Helen attended our ‘One Step Beyond’ Full Day workshop in April 2007.

She was extremely unhappy with her management job with the local council and her work life balance and it was clearly affecting her whole outlook on life. Her role was also under the threat of redundancy due to restructuring but Helen could not see a way forward so came to our 'One Step Beyond ' Full Day Workshop to help find inspiration and focus.

“I had always felt that being a Matron was my ideal job and that I was qualified to further my NHS career and step into the role. After 2 unsuccessful attempts I was feeling demoralised and unsure whether I was following the right career path so decided to attend the SMP ‘One Step Beyond’ Evening Workshop.

Veronica’s situation was typical of many SMP clients. Unfulfilled, frustrated and not realising her true potential, due to the lack of opportunities with her employer.

 I had a good job as a senior HR Manager and had influenced and managed significant change in the company over the 7 years I was in situ. However, I was bored and increasingly frustrated at the way the company was operating. I was stuck in a classic career rut and could not see a way out, especially as I was firing blanks with my job applications.  

I decided to contact Steve, who I knew had an excellent reputation for his success in helping people move forward with their careers.

“I had been searching for the right opportunity for 18 months which can make it quite difficult to stay positive but what really worked as the catalyst for me was the SMP Solutions Career Transition Masterclass.

The trouble with finding your ideal role is that it takes time and effort, we all want to just step into a new job or career path but it just doesn't work like that. If you do nothing else don't stop searching and don't stop investing in yourself. 

"Steve helped me to move through all that was holding me back from leaving Mars after 22 years to set up on my own doing something which would make me happy, give me with a better work life balance and also provide more money!

I was at the crossroads in my career and getting increasingly disillusioned with my employer, so in desperation I agreed to invest over £3,000 with another well known career management consultancy. They promised much and months later they had delivered little.

Having struggled previously, I found the programme very helpful in exploring and 'pinning down' my skills and interests and this has given me greater insight into what I want from a job/career. It has been helpful listening to the experiences of others.

I have decided for now to focus my efforts on looking for new roles similar to the one I currently hold but give me the opportunity for greater learning and to move into training others.

“Following a successful 15-year career in publishing, I experienced a slow and painfully long redundancy in 2006. Redeployment to an internal vacancy propelled me into the new area of volunteering on a temporary contract.

At the end of the contract I decided to make the break and follow through with a long held idea for a sabbatical, volunteering for a year in Ghana.

I have always had a dream that one day I would work for myself and run a successful business. Two and a half years ago I decided that I would try and turn that dream into a reality.

I came to UK 4 years ago with my main goal to study here and then find a professional job related to my degree in Economics. Having only one degree from Latvia, I found it impossible to find work in my chosen field in the financial sector due to my lack of experience and qualifications and English not being my first language.

“Following the darkest year of my life where my career and personal life were in tatters, I contacted Steve Preston, a former boss of mine, who had been very influential earlier in my career.

"Having had a previously successful management career, I then experienced the two most difficult years of my life that had left me with little confidence, outlook or sense of direction. It was around this time I met Steve, as I clearly needed help to move me forward.

“Having worked within the same industry for the last 20 years, not only was I feeling totally demoralised by the changes that had occurred, I felt completely trapped.

‘I’ve achieved realisation that I can do what I want to do. There is no limit to my possibilities and what I can achieve. My goals and future are limitless!

“Steve initially mentored me post redundancy and was the only person who understood my work-life balance requirements.

“Steve runs an excellent business offering including a career workshop that concentrates on exploring client’s skills, attributes, interests and passions to establish their true self and marketability.

“With the ever changing market situation and the dynamics of business, I have used SMP Solutions to help move my business and career 'One Step Beyond'.

I have been most impressed by the professionalism, integrity and ethos of the company. I have benefitted greatly from the workshops I have undertaken and the coaching, guidance and advice of owner Steve Preston.