Rick McMullen is the lead facilitator for The Solution Business Consultants. Here’s what people have had to say about his services.
Rick has delivered many programs for the Bridgewater and Area Chamber of Commerce and prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, these programs were done in a classroom environment. Once this was no longer an option, Rick was able to transform his teaching skills to enable himself to make that all important connection with those involved with the programs. Maintaining that relationsship with an online audience is one of the most difficult skill sets there is, but Rick was able to adapt his delivery method and his programs have been very successful and he is in great demand.
Dan Hennessey
Executive Director
Bridgewater & Area Chamber of Commerce
I had the distinct honour of taking the Change Management Program facilitated by Rick McMullen in the spring of 2017. Without hesitation, I highly recommend him for any employee, manager, business or organization who intends to stay current and relevant in their respective fields. Rick led the participants through a very detailed curriculum with the different Change Management models and gave us the information needed to be able to begin to run a change organization. His years of experience and broad-based and in-depth knowledge on this topic were evident, and as a result, it was a very interactive and intensive learning experience. What makes Rick’s style unique is that he encourages those he mentors to apply the knowledge in their own real-life environments. As a business owner, I was able to run through 2 Change Management initiatives while he provided practical and meaningful ways to improve my delivery. He offered constructive feedback along the Change Management process that allowed for learning during the change initiative. I am very pleased to say that my business has grown as a result of the changes we implemented. The skills I acquired enabled me to start a mobile division of my company as well as going after and obtaining government commitments for our services.
Living in the 21stcentury, the only constant thing is change, which is why I genuinely believe there is much to be gained for those who are able to benefit from Rick’s thorough comprehension and expertise in Change Management. He sparked such a desire in me for ongoing business development that I have since worked with him on a number of occasions.
Tracey Bartie
Owner/Operator
Lice Matters
I was nervous (about attending Small Business Marketing) because it’s out of my comfort zone, which is exactly why I needed to do it and I ended up loving it. I have learned a lot, but I also now have more questions so I would like to access a follow-up course. I am now able to identify my target market and the weaknesses in my business with regards to the message I am giving to customers.
Bridget Havercroft
Owner
Bridget Havercroft Photography
I was really looking forward to (Internet Marketing) as I needed a lot of help with marketing in this area with everything being done online and on social media. I have learned a lot! The experience has been most helpful and eye-opening and the instructor very informative and patient. I have learned how to make our website work better for us – a lot I didn’t know before I took this course on how to use the internet and social media to work for us in making our website show up on search engines.
Dixie Lee Connolly
A1 Safety
“I have had the privilege of participating in Rick McMullen’s Change Management Program at a crucial nexus in our corporate history. We were faced with significant regulatory change and the simultaneous introduction of a new national service line. Through Rick’s collaborative approach, we were able to create an archetype change management organization within our company which successfully implemented unprecedented change.
The accelerating pace of change is our new corporate reality. Rick is uniquely positioned to guide business owners and executives through their respective change management journeys. His comprehensive knowledge of the subject matter, extensive personal experience, and strategic-minded methodology bring clarity to complex material. Rick’s well-researched use of expert resources and guided discovery tie the various facets of the change management process together.
Rick won’t tell you what to do. He’ll facilitate a program whereby you’ll come to understand the principles of change and formulate your own change management organization. We’ve seen real-world results that have greatly benefitted our company. I have a great deal of respect for Rick and would enthusiastically recommend Rick McMullen’s Change Management Consultancy unreservedly.”Dan Bartie
CEO
Paladin Disability
“I was interested in learning more about how to apply social media to promoting and marketing our business. Although I am a “techy”, I never had too many opportunities to contemplate this area due to time commitments to too many other projects demanding my time. I thought that the program would offer a “time out” to contemplate this area with more focus. I feel that I am now more aware of social media and its best applications to promote and market the business. It certainly helped in refining how to utilize social media and not spend an inordinate amount of time working/monitoring/creating content. I am in a better position to gauge what sort of social media to exploit for our business more effectively, and for what audience and to determine how to tap into specific audiences in the public. The refinement of the focus as a result of the course has provided me with the necessary tools to do a better job at it.
David Cvet
Owner
Wine Kitz Digby
“I was curious about what there was to learn in WordPress as I was unfamiliar with the program. The added bonus was all the information from a marketing perspective and detail covered in the program around the use of images on websites.”
