Testimonials

What Companies Have Said

"Brenda has been available for some of our vacation relief needs. Each time she's been with us, she seamlessly became a 'part of the family' and offered so much. She's even been a part of our staff meetings---very engaged and provided added value to our conversations. I get excited when I know Brenda is returning to our office to help us out. I think she's precious and priceless!" Service Category & Hired as a: Freelance Facilitator/Trainer, Year first hired: 2009 (hired more than once), Top Qualities: "Personable, Expert, High Integrity". ~ Marion Tansey, Program Manager at MCC BC COMPASS

"Brenda has provided us with professional career development services for over 4 years. She is planful, reliable and prepared. When she facilitates for us, the job gets done with enthusiasm!" Service Category: Freelance Facilitator/Trainer. Hired as a: (Freelance) Career Coach. Year first hired: 2006 (hired more than once). Top qualities: "Personable, Good Value, High Integrity." ~ Tricia Bowler, MCC BC Employment Essentials-Vancouver

"I have gotten to know Brenda and I extremely thankful. While working on a class project I contacted Brenda asking if we could sit down for an informational interview and from that point on she has played a huge role in getting my career started on the right track. She is aware of current trends and knows how to put them into practise. She is a ton of fun and brings that into everything she does. She allows clients to think for themselves, empowering them to move forward on their own. And most of all, Brenda has the ability to make those around her feel that they are part of the team no matter what role they play. I have no hesitation recommending Brenda. She brings so much to the table and will be a valuable asset to any organization she comes in contact with" ~ Brandon Gorin, Owner and Facilitator, Inspired Options Coaching

"I have had the good fortune to work with Brenda at several facilities, including The Learning Curve, Sprott Shaw Community College, and currently The Career Coaching Centre, where Brenda contracts as a Life Coach. Brenda is an energetic and focused presenter who makes the connection with the students. Her perception skills are accurate. She is reliable and timely, and her delivery is consistently top notch. I would have no hesitation in recommending Brenda." ~ Norma Watt, Project Manager, The Career Coaching Centre-BC Tourism Direct

"Thank you Brenda for an excellent day. I look forward to the next workshop that I hope you will present to us." Marlene Friesen, Director, Langley College (Re: Personal Style Indicator workshop for faculty.)

"I can't recommend Brenda highly enough. She is such a valuable resource to our weekly internet radio show: Career Success Radio. She is a constant contributor and now a part of our Career Success Radio Expert Panel. I would thoroughly recommend Brenda as an absolute leader in her field." Keith Keller, Career Success Radio Co-Host and Career Change Coach, Melbourne, Australia

"Brenda was hired to coordinate a 'Life Skills' training program. She was organized, a phenomenal facilitator, inspiring and practical. Top qualities: Great results, personable, creative." Lani Johnson, Building Opportunities with Business (partner with Tradeworks Training Society, referring to C.O.R.E. program), Vancouver, BC

"Brenda is a very professional speaker and author and definitely knows her stuff. I would recommend her to my clients any day." Richard Willems, CEO, Business Circle Network, Richmond, BC

"Was one of the best presentations of this type I have attended... Brenda Blackburn defined the role of "facilitator". The presentation was informative. Participants shared their experiences and ideas, regardless of employer or trade, contributing greatly to the value of the session. The participants were engaged, purposeful and (a) thoughtful group--the kind every trainer hopes for and a credit to Brenda as a facilitator." (Re: workshop "Keys to Effective Leadership"), Presentation Evaluator, Christian Labour Association of Canada, Langley, BC

"What a great day! I had lots of positive feedback! A pleasure to work with you again--you're so prepared!" Will Watson, Matcon Excavation and Shoring Ltd., Vancouver, BC"

“Brenda's enthusiasm and motivated approach inspire everyone around. Her smile and encouraging warmth often set the tone for the whole class. She gives full effort to everything she does, focusing intently of the task at hand in the present moment. She is articulate, personable and professional.”

“Her enthusiasm is contagious and consistently cultivates a positive attitude.”

“She has a natural gift for relating, teaching, and speaking… Brenda has also demonstrated considerable initiative and enthusiasm in all aspects of her professional life. Perhaps the most telling comment I could make is that she “practices what she preaches” in regards to Life Skills.”

“With a high level of energy and enthusiasm, Brenda is able to captivate the attention of her audiences and her creativity allows her to create fun and experiential activities for her clients, both young and old. She demonstrates a natural ability to motivate others and as a leader, Brenda's approach is admirable.”

“The feedback we received from the clients was totally incredible. Brenda moved mountains many times with difficult clients, and was able to do her job with compassion, empathy and a very professional attitude.”

“Brenda is an excellent facilitator – she not only covers content and is well prepared but she excels at the interaction, drawing from her experiences to illustrate points. Clients respond well to her non-stilted approach. Great client rating. Brenda is welcoming, professional and always “on”. She builds rapport right from the orientation and has a natural ability to reconnect with clients and personalizes the service. Great proactive attitude! Very flexible. A high level of professionalism has always been displayed.”

“Brenda is empathic towards clients and often has innovative and creative solutions that clients can immediately identify with and are able to embrace as their own ideas. (She) not only portrays a strong, positive self-image, but also manages to share the same positive attitude with her clients enabling them to reach their individual goals. Brenda facilitates meaningful and successful learning experiences. (She) is a confident public speaker and always maintains a professional image. She is highly organized in her coordination of the curriculum and overall program. Brenda is exceptionally resourceful in choosing group activities to incorporate learning and fun!”

