References

“Loved the interactive element of the talk, enjoyed talking to colleagues and exploring / reporting on our findings around the FCB culture. Also liked the concept of decay and how this can help to start fresh with new ideas and opinions. Nice one."

"Thank you so much for coming in yesterday. Really inspirational. Think my favourite part, was when you talked about having things in common with every single person in this world. Really hit home."

"Thoroughly enjoyed your visit to our agency and opening our eyes to diversity and putting labels on people before truly getting to know someone. It's okay to sometimes get this wrong, but try to do your best.”

• Various Team Members

“I have had the pleasure of knowing Philip in both a personal and professional capacity for the last 11 years. In recent times, I have contracted Philip to assist with the facilitation and delivery of a Disability Awareness training programme to an organisation involved in the public transport sector. The programme that Philip developed and expertly delivered was very well received and provided the learners with the relevant skills, confidence and competence to better enable those with impairments to utilise their services. Philips ability to engage his audience with humour, knowledge and professionalism is a credit to him. An engaging presenter who builds rapport very quickly and delivers a message with impact in a way that is suited to his target audience. His preparation, subject knowledge, witty sense of humour and presentation style makes him an asset to any organisation that utilises his services.”

• Tony Lewis, Director

“Once again, so many many thanks for your work with us at HDC on the DVD project. Thank you too for fronting last night – offering the clips as a ‘taster’ and introducing your humour and fun into the proceedings! I am thrilled with the outcome of the project.”

• Elizabeth Finn, Education Manager

“We have had a very long and strong working relationship with Philip and his organisation. With his natural ability to think outside the square, Philip always comes up with unique and innovative ideas. He gives great attention to details and can modify his material to suit any target audience. His professionalism, friendliness and a wicked sense of humour makes it really easy to work with him. Philip is truly diversity personified and working with him is always a pleasure and a privilege.”

• Hemant Thakkar, Education Manager

"Auckland Disability Law has contracted Philip as a consultant on an ongoing basis for the past three years. The great thing about having Philip on hand is that he's got the skills to help with whatever you need to do that month, from facilitating strategic planning and team building sessions, speaking at group workshops, providing comedy and entertainment at hui, or supervision on complex management issues. From helping us to plan our start-up, through launch of service, to developing long term goals, Philip has helped us to understand what we're doing and where we're going and to work out what to do about the potholes on the way. And he's the only person I've ever met who can make writing a business plan fun!”

• Nicola Owen, Manager

“Philip came to our workshop as a Guest presenter to help the participants picture ideal outcomes. It can be difficult to run workshops on such a serious subject without being depressing, but Philip facilitated with both humour and respect to the issue. We all had a good time and gained insight into the significance of having a bold vision. I went to Philip for some inspiration and motivation to do something about the things in my life I knew needed to change. In less than an hour Philip helped me cut this seemingly mammoth task down to a few simple steps. I can now be confident in articulately my priorities, and find better balance in life.”

• Andrea Ford, Founder

“Stretch Productions worked in partnership with Diversity New Zealand to produce a DVD for the Health and Disability Commissioner. Philip's expertise around a broad range of diversity issues was invaluable while on location. He was someone whom I could comfortably ask complex questions for clear advice prior to shoot. Furthermore, Philip has an excellent sense of humour, which made the whole crew and the participants feel comfortable on location. I would have no hesitation to work with Diversity New Zealand again in the future as Philip is a fabulous team player. ”

• Brent Macpherson, Managing Director

“Philip presented to and ran workshops for Year 12 students preparing to be 2014 leaders on Dynamic Leadership on 4th December 2013. A couple of weeks earlier he also ran a session on diversity for the senior staff team. The benefit EGGS students and staff received was getting to discuss ideas freely, being gently challenged, all with Philip's use of humour and practical wisdom. Philip was respectfully aware that change is gradual and needs to be done on multiple levels - however, not all change needs to be drastic. He allowed us to understand that staying open is the main change to bring to life/work. Philip also made us aware of what we might not be aware of. I enjoyed seeing both the students and my colleagues thinking and making sense of ideas and themselves in new ways. Philip's ability to move between presenting to older people and younger people, relating through his own personal stories, makes his style of working so valuable and unique.”

• Jeannie Grant, Head of Counselling

“I just wanted to thank you for the time you spent with us on Tuesday. It was a pleasure to hear your message, and for you to start the conversation with staff (which we hope to continue) about labelling and diversity. I have already referred to your presentation several times in the meetings that we have had since In Service on Tuesday. We have had excellent feedback from staff, who were all engaged with the way you spoke from the heart – it was much appreciated. All the best, and I hope to be able to catch up with you again in the future.”

• Desley Clarke, Human Resources Advisor

“Philip Patston demonstrates both high level of professionalism and innovation in his work. He has an ability to really get to the core of an issue and then to communicate that in an accessible and clear manner to a range of people. I have engaged him on a number of projects at Auckland City Council and have always enjoyed the experience and been highly impressed with the results of his work.”

• Minnie Baragwanath, Disability Advisor

“Philip offered a totally customizable workshop to our team, grasping the important factors that needed to be covered with minimal input into workshop design. An effective agent for change, challenging and provoking in the most gentle, humorous and effective manner. I could not recommend Philip higher and would not hesitate to use Philip again.”

• David Guest, Occupational Therapist

“Thank you for your facilitation of our Arts For All workshops. The participants rated you as “excellent” and “very engaging”. You were a pleasure to work with and we very much look forward to working with you again in the near future.”

• Marianne Taylor, Executive Director

"Philip's advice and support have been invaluable - he asks some tough questions that help us do better research. Postgraduate education is about learning new things and challenging old assumptions. Philip helps us do both.”

• Kath McPherson, Professor