References

".To begin with, I was sceptical about coaching. Now I can say that I have not only had the 'experience', for the first time, of being able to evaluate myself as a person, but I've also got a new, totally positive way of viewing my professional and personal development. Key factors here include: the courage to be open, time to reflect and the right choice of coach."

Daniela Haertel, Communications/Public Relations Austria and Southeast Europe
REHAU Gesellschaft m.b.H.

".the fine input and organisation provided by die Berater^® has enabled the seminars to be a problem-free, fascinating and successful experience for our expert speakers and delegates. We should particularly emphasise the professional pre- and after-care given to our clients and the Chamber of Commerce.  We look forward to receiving further support from the competent die Berater^® coaches..."

Christoph Brader, AT&S

". With the quality of her social skills and well-rounded approach to problem-solving, my coach enabled me to better assess my career development opportunities and to redefine my objectives. I can recommend coaching to anyone who wants to explore their potential further so that they will be able to respond in the best possible way to constantly changing employment circumstances."

Elisabeth Schmidt, Senior Consultant

 ". The coaching I received from die Berater did not just give me objective feedback on my career but also provided highly useful tips that helped me to analyse my strengths and weaknesses and put them into practice in a job interview..."

Petra Distl, consultant in the
Department of Foreign Trade at the Vienna Chamber of Commerce

". die Berater^® successfully supported our process for developing an international training strategy, from beginning to end and in every respect. With their systemic approach, they always managed to keep on top of the complexity involved in this type of task, and to take the right action at the right time. The close working relationship with our internal experts resulted in a training course and sessions that were absolutely top class  in terms of content and practicality. We found die Berater^® to be a loyal, committed partner that always strived for the same high quality standards as we did and who were always professional both on a human and business level..."

Burkhard Brennacher, General Solar Systems

 ".The exemplary collaboration with die Berater^® was decisive in helping to introduce a change process and leave us better prepared for future challenges: they helped us get a process underway in which the various scenarios are unearthed and, as a result, are examined afresh - for us, the skilled moderation provided by die Berater^® made this constructive way of tackling the challenges a great success, and their great belief in it as a value system was tremendously supportive." 

Gisela Aichholzer, Works Manager, VHBI MERIT

". die Berater^® were professional in their support of our strategy-building process, from beginning to end and in every respect. The Appreciative Inquiry method succeeded very well  in involving our staff so that, in the end, the outcome was satisfactory to all. We must emphasise that we have nothing but praise for the perfect way in which the content was delivered and the excellent, brisk process.

Wolfgang Pfabigan, MD, IAF-Service GmbH

Elisabeth Novak Fragner, HR Development, Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeug GmbH

".working with die Berater^® on the Outplacement project during the last few years has proved extremely successful. The high rate of participants who have returned to work after receiving coaching is the result of an ideal combination of systematic project organisation and personalised advice, characterised by the high degree of empathy and appreciation shown towards those concerned. The feedback from our former employees has so far been thoroughly positive."

Sabine Kugler, Human Resources Manager, Ericsson Austria GmbH

"...die Berater^® have been working with us for several years. Running a project that is so sensitive in human terms requires the right blend of professional consultancy management and an affirmative handling of those involved. The holistic outplacement approach taken by die Berater^® is responsible for the proven good success rate..."

Martin Mimmler, Competence Center Compensation & Benefits, Siemens Austria

".What has particularly struck me so far from working with die Berater^® is that my specific problems and needs are addressed and that, in the joint discussions, a structure has been developed with regard to future action and problem-solving. With their non-bureaucratic, flexible working method, die Berater^® have helped me a lot up to now, and I would like to thank them for their valuable support..."

