Visioning, Strategic Planning and Emotional Intelligence.
Hello, I’m Christina Merkley.
I’m a experienced Facilitator, Coach and Trainer.
I have been in the process field since the mid 1990s with a masters in Organizational Development & Transformation and extensive experience in Graphic Facilitation in a wide range of industries.
I teach Process Practitioners from around the globe via my online SHIFT-IT School.
All of my work uses visual methods to some extent. I have many other modalities in my toolkit too (see bio).
Frequently Asked Questions:
How Can We Determine If You Are the Facilitator For Us?
Why Do You Work Visually?
What Size Groups and Levels Do You Work With?
What Special Room Considerations Do You Require?
What’s Your Availability? Do You Travel?
What Do You Charge? | What Are Your Rates?
Are You Willing to Collaborate With Other Process Professionals?
Do You Train Others in Your Innovative Methods?
How Can We Determine If You Are the Facilitator For Us?
I have extensive experience in Strategic Planning, Visioning and Emotional Intelligence in a variety of settings – corporate, government and not for profit, both locally, nationally and internationally. I work both in-person and online. I am happy to field a free Exploratory Chat (by Zoom) for us to meet. I hear about you and your situation. You hear about me and my approach. Together we determine if we are the right fit for each other. Should we wish to proceed, based off of our dialogue, I craft a detailed Memo of Understanding outlining my approach including fees. To schedule an Exploratory Chat simply email my team at admin@shift-it-coach.com to arrange.
Why Do You Work Visually?
Oh, where to start! I’ll keep it short and sweet. I’ve been working visually since the mid 1990s. Research tells us that up to 87% of the population processes and retains information best when a visual approach is used.
I don’t use visuals in every situation that I work in (sometimes its not appropriate) however when it is used its very productive, time-saving and fun for participants. It boosts clarity, understanding, retention, accountability and decreases confusion, conflict and procrastination. People literally SEE what is meant and agreed upon and have a cohesive record as a memory and communication device.
What Size Groups and Levels Do You Work With?
Technically I can work with any size group however I prefer 50 people or less due to visibility factors if I am working solo. I work visually so we need conditions where I can SEE everyone and they can SEE me and the visual charts we co-create together. For larger groups I assemble additional facilitators and/or recorders depending on our process design. I work at all levels (senior, middle, or field) or a mix.
What Special Room Considerations Do You Require?
I work both ONLINE and IN-PERSON. Online I work in Zoom using a drawing tablet and digital templates. In-person I require a physical space with plenty of smooth, unobstructed walls within seeing and hearing distance of the participants. Ideally I am involved in the selection of the meeting space before you book it.
What’s Your Availability? Do You Travel?
My availability is in constant flux due to my private practice and teaching schedule via my SHIFT-IT School. So let’s talk dates as soon as possible, to see if I can accommodate yours.
Yes, I do travel as long as flights and accommodation can fit with my other commitments.
What Do You Charge? | Your Rates?
My standard rate is $3000/day for both online and in-person facilitation. Every engagement requires additional pre and post time not just my time in the facilitation room. Pre time is for interviews, agenda design, preparation and assemble of materials. Post time is for meeting documentation (my reports are fast and functional), and any additional charting required from raw data gathered during the meeting. My fees are in Canadian funds. If out of country, you must provide appropriate border paperwork. Occasionally I provide a reduced not-for-profit rate for locals in the Victoria, British Columbia area (public schools, environmental, trauma and other heart based endeavors).
Below are general ballpark quotes:
Half-Day Event: $3500.00
One-Day Event: $7000.00
Two-Three Day Events: $10,000 – 20,000.
*** After our initial Exploratory Chat, I construct a formal Memo of Understanding outlining my proposed approach and fees for your particular event. The quotes outlined above are for general info purposes only as each event is specific. Direct expenses (materials, travel, accommodation, mileage, etc). are additional. Plus tax where required. 50% upfront to reserve dates with remainder plus expenses due upon completion.
Are You Willing to Collaborate With Other Process Professionals?
Yes, I’m very open to collaborating with other Process Professionals and on combined Process Teams, particularly for larger events.
I fit in nicely as a consultant on the visual applications, as an additional facilitator, as a process lead (for particular areas I specialize in), and as a graphic recorder (live visual scribe or creator of visual collateral materials).
Also, as a practitioner, teacher/mentor in this
field for decades, I’m well connected to other Process Professionals (visual ones and other) and am happy to make introductions or operate as a project manager overall.
Do You Train Others in Your Innovative Methods?
Yes, I have a full suite of training courses for other Process Professionals (or those interested in entering the process field) including in-person and online courses as well as various Home Study Kits. I also design custom in-house workshops should you have several people within your organization to be trained or wish to create internal visual capacity. Click here to view my SHIFT-IT School curriculum.
NEXT STEPS:
I am happy to help you determine your process needs. Simply email my team at admin@shift-it-coach.com to schedule a free Exploratory Chat as our first step. I look forward to connecting with you!
