PRD Partnership Limited

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Welcome to the page that tells you all you need to know about us, the PRD Partnership Limited. Here you will find a brief introduction to PRD personnel, our values here at PRD and some frequently asked questions (FAQs) that will answer some of the questions that you have. If you require further information please contact us via any of the methods shown on our Contact Us page.

The Team

Roger Croft - Director, Specialist in Strategy, Business Planning and Entrepreneurship

BSc (Transport, Distribution); PGCE; MBA (Entrepreneurship, business venturing)

Roger has started up and developed companies in South West England for more than 20 years. At present he works with the University of Bath, writing courses and tutoring for entrepreneurs and leadership in management. He also writes audience-specific courses for the university-sponsored Women in Enterprise series. He coordinates the SME programme Entrepreneurs South West.

As owner of Swift Consulting, he works with the Department of Trade and Industry as a mentor for its “Investigating Innovative Ideas” forum that assists entrepreneurs in diversified specialties bring products and services to market.

Roger is a Director of Devizes Development Partnership, Board member of Wiltshire Young Enterprise and former owner of a parcel delivery company. His areas of expertise include high technology, market research, strategy, innovation and financial modeling. Read Roger's blog Creative Destruction. Roger is PRD's subject expert for Strategy and Planning.

Derek Cheshire - Director, Specialist in Business Creativity and Innovation

BSc (Hons); MBA

A specialist in discovering creative and innovative solutions to businesses of all sizes and types, Derek has been owner of Creative Business Solutions for 4 years, specialising in developmental activities, managing Innovation, team building and cultural change. He focuses on the use of creativity as a business tool and the measurement of innovation.

Recent assignments include working with the South West Regional Development Agency to determine regional innovation strategy and numerous professional speaking engagements. He serves as Regional Chair of the Association of MBAs, a Prince’s Trust Mentor, and lectures on business topics at Cirencester College.

Derek has international experience, much of it with large companies. In 2005 he worked with a $100 million organisation in Mexico, which resulted in over 20 new products and services, a number of which are now in production. He has also worked for a variety of blue chip and start-up companies and is an experienced project manager. Past experience includes working for Logica, SERCo, Marconi and Motion Media Technology. Read Derek's blog Creativity and Innovation or visit creative4business.co.uk. Derek is our Creativity and Innovation expert.

Marc Braddock - Specialist in Leadership and Management

Previously an Assistant Director at the University of Bath, Marc was responsible for Business Skills within the Division for Lifelong Learning. Based at the University’s Swindon site he worked closely with tutors to deliver 5 successful and high profile European funded projects. One of these key projects was Leadership & Management training.

During his 3 years with the University he established a thriving Business Hub, a supportive and stimulating learning environment with a singular focus on practical business skills courses delivered by experienced and motivated tutors. The commitment of him and his team to women friendly business training was rewarded with PROWESS flagship status.

Marc brings to PRD a number of years of advanced training in Organisational Transactional Analysis (TA), Leadership and Management and Action Learning Set facilitation. In addition to his own track record in Leadership & Management in Higher Education, he also brings to his work for PRD a broad business experience in distributor management, coaching, training and course design, project management, product brand management, creating special interest groups and running small businesses.

Marc's vast experience has been accumulated over more than 15 years across diverse sectors such as agriculture, biotechnology, quarry machinery distribution and independent training. Marc is PRD's Leadership and Management expert.

Christine Hardisty - Specialist in Coaching, Mentoring and Organisational Development

BSc Hons (Psychology); MBA

Christine specialises in coaching and mentoring and developmental work with groups. She created and developed the first Entrepreneurship course at the University of Bath and then went on to develop and teach the Coaching and Mentoring programme.

As an external consultant with the University of Bath she established the Swindon Innovation Centre as part of the SETsquared project. Alongside this project she worked with colleagues across the universities of Bath, Bristol, Southampton and Surrey to develop education and training for entrepreneurship.

Christine’s career started in IT in the 1970s and she has thrived in novel change and development situations ever since. She progressed from the technical to the strategic and as Divisional IT manager she was a founding member of National Power’s International Division, undertaking a £2 billion international expansion programme. She established her own consulting business in 1996 and has handled international, IT-led change initiatives at Burmah Castrol and Bluebird Toys PLC.

Christine also worked with the Open University Business School on a range of projects. She was a founder lecturer for the masters-level Managing Knowledge elective and a critical reader for Managing Performance and Change. Christine is PRD's subject expert for Coaching and Mentoring.

Carl Wheatley, Expert in Visual Communications, Marketing and Business Development

Carl provides support in marketing campaign planning, research, promotions management and business development. He specialises in the planning, research, creation, management and delivery of design and marketing campaigns.