Christian Seelig, outplacement delegate

".In 2005 I very amicably left the employer that I had worked for for 20 years and I decided to register for the Outplacement scheme. During this long time with the company, I had gained a great deal of experience and was constantly developing in my speciality, so I looked to the future full of optimism. I never thought that I would be out of work for the next 2 years. But I was brought back to the real world very quickly. No longer a young man, 50 years old, full of energy and with a great consultancy behind me, my situation was easier to deal with and it was easier to think positively. It was not just that die Berater^® made me aware of lots of employment opportunities; I also always had the feeling that things would change for the better. It is particularly when you are in that sort of situation that you can benefit from being shown and made aware of alternatives, as everyone is, as it were, master of their own destiny. During this period, I often despaired, but die Berater® were certainly one of the factors that helped me overcome those times.  Looking back, I am very pleased that I made that decision back then. Many thanks!."

Wolfgang Fischer, outplacement delegate

".Professional advice and support in the form of an Outplacement programme is the ideal way of helping one to move down new career paths. I was given the chance to join die Berater^®'s Outplacement scheme. The programme was tailored to my own personal needs and schedule. I received good advice on all matters relating to careers and was given help in planning my professional future. I would particularly like to mention the committed, sincere support provided by die Berater^®. I always came out of the advisory sessions with new ways of looking at things and food for thought, so I was able to clearly define and work towards my career goals."

Katja Piwerka, outplacement delegate

". The chats with Mr Kohlhofer and Ms Kukelka awakened a potential in me that I never dreamed I had. Their ideas and suggestions kept me motivated. die Berater^® showed me what I had hidden away!  Thank you very much for your excellent support during the Outplacement programme..."

Bettina Köller, outplacement delegate

".when you have been with the same company for 26 years, it is a real blow to your morale when you lose your job. die Berater^® not only helped me to fill out applications, but also talked to me on a personal level to help me overcome this crisis..."

Wolfgang Somera, outplacement delegate

".The content was defined working together with HR managers and the staff association, and die Berater^® were highly flexible in the way they addressed the specific situation (different end-of-employment dates, different preferences amongst the participants in terms of working one-to-one, in small groups or larger groups). The trainers and coaches always exhibited great empathy towards the participants, both when working in groups and when providing one-on-one coaching. The ongoing, highly positive feedback from our former employees and the good success rate (coaching until all the participants had found new jobs) are confirmation of the project's success."

Doris Mandl-Sponer, Vice President Human Resources, Ericsson Austria AG

".as regards the die Berater^® Outplacement programme, I would particularly like to emphasise the flexibility with which my own personal needs were addressed; I never got the feeling that it was a standardised scheme. The extremely pleasant atmosphere in which the discussions were held was also part of the reason that the talks were efficient in generating constructive content. I can only recommend that anyone who is given the opportunity takes advantage of such professional support and I would like to express my gratitude for the tremendous advice!."

Wolfgang Pestitschek, outplacement delegate

". compassion and professionalism, enthusiasm and empathy were features of our discussions. I feel that my consultant has done a brilliant job in looking after me and helping me through the key phases. I'm particularly grateful for the intuition and clarity with which my own personal needs were addressed. I was daring to take a step that would radically alter my life - the leap from working for someone to becoming self-employed!."

Elisabeth Schwalbe, outplacement delegate

".I went on an outplacement programme and, to begin with, I was pretty uncertain what the future held for me. But, thanks to die Berater^® and the fine coach who supported me with a great deal of sensitivity, respect and compassion, I have lost my initial anxiety and am looking positively to the future. He helped me to define my personal goals, to lose my dread of job interviews and to discover my own strengths, develop them and even put them into practice! I felt that I was extremely well looked after and that I was in excellent, competent hands."

Maria Sam, outplacement delegate

". I would like to thank you - from my new workplace - for the coaching in recent weeks. The personal coaching and the two-day seminar will remain a thoroughly positive memory for me. My personal coach helped me to get my current application papers (letter of application, CV) looking good. The final selection shows that I was well-prepared for my job interviews. To conclude, thank you once again for your help!."

