Melanie Franks
Snapshot
A creative and innovative consultant who thrives on a challenge knowing that given the right environment people do extraordinary things. Melanie gives organisations the courage to take a risk and ignore ‘good practice’ or ‘the way it’s always done’ and be brave enough to take a blank piece of paper and design a ‘new way’; the way that’s right for their organisation and people. Organisations thrive when employees are listened to and can help shape the future.
Talk to me about
- Getting the basics in place and building the right foundations
- Involving employees beyond their job description
- Building a good communication strategy
- Maintaining the momentum of change so that employees remain excited about it and the opportunities it brings
- Evaluation – it’s important to me that our work with individuals, teams, managers and organisations has a positive impact, drives results and really matters.
The Rungs On My Ladder
- Managing Director – Sparkhouse Consultants
- Owner and facilitator – The HR Forum
- Owner/designer – White Clover
- HR Business Partner – American Express and American Express Bank
General Manager – Applied Plastic Products (PTY) Ltd (South Africa) - Client Relationship – Old Mutual Insurance (South Africa)
- Retail Banker – Nedbank Limited (South Africa and London)
What I’ve Learnt So Far
- BA (Hons) Human Resource Management
- Diploma in Fashion Design
- That relationships matter in business
- If you don’t understand the business you can’t provide the right outcomes
- That there is always something to learn from others
- That there are many very talented and creative people in the UK
- That being inquisitive and having an enquiring mind makes me different
- That I have an illustrious family history
My Stand Out Moments
- Literally helping to save someone’s life by managing a very complex and sensitive employee relations issue
- Being invited by my client to sit on the executive board
- Being invited to join the board of trustees by a charity following a piece of work that I had done for them
- Being part of a Europe wide team at American Express to set up new legal entities and roll out new processes in order to comply with new compliance regulations
- Realising (many times) what valuable experience I have gained over the years and how it helps me implement the right solution for my clients
- Tracking a lion on foot in the Okavango Delta with nothing for protection other than the knowledge and experience on an awesome local guide
- Launching my clothing label White Clover
What Ignites My Fire
- Collaborating with others to make something happen
- Being inspired by what my clients are doing
- Knowing that I can and do add value
- Networking with the HR Forum and hearing about all the good stuff that organisations are doing
- Being part of something new
- Picking a bowl of home grown tomatoes
The Light I Steer By
That with the support of someone who believes in me I can make things happen
Sue Tye
Managing Director
sue.tye@strategis.co.uk
07974 980971
Jane Addy
Delivery Director
jane.addy@strategis.co.uk
07795 482 766