effective business
training & consultancy

At effectivenow, we are dedicated to helping businesses and individuals reach new heights of success through our people-focused training and consulting. Our mission is simple: make your business thrive by enhancing your own effectiveness and that of your team.

70% of students said they prefer mostly or completely face-to-face learning environments.

Rebecca Koenig – EdSurge

Get in touch with us and learn how we can help change your business

Find out how we can help your business. The benefits we can bring. How long it may take. How much it may cost.

Explore
our vision

Knowledge & Skills for all​
We believe that knowledge is power, and skills are for life. Our approach is designed to give lasting insights that make you, your team, your business and wider society more effective…now. Plus, upon completing our program, you will also receive a prestigious certificate to showcase your newfound expertise and skills.

Youth Empowerment
The workforce of the future thinks differently  to that of today. Impacted by changes in culture, technology and attitudes. Our mission is to help you embrace the future whilst incorporating the best skills and knowledge of today.

Harmony Between Generations
Benefit by teaching the new dogs the old tricks. Recognise the importance of tradition and best practice. Building the best for today and tomorrow. Change doesn’t mean that you have to “throw baby out with the bathwater”. Get the best of everyone in your team.​

Embracing Change​
The pace of change is accelerating. Impacted by the pandemic, the prevalence of screens, AI, and technology, nothing stands still. Our belief is that the benefits come from embracing change for continuous improvement of yourself, your team, your business and society.​

Better Together​
The workplace is evolving and transforming. Not everyone works together in the same office at one time. Remote, hybrid and office working can exacerbate the challenges of getting “whole teams” to work together effectively. We enhance those skills.

Giving Back​
A core belief of effectivenow is that we should “give back” and “pay forward” our skills and knowledge for the goodness of all. A portion of all profits is reinvested in subsidised and free learning.​

It has been found that we retain 75% of what we do compared to 5% of what we hear or 10% of what we read. So why not apply this knowledge to the way we teach?

Michelle Bouslog– TeachHub

Why experiential learning?
‘learning by doing’

Experiential learning is learning by, from and through doing, where you actively engage in real-world experiences to gain knowledge and skills. It’s not just sitting in a classroom but stepping into the action. Whether it’s through simulations, hands-on projects, or immersive activities, experiential learning encourages you to explore, experiment, and reflect on your experiences. It brings learning to life by making it practical and relevant. The benefits are immense! Experiential learning helps you develop problem-solving abilities, critical thinking skills, and adaptability. It boosts confidence, promotes teamwork, and enhances creativity. By immersing yourself in the learning process, you acquire knowledge that sticks and become better prepared for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. ​

Get ready for an exciting learning adventure!​

Hear from our happy customers

“We would highly recommend for any business to engage the services of effectivenow. We have been working with Mark and Jon for several years and their input to our business has been invaluable. Initially, we commissioned effectivenow to undertake an effective listening/staff engagement exercise with our staff and we made several changes following this process which have made a considerable positive impact on the staff and the business. We have gone on to use effectivenow for teambuilding and a leadership and engagement planning exercise, both of which have been extremely positive and beneficial exercises. Mark & Jon are excellent at what they do and bring a huge energy and enthusiasm into every aspect of their services. They are genuinely eager to help businesses become more successful by making people more effective”
Aynsley Cheatley, Regional Managing Director (Scotland)
“My Company has worked with Mark and Jon for about a year now. In that time they have arranged two away days for us which have helped bring us all together as a Team. They have worked with us a collective and one on one to help bring out the best in all of us, whether working together or working on our own individual goals. They have shown me the benefit of valuing and supporting your team and the good things that can be achieved when we all work together.”
Serena Sutherland, Business Owner

“I started working with Mark and effectivenow back in early 2021 at a time when I wasn’t enjoying working or running a business. As a company we
had too much work on and were over stretched. Working with Mark helped remind me and identify the areas that the business should be focusing on to help improve profits and give me a better work / life balance. Over the last year with the changes we discussed and implemented things have significantly improved on both a business and personal level. They have helped me get back to enjoying and working on the business.”

Gareth Evans , Business Owner

“To whom it may concern, I recently met Mark Blair from effectivenow at a local FSB coffee morning. Where we were learning about health and wellbeing in the workplace. The timing for my business (Roseisle Luxury Campervans) in meeting Mark was definitely fate. While we are a successful business it was apparent to myself, we needed help in focusing myself and my team going forward. Mark and Jon have been inspiring to work with and have opened our eyes to various areas of the business that required improvement. effectivenow have brought refreshing ideas and processes to my team. The amazing thing is they bring back into focus what most businesses already know but have lost sight of. We are all guilty of working IN our business but not importantly ON it. Roseisle still has room for improvement but with effectivenow help we will reach our goals. For me personally it is rare to find a kindred spirit of positivity and Mark has bucket loads to offer and fascinating life experience. We are all on a learning curve and never too old to learn. I am looking forward to the next few months with Mark and Jon and can highly recommend them going forward to increase your businesses EFFECTIVENESS.”