Markus Hochaspöck, outplacement delegate

".Last year, the Federal Ministry for Economics and Labour initiated a languages campaign whereby, in addition to the standard language courses in English and French, they and die Berater^® also offered Spanish and Russian for the first time. The language training was organised in a highly professional way. In particular, the combination of a conversation course with cross-cultural content, which each trainer prepared extremely well, ensured that the learners enjoyed a rich linguistic experience. For staff, in particular, who are in continuous contact with foreign delegations, it is important that they also learn about inter-cultural value standards. Thank you very much for the fine work you have done to date and we look forward to future, joint PE activities with die Berater^®!..."

Maria Munter, Departmental Manager Dept. Pers/3
Federal Ministry for Economics and Labour

".Prior to the training we had detailed discussions in which we were able to clarify what we wanted and our vision. Already, after 30 learning units, it is apparent that communication between staff and their line managers has improved markedly. A number of misunderstandings between the staff have been cleared up during the course. The professional way in which the course was organised and run was also reflected in the copious feedback I have received from the learners. We have found an extremely good partner in die Berater^®."

Thomas Köstinger, Vienna Manager, Saubermacher Dienstleistungs AG

". the working relationship with die Berater^® was professional and extremely successful. I would like to express my sincere thanks for the excellent organisation and the fine learning material. The customised script and your in-house CD for listening practice enabled the trainees to learn the somewhat difficult language speedily and efficiently.  The trainers succeeded in addressing each learner individually, so that they learned exactly what they really need for their day-to-day work. I look forward to working with you again next spring."

Georg Wimmer, Transport Scheduler - Wörgl junction, ÖBB Postbus

".The Federal Chancellery has, since 2002, been running a qualification project for team assistants. Based on their training strategy and their useful extra services, we selected die Berater^® to be our partner in providing English language instruction. Despite the tricky initial situation - the learners' language levels varied - the die Berater^® team were successful in delivering the English training in the pilot project, which then led to the project being continued through three more courses. The trainer addressed the learners' professional context and their individual needs. In the process, they lost their timidity when faced with the foreign language, and they began to find the process of learning and using the language fun and motivating. The learners were also given the chance to use a talkline set up specifically for the Chancellery to communicate in English with each other and with the die Berater^® team outside class times, and to use software to further develop their English skills after the course had finished. In a concluding feedback round involving all the learners, the training manager at the Chancellery and the training team, the learners said that they felt that the course had improved their language skills and their confidence in using English."

Wolfgang Hajek, Personnel Officer in Department I/2
Federal Chancellery of the Republic of Austria

". From the professional, pleasant getting-to-know-you talks on the Austrian workforce, I was sure that the partnership was going to work well. die Berater^® identify the need, design the content based on this,  find the trainers that are right for the company, and then make sure everything runs smoothly. Custom training that really merits the name. Given how professionally die Berater^® organised the course, we were left with very little to do.  The learners are always very happy with the trainers, the content and the way things are run. Even the delivery of the Flying Classroom went off smoothly - a huge relief for our in-house training.  The working relationship with die Berater^® is highly professional and their ability to totally adapt to our requirements is extremely pleasant. We have always been very well looked after and we will happily use die Berater^® again.  We look forward to successfully working with you again."

Alexandra Schlömmer, MSc, Head of HR
CHSH Cerha Hempel Spiegelfeld Hlawati Lawyers

".When it comes to the MS Office suite, we particularly enjoy working with die Berater^®. Our staff very much enjoyed the in-house training course - the first positive feedback was given as early as the lunch-break (!). There was particular praise for the tips the trainer provided for day-to-day work and the way she addressed each learner's specific issues. Our IT courses are already fully booked to the end of the year."

