We have worked across the following sectors collectively: legal, banking, education, hospitality, technology, facilitation/training, retail, insurance, charities and publishing. We use this insight to find creative solutions for you.
Some of the clients we have trained and/or currently work with: TetraMap, EduMaxi, Pak ‘n Save, Post Haste, AMP, Mobil, Farro Fresh, Telfer Young Group, NZ Fire, Trade Me, Department of Internal Affairs, Unitec, Martin Brower, Mitre10, Council Taranaki, Powerco, Bright Star, Vector, Northtec, SOLGM, Various Entrepreneurial ventures, HSBC, Telecom, AAPNZ. The references (below) were sourced from our LinkedIn profiles:
Banking Sector:
Natalie and I worked together both when I was head of Mergers Acquisitions at Nedbank and also when I was running the retail division. Natalie was always well organised and super-efficient operationally while also being really good at managing the softer “relationship” areas in the bank to get things done
Rob Shuter, Group President and CEO MTN (Africa)
I worked on a few projects with Brett when he was with Amorphous New Media and I was a consultant to Nedbank in South Africa. He impressed me with his ability to define a solution for a client very rapidly, showing great understanding of the clients need and the technical architecture around the solution. I have no hesitation in recommending Brett in this capacity in any field. He really knows his stuff and I would love to work with him again.
Frank Klopper, CEO Weblife Infochannel
Change Management / Facilitation:
Natalie is an inspiration for those lucky enough to be the recipient of her training and facilitation sessions. I contracted Natalie to facilitate a critical meeting of senior executives and asked her to lead a leadership session to give them the courage to be able to make the hard decisions to take our business to the next level. I had no need to be nervous at all, she nailed it! Not only that but she won hearts and minds and assisted me to take the business to the next level i.e. she bought in to my vision and enthusiasm. So I’ve hired her again and will continue to do so to help me make those critical changes regarding mindset. She’s fabulous 🙂 nga mihi nui.
Wendy Rapana, International Credentialing Team Leader
Education Sector:
Natalie is a key asset to any team. Warm, smart and hard-working Natalie is driven to work in collaborative and supportive spaces. With a breadth of knowledge and the ability to apply her different experiences in a range of settings Natalie’s strength is in her diverse background. I would love to work with Natalie and her positive, student-centered ways again in the future.
Nikki Hurst, Finance Trainer NZ Parliament
I have had the pleasure of working with Natalie over the last 2 years in my capacity as Head of Bridging Education at Unitec. In 2017 she taught Critical Academic Skills in our Certificate of University Preparation (L4) program, and in 2018 she has been the lead for the 2 Business pathway courses in our NZCSP (L4) program, delivering the ‘Business Concepts and Communication’ course. Natalie has a warm and caring personality and brings enthusiasm to her work. She has a collaborative and inclusive working style and enjoys working creatively in teams. She is committed to the transformative power of education and, as a kind and passionate teacher, enjoys positive student feedback. Natalie is also an experienced curriculum designer and has built courses based on sound pedagogy and a deep understanding of the teaching and learning process. She is demonstrably skilled at monitoring and managing students in an applied learning tertiary context which strongly focuses on scaffolded skill-building and student employability. I would absolutely work with Natalie again, and recommend her highly.
Annemarie Meijnen, HOD Student Success and Employability at Otago Polytechnic Auckland International Campus
Intensive Literacy and Numeracy Workplace Programs:
I took part in a Communication and Customer Service training course ran by MaxQ. I found Natalie and Brett Baker to be very successful mentors. They maintained a professional fashion throughout the duration of the course but engaged the participants in a relaxed and enjoyable custom. They were able to connect with myself and the other participants on a realistic level which gave them (and the course) authenticity and credibility.
Manager, Pak n Save Silverdale, NZ
Natalie is the ultimate professional. We engaged Natalie as a consultant to our business and she customised a 10 week training program to suit the needs of our business. Natalie was full of energy and truly passionate about the work she delivers. The training delivered was done so with a great knowledge and enthusiasm. I would definitely recommend Natalie.
Helen Alderson, People and Capability Manager, K-Mart
Life Coaching:
Our life coaching program supports individuals to review bad habits, set new goals and live a life of purpose.