Carl’s area of expertise is in marketing for companies with technical or complex messages and audiences – IT, automotive, scientific and particularly animal and healthcare sectors. With the wealth of experience gained with his own company, Bridge Marketing Partners, he is able to assist in supporting the sales and marketing efforts of our clients. In particular he is able to relate marketing spend to risk and return on the bottom line.

Carl has many years commercial experience, including business-to-business design, retail branding and retail display. He has worked as account director of Kokoro Design, the design consultancy division of a large European design, marketing and PR group. Before this he was an account manager in the Carter Design Group, a top 10 retail display agency.

His achievements also include account direction and total management on a number of high profile business-to- business accounts at strategic, creative and production levels

Amanda Graham, Facilitator, Innovation and Development

BSc (Hons); MBA (Management Development)

Amanda, a qualified facilitator, has trained more than 80 Business Link Advisors in the DTI’s Support to Implement Best Business Practice and is a recognised facilitator with Promoting Innovation. She also has been a business coach, a role which resulted in 50 ideas entering the business start-up pipeline and in the launch of 5 new consultancy services at AEA Technology, which added £1 million to the company’s revenue, with a projected income of more than £10 million.

Amanda also has worked with the UK City Council and Henley Management College to develop a creativity-based way forward to improve performance of management teams. She has published in professional journals, including “Ideas in Reverse,” for the Institute of Management.

Amanda has facilitated numerous Creativity and Innovation sessions for universities, government agencies and private companies, including Napp Pharmaceuticals, British Telecom, and Ignite.

Amanda is owner of Quest Development, a consultancy that specializes in creativity, management development and management coaching.

 

Our Values

Simplicity

Extraordinary Service

Creativity & Innovation

Collaboration & Teamwork

Respect for Others

Balance of Life

Learning

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Mummy, can I have an ice cream?
   Nope ... next question.

2. What is the aim of PRD Partnership?
   To help organisations commercialise their ideas using a mix of traditional and creative techniques.

3. What are your core competencies?
   Creative thinking, innovation, strategy, marketing and leadership.

4. What kind of industries have you worked with?
   Telecommunications, software, technology development, manufacturing and transport to name a few.

5. How do we get to employ you?
   
   1. Telephone or email us using our contact details
   2. Tell us about your needs and desired outcomes
   3. Invite us to submit a proposal
   4. Review our proposal and say "yes"

6. Why did you start PRD Partnership?
   First of all, the founding directors were fascinated with the way in which creative techniques could be used to see business problems in a new way (and hence be solved in a new way). Secondly, they realised that by working together they could undertake a wider range of projects and demonstrate the innovative behaviour that they were trying to instill into their clients. Finally they were dismayed by the appalling service being delivered by many consultancy companies.

7. Old MacDonald had a farm, EEIEEIO - what is all that EIOing about and what has it got to do with farming?
   This was a top secret project for the hard pressed UK agricultural industry. For reasons of confidentiality the exact amount of EIOing cannot be divulged and it can be lethal in the wrong hands.

8. How many people in your organization?
   Currently three full time, plus 3 more in our inner sanctum. There are many more with whom we deal on a regular basis.

9. If the moon gets its light from the sun, where does the sun get its light from?
   The same place you do.

10. What differentiates you from your competition?
    Our clients tell us: a) We're more fun and engaging than our competitors; b) We are more responsive and more customer focused; c) The people you speak to on the phone or email will be the ones who do the work. d) Our work is more experiential, you get to actually DO something, not just listen to us. e) Our work is based on sound research, theory, and time-tested models, but our sessions are not top-heavy with "consultant-speak." Our processes, tools, and methods are accessible to all clients. f) We are nice people.

11. To what do you owe your success?
    Honesty, integrity, fascination for our work, flexibility, commitment to learning, teamwork, perseverance, gratitude, and sense of humour.

12. How well do you understand my specific industry?
    Enough to be able to make a difference. We have specific knowledge of some but not all industries. Many of our interventions are based on soft skills which transcend sector boundaries. We do not need to become experts in your particular field in order to have an impact, though we do make significant effort to understand the nuances and challenges of your industry and specific company culture.

13. What is your definition of innovation?
    "The ability to adapt, alter, or adjust that which already exists for the purpose of adding value." "Creativity in work clothes." There are plenty more definitions, have you got some?

14. What successes have you had?
    Many. See our case studies.

15. How much does it cost?
    First of all we need to know about your "it". We'd like to talk to you face to face rather than have an email dialogue but it's your call. Initial scoping does not cost anything. There are a number of variables that affect the pricing of our work. These include the actual time taken, customisation of any products used, materials and people employed. Once we know what you want we can provide you with a quotation very quickly.