“An ability to perform at a quality level in each of (her) roles simultaneously speaks to her energy, organization, communication skills, and enthusiasm as a person. Moreover, as a professional leader, staff felt confident in Brenda's practical abilities to strategically outline and achieve benchmarks and goals. All the while, our clients regularly appreciated her care, assertive direction, ability to motivate, zest for life and creativity.”

“Brenda brings…a certain level of energy that clients and staff respond well to. She is an innovative self-starter, who handles pressure well, and will voluntarily go the extra mile to ensure the job is done correctly and professionally.”

“Brenda's vitality inspires our oft-reluctant clientele to motivate themselves toward success.”

“Brenda works with tirelessly with energy and enthusiasm. She is one of the rare few who are strong in every aspect of the job. She has a special talent in connecting with her clients and inspiring them to believe in themselves and their ability to make a contribution to the community. I was truly amazed at her clients' personal transformations. This is even more impressive when you consider that her clients are extremely multi-barriered. Her program has proven so popular and successful that clients are referring their friends to this (mandated) program.”

What Participants Have Said (Identities withheld for client confidentiality)

"I wanted to thank you and let you know how much I enjoyed your 3 days of training (in) the Career Coaching Centre's BC Tourism Direct Program. You made it fun, exciting and enjoyable, but mostly you were truly inspiring, enthusiastic and genuine and certainly got me to think and look at things differently. Thank you for sharing your gifts with me. I certainly appreciated it." (Re: Personality Dimensions workshop, Values and Skills workshop, and Communications workshop.)

"You are wonderful at what you do!" ~ Personality Dimensions workshop participant

"I appreciated your warm and engaging style - the ability to quickly connect with the group. I found everything so valuable! Thank you." ~ Personal Style Indicator workshop participant

"...you're very good at what you do." ~ Personality Dimensions workshop participant

"You delivered every aspect of your presentation excellently!" ~ Personality Dimensions workshop participant

"Excellent - informative - well done. Very useful." ~ Personal Style Indicator workshop participant

"You are a fantastic facilitator." ~ Personality Dimensions workshop participant

"Lots of fun! I wish I knew about this class 5 years ago." ~ Personality Dimensions workshop participant

"Appreciate Brenda's knowledge/background of her topic, interactive presentation and sense of humour." ~ Personal Style Indicator workshop participant

"Thanks a lot! You help(ed) me to understand a lot of things about me." ~ Personality Dimensions workshop participant

"Enjoyed the energy and fun nature you brought to the day." ~ Personal Style Indicator workshop participant

"You've done a great job. Very helpful and interesting. Thank you..." ~ Personality Dimensions workshop participant

"I would recommend this to others. Thanks!!" ~ Personal Style Indicator workshop participant

"'Par excellent.' You are a good teacher." ~ Personality Dimensions workshop participant

"All was very useful! Very self-reflective! Good handouts - excellent resources. Excellent workshop. Also good time to connect with other staff. Thank you so much!" ~ Personal Style Indicator workshop participant

"You are very good and nice to all different countries' people, especially to the ESL students, you make us feel comfortable, respected." ~ Personality Dimensions workshop participant

"She's (Brenda's) a good example of the current needed employee. She IS what she is teaching."

"Inspirational - life changing. Thanks!"

"Brenda is truly a motivator. I haven't felt this motivated or good about myself in 8 months."

"Very cheerful personality that makes you feel at ease at once."

"Inspirational!!! Energetic!!! Wonderful!!!"

"The instructor not only is professionally excellent - she teaches majorly with/from her heart."

"Very pleasant, bubbly, vivacious, and a real pro."

"Good job! Positive attitude, showed a lot of enthusiasm and interest in helping students learn and improve our lives. Interesting, makes you think."

"Brenda was awesome!"

"I enjoyed your workshops very much and will be signing up for more."

"Very good at teaching, motivating and getting you involved."

"Inspirational. Thanks Brenda!"

"Very contemporary, very excellent for this age. Viva the 21st century!"

"Very intuitive."

"Brenda was great, very personable. Good grasp of material, a great asset. Positive experience."

"Brenda is an excellent instructor."

"Brenda - great lady!!! Very helpful, makes you feel comfortable, and very professional."

"Brenda was very good. Her teaching expressed an extremely thoughtful and insightful person..."

"She (Brenda) was great, she makes you feel comfortable. Thank you!"

"An excellent facilitator. Way to go Brenda. I learned a ton. Way to be enthusiastic and motivating. Excellent!"

"...friendly, congenial. Kept the class interesting and had humour."

"Brenda was a terrific instructor. We loved her."

"Thank you Brenda, it was great fun!"

"Great! Brenda you are very good at what you do. Thanx."

"Excellent instructor."

"It was a very smart, interesting class. I really enjoyed it all. It was very inspirational."

"Very educational and inspirational."

"She (Brenda) was an excellent speaker. A teacher with a lot of heart in what she does."

"The training was extremely interesting, informative, and effective. Way to go. Excellent."

"Brenda is the BEST instructor that I have ever had."

"Very informative. Very interesting, and I know these four days have affected me very positively."

"Informative - current - helpful - interesting and entertaining."