WHAT WE DO
We don’t just train. We deliver transformational leadership experiences that produce lasting change.
Our Mission
Since our founding, it has been our mission at Willow North to equip company leaders to develop collaborative teams through education, coaching and development to transform the employee experience; cultivating a thriving workplace.
1. What we do
- We empower people with the tools and strategies to create lasting behavior change. We believe immediate reinforcement and application of concepts are even more important than an initial development experience. Our goal is that you will have the opportunity to learn today and apply immediately.
2. Why we do it
- We want people to have a better collaborative experience in the workplace…with their boss, their peers, and their customers. It’s important that we challenge and inspire individuals to expand the scope of their thinking.
3. How we do it
- We collaborate and partner with our clients by offering development experiences that engage thoughtful discussions, supported practice, and follow-through. We will partner with you throughout your entire change process.
Our Collaboration Principle©
At Willow North Growth Partners, we believe collaboration is the key to success within our organization and yours. We practice and model our collaboration methodology by teaching others to listen intently, seek to understand another’s a different point of view and work together to reach a common goal. We have seen this methodology to be successful with customers, peers, direct reports, managers, and upper management.
Collaboration is when two people work together for a common goal. The ultimate outcome of the collaboration is a win, win. Mattie Stepanek was a 14-year old American poet and motivational speaker. One of his quotes states, “Unity is strength…when there are teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.” Mattie was right. When we work together, we can accomplish so much more. We believe the key to working together and collaborating is ensuring that we are focusing on the following elements:
BUILDING TRUST
SEEK UNDERSTANDING
COMMUNICATING COURAGEOUSLY
GAINING AGREEMENT
These elements are important because collaboration means that you are focused on others’ needs as well as your own. It means that you both want the same thing, even if that means you both might think differently about the situation. Having different opinions is actually encouraged in collaboration because that means both parties could be learning something new. If we focused only on ideas that are like ours, we would never get to experience the new ideas that help to shape even stronger ideas that come from the insight of a fellow collaborator.
How We Develop Exceptional Leaders
Client Endorsements
The training was insightful as to how we conduct ourselves when working with our peers. It brought to light the awareness of how big of a role perception plays when leading that we sometimes forget in the fast paced environment we work in. Feelings are important and people want to feel good about themselves and the work they do.
Investing in our sales team’s ongoing development is a key business objective which adds to ourbottom line. This year, because of working with Willow North, our reps could communicate our core messages and manage their pipelines more effectively, leading to an increase in conversion rates and a shorter sales cycle. The investment in Andora and Willow North has, no doubt, helped us achieve our commercial goals while increasing our team’s engagement; I highly recommend working with Andora and her team.
These last six months I’ve had the pleasure of working with Andora Gandy for business development coaching. I have a lot of experience selling, but sometimes we need a refresher on the basics as well as an opportunity to learn new skills – and let go of habits that aren’t really effective for us. Throughout our time working together, Andora kept my goals at the forefront, and she designed and delivered an outstanding learning and coaching experience that supported what I needed to do for my business. She’s a top-notch professional in every way and an expert in her field — she’s also a lot of fun to work with and our coaching sessions went by far too quickly! I highly recommend Andora if you are looking for a top-quality coach who will guide you each step of the way in learning the skills you need to excel in your business development efforts.
These last six months I’ve had the pleasure of working with Andora Gandy for business development coaching. I have a lot of experience selling, but sometimes we need a refresher on the basics as well as an opportunity to learn new skills – and let go of habits that aren’t really effective for us. Throughout our time working together, Andora kept my goals at the forefront, and she designed and delivered an outstanding learning and coaching experience that supported what I needed to do for my business. She’s a top-notch professional in every way and an expert in her field — she’s also a lot of fun to work with and our coaching sessions went by far too quickly! I highly recommend Andora if you are looking for a top-quality coach who will guide you each step of the way in learning the skills you need to excel in your business development efforts.
LaForce has partnered with Willow North for a leadership development program. I worked with Andora to explain what the gaps were in our leadership training and my thoughts on skills needing to be improved. Andora took my initial thoughts and turned it into a comprehensive multi-month leadership development program. The programs and content she created were spot on to our needs. The response to the program has been incredible. Participants appreciate the interactive and engaging training sessions along with Andora’s welcoming approach.
Enjoying the sessions is one thing, but I am seeing the application of the learning in our daily work. Managers are incorporating the tools into their coaching and communications with employees. We are seeing positive growth in our managers.
Andora made the process simple. I strongly recommend Willow North for your training and development needs.
I have known the very impressive Andora since 2015. We’ve worked together since then with coaching, facilitating and training Sales Excellence as I’ve held multiple roles. She has a very engaging leader as a trainer and always knows what to ask to help others during coaching sessions. Andora’s methods are creative, humorous, educating, entertaining and driven to produce results. Along with her talents, she brings a charming personality which works with any type of audience. She is very successful in meeting our company goals set for each workshop and always delivers more than expected. She always makes herself available for follow up support as a coach and friend. Andora listens first, then puts together a plan to successfully provide the outcome that’s needed. I would recommend her for any coaching and training needed by anyone to any audience. She truly shows she cares for her audience with a delivery which shows just that.
I truly enjoyed the entire Customer Service series. I would recommend the Legendary Service series to any company looking to empower their employees. It reinforces basic skill sets and improves on others. It will show your employees they are valued! I found the sessions to be very engaging and really enjoyed the collaboration between team members. Our facilitator, Daphne’s, excitement and passion for what she does made the series. Her joy was infectious!! She made it easy to open up and share experiences. I walked away with not only enhanced skills for the workplace but found I could apply it to my personal life as well. I am a better people manager, husband, and father because of it.