16. What kind of results can we expect?
    Increased involvement and ownership of both your original issue (the "it") and the solution. Powerful new business growth ideas, development of the competencies of innovation, greatly enhanced teamwork, increased morale, renewed commitment, application of creative thinking tools and techniques on-the- job, and a beneficial effect on your company's overall culture as an entirely free side effect.

17. How can we measure these?
    There are several ways to do this: direct "Innovation Audits" using our Innovation Toolkit, post-session and post-visit evaluations, anecdotal feedback, and the tracking of new product, service and process ideas. The ultimate test is of course an improvement in your company's financial status.

18. We have very little time, how long does this take?
    Well, we can make a start in 60 minutes, but the whole process will take a little longer. Once we are clear about your needs, we will be very straight forward with you about what results you can expect in the time you have available. We cannot promise to turn you into a high performance car when you only have time for a visit to the car wash.

19. Can you train our trainers to train us?
    Yes. We can train them to run creative thinking sessions, Sticky Strategy workshops and many of our other sessions. Remember that some of the work we do simply will not work when run internally - it needs external stimulation. We do not quite know why, but it just seems to happen that way.

20. Why are you called PRD Partnership?
    How many people do you know who have joined together to start a company and have tried to combine their names, children's names and pet names to create something business like and meaningful? We gave up. The reason is much more simple. Read about our people and see if you can work it out. Alternatively, just come and ask.

21. I see you are based in Corsham, Wiltshire, UK
    Yes, thats because the founders live nearby and Hartham Park is a nice place too. We are lucky to have the M4 motorway close by which gives us easy access to anywhere between London and Cardiff. There are convenient train stations and airports too, so its easy for you to get to us and for us to get to you. If it sounds good, have a look.

22. What about follow-up?
    We offer our clients a number of follow up options: coaching and mentoring, Executive Coaching, advanced courses and of course a simple chat every now and then to satisfy both yourselves and us that everything is working as intended.

23. How can I convince my boss and/or colleagues that you are for real?
    Choose from the following: 1) Set up a face to face meeting; 2) Set up a conference call; 3) Invite them to talk with some of our clients; 4) Show them our client list and testimonials; 5) Tell us what their main concerns are and we will send you the appropriate materials to help address them.

24. Does your approach work with people from other countries?
    Yes, it does. We have worked with overseas organisations, but there may be cultural and language considerations. We will always take a serious look at such opportunities and help whenever we can.

25. Who will have the number one hit single this Christmas?
    This flies in the face of customer care, but do you really care? We are willing to look at other issues to do with markets and product development though.

26. What's the next big thing after the internet?
    The internet will be so big that there will not be room for anything else. We may not be here either.

27. Do you stay in expensive hotels?
    We'd like to but, it is not fair on you. We pass on reasonable expenses, fly Economy and stay away from the mini bar. Clients should get value for money and expect that most of what they pay is actually helping their business.

28. What's the funniest thing you've seen?
    Seeing a very large and menacing machine operator happily painting with finger paints.

29. What is the biggest obstacle to solving business problems?
    Mindsets - the baggage that people bring with them that causes them to say no to everything and 'yes but' when generating ideas. We also like to get on our soapbox and talk about Leaders who don't and Managers who can't (try that is). The "possible" and "impossible" are separated by a very thin line - we like to examine the boundary.

30. Have you written any books?
    Not paper versions. Derek has created the "YES You Can!" ebook series and there are several projects in the pipeline. Ask us again soon. We do have a number of free articles and guides that you can download from our website.

31. Can you send us your profile information?
    They're all on the website. Click here.

32. Can you send us a proposal?
    Absolutely. Usually within 48 hours after talking with you. Let's talk soon.

33. What do you think of PowerPoint?
    Useful, especially when putting people to sleep. Seriously, we use it in presentations but try not to overdo it. When possible we avoid it completely, then someone asks us "can we have the slides please?".

34. What kind of clients do you prefer?
    Committed clients who are thinking long-term and clients who like us (see also number 10 above).

35. Where is PRD Partnership going?
    More people, more learning, more help for businesses like yours. Then we'd like to create a few books and work somewhere warmer. Ultimately we would like to do such a good job that our clients will not need us anymore.

36. Men are from Mars, women are from Venus - do you agree?
    This is dangerous ground. There are differences of course, but the sort of divisions that are conjured up by this statement are more likely to exist in the boardroom where the Finance Director will be seen as coming from Mars. We can help with this too.

37. Do you travel internationally?
    Yes, but not as much as we'd like. We also find that some overseas cultures are more receptive to our approaches and methods.

38. How do you change a company's culture of innovation?
    You don't. There's corporate culture and organisational culture. The former is that decreed by the management, the latter grows organically according to the efforts of the management and the employees. Companies change their own culture, usually when it becomes urgent to do so. There are a lot of things we can do but ultimately the results will depend on the degree of commitment of both senior managers and employees.

