What our Clients Say ...
Here is a sample of what clients who commissioned engagements with us recently had to say about our performance:
Dr Kim Cull, Chief Governance and Planning Officer at the University of New England on two recent collaborations between the Chancellor's Office and Trudeau & Associates, the first designed to investigate remuneration models for the University's Council members and the second to strengthen the Council's induction programme:
The University of New England engaged Mr Benoit Trudeau following a broad and comprehensive review of governance arrangements, and particularly those relating to its governing body, the University of New England Council. The Council determined, among other things, that it should investigate a comprehensive induction and professional development programme for its members.
Benoit has a sophisticated understanding of complex governance arrangements. His recommendations were sound and well conceived, and were informed by his experience in working across sectors. His final Report and his presentations to Council were well expressed, and provided the basis for sound practice. The Council will benefit, now and in the future, from the implementation of his findings.
The Managing Director of Blackthorn Resources, Scott Lowe, on a strategy review and development workshop conducted in collaboration with Trudeau & Associates in April 2010, at an important juncture in the Company's history:
Blackthorn Resources' recent strategy development workshop enabled our Board to spend time away from everyday business and engage in a deeper understanding of the challenges we face in today's global economic environment. Benoit did an excellent job facilitating this work; preparing a sound process that stimulated discussion and debate. The work inspired the Board to define our vision for the future and to pave a clear path for our commercial success. With Benoit's assistance we reached firm decisions and tangible outcomes. The workshop effectively delivered an innovative framework to achieve our business objectives. This strategic planning will help set us apart from our peers in the highly competitive resources market. Benoit is intelligent, articulate and very experienced in both the private and public sector. He shares his accrued business knowledge freely, but maintains the role of facilitator – keeping the group focused and drawing on the expertise and experience each member brings to the Board.
The New South Wales Treasury (Expenditure Review Directorate), on the work performed by Trudeau & Associates in developing a methodology for the review of the performance of State-Owned Corporation (SOC) Boards – a methodology since put in action in fourteen organisations:
"The objective of the SOC Board Reviews is to improve board performance to ensure that businesses are being managed efficiently and effectively. Board evaluations are critical because feedback on performance will enable the SOCs to continue to grow and improve.
The Board Review Methodology developed by Trudeau & Associates met all of NSW Treasury's requirements, and the accompanying information packs were comprehensive and well received by the SOC Chairs.
NSW Treasury was pleased that the reports were delivered on time and on budget, and that the consultancy was performed in a professional and cooperative manner."
Westpac Banking Corporation's Jason Millett, General Manager, Strategy, Execution & Transformation, in the Product & Operations Division, on a collaboration with Trudeau & Associates in regard to strategy development:
"Benoit assisted Westpac's Product & Operations team to develop its strategy around customer centricity and assisted with aspects of organisational design to allow optimal focus for this critical group. He provided a structured roadmap and approach to surface key strategic and business issues and facilitated, with deep domain content, a clear articulation of current state, future aspirations, priorities and executable roadmap.
Benoit provides a very, very detailed and comprehensive record of proceedings that has proven invaluable to further strategy development and consideration.
Benoit is extremely professional in his preparation and conduct of the delivery of his services; he ensures that comprehensive preparation enables best outcomes. He has a vast knowledge of business and experience across industries, which he is able to apply appropriately to support strategic conversations and, more importantly, arrive at actionable plans for future execution. Top qualities: Great results, Expert, High Integrity."
The Chairman of the Board of Landcom Corporation, William Kirkby-Jones AM, commenting on a review of the organisation's performance we carried out late in 2009 through a series of interviews with customers, business partners, local and state governments:
"Mr Trudeau takes great pains to understand the business before developing the methodology for his assignments. He is exceptionally well-received by those he interviews and by the directors, management and staff of Landcom. Mr Trudeau has an acutely analytical mind and presents his findings in a clear and concise format. At Landcom, we have used Trudeau & Associates to conduct a number of performance surveys – all with the objective of learning where opportunities exist to improve our performance. I have no hesitation in recommending Mr Trudeau's services, which have always been of an exceptionally high standard".
The Executive Director, Strategic Relations and Communications, NSW Department of Education, Mr Chris Ryan, on our review of the performance of the Executive and the development of a performance enhancement plan:
"Benoit used his vast experience in both the public and private sectors to work professionally with the Executive members on a range of complex governance issues. He showed appreciation of the challenges of managing one of the largest organisations in Australia with almost one quarter of the State budget. His proposed solutions were practical and useful. Importantly, they were customised to the Department's needs rather than generic ‘off-the-shelf' tools. The vast majority of his recommendations were adopted, are being implemented and have made a significant difference".
The General Manager of Millennium Mine, Peabody Energy (Australia), Mr Russell Taylor (now General Manager of Leighton's Asia's UHG Coal Project in Mongolia), on a review of business interruption risks at Millennium:
"I had previously utilised the services of Trudeau & Associates [for an identical purpose]. I had no reservations about engaging Benoit a second time and would do so again should the need arise in the future. The [review] process was very challenging, yet also very collaborative and good for team-building. Both process and output were of a very high standard. The outcome of the review was site-specific and valuable. The cost was as per the original quote and offered true value. The final report proved a very useful management tool".
The Managing Director of Landcom, Mr Sean O'Toole, on the running of the organisation's annual strategy review and development conference – a brief that Trudeau & Associates have fulfilled for almost a decade now:
"Mr Trudeau is a good facilitator. He is able to draw out participants' views and to maintain a sensible structure to the review process without unduly limiting participants' contributions. He is able to facilitate discussion on a broad front and then to distil the views into an agreed action plan. Because of his wide experience, Mr Trudeau is able (when he deems that it would be helpful) to make his own contributions to the debate. Trudeau & Associates have successfully facilitated many Board and Senior Management strategic planning workshops for Landcom."
