Derek Rowe:
trainer, facilitator, coach
& workshop designer
I offer innovative, learner-focused, pragmatic training and coaching solutions for team members and managers.
my services
Learn Teach Explore: Introductory 2 hour workshop
The ‘showpiece’ of my popular communication model, LEARN, TEACH, EXPLORE, this workshop offers learners the keys to the work conversation skills kingdom.
Follow up deep-dive workshops on specific subjects are also available - e.g. Coaching, Giving feedback, Courageous conversations, Selling, Service, Negotiation
I can run up to three 2-hour sessions per day.
Feel Know Believe: Business presentations workshop
This workshop has assisted thousands of Australians to present professionally in a single day, due to the use of my exclusive, holistic model - FEEL,KNOW,BELIEVE. It can be adapted for either F2F or online presentations.
One or two day versions, online or F2F for up to 10 participants.
CSAR:
How to design and deliver great training 2 day workshop
This two-day course harnesses the power of CSAR, my model for training design, delivery and evaluation. Used for over a decade by WorkSafe Victoria, CSAR is central to all parties involved in the production and execution of high-quality workshops. It makes training simple, engaging and effective.
A great aid for people designing their first workshop or coaching session, all the way through to seasoned training professionals.
One-on-one development coaching
Offered as a package of 6 one-hour online sessions, I can maximise your PD budget by ensuring it’s spent on reaching your individual goals and needs. I coach any content that I also train - e.g. leadership, communication, conversations, assertiveness, time and priority management, training design and delivery, business presenting.
Why put up with off-the-shelf group training when I can get to know you and what you need, tailoring what we cover accordingly. My pricing will match most one-day, public courses.
Facilitator for hire: Workshops, planning days, process improvement etc
I am deeply experienced in facilitating other people’s workshops, content etc.
I can work with you to create a bespoke experience, or deliver what you have designed. I love to work intensively and creatively with the client to ensure that
(a) goals are achieved through
(b) continuous engagement strategies.
I’m also DiSC accredited.
My rate is both reasonable and negotiable for this type of work, so as to make it even more possible for you to outsource it externally.
First month leader
This half-day workshop focuses on what you must do if you’re a team member on Friday, and managing the team the following Monday.
The role of FIRST MONTH LEADER is to support new leaders in their initial month or 2, so that when they receive more advanced leadership training down the track, they won’t be a total novice!
I can run two sessions per day, which means even a large cohort of new team leaders can be trained over a short period of time.
Workshop and coaching session design
Using my own CSAR model for workshop design, delivery and evaluation, I have been lucky enough to have designed workshops on a myriad of subjects - e.g. child and workplace safety, customer service, design thinking, selling and international leadership for the clinical heads of national blood services. My process allows me to (a) work with others for content, before (b) using CSAR to construct a balanced, learner-centred workshop experience.
Not every trainer designs workshops for others to deliver. I’ve been doing it for over 25 years. Happy to discuss rates with this one too.
‘Tick it off the list’ Time and priority management
This workshop is a flexible offering that can span 3 hours up to a full day. It focuses on using IP I’ve developed for large training organisations such as AIM, and focuses equally on
(a) tasking effectively and,
(b) ensuring you’re always picking the right task to be effective about!
A very modular piece of training, based upon my eBook, ‘Tick it off the list’. Each participant will receive a copy of the eBook.
Right here, Right now: Responding professionally under pressure
Using a central, user-friendly system - the ARC model - this one-day workshop assists participants to deal with real-time, anxiety-provoking situations via a series of easy-to-memorise strategies.
The focus is on practice, sharing and having fun, whilst still looking directly at the things that trigger us.
This a growing need for many in the modern workplace. One of the key outcomes of this workshop is greater psychological safety.
about Derek
In my 4th decade as an educational professional, my focus remains upon creating solutions that put the learner, and their development needs, first. I specialise in assisting team members and frontline-to-middle managers. My IP is unique, and my style is informal and authentic.
I focus on the generic underpinning skills anyone with a job needs to become high performing: frontline leadership, work communication, business presenting, time and priority management and psychological safety.
I have done this for clients such as:
Bostik Australia
Coles
WorkSafe Victoria
VMIA
City of Melbourne
Canon Australia
Schweppes
McColl's Transport
Victorian Electoral Commission
The Australian Insurance Law Association (AILA)
CGU / IAG
Easygo
Lactalis
MONA
NRMA
Australian Institute of Management (AIM)
Red Cross Blood Service (Lifeblood)
Child Wise
Ramsay Health
Victorian Department of Parliamentary Services
DEECA (formerly DEWLP
Northline
What My Clients Say
I have had the pleasure of working with Derek across a number projects and learning solutions. Derek is passionate about learning like nobody else I know and puts the learner and participants at the centre of his design. I have enjoyed brain-storming solutions with Derek as he is innovative, practical and energetic. Derek is an expert in learning design and facilitation and I would highly recommend him for projects both big and small.