Literally our medicine for EVERYTHING! So much support in every area – work and personal life! Love love love MaxQ!
Post Haste Call Centre Agent, Dreyan Tiumalu
Natalie has done a fantastic job of being an amazing, effective, yet different academic supervisor. She’s an excellent supervisor who has always guided me and I must say her advice really helped me throughout the internship. Her motivation helped me well to build confidence and let this IBL process go smoothly. Her enthusiasm makes really a great difference. She genuinely showed concern and interest in me because of which I got a merit pass in my internship. She’s a STAR!
Mitali Ved, Assistant Accountant, Spotlight Reporting NZ
Masterclasses:
I was lucky to work closely with Natalie, when I was with the team at Bright*Star training. Natalie is a proven specialist in facilitation and coaching. I worked with Natalie on both public and in-house training courses, where Natalie regularly received 5 stars from her participants – largely due to her adaptive style and dedicated manner. She demonstrated sincere dedication and passion in empowering and coaching her trainees. Natalie has the ability to relate quickly with people and communicate difficult topics in a simple manner. I would highly recommend Natalie as a facilitator.
Stacey Hutt, Chairperson at Lamp Inc, Mental Health Service
Natalie has Chaired and participated as a speaker at many of our Bright*Star EA/PA events. She is an exceptional speaker and delegates do not get tired of seeing her, as Natalie is constantly refreshing her content and making sure her presentations are targeted. Her delivery is also engaging, as she uses her past experience to connect with the audience and to provide practical advice. Natalie’s presentations stand out because they are interactive, thought provoking and informative. I have no hesitation in recommending Nat.
Business Development Manager, Carolina Bernal
Public Sector:
We recently contracted Natalie at the Fire Service to undertake ‘Chairing Meetings’ training for our management team. The response from the 14 that took part provided excellent feedback on this day session. More importantly, many of the tools Natalie provided to this group are still being utilised in our organisation. Natalie is an engaging and effective facilitator that I would highly recommend.
Rebecca Scott, Planning and Performance Manager NZ Fire
Project Management:
Brett handled our complex e-commerce project very professionally, insisting on clearly defined milestones, as well as being realistic but flexible with time frames. Actually, he saved our bacon.
Jon Brett, Director (retired), TetraMap Internationl
Brett Baker is one of the most competent and effective project managers we have come across in our 25 years of business. Brett Baker’s technical expertise, strategic and commercial acumen and exceptional communication skills has proven the difference. We would have no hesitation in recommending Brett to any organisation that is looking to increase their use of technology as a strategic enabler or realise better outcomes from their technical assets.
Craig Steele, Principal Steel Performance Systems (https://steel-ps.com/about)
Technology:
Brett Baker from MaxQ is significantly more than an IT contractor. His range of skills are expansive and creative. He is a valued part of our team because he takes time and care to understand the business and client relationships. Brett constantly offers proactive suggestions as to how technology can help us provide more value for our clients and I’d say he is pretty unique in that regard.
Louise Duncan, Managing Director Tetramap
Brett helped to develop an educational website for our programme China Bites and we are very happy with his excellent service and his professional attitude. He not only understood our project well by effective communication, but also kept us well informed at every stage of the development of the project.
Michael Li, Massey University
Brett developed a website for my business. I approached him with a general idea of what I needed for both my branding and my website. Brett really listened to me and took my basic idea and developed it into a workable and professional website. He has been extremely patient and I appreciate that he has taught me to manage my own website through this process – he did not simply give me a completed website, but rather enabled me to have a website that is a fluid and dynamic tool for my business as it grows
Cherice Baker, Naturopath NZ
Brett has a great understanding of workflow and its automation through the use of smart tools. In addition, he is very adept at solving complex problems. He is very good at ensuing the workflow and product rules do not create a negative user or customer experience when using the applications. Brett’s documented output is always of a high quality.
Murray Lilley, Konnect Net Limited
Brett Baker is one of the keenest minds I have had the pleasure to work with. He is a talented manager, an intellect and production powerhouse. I would re-employ him in a nanosecond.
CEO, Amorphous, South Africa