Claudia Bernleithner, Training & Development, Frequentis Nachrichtentechnik GmbH

".When we changed our IT system we wanted to give our staff the Outlook program with all its options. So we organised a training cycle in our in-house IT training room and engaged die Berater® to deliver the training. die Berater^® made an excellent impression by providing information that was practical and tailored to the company's needs and through the professionalism of the trainer  All the learners were extremely satisfied, and were delighted to receive good answers to questions arising from their everyday work."

Peter Ebert, Head of Staff Development, Österreichische Beamtenversicherung VVaG

".The training that die Berater^® delivered substantially improved our staff's MS Excel skills. By tailoring the course content to our needs, the skills were first standardised and then developed based on the specific needs of the back office and sales staff. It was particularly important to us that the issue of the learners' varying existing skill levels was addressed individually and flexibly. That that was done was confirmed by the unanimous positive feedback given by the learners, who particularly emphasised the trainer's ability."

Annina Kaiser, IT Manager, Austrian Power Vertriebs GmbH

".I have taken my students to a number of die Berater^® seminars on the subjects of speaking skills and presenting. The work done in small groups and the fact that the trainers addressed the students' individual wishes and expectations created an open, relaxed atmosphere. This enabled the students to come out of themselves and become aware of their strengths and weaknesses, and to work on them. In this respect the video analysis, where theoretical work was put into useful practice, should be particularly highlighted. I can wholeheartedly recommend the die Berater^® seminars, as the students picked up various practical tips that they will be able to use after they have finished school..."

Doris Fischer, Teacher at the Zwi Perez Chajes Grammar School

". My students were always very interested in the school seminars run by die Berater^®. There were a number of reasons for this, but I would particularly point to the fact that the trainers conveyed the subject matter very well and achieved an excellent, balanced blend of theoretical input and practical exercises. As I learned from the students' feedback, they particularly benefited from the video analysis, which enabled them to really get to grips with their strengths and weaknesses in presentation situations. This was also assisted by the fact that the trainers did very well in addressing the individual needs and wishes of the students."

Elfriede Felkel, Teacher at the "Auf der Schmelz" Grammar School 15

".You realise that a seminar from die Berater^® really does teach you things , at the latest, when people still want to talk about it during the breaks and even after it has finished and when you recall the seminar at the next opportunity and you can put what you learned into practice. "

Clara Bretschneider, student

".In particular, the work in small groups and the seminar content tailored to our wishes and needs make die Berater® an ideal partner for the Center of Excellence 23, an association for helping gifted students at the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration. We are convinced that our students' career prospects are considerably enhanced by attending the die Berater^® seminars..."

Wolfgang Dilly and Gregor Gossy, Center of Excellence 23 at the
Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration

"...die Berater^® were enormously supportive and helpful. They helped me improve my language skills and then found an ideal environment for me to use them. The support that they offered to me kept me from becoming withdrawn in an alien culture and ensured that my knowledge and experiences were expanded to the fullest..."

Andrew Cotton, participant in the Leonardo da Vinci project, February to May 2002

"...The whole attitude of die Berater^® and my training supervisor was superb for the whole duration. The people there were ever helpful and ever enthusiastic and gave a genuine warm welcome to us (British) trainees. They were on hand and responded to personal problems that were encountered along the way. I look back happily on my time spent under die Berater^®, it gave me an introduction to a German-speaking culture and the opportunity to visit Austria and the countries surrounding it. I would whole heartedly recommend the training program of die Berater^® both from a career and a cultural perspective..."

Julian Bond, participant in the Leonardo da Vinci project, September to December 2000

".In the last few days there has been a lot of debate about AMS courses and their usefulness. I absolutely do not share the opinions published to date. I am currently attending a course at AMS Kufstein with the aim of doing the office clerk leaving exam. Our facilitators are highly committed, competent people who try their very best to teach us what we need. Great attention is also paid to the less gifted students without this negatively impacting the flow of the course. Help is given in the form of extra and one-to-one instruction. And the material we have already covered is constantly being revised in exercises and tests. The facilitators really motivate us and reinforce us in the feeling that we will pass the exam and so get the opportunity to make a fresh career start. The human side is never ignored, either. I am positive that I speak for all 15 of us on the course when I say that we were given the very best care and attention."

