... for organisations
New horizons for your charity, community and voluntary work
Our sector
The volunteers and senior paid staff I work with are involved with running voluntary, community and charitable organisations. Often they are people who come to this sector bringing passion and a wealth of skills & experience from their professional work in other sectors.
It can take over a year to work out how things happen. People who are not sure can hold back from contributing their talents - often because they respect the work of their organisation and they don't want to get it wrong. If that's one year of a three year role, we're wasting valuable opportunities!
Our sector is challenging and the joy of those challenges is why we do what we do. But then there's the flip side - the sheer graft required to get things done. That's what I'm here for - to bring perspective and additional skills & knowledge so that you can deploy your energies on the challenges that fire your passions and deliver the most benefit from your work.
I'm Alison Randle
I'm an alternative thinker and generous encourager; a lifelong learner, always keen to explore the art of the possible.
For me, fulfilment is seeing others thrive
I set up Smart Prospects in 2001 and offer training & coaching for people and research & consultancy for organisations.
The people I work with are passionate about why they do what they do, but often frustrated by the time hungry nature of organisational admin. Our work together usually begins when there is a problem to solve or a project to deliver - a humpback bridge that needs to be navigated.
I help people like you get over the bridge, and travelling along your road again; contributing with confidence and better able to face future obstacles.
What sort of support do you need right now?
New to the sector
Orientation: despite having a wealth of experience in another sector it often takes a while to really understand the different values and nature of this sector. What do you need to get you off to a flying start, making a difference to your new organisation?
Established in sector
You're an old hand with a specific set of challenges. Or perhaps you have a dinosaur of a conundrum you would really like to tackle? Is it the daily 'stuff' or the timing that never seems to synchronise? Perhaps some external perspective would help?
Strategic perspective
You are probably well established in the sector. Is it time to stand back and take a strategic view? Or perhaps you have been running a program for a while and need to monitor and evaluate before you make your next set of moves?
Over the years, I have developed and delivered a wide range of training modules with supporting materials. These can be tailored to suit your needs with delivery in person, or virtually
Do you need some personal development? Or perhaps you just need to talk through a scenario or develop a personal strategic plan to manage a challenging period of work - let me help you to believe you can achieve so that you can contribute with confidence
What has brought you here today - what do you need help to solve right now?
I listen, then discuss potential solutions with you and we agree a bespoke work programme
What do you need to find out in order to inform your decision making? I can carry out research as well as work with you to design surveys, questionnaires and other research tools for your organisation
"I've known Alison a long time so can speak to her depth, insight and general warmth as a person. Recently I've had the privilege of being coached by Alison as I start my charity consultancy business. She has real excitement for drawing out key themes, passions and ideas. She understands people. She connects the dots between people's thoughts, their subconscious thoughts, client behaviour, books that can help, methodologies that can help, people that can help. She also understands the issues women face in the workplace.
Alison has a passion for making systems, such as the Third Sector as a whole, work better.
My confidence has grown, I've gained some key understanding, and have greater motivation.
I recommend seeing Alison for coaching and/or for consulting to help your organisation - she clearly has solid expertise in the areas she consults in such as Systems Thinking, professional relationships and networks.
Alison is full of ideas and recommendations. If you're stuck about where to go next, she will help you find your way."
Beth Manship
"Alison has a wealth of knowledge and useful contacts in the charity sector.
Within a few minutes of talking through the issues with me, she was able to unravel complex structures and show me exactly what we needed. Her '100 reasons' technique was really useful to help the committee start to explore the reasons our organisation needs to exist.
Alison is friendly, approachable, generous and really knows her stuff - if you want to get a new organisation running or need to fine-tune your trustee practices, I wouldn't hesitate in recommending her! "
Ann Charles
"Alison visited to advise our team on CASC status and various other aspects of club development in our rural setting. I found her approach very refreshing. She listened sensitively to the background information presented to her, and helped us to understand the regulatory context and environment that any potential changes would involve. She was candid and clear, which meant that the best course of action was quickly agreed upon. She was adept at handling questions and challenges which came up from us during the visit. I felt that she would be well placed to help us pursue to completion whichever course of action we decided on. Highly recommended."
Sarah Platt