39. Do you give discounts?
    Do you give discounts on something that you think is valuable? All of our interventions are individually priced according to your individual needs so the cost to you will not be the same as the cost to someone else. Everyone gets maximum value for their business.

40. What is shareholder value, really?
    It depends on what the shareholder values. In our experience most shareholders value money. But as they say, "Money can never buy happiness, it just makes you comfortable whilst you look for it."
    

41. Who said "Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana."
    Groucho Marx

42. Aren't ideas ten a penny?
    Yes they are, but your business does not need ordinary ideas. It needs original but realistic ideas with people championing them and committed to their implementation.

43. Can I call you a cab?
    Call us anything you like, its all part of getting to know our clients.
    

44. What do you think of Six Sigma (and other big words)?
    Over rated, but it does have value. The phrase that makes our hearts sink is a good idea that "gets referred to a Six Sigma committee". Too many people treat it like the Holy Grail. These people like to know at what rate the deck chairs on the Titanic are sliding into the ocean, but we would prefer not to be on the ship. We believe that seeing things from an alternative perspective helps companies avoid situations so that they do not have to spend huge amounts of effort digging themselves out of metaphorical holes.

45. Isn't innovation just a buzz word?
    All too often, it is. Sometimes, it's just a word in an (in)elegantly framed mission statement. But it shouldn't be that way. Behind that word lies a framework, support network, a cultural web, strategy and much more.

46. Do you have any cool modules, teambuilding processes or speakers that we can use for seminars and conferences?
    Yes, of course. We all speak on our specialist topics. Click here to see what we all do and then contact us.

47. I've just been given the task of organising a big event for my company. Can you come and give us some of your magic?
    In a word ..... yes.

48. Do your methods work with everyone?
    Yes they do. We meet many sceptics who are reluctant to try new ways of looking at their business issues, but after a short time (24 hours will do) they are championing the cause. Traditionally left-brained people (e.g. engineers, IT developers) are the best as they explore a whole new world.

49. How can I find out more?
    This website is full of information. We don't see how giving you more in electronic format will help. We strongly recommend that you talk with us face to face. To set up a meeting, contact us using the methods shown on this site. To receive regular information sign up for our museletter.

50. How much do you charge for seminars and keynote speeches?
    It depends on the location and topic, including how much preparation and the amount of time taken to get to your location. A good rule of thumb is £500 - £2000 plus expenses.

51. Do you speak for free?
    There is no such thing as free. We do speak without receiving a fee, however if we add value to your organisation, we would like a little in return. Candidates for this sort of arrangement are professional and business organisations..

52. Do alternative techniques and tools actually work?
    Yes, but only if you use them wisely, at the right time, in the right way, in the right frame of mind and applied to the right problem. A hammer is a good tool, but only if applied to nails and by someone who knows which end to hold. Also the word tool implies to some a sort of logic, that it can be applied systematically over and over again. Alas, this is not so and some intuition is always required.

53. How can we create better business strategies?
    
    1. Involve the right people (the word involve is important).
    2. Make sure you know what you are really about?
    3. Create a storyboard that will allow you to communicate your strategies effectively.
    4. Be ready to change your strategy. Those cast in stone will often fail.

54. What are terms for getting paid?
    We prefer 30 days but for longer projects we will negotiate staged payments according to the amount of work carried out at each milestone. We do take a dim view if people try to hoodwink us though.

55. Does anyone ever read these FAQs?
    You made it this far didn't you? If you get to the last question then you will have succeeded where others have failed. Doesn't that make you feel good?

56. Can you send me more information?
    You are asking again? Yes, we can, but the real question is why you want more information — and what kind? If it's to convince your boss (or other key stakeholders) that PRD PArtnership can really help your company, we're not sure that sending more information is the way to go. Perhaps a telephone or conference call is best or even a meeting. All the data and factsheets in the world may not be enough to convince someone to bring us to the table if they are not already interested in doing something different.

57. Do we have to do mindless teambuilding activities involving poles and water?
    Thankfully not. We do not know where to find enough poles. We use a range of techniques involving finger paints, play dough, Lego, drawing as well as more traditional audits and action plans.

58. Is this it?
    Yes, this is the end. If you have reached here then we would like to talk to you even if we cannot do business with you. You obviously have the same values and business ethics as we do.

 

Providing expertise and knowledge to businesses in Swindon, Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, the South West, M4 corridor and throughout the United Kingdom.
Areas of expertise:learning and development, business creativity, innovation, leadership and management, coaching, mentoring, business strategy and planning.
Products and services:workshops, seminars, consultancy, learning and development programmers, innovation programmes, innovation audit, TIFF, Johari Window, project management, action learning facilitation, market research, commercialising your ideas.