Gina Ripley
PeopleWorx Society
“One of the aspects that I enjoy most about being an Entrepreneur is the opportunity to learn and develop skills. Over my years in business, I have attended hundreds of courses. I have recently attended a course offered by Rick McMullen through the Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce. I measure the success of the instruction by what I am able to apply to my business. I have already seen so many benefits from what he has taught me. Most importantly he has taught me what it means to be responsible for my business as represented by my website on the internet. I was so naive. I began just wanting to know how to size a picture and have learned so much more. I would have lost my domain if it wasn’t for his insight and direction. The implications would have been massive.
As an instructor, he is confident and knowledgeable. He is entertaining, as well, which makes learning a pleasant experience. It is clear that he enjoys teaching and is on a mission to make technology a tool that anyone can use with the right approach and the right information. He has forever changed how I approach technology.”Carrie Yeo,
Owner
Light Touch Laser Inc.
“I participated in a 10 week communications workplace education course that Rick instructed. I had started a new position two weeks prior to beginning this course. I can honestly say that by participating in this course with Rick’s instruction I have transitioned into my new role with more confidence and competence than I would have otherwise. I am also confident that with the skills learned I will be able to continue successfully in my position. Rick’s thorough understanding of the material and his approach to the course exceeded my expectations. I had assumed this was a generalized course and did not expect that we would go into such depth into some of the topics covered.
Rick always ensured that we (as participants) were getting what we wanted to get out of the course. If we ever had questions he always made it possible to ask them and he would clarify. He always made the group feel like we could discuss whatever we wished to discussed and it was a safe group. All of the course material including print hand-outs, homework and videos were all extremely relevant and helpful in not only understanding the topics but garnering new skills and building upon existing ones. Every topic we discussed I have or will be applying to my every day work. Rick instructed the course so well that I have the confidence that I am competent enough to apply what I have learned.
Before beginning the program, I had thought it would be a course where we would sit down and take notes. Rick’s teaching style ensures everyone is engaged and contributes. Rick also made sure that we applied what we were learning in exercises and practicum so that we were confident with taking what we learned back to our respective workplaces. I will certainly be taking another workplace education course from Rick!”Wade Tibbo,
Business Development Manager
Careforce
“Rick’s engaging style and presentation techniques coupled with relevant information, group discussion, and real life exercises provide a hands-on approach to the acquisition of new communication skills. I have observed a distinct cultural change within the organization that provides both immediate and long-term benefit to the organization, especially in these times of change and turmoil. Rick’s ability to adapt his information and style to the group he’s currently instructing as well as his experience and knowledge create a safe and engaging classroom. It is within this circle of safety that participants are encouraged to explore hard questions and examine how we communicate from a multitude of perspectives. The tools of active listening, having difficult conversations and understanding generational and personality differences are explored, discussed and practiced in this safe and supportive learning environment.
I can’t speak highly enough about Rick’s skills and abilities as an adult educator other than to say that his level of expertise and professionalism encourages interactive participation and engagement from all of his students. I look forward to working with Rick in the future and strongly believe that staff, Council and the residents of West Hants have all benefited from Rick’s instruction.”
Karen Dempsey,
Director of Planning
Municipality of the District of West Hants
“ You have now been the instructor for programs we have offered covering topics such as Business Management, HR Essentials, and Marketing Skills. You have proven to us, and the participants, your vast knowledge in this variety of topics, and have even been able to offer multiple levels within the programs based on the needs of participants. You have been an engaged and valued project team member, Rick. You always have great ideas of how to make the process and the content of learning most effective for the learners. Participants have been returning and spreading the word to others in the business community such that we have no difficulty filling programs with eager, engaged learners. Your vast and broad knowledge combined with your engaging style provide a very effective learning experience.”
Paul DesBarres,
2nd Vice President and Professional Development Chair
Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce
Kentville, NS
“Before I started the program I thought, “what an excellent opportunity to learn how to start a business from the ground up”. I enjoyed every session and could not wait till the next. I am learning to be a manager. I have learned so much these past weeks that have helped me grow for my company and, most of all, as a person. This group gave me the confidence in myself that I can become what ever I choose. I’m sad that it is over. Rick did a fabulous job instructing us. He explained it to us so that we could all understand. The interaction between all of us made us a strong group and into friends. We all related to each other’s situations and helped resolve problems. By far the BEST experience I have had…. till the next session! I took this program to improve myself, and the company I work for. I am seeing success already, thank you very much. Please don’t change a thing besides adding more courses.”
