The Windmills team were delighted to meet friends old and new for our annual conference, held in the stunning setting of the Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool.
Professionals from a wide range of companies and organisations such as Merseyside Police, O2 and William Hill came together in November to discuss the problems facing today’s HR and L&D sectors.
Issues raised included dealing with change management, outplacement support, empowering employees and how overcoming obstacles, while guest speakers included John Lees, author of ‘How to Get a Job You’ll Love’, as well as long-standing Windmills friend and career coach Brian McIvor.
Helen Wakefield, Co-Director of Windmills said: “It was great to see so many familiar faces at the Conference, and we spent a fantastic day working with each other to try and bring new solutions to common problems.
“It was also an opportunity to remind people to take a look at their own lives, and to check that they were living the very best lives they possibly could. I think many of our delegates were surprised what they found when they took a step back and re-assessed.”
Our guests seemed equally delighted, and we were overwhelmed by the positive comments. Here’s what they said:
Ruth Lawton from Birmingham City University said: “The Windmills 2011 conference really helped me to look at how we as an industry operate in a fresh, new way. The current economic climate means we’re in an ever-changing environment, and by choosing to adapt in a positive way we can embrace the changes and make them work for us instead of against us.”
“I think it is exciting, it is fresh, it is different, and I think it is inspiring.”
Annette Fleet, Talent Equation
“The Windmills team are wonderful, professional and supportive and the activities are really fun and interactive. You feel as though people really listen and care about you.”
Emma Weston, Birkdale High School
“I think Windmills have very practicable and valuable resources which resonate with me and I have confidence in being able to use them with the people I work with.”
Claire Jones, Senior Careers Advisor, University of Nottingham
“I went on the No Regrets programme which was excellent from the personal self awareness and resource side and also for the organisation in helping it move through change.”
Barbara Stafford-Cairns, Business Design Officer, Shropshire Council
“I have worked with Windmills for two to three years now. The models are so good and the number of times I have explained WLPG in the pub with people has been great. It has been very powerful.”
Joy Addinsell, Managing Director, Enterprise Advisor Service Northwest
“I think Windmills is a fresh thinking organisation, and it does practice what it preaches. It is exciting that there is an organisation that is thinking about things in the way I was thinking about things.”
David Harris, Head of HR Operations, Merseyside Police
“To me, Windmills works because it makes learning fun and helps me feel I can take risks in a safe way. It gives you confidence that you can take risks and feel safe. It is a potent formula for success.”
Pauline McDonald, Head of Careers and Employability, Swansea University
“Windmills gives people space and the opportunity to think about themselves and what they want in what may otherwise be incredibly difficult lives.”
Anna Tayler, Careers Consultant, University of Salford