Ranald Watt , Managing Director

“We recently had the pleasure of working with Jon and Mark at effectivenow on an audit of our joinery business. The process was comprehensive and insightful. I’ve been implementing their recommendations for a few months now, and I am already seeing results. We are working more efficiently; profits are up and I’m less stressed! Our team also benefited from one of their training days, it really brought everyone together, we had fun and we discovered new ways to communicate as a team. I am extremely happy with effectivenow, and I highly recommend their services to any business owner who is serious about growing their business.”

Danny McGuinness, Business Owner

“Our team had the pleasure of working alongside Mark and Jonathan from effectivenow on some excellent team building activities! Mark and Jonathan brought a wealth of experience and a genuine passion for helping teams thrive. We not only had a great time but also gained practical skills and insights that will continue to benefit our team in the long run. Thank you!”

Hannah Warner, Marketing Coordinator

Jonathan
Harkins

Jon knows, firsthand, what makes a great business leader… and what doesn’t. Now finding happiness passing his skills and experience to businesses who want to change.

Mark
Blair

If anyone knows about teams its Mark. He has a proven track record in helping build strong effective teams, through a skillset highly developed during a notable 10-year career as a professional sportsman.

Learn more about
what we do

  • What are your career plans? ​
  • Your ambitions? ​
  • How can you get there? ​
  • And stay there? ​
  • What skills do you need to be effective in business?

These questions, and more were at the heart of the design process for our effective business skills training course and modules. Giving you, individually, the skills to be the best that you can be in business. You may have the knowledge to do the job, but do you have the skills to deliver. It is time to maximise your impact and fulfil your potential. ​

Join us on our fully accredited 10 module course or our individual modules. ​

  • What is a team? ​
  • Are you part of the team?​
  • How do you know it’s a team?​
  • How many are in the team?​

A team is a group of individuals who come together to work collaboratively towards a common goal or objective. Teams are typically composed of members with complementary skills, knowledge, and expertise, and they work together to achieve tasks, solve problems, or accomplish specific objectives. So, how do you build the skills and knowledge of how best to work and achieve together? And what if the business environment keeps changing? That is where our effective business skills come to the fore. Giving you, individually and collectively, the skills and knowledge to drive your performance and success.​

Join us with your team on our fully accredited 10 module course or our individual modules.

  • How does ineffective people skills impact your business?​
  • Is having knowledge in the job enough?​
  • How do you develop your people?

Your people are your greatest asset. They keep your business relevant and ahead of the competition. They maintain your standards and drive your sustainable success. They are the heart, mind and soul of what you do. Of what and who you are. And of what you will be in the future. Effective business skills training is an investment in that future. Giving you the skills and knowledge and resources to drive your future success.​

Contact us to discuss a fully bespoke learning opportunity or to discuss our fully accredited 10 module course or our individual modules.

The benefits from our training aren’t just for business.​

Two significant additional benefits areas are worth highlighting:​

1. Skills for Life – Schools, Further Education & Apprentices​

A percentage of all paid training is invested in a fund to offer free and discounted training for School pupils, College and University Students and Apprentices. We firmly believe that providing access to our training provides essential skills for life.​

2. Skills for Life – Friends, Family & Society​

Better communication skills with friends, family and loved ones. Better teamwork. Better conflict management. Better leadership. Better critical thinking. Better time management. Better problem solving and Decision Making. Better Networking. Better Financial Management. Better Adaptability and Resilience. Better negotiation and conflict resolution. Better Emotional Intelligence. ​

Skills that impact those around us. Bringing people closer together. Better communities. Better society. Better life.

Effectivenow is a unique fusion between business and professional sport. ​

Mark was a professional rugby player for 10 years representing his country of Ireland and winning a European Cup with Ulster. His wealth of experience is a blend of professional rugby and invaluable business insights, learning the crucial lessons about teamwork, effort and effective communication, which have seamlessly translated to the business realm. With a focus on optimising team performance, its all about getting the best out of everyone and emphasises the importance of effective training and preparation. ​

This sporting knowledge combines with Jonathan’s background in corporate business. He has had an extensive career in senior management positions and is no stranger to the world of business leadership, having honed his skills in organisations such BAe (MAD) and BT. He is a specialist in high performing teams and transformation delivery.​

It’s the combination of sport and business that make our training so impactful. Competitive performance to drive exceptional results. Identifying strengths but also weaknesses to bring higher levels of success. Building resilience, adaptability, and peak performance principles, equipping individuals to excel in both the boardroom and on the field. It’s a unique synergy that fosters a well-rounded skillset with practical applications in various aspects of business and life. ​

Get in touch if you want to learn more about how the world of business meets sport.​