Dawne Feener,
Co-owner
B & H Wholesalers
Kingston, NS
“Rick McMullen has a very engaging teaching style where he fearlessly allows open discussion of the topic while doing an expert job of keeping the lesson on track. Many of us are busy achievers that do not settle well into pedantic training. Rick has this covered with an active and entertaining style that effectively brings the lessons home to those of us not used to classrooms. These classes have hugely surpassed my expectations and I thoroughly recommend them. I am very grateful that they are available and feel they offer the possibility of improvement in Nova Scotia business.”
Steve Best,
Operations Manager
Nova Millwrights Contracting Ltd
Middleton, NS
“The knowledge and passion you bring – as well as your ability to let the group drive discussion when practical – are uncommon assets, especially in tandem. In short, you are very good at what you do and it is bringing out the best in the people in these courses. As a result of this kind of information sharing I’ve been able to be fully engaged and show much more of my personality than I ever would. I’m noticing that this kind of thinking has been contagious for me – I am already showing more leadership traits than ever in my workplace and stepping up and addressing some big picture concerns in areas in which there were leadership voids. You clearly have a worldly perspective, a wealth of knowledge in your field that is relevant to the group and a passion to solve problems and inspire.”
Matt Clairmont,
Supportive Co-worker
Flowercart
New Minas, NS
“I wanted to drop you a line and say how beneficial your course was as an intro to what I signed up for. There were so many terms and marketing info that I didn’t know before your course that helped me out immensely …
If you ask me my cost of customer acquisition now I can actually give you an answer!
I do hope I get to take another course with you sometime in the future.”Sarah Batten
Lunenburg Rum Cakes
Lunenburg, NS“I just want to let you know how much I enjoyed the class you led. You did a fantastic job (as always) of making the material relevant and understandable. Your knowledge, professionalism and experience make adult education a very enjoyable experience. I would be happy to attend any further classes you will be instructing.”
Michael Embree
Embree Communications
Canning, NS“I believe the workplace training we are undertaking with our adult educator, Rick, has provided a platform in which we can explore a multitude of categories that our team has begun to critically analyze in ways they have never before. The experience has inspired conversations not typical to the retail landscape and enriched the relationships between both staff and management alike. I expect the applicable knowledge that will be brought onto our sales floor, which has been absorbed through the training classes, will benefit our staff and our results in both the short and long term future. It has helped form a common language that has already increased the flow of communication throughout the company and improved the dialogue at all levels.”
Mike Wilson,
General Manager
Wilson’s Shopping Centre
Barrington Passage, NS“His attention to detail, where no one gets left behind, allows people such as myself to feel optimistic about future learning in a field which I previously considered to be out of reach through lack of interest. His “people” skills are way above and beyond that of most teachers in any field, and his capacity to make the subject come alive makes all the difference to our capacity to learn. He creates an inclusive, respectful environment in the classroom, enabling us to relax and interact, thereby getting the most out of every class. His commitment to helping us with the work outside the classroom is also way above and beyond the call of duty.”
Lisa Lelliott,
Owner
Yoga Vidya
Bridgewater, NS“I really didn’t think I would get allot out of the program and thought that if it got too boring I would quit going. I felt FANTASTIC!!!! I was so glad I signed up and finished the program. I looked forward to Wednesday mornings. Rick made the course very interesting, he knows his business and doesn’t mind sharing his knowledge. The program gave me the courage I needed to step up and take control of a situation at work. It gave confidence in myself that I can do the job at hand and know what I am doing.”
Susan Wagner,
Royal Propane and Hearth
Digby, NS“As an older lifelong learner, I was impressed with how much I didn’t know about even basic computer skills. Rick provided a supportive but challenging environment that demystified a lot of the “computer speak”. This in turn allowed me to acquire a whole new skill set that will enable me to stay current and relevant in an ever-changing job market.”
Paul Napthine
RPS Composites
Mahone Bay, NS