Patricia Scheiber, participant on the LAP project's Fast Lane in Kufstein

".On the 'Career Guidance for Young People' course, I acquired the key tools for job application situations, and this helped me to quickly find a job. The die Berater trainers showed me possible career paths and helped me get back into the employment market..."

Gregor Nezval, Career Guidance for Young People student

".I never had the impression that they were just fulfilling a contract - on the contrary. All of our questions were answered, and we were made aware of our own personal responsibility while nonetheless receiving support at all points. This support took the form of advice, of looking through our application papers, fine-tuning them, indicating opportunities, urging us to take a fresh look at our 'career', of describing the current job market in realistic terms, etc. Working in groups helped us to actively find different solutions. Everybody found it helpful to share our different experiences in the group, and a small network even developed. The trainer's suggestions and the sensation that he regarded it as an important personal responsibility to advise and support people in this type of "exceptional situation", led to us all feeling that this course had enriched us and was a genuine support while we were out of work."

Marianne Vyskocil, Job Coaching student

".die Berater^® recommended a course participant to us as a potential employee. The choice of this person, based on the needs profile our company had drawn up, proved correct, as the gentleman in question is still working with us."

DI Gruszkiewicz, AS Service für Architekten GmbH

".For the Austrian Child Cancer Support, working with the die Berater^® training and consulting company is particularly dear to us. Firstly, as part of the joint ECDL project, children and young people with cancer get the opportunity to acquire the European Computer Driving Licence during their treatment. And secondly, in holding  the charity event "emotion art - the art of painting feelings", die Berater^® raised considerable funds, and they spare neither expense nor effort in supporting the work of Child Cancer Support. We would like to express our very sincere thanks."

Anita Kienesberger, MD
Umbrella organisation for Austrian Child Cancer Support

".The minibus for the St. Martin Centre for the Elderly in Eisenstadt, fully funded by sponsors, is urgently needed at St. Martin's. We would like to express our deep gratitude for it. Is will mainly be used for taking the residents to the doctor, for fetching provisions and, of course, for excursions. As a sponsor, die Berater^® made a vital contribution towards the purchase of the minibus..."

Klara Vasosobe, Manageress, St. Martin

".The charity event was a great success and the ambience chosen was highly appropriate. I also bought a lovely picture. Thank you again for the invitation!!."

Christina Luef, Austrian Institute for Family Research (ÖIF)

".die Berater^® have provided voluntary support to the Vienna Women's Refuges since 2001. The highly successful project, whereby a coach helps women living in the Vienna Women's Refuges to write job application materials and then to look for employment, supports the women until they have found a suitable job, appropriate to their situation. It is wonderful to see how enormously the women benefit from the project and how it supports them and enables them to find their way back into the labour market."

Andrea Brem, MD, Association of Viennese Women's Refuges

".While the curative and recovery process is the prime concern when treating children and young people with cancer, the young patients often turn their mind to what will happen after their chemotherapy. They and their parents worry about issues such as "What will happen about school?" and "What will I do in terms of a career?" The Child Cancer Support Parents' Initiative, as an association of parents of children and young people with cancer, is constantly attempting to meet these needs. Thanks to the range of support that die Berater^® provide free of charge, we can now show our children different prospects for the future. The European Computer Driving Licence is a certified training option which makes it easier for young people with cancer to resume their career or schooling after treatment. Through the joint training programme, conducted externally, and the excellent instruction and facilitation, the die Berater^® staff manage to instil a desire to learn in our young people with cancer. The group enjoy themselves together. They can join in the decision-making. For a few hours, they can forget the chemotherapy and the hospital. The youngsters' positive mood is transmitted to their parents, and it takes a little of the pressure of responsibility off them."

