Group Facilitation Success Stories

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“As a group facilitator, whether in a corporate or community venue, Vic brings an extraordinary blend of spontaneous and intuitive interchange with a capacity for masterful precision and discernment in the use of conceptual distinctions regarding leadership. This combination of talent provides a foundational balance rarely exemplified in someone promoting his or her leadership skills. His dedication for expanding the freedom of expression for all people is an exceptional and vital gift to the world.”

- David Rubine, Cornerstones Founder and CEO, www.thecornerstonespath.com

“The single most perceptive coach I’ve worked with, Vic Desotelle combines the wisdom of an old sage with the business acumen of a CEO, and the psychological know how of a learned clinician. Our work together catapulted me into the higher level of professionalism and business operations I had always wanted to realize, but didn’t know how to achieve. Vic made it easy, and made it seem like I got there all by myself.

You’ve heard the old adage, If a tree falls in the forest and no one is listening…I’ve witnessed Vic Desotelle’s ability to put himself in the forest of every single individual in our group, no matter their position, or background. Before a tree even begins to think about falling, he is there, guiding their transformation of a potential disaster into an opportunity for expansion. Averting failure, Vic has facilitated their movement into a direction that capitalizes on their strengths, honors their truest vision, and celebrates their growth.”

- Maria Kostelas, Healing Music Performance and Gifts, www.flutesoftheworld.com, Pacific Grove, California

“Discovery Fuel provided the emerging California Chapter of the Ecological Landscaping Association with the capacity to grow Its membership from 4 to 54 in just one year and to develop the first ELA Working Group for local members in the nation. Their group facilitation helped guide us through important organizational development steps and create inspiring and effective action plans. I highly recommend Discovery Fuel and Vic Desotelle to help your organization be dynamic and transformative.”

- Golden Love, Love’s Gardens, Santa Cruz, California, www.lovesgardens.com

“Vic is extremely knowledgeable about all things sustainable. He’s an original thinker and will add value to anyone or any organization both as they begin and as they implement a move towards a more sustainable business practices and thinking.”

- Michael Kaufman, InnovationLabs LLC

“For many years, Vic has been an adviser of mine on issues related to the environment and sustainability . Vic has exhibited a knowledge and an undying passion for these topics long before they were part of the mainstream consciousness. It’s a pleasure to work with Vic as he brings an energy and can-do attitude to everything he does.”

- Tim Billing, Operations Director, IDEO

“Vic is fun to work with on any job. I have worked with him as a facilitator of large and small groups — he has the ability to deeply listen while staying tuned into the pulse and flow of the group. He knows how to spark the group when needed and when to stay out of the way. He engages young people as well as our most senior elders. I’d work with him on any project again.”

- Regina Reilly, Team Coach, San Jose, CA

“In my experience, Vic has demonstrated keen appreciation of the subtleties of language and communication. He also has an excellent grasp of the importance of cultural beliefs in developing effective business activities.”

- Susan C. Strong, Executive Director & Founder, The Metaphor Project

“Vic is unusually well qualified to help organizations and individuals think about sustainable, green solutions to the problems we encounter, both in daily life, and on a broader scale.”

- Steve Endsley, Director of Planning & Finance, Fort Ord Reuse Authority

“Our company worked with Vic to develop a project proposal based upon Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS). Whereas our company is very familiar with large, complex projects, we were not familiar with the emerging CAS concepts and theories. Vic did an excellent job of bringing us up-to-speed on CAS and helped us develop the proposal — which we could not have done without him. Vic was very helpful and supportive in working with us even though we were a new contact for him. Based on this initial contact, we have remained in touch and shared ideas. Vic is innovative, helpful, and supportive, and I would recommend him as a good partner for anyone to work with.”

- Larry Walker, President, Knowledge Management, Inc., Mpls MN

“A nonprofit environmental group on whose board of directors I served brought Vic in to work with us on clarifying our mission and direction. He facilitated an excellent process for our board.”

- Selene Vega, therapist, Environmental Council board member

“Great person to work with, highly energetic and resourceful, he will be an asset to any team he chooses to associate with.” - Sergio Lub, SergioLub.com

“Thanks to Vic, Peter, Chris and the rest of the team for offering such a great workshop to people like myself, starting out on our new ventures. It is so incredibly rare to be able to find classes or books that provide the kind of return on invested time like the forum you offered – AND it is free! I keep telling my wife about it and she just can’t believe it. I  am so impressed with the fact that the “teachers” are in fact entrepreneurs in the making themselves, and sharing of their hard earned wealth of knowledge and wisdom. It helps us newbies to perhaps avoid some ofthe most common pitfalls of starting a new business.

I also immensely enjoyed the format where we all had the opportunity to share our ideas and dreams in a “safe” environment. It was such a diverse crowd with such a broad set of experiences, and to have the opportunity to observe others go through the process of discovery, just like myself was just incredibly rewarding. Thanks again.”

- Carl Gadener, CEO, Digital Home Convergence Designs, Inc., www.dihoco.com

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Sample PSR’s

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PSR1

Problem: A local business incubator determined that 80% of our economy’s success is dependent upon small businesses. A part of economic redevelopment means making sure that new small businesses are entering the marketplace; including small enterprise headed up by lower income ownership.
Solution: I created an entire training program that allowed low income small enterprise startup business owners to design and implement a plan to get their businesses going.
Result: I helped to establish a new area of economic development that has often gotten overlooked, and did it in a way that minimized the need for large staff to support it.

PSR2

Problem: A nonprofit organization, wanted to create a green mall that demonstrates how a sustainable marketplace works. But they had no business plan in place that could move them forward with the existing economy.
Solution: As a sustainability expert and proficient facilitator, I designed a collaboration workshop that brought a cross-section of experts together to co-create the company’s plan.
Result: The company was able to gain further funding, and a commitment from many experts and organizations across many sectors in the county to building the green mall. Due to my facilitation, I took this company startup to their next stage of development. This effort demonstrated the importance of my collaboration techniques for creating a collective community process, in order to design a truly sustainable solution that holistically enhances a local economy.

PSR3

Problem: A local college in Monterey, made the commitment to green their campus. Their challenge consisted of not knowing how to design a process that could bring the entire college community from student to president to share their values, ideas, and design a co-created plan that would generate a sustainable set of solutions on campus (such as solar power, etc) over time.
Solution: As a sustainability expert and proficient facilitator, I designed a collaboration workshop called a ‘Colab’ that brought a cross-section of experts together to co-create the company’s plan.
Result: The college now has in place a sustainability program and committee that is directing ongoing progress and implementing the outcomes that were created during the ‘Colab’.