Our values

I established Action Learning Associates 10 years ago because I experienced action learning as a radical transformative power which exceeds other forms of solo or facilitated learning. It taught me that action learning enables individuals and organisations to learn differently, understand more widely and take bolder steps than they might previously have considered. I also observed the value of creating a structured environment where people from different sectors could learn from each other.

At the outset I didn’t plan to grow the business beyond what I could deliver personally but, as the demand for action learning has accelerated, I have expanded the company to meet the need.

I am passionate about developing action learning whilst keeping its essence – careful listening, open questioning and thoughtful feedback.

At the same time as there has been growing recognition of action learning so there has been an increase in the number of people claiming to be facilitators after reading a book or attending a single workshop. I am strongly motivated by the desire to promote and sustain high quality action learning that is solidly based on experience.

The company has grown because I have only competed for work that I know falls within our expertise and where I am confident that we can deliver to a high standard. Our relationships with our customers are honest and straightforward – we say what we can do and we always deliver. We share the evaluation material with our customers and we have a high proportion of repeat business. Until very recently, all our work came through word of mouth recommendations.

I have recruited all the associates on the basis of personal knowledge of the individuals and evidence of the quality of their work. It is important to me that they all have their own separate professional identities and carry out other work as sole traders or in their individual companies.

Expansion has been possible because I have brought into the team three highly competent administrators, also self-employed and each bringing particular skills that they contribute to the business.

I recognise that different sectors have varying abilities to pay for action learning and have created a pricing structure to reflect this. It is important to me that action learning is as available in the under-funded arts world and to organisations campaigning for social justice and a sustainable world, as it is to the best of the corporate world.

I have continued to build the company whilst still doing what I love – facilitating action learning sets and introducing action learning to new facilitators. It is also important in my own work life that I maintain the space to do some pro bono work and some work for international development organisations.

I look forward to the next 10 years, who knows where it will take us.

Ruth Cook
September 2008