Dr. Wurzinger, Member of the Board of Child Cancer Support Vienna

".Quite apart from the long period they spend under treatment in hospital, children with cancer, particularly teenagers, often worry that their illness might mean that they fall behind their healthy colleagues of the same age. die Berater's sponsorship, in collaboration with the Vienna Child Cancer Support, enabled young people from the age of 12 to work towards the European Computer Driving Licence. The children reaped a number of additional benefits from this project. They were usefully occupied during their therapies, they were distracted and so less inclined to be aware of their difficult situation, and the course helped bring them closer to others suffering in the same way. All in all, the project was a success for the children. The partnership with die Berater was excellent, smooth..."

Dr. Topf, Head of the Psychosocial Group at St. Anna's Children's Hospital

".My name is Thomas Zuser. I am 19 years old and attend the BRG/BORG St. Pölten school. What I particularly enjoy about the ECDL course is that you are under no time pressure and you can do the tests whenever you are not in a hurry. You can also practise very usefully on your own with the CD, which is very helpful to me as I live 70 kms from Vienna and the journey takes over 90 minutes each way. So it is a fine approach for me to work with the CD and, every fortnight, go along to the course to see whether I am on the right path and ask questions about anything I am not so sure about."

Thomas Zuser, participant in the Perspectives project, 2002

".My name is Sebastian Schuster and I am 12¾ years old. In the spring of 2002 I did an ECDL course at the die Berater^® eTraining centre. I was doing the course as part of Child Cancer Support's 'eLearning' project. Our trainer visited the Vienna Child Cancer Support premises every fortnight. There we were given examples that were similar to the exam questions, and we either did them there or later on, at home or in the hospital. The advantage of doing the examples there was that our trainer and our mates (there were around 15 people who had already done the ECDL for this project) could always help us straightaway! I always looked forward to those sessions together as I made new friends there and we always had a great laugh! But the exams were held in the eTraining centre in Guglgasse! There was always a relaxed atmosphere for the exams. We always knew that we would be able to do everything and there were few nerves. I was just a bit nervous over Module 1 (Theory). I would also advise everyone to prepare well for the exams and not to rush! You have three years to do seven small exams and you can repeat each exam as often as you want! In terms of learning, I would advise everyone to focus particularly on the examples that the trainer gives you. If you really master these, you have no need to worry! I would advise people to stay away from the books and CDs. You can always look things up in the book if you don't know something! The CDs are often not really designed with the exams in mind, so I do not recommend them particularly. And I always thought the examples our trainer gave us were far better than the dull ones on the CD or in the book! I would say that everyone should do the ECDL! It does not usually take up much time and it looks great on the CV. And you usually have a lot of fun, without putting yourself under a great deal of pressure! I hope that everyone that is doing the ECDL finds it as easy as me!."

Sebastian Schuster, participant in the Perspectives project, 2002

". I am Natascha and I am also doing the ECDL project. It was very important to me, to be distracted like this during my chemotherapy. What I particularly enjoy is that I don't have to study on my own for the seven exams, or modules. Rather, I can study with other patients who are also doing the project at St. Anna's, and we stay together for the course and the exams. Our trainer explains everything to us very well, and it's fun studying with him. Then, when we are ready to do the exam, we can either go to die Berater^®'s offices and do it there, or in the hospital. Up until now I've done the exams in their offices, I prefer it there as it is in a room with several rows. There are three computers in each row and three comfortable chairs, while at the front there is a table, also with a computer, where the examiner sits. I'm pleased that I, too, can do the computer driving licence! So I thank die Berater^® very much for their generous donation!..."

Natascha Hödl, participant in the Perspectives project, 2002

".It was really great with you, for you gave me the chance to do something for my future despite my illness. You explained very clearly how everything worked and you were always there with your 'talkline' whenever I didn't understand something."

Stephan Vlasaty, participant in the Perspectives project, 2002