Carolyn Mitchell: Senior Organisational Development Consultant, Australian Red Cross Blood Service - 2018
In 2017, Victorian CGU WorkCover identified a compelling need to improve the customer service communication standards of our 100 plus strong claims team. Our goal was to improve our ranking for service satisfaction in the Victorian WorkCover Authority scheme.
We approached Derek Consulting with our desire to run short, behaviorally focused workshops of 90-120 minutes each. Derek immediately replied he could deliver. He outlined his Learn Teach Explore Holistic Communication process, and how it was specifically designed to create the maximum amount of learner development in the shortest possible workshop length.
Over a 2-day period, Derek delivered 8 x 90-minute workshops – 7 for team members, and one for team leaders to develop their call coaching skills using a variation of the same LTE model. The financial and time economics of this approach were marked, and very shortly afterwards we saw our service survey statistics begin to improve. Over the subsequent months, Derek ran further rounds of workshops, each designed to use the LTE model to redress very specific aspects of the claims management process, such as adverse decisions, first call contacts etc. Again, these workshops were always short and behaviourally focused.
In between workshops, Derek provided 1:1 call coaching assistance to each team, again using the LTE model as a framework and benchmark for such sessions. We found our team members could remember, as well as use, the LTE model to extend their potential, and that our team leaders could also use it to assess and benchmark calls as well as provide objective, criterion referenced feedback. A year later, our service stats have improved markedly, placing CGU in first position in some months.
The impact and high usability of the Learn Teach Explore model has been a critical component of these improvements. We believe so much in its effectiveness that we are now using it throughout the organization nationally, as a foundation communication model for all of our long tail claims. This model is truly unique in that it supports authentic team member communications skills development in a holistic, supportive and ‘human’ way. It is simple, highly effective and empowering for anyone who commits to it.
Angela Barra: Manager, Operations Enablement IAG - 2020
At McColl’s Transport, we are dedicated to the development of our people. Currently, we’re implementing a Frontline Leadership Development program that integrates the 70/20/10 learning principles, immersing our employees in a comprehensive learning experience. A core aspect of our training focuses on eight essential leadership competencies, with effective communication as a cornerstone. To strengthen this skill, we’ve adopted the Learn, Teach, Explore (LTE) model, expertly researched and developed by Derek Rowe. Derek’s guidance has been instrumental in helping our team fully integrate the LTE model into daily fieldwork, where it has become central to our communication approach.
The LTE model’s simplicity and practicality have empowered our frontline managers to elevate their communication skills meaningfully. With its clear focus on learning, teaching, and exploring, the model provides an actionable pathway for growth, enhancing clarity and engagement in our leaders’ interactions. In adopting the LTE model, our leaders have gained a sharper focus on the purpose and impact of their communication. This approach not only builds individual capabilities but also supports a culture of continuous improvement across McColl’s. The LTE model has become a powerful tool in our coaching, reinforcing effective communication as an essential leadership skill.
Derek has also provided practical LTE examples that have been invaluable for our leaders in planning their interactions. McColl’s remains committed to Leadership Development into 2025, and we will continue to use the LTE model to strengthen effective communication techniques within our teams.
Jack Barresi - Learning & Development Lead McColl’s Transport - NOV 2024
I have previously delivered training courses designed by Derek Rowe from Derek Rowe Consulting and contacted him to write some courses for me, however, Derek thought the best option would be for him to teach me about the CSAR model so I could write my own. Due to COVID-19, the sessions were done via Zoom but this didn’t detract from the learning and coaching experience. You actually come away from the sessions with the knowledge that you’ve grasped the process and this is going to help me greatly with future courses I design and deliver. I feel as though my courses now have a structure to them, and they won’t be boring thanks to Derek and the CSAR model.
Daniel McConville: McConville Risk Solutions
I have worked with Derek over the past several years in joint collaboration designing innovative workplace communication programs. Derek's ability to flex to the client needs and expectations is brilliant. I have been successful in my role due to Derek's ability to draw experiences from the workshop and make the training real in a short amount of time. Derek was always prepared and received impressive feedback and I would not hesitate to work or recommend Derek's consulting services.
Linda Nguyen: National Business Development Manager, Australian Institute of Management - 2018