Clients

"The feedback from the team at Boots after Steve Smith spoke at our communications event was overwhelmingly positive. Steve is a very engaging speaker and has a fantastic ability to draw parallels between his experiences as a top class athlete and the challenges of the commercial world. He was able to inspire a diverse (and sometimes cynical) cross section of people with everybody coming away from the event feeling energised and motivated. I'm now looking at opportunities to work with Raise the Bar in the future building on the fantastic success of this initial event"

Head of Technical and Consumer Evaluation

There are a number of things that, in my view, set Raise the Bar apart from most other Leadership, Performance and People Development companies: • The team's total commitment to understanding the business; it's structure, culture, processes, priorities, performance and people, before the work even starts. • Using sport as the inspirational learning model, had worked superbly for delegates - whether they are interested in sport or not. Everyone has found the analogies and the practical techniques employed by top sports people, totally relevant to their own jobs. • The debrief and feedback sessions demonstrate to me the Raise the Bar team's commitment to actually making a difference, and improving bottom-line performance"

Sales & Marketing Director - TMB

"Over the last 2 years Raise The Bar has been instrumental in key parts of our sales, income, customer experience and Premium Banking successes. We have outstripped both internal and external benchmarks and you have played a major part. You have all been outstanding executive coaches."

Regional Managing Director - NatWest Retail Banking

The teambuilding arranged by Raise the Bar has helped the Unilever IT team take a leap forward in unity and strength. The team has been helped to appreciate one another's diverse strengths and personal leadership abilities. They have moved to a deeper level of understanding, personal respect and openness has also been founded within the team too. The impact of the sailing trip could really be felt on returning to the office, where team members continue to share and relive the adventure, creating a natural burst of energy to individuals and a bond within the team from sharing the experience together. "The great thing about our sailing teambuilding was that it was genuine and not artificially induced like being in a hotel conference room. The whole team grew through facing real challenges, some personal and some team based. They had to work through practicalities of sailing and had to hit objectives that were only achievable through supporting one another together as a team". At an individual level, the experience has also meant that many people in the team have had the opportunity to face their fears, do something they have never done before and would not normally do. It has instilled self-confidence in many in the team as a result.

VICE PRESIDENT - Unilever IT Global Services (Europe)

"This is now our second year working with Raise The Bar and I believe we have built a strong long term relationship. What constantly impresses me is the passion Steve, Jonathan and the team have and their genuine desire to see your people grow and develop as a result of the events they run." Kick Off meeting 2007: "The Raise The Bar session was the highlight of our 2007 Kick-Off Event. The team worked with us leading up to the event to ensure that the entire programme had maximum impact. The team brought fun and energy to their session without ever losing the business purpose and focus. The output from their session will help inform our plans and strategy over the next four years."

Customer Solutions Learning and Development Manager

"Steve Smith was an engaging and inspiring presenter for everyone in Abbey Premium Banking regardless of age or gender. Additionally the approach used by Raise The Bar provides direction and follow up and has proved to be a catalyst for personal and business change."

Managing Director Abbey Premium & Specialist Distribution

"Looking back over my goals both personal and business I am really pleased to say that I have been able to tick off 4 of my personal goals and 3 of my business goals. I am really pleased with this as it has only been just over two months since we met."

Delegate Lloyds TSB Asset Finance

"Thank you for your excellent presentation. Your professional experience and the way in which you shared your ideas and beliefs was extremely rewarding. The feedback from the candidates was very positive."

FA Head of Coaching

"We would like to pass on our thanks to the whole Raise The Bar team for delivering a fantastic and inspiring presentation. The feedback we have received has been superb and we feel that your presentation has really motivated staff, providing them with the tools and techniques to succeed in any chosen goal they have."

Events Manager Lloyds TSB

"Raise The Bar entered a new industry working with Talisman; with research and discussions They quickly became familiar with our industry, goals and needs. Steve presented a thought provoking and inspirational session that closely related to our own focus areas. The session was not only motivational; it was practical, providing us with real tools to better focus our energy. It was the talk of the office the next day!"

Ian Hudson, Talisman Energy (UK) Ltd

"I want to thank you for joining me and my team of managers. I certainly enjoyed the presentation as, I know, did the team. From the presentations they gave later that day, it has certainly given them all some food for thought."

Head of RBS Private Banking

"Using the Raise The Bar team has been a great investment for us and we are expecting exciting results."

Head of Lombard Operations

"Raise The Bar worked with both our management team and a number of our key stakeholders. Their dynamic and inspirational style challenged and enthused our people to Raise The Bar. They always delivered fantastic and motivational sessions and we are definitely going to work with them again."

Managing Director, Bradford & Bingley International