Eric Schneider  

creative coach, consultant + catalyst for change

Eric is also passionate about developing creative and innovative thinking in individuals and teams who don't traditionally see themselves as creative, as well as supporting those with responsibility for managing design, innovation and generally leveraging creative resources.


Sometimes becoming 'more creative' is about getting people to think about alternative and more effective ways of solving problems or asking questions. In other instances it can be about developing 'creative' awareness or skills in a particular area. It may also involve assisting people to nurture and encourage creativity in others, for example by putting in place receptive conditions and other factors. For example,  the focus may be on how best to build a creative culture, nurture innovation, develop creative teams, remove creative hurdles, understand creative processes and / or maximise the potential of creative assets.

Eric specialises in helping creatives to achieve their full potential, and in assisting others to think more creatively.


Eric's background as both a management consultant and coach (he has over 30 years of experience advising creative organisations and individuals, building on his London Business School roots) and a creative (he's also an Architectural Association trained architect, and a photographer) means that he is able to understand both the challenges facing creatives and what it takes to succeed.



WHO ERIC WORKS WITH

Eric works with creatives of all kinds - from designers and architects to those in the arts, media, music and fashion sectors, and including individuals, teams and organisations.


Typically his work with creatives focuses on helping individuals (and teams) to achieve their full creative potential and career or business aspirations.


Depending on your needs and priorities, the issues covered may range from business or career activities, to those affecting your creative outputs, to motivational and psychological factors. For example Eric may help you clarify your vision and goals, agree your strategies for achieving them, review your creative and other activities, build your confidence, help with how you address creative challenges, and/or identify how you can more effectively manage your working relations with others.

Eric also supports CEOs, entrepreneurs and business owners who often need to be creative in order to stay ahead of the pack, and stay positive and energised in the face of endless challenges. .


In such a context one of Eric's key roles is to be there - as a creative thinker, coach, consultant and general trusted advisor - to bounce ideas off, to work through pressing issues, to interrogate both strategic and creative matters, or to just listen.


As a creative strategy and design management consultant who has worked with hundreds of small businesses and numerous larger organisations Eric can help with a wide range of business and creative issues. He can also assist with  mindset challenges, for example in terms of understanding our individual saboteurs and coping with those inevitable setbacks.

Eric is also very aware in his coaching of the power of the mind and how ways of thinking can affect a person's behaviour and effectiveness.

Not least this includes how our internal 'saboteurs' can hold sway. In this regard, he works with clients to help ensure the brain really is working as a friend and not a foe and amalgamates his approach with Shirzad Chamine's Positive Intelligence techniques that make a major difference in helping the initial positive results of the coaching and consultancy endure.


He is happy to work on a face to face, online +/or telephone basis.




WHAT CLIENTS SAY


"I had reached a plateau in my career progression and Eric has been very helpful in creating a framework for me to organise my thoughts and ambitions on how I could progress in the future.


Eric's warm and encouraging manner dispensing positive criticism has helped boost my confidence. The 360 degree review was very illuminating and helped me to develop ideas for what I should focus on going forward.


We covered a lot of ground during our sessions, which carried on successfully via video during lockdown. (Even when the) sessions were completed, Eric still took the time to check in on me and ensure that the office was aware of my progress."


Karen Fuller, Barr Gazetas



“I used to have sympathy with the view that management consultants simply borrow your watch to tell you the time, only to walk off with it.


My experience with Schneider has been very different. Eric borrowed my watch, told me why it was running slightly out, then gave it back - pointing out that with a bit of cleaning it would be worth more than I had thought possible.


Eric Schneider gave my consultancy the kind of invaluable independent perspective that I hope we give to our clients


Robert Smith, Jog Limited




"…Throughout this six month process Eric delivered insight, knowledge, financial acumen and most importantly intellectual challenge to the business planning process. The initial benefits are a practice reinvigorated, recharged and most importantly ambitious to face a new decade of challenge…


Mark Hobson, Maber Architects




Eric is the only businessman I have met who is also both a genuinely skilled and observant “creative” and an effective and gritty strategic consultant, able intelligently and articulately to evaluate the needs and objectives of others on their own terms, rather than simply by reference to himself


… throughout, I have also valued Eric’s ideas and contributions on diverse small issues such as logo-design, the content, tone & ‘pitch’ of web sites and brochures, aspects of overhead management and even preparation for important meetings and presentations.


What I like about Eric is that he is prepared to get to the nuts & bolts; he can bring real rigour to the table. He can also be relied on to take a step back from time to time and try to lift one’s head up to the horizon that lies ahead.”


Chris Agace Chalk Hill



“having taken a slightly sceptical approach to the process, I found the whole exercise very rewarding. Eric has the knack of getting to the nub of an issue quickly and without fuss giving us a clear set of issues to address


Ian Yallop, Stephen George + Partners



Eric Schneider came highly recommended for the task; he exceeded expectations. Through his astute and tactful guidance we have and are achieving development ambitions which I would have not thought possible


Lyn Edwards, GMW Architects



“Eric Schneider is an outstanding management and business consultant. Even his free up-front session gave me invaluable ideas for growing my business. In the paid consultancy which followed I have gained a clear idea of where I am heading and what I need to do the get there. I have already taken significant actions that are moving my business forward. Eric's consulting is worth its weight in gold


Graham Price, CEO Abicord



“I just thought you might like to know that Strides has got a new word doing the rounds: "Being Schneidered." It made me laugh. I want to become a word someday … Your presence has "unstuck" us and pushed us forward, for which I am extremely grateful.  Thank you and well done. I hope you enjoyed the process, others certainly did.”


Elizabeth Kavanagh, Head of HR, Stride Treglown



The process has opened up many new fields of discussion within the office. Everybody on the staff enjoyed meeting Eric. Often now when we have a problem someone will say: 'what would Eric say?'!”


Alistair Barr, Barr Gazetas



HOW HE WORKS

Eric approach to coaching and consultancy will be tailored to your specific needs. Often he will blend the role of coach, consultant and creative according to the issues and circumstances in question.

CREATIVES

CREATIVES

CREATIVITY

ENHANCERS

CEOs, ENTREPRENEURS, BUSINESS OWNERS

First and foremost he brings an independent, empathetic perspective, and acts as a sounding board - a safe 'psychological space' - to explore issues, ideas and experiences.


He also works in a manner that is structured but flexible and responsive aiming to understand your situation, putting himself in your shoes, so he can work with you to innovate effective solutions, and navigate how they will most effectively instigated.