What Our Clients Say…
Our Impact in Action
“Workforce Central Dunedin is a Job & Skills Hub supporting the workforce needs of contractors on the new Dunedin hospital build. One of our key objectives is the pastoral care of workers by coordinating between the many contractors and sub-contractors on the site.
The main contractor approached Workforce Central Dunedin seeking cultural competency training for managers. Managers had reported concerning differences in worker’s understanding of key messages between the many different language groups on the site.
Working with the main contractor, we tried various strategies including taking advice from leaders of the larger cultural groups, using translators to assist us with written and verbal briefings and simplifying our language to be better understood. Nothing seemed to help.
I had previously met with Fi McKay when she first introduced herself to me and explained some of her models of staff retention and her successes. When I approached Fi McKay regarding what she could do to assist us with cultural competency, she brought with her a package of concepts and understandings that resonated with us immediately. We were very excited that the product Fi McKay Consult brought to us hit the mark so accurately.
Fi McKay put a package together for us, briefed ourselves and a representative Tier 1 manager on what she had developed and asked for our input and feedback. This process of formulating the programme, showing us the programme and redesigning took a few iterations and discussions. We were thrilled to participate in these discussions because we saw how skilfully Fi McKay crafted a bespoke programme for us tailoring it to the needs of this particular cohort of construction managers.
The programme was piloted among a group of critical thinkers among the construction managers and a final programme presented to the target audience.
Feedback from this singular workshop was very positive. Managers reported they were confident using the skills they workshopped with Fi and were pleasantly surprised by the positive response they got from workers who previously did not understand them fully. The programme had sufficient impact for trained managers to recommend that all site managers receive the training. This single intervention was game changing for these managers. A more in-depth intervention with full training for managers and cultural workshopping for workers would be more powerful still.
We are strongly supportive of Fi McKay Consult as bringing world class expertise, a solid theoretical base and do-able skills for managers to enhance their communication with workers, ultimately leading to better engagement and positive changes to staff retention.
I am very happy to discuss this letter of support.”
Raymond Clark
Project Lead | Workforce Central Dunedin
“This letter is to confirm that Fi McKay has undertaken work on behalf of incluude in collaboration with SBS and IES Digital. These parties are involved in the development of the Cultural Atlas, an online resource that provides accurate and comprehensive information about the different cultures of Australia’s migrant population. All published content in the Cultural Atlas is the result of a collective effort between researchers, editors and members of the Australian community that have cross-cultural identities or familiarities.
Fi McKay undertook a great task in contributing her time and skills to the development of content for the New Zealand cultural profile in the Cultural Atlas. In the execution of these tasks, Fi applied good judgement and sensitivity to cross-cultural issues. She also exhibited a strong attention to detail and knowledge of broad cultural concepts in the work she submitted. Fi clearly possesses a deep perceptive knowledge of multicultural affairs.
Fi McKay has consistently demonstrated herself to be an excellent consultant and I am very confident in her abilities. We would be happy to engage her skills again in the future and would highly recommend her as a candidate for future work.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have further questions.”
Nina Evason
Chief Editor and Lead Author of The Cultural Atlas | Community Relations Manager and Content Lead at incluude
“Working with Fi McKay has been a highly valuable experience. Fi has made a difference in the Waitaki in many ways but particularly through her Inclusive Workplace initiative. This award winning initiative has educated and influenced many workplaces, and individuals in our community. The innovative and fully inclusive approach to cultural awareness has resulted in engagement across all ethnicities including kiwis. The learning outcomes have contributed to tolerance and understanding that would not have been achieved otherwise. A commendable and sustainable approach has resulted in higher awareness and more tolerance of difference. Not just from kiwis facilitating co commitment to doing things that support all cultures and abilities.
Fi McKay is a person of the utmost integrity who has an ability to see gaps and opportunities. Her professional yet engaging personality ensures that she can take people with her. Fi is motivational, adaptable and although she is highly capable at an operational level she is also able to hold her own in the strategic space. This gives her a complex and valuable skill set. I hold Fi in the highest regard.”
