Elaine Senior
Elaine started work for a provincial branch of a large UK banking group in 1978 and since then worked in several towns in the Region. She progressed through the various departments of the Bank to become part of a three man team providing a very proactive, tailored service to a select group of clients. In this role, Elaine developed a keen understanding of what customer service really means and what it takes to achieve that.
In 1986, Elaine joined the Junior Chamber of Commerce in Rotherham and has, over the years, taken part in and organised many major projects and fundraising events. In 1991, she became President of the local group and in 1996 Chairman of the Yorkshire Junior Chambers. Both these roles showcased her talents for leadership, organisation and motivation as well as demonstrating her dedication and enthusiasm. Elaine subsequently went on to hold 3 National Officer positions.
Elaine attended the Junior Chamber PRIME (Train the Trainer) course in October 1998, which was incredible – hard work, long hours, inspirational, energising and crammed full of