for his constant support over the years."


"The industrial environment was highly challenging in terms of the demand for cultural change. Pete was at the heart of the drive for change and was able to use his excellent interpersonal skills to foster relationships with both unions and increase collaboration and performance. Pete is a highly competent leader but is also a down to earth guy whose characteristics are essential to any highly performing team."

Ian Tweddle
(Manufacturing Executive)


Alun Hughes 
(Executive Vice President)

"Pete is a no-nonsense, direct and straight forward professional who enjoys and embraces change - and gets it done!"


"Pete is a capable, engaging professional who is able to bring a number of stakeholders together to achieve a common goal. He brings calmness to difficult negotiations and works in a methodical manner, overcoming obstacles to achieve a consensual outcome. I found Pete to be supportive, non-judgemental and someone who considers all perspectives in steering conversations or negotiations to a mutual conclusion. Pete is one of those sorts of people who sees things through to the bitter end. A pleasure to work with."

Craig Maydew
(Global Health & Safety Manager)


Helen Harman
(Finance Director)

"Pete and I were colleagues within an executive leadership team.... he is commercially savvy. His excellent communication skills and tactful manner enabled him to build strong relationships with all of the executive team members and to influence us to work more effectively as a team. I always found Pete to be an empathetic listener who was never afraid to express his views and it was a pleasure working alongside him."


"Pete's great strength is the ability to communicate with multiple layers of the organisation and enable individuals and teams to understand complex issues to achieve great outcomes. He is a very trusted individual by both the trade union representatives and management teams to deliver pragmatic solutions to the complex problems faced in modern manufacturing."

Ian Williamson
(Manufacturing Executive)


Andy Braithwaite
(Head of Purchasing)

"I have worked with Pete over a number of years during which time he provided me with excellent support and guidance, in terms of supporting me in a management role and also providing me with some personal coaching. He is approachable at all times and quickly gets to the root of an issue and provides considered guidance based on his knowledge and experience. He operates with integrity and has my complete trust as a valued colleague."


"Pete is the consummate professional - pragmatic, honest and passionate for doing the right thing. I have particularly admired his work in Employee Relations where he has had great impact in establishing effective working relationships with our Trade Union community. He has extended this capability equally well into other relationships, notably senior leadership and shop floor leadership - making him a highly impactful business partner."

Richard Bateman
(Head of Talent)


Dave Anthony
(Senior Vice President)

"Pete always had a smile and was extremely helpful and supporting myself and the other Executives to resolve any people related issues. He is very proactive so as soon as he was made aware of any issue he was immediately "on to it" to ensure that it was resolved as soon as possible. I have to say that I really enjoyed working with Pete and I was saddened when a reorganisation resulted in him moving away to another business unit and it was certainly our loss, his replacement could certainly not live up to Pete's standards."


"Pete is a reliable, trustworthy and dedicated individual. He has a breadth of understanding and appreciation when it comes to managing and supporting large scale businesses with complex people challenges. Pete has built critical credibility and experience from his previous roles being a senior operational accountable leader in his past work experience. He is a genuine people person and builds effective relationships quickly and with ease. At the same time, he has the confidence and resilience to take hard decisions when required."

David Ayton
(Executive Vice President)



WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

If you'd like to know more about the services we offer, or you have a question, please don't hesitate to call or email us. Alternatively, complete the enquiry form opposite and we'll respond quickly.


  Pragmatism (UK) Ltd

     4 Cross Street

     Beeston

     Nottingham

     NG9 2NX


  0333 987 5185


  admin@pragmatism-uk.co.uk


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