Helen Algar
Community Development Manager | Waitaki District Council
“Following an accumulation of events including staff turnover, leadership changes, complex service delivery and ongoing negative staff survey results, Fi provided our much-loved charity with a programme to develop and refocus. While Fi had a draft format to meet our goals, she was required to be flexible and identify the underlining issues and culture preventing us from focusing and evolving. Fi’s expertise and extensive knowledge in leadership and the health sector shone through and she was able to easily identify the issues and address them.
Her workshops and meetings re-focussed and re-vitalised the participants, while introducing a strong leadership model and integrated team approach to achieving our vision.
Fi’s work with our organisation contributed to a noticeable positive culture change, and our teams very much appreciated the time spent with Fi. We now have a very vibrant, and high functioning much loved charity.”
Pip King
Lake Taupō Hospice
“Fi has a deep understanding of the importance that leadership through inclusivity plays in the success of workplaces. Her workshop delivers the message in a safe and easily digestible format that leaders can immediately utilise to make positive change for their teams.”
Rachel Rose
HR Recruitment Manager | Southern Discoveries
“Having worked with Fi on several projects, she brings a wealth of knowledge in the area of workplace planning and strategy. Fi provides critical insights around developing a positive environment in the multicultural workplace. She is passionate about the positive impact of understanding your workforce as individuals and unlocking the power of diverse teams.”
Richard Kyte
Forward Focus consultancy | Project lead Thriving Southland
“I cannot recommend this service enough. The coaching sessions are tailored, focused, and incredibly effective. With Fi McKay’s professionalism and deep insight, she guided my group and I to identify and overcome limiting behaviours and set actionable goals. Her sessions were transformative, helping me achieve clarity and confidence in my professional journey. I’m grateful for the supportive and confidential environment she created, which allowed me to grow in ways I didn’t think were possible. I highly recommend her exceptional service and encourage everyone to experience it for themselves—you won't be disappointed.”
Rinku Saha
Facilitator of “The Aspirers Unity Group” and a Distinguished Toastmaster
“Fi is an extremely effective communicator and intuitively understands her audiences and clients’ needs with a kind, caring and compassionate manner.
Fi display’s exceptional knowledge and expertise in the areas of modern leadership and inclusive workplaces with an infectious enthusiasm and a passionate drive for the highest possible results for the team.”
Michelle Muir
Clinical Nurse Specialist | Older Persons Health | Southland
“Fi McKay is an inspirational leader and mentor whom I have had the privilege to work with. Fi recognises people are the key to any organisation’s success. With years of experience managing people this is her field of expertise. My first meeting with Fi was when I attended her workplace inclusiveness workshop. Her fun, vibrant personality, and passion shone through and was transmittable. Her workshops and ongoing support have been instrumental in navigating the challenges of managing an Aged residential facility with a depleting workforce. Fi has been pivotal in implementing and facilitating a workplace inclusiveness group at Aspiring Care. She can cater for the specific needs of the team and equips people to be actively involved in creating change. The positive impact is proven with staff feeling enriched and empowered with their new understanding of the multicultural and generational considerations when being a part of a team. This has been key in improving communications and the work culture. I would encourage anyone who wants to make a positive investment in their staff to work with Fi. She is a star in her own right with her enthusiasm and extensive knowledge. She is committed to helping others create harmonious, successful teams. I feel fortunate that Fi is only a phone call away when I need advice or specific training to address staff relations. Thanks, Fi.”
Alexa Gutowska
Manager | Aspiring Care Wanaka| Presbyterian Support Otago
“Staff raved about the inclusive workplace training. FI helped the residential managers understand just how important inclusion and belonging are for a successful business and happy stable workforce”
Steph Leith
Rest Home Manager
“Fi McKay brought knowledge, experience and charisma to the Welcome Workshop series sponsored by Central Otago District Council - Welcoming Communities. Her experience working with businesses and migrant communities highlighted the challenges that newcomers to New Zealand experience but often go unrecognised”
Central Otago District Council