Equip your teams to deliver advice that drives action
without the rework
Workshops and expert support to make sure your next project starts right and finishes great
Agencies are increasingly being asked to do more with less, with an emphasis on creating and delivering strong projects and great advice on time.
It has never been more important to start projects right - making sure they're answering the right questions, solving the right problems, and delivering results.
This work is best done in-house, so you want to be sure your teams are set up to succeed.
I can help with that.
I will work with your teams as they scope and define their project or advice, and help them build a plan that delivers right, first time.
I will help you diagnose challenges and blockages holding you and your team back and help you deliver trusted and consistent advice.
Insight to Action is a boutique consultancy focused on supporting teams to deliver for their business, clients and Aotearoa – without relying on the big firms.
Starting your project right
Help me and my teamAre you sick of papers and projects bouncing around for weeks before finally getting through? I hear you.
Save you and your team time by making sure their project starts right, stays on track and delivers.
I will work with your team to define the project scope, clarify problems, articulate what is needed for the project to succeed, and offer support through the project.
Set you and your team up for success.
Finding the right question
Let us help you start wellGreat research and advice needs to focus on answering the right question.
Policy advice, data analyses, and post-graduate theses all benefit from techniques to identify the right question that anchors the writing.
Find that question early, and you can spend more time focusing on getting the right answer.
Our techniques will help you save time and reduce annoying rework.
Simplifying complex problems
Simplify your problemsAre you having trouble articulating the main issue, or are there different angles competing for the spotlight?
Complexity is hard. We can help with that.
We work with you to identify the root cause of what's going on, and help develop a clear and compelling narrative to understand and simplify complexity, so you can DO SOMETHING about it.
Being a critical friend and trusted advisor
Coffee?Running an agency or business unit is challenging. Everyone working for and with you wants to do a great job and for you to succeed.
But sometimes you need someone outside your team to listen to your complex issues and concerns, and to tell you like it is.
Having a sounding board to test ideas and vent, and who will give you their best impartial advice can be powerful and sanity-saving for busy executives.
This is where we thrive.
Focusing on the right risks
Risk a chat?Most of us are good at managing risks down, but what about the risks we should be taking to achieve our goals?
I can help you find the risks you should be taking, as well as managing.
Turning your Insights into Action
Ok, tell me moreAre your insights driving action, shaping decisions and directing investment?
Has your team spent ages building insights and databases, only to struggle to communicate what you found to policy or management?
If these questions made you think, you could be getting more value from your insights.
I can help.
Helping you work on the right things
Strategise me!Strategies are everywhere, but how many of them shape what you do - and what you won't do?
If you don't have a clear set of priorities and goals shaping your work over the next few years, you don't have a strategy.
I can also help you identify what you need to do to achieve your priorities.
In other words, I'll help you and your leadership team develop a strategy you can use.
Finding the story of your advice
Action!Stories drive action.
They shape how we think about an issue, what we consider important, and make complex ideas accessible.
All advice should tell a story.
I can help you find the right story for your advice to drive action.
Get your thesis on track
Help me with my thesis!Post-graduate study is hard enough, without having to spend so much time trying to land your central research question.
We can help.
We provide specialised support to help post-grad students find their research question, map out their approach to research, and storyline their thesis.
This will save you a LOT of time, energy and tears!
Don't just take my word for it...
Testimonials
"Steven’s advice is always useful and helped us find new ways of solving old problems."
Thanks to Steven, we now have a clear understanding of how to approach our complex problems and an actionable strategy to drive our work for the next three years.
Steven’s storylining workshop is an excellent investment for those wishing to add further rigour to writing reports/providing advice.
The workshop process was engaging and enjoyable, aided by using examples relevant to our business, and plenty of opportunities to ask questions and discuss what was being presented, and group exercises. An unexpected benefit of the workshop was its value as a team building exercise.
Steven Youngblood from Insight into Action facilitated of our Executive Leadership Team's (ELT) strategic planning day. Steven seamlessly guided us through a process that not only aligned our priorities but also invigorated our team dynamics.
His expertise and insight fostered an environment of collaboration and clarity, paving the way for strategic success. If you are looking for an engaging, thought-provoking, and energized facilitator, then look no further.
Insight to Action supports Trees That Count, regenerating Aotearoa
Thank you to our clients - Insight to Action donates part of your invoice to plant native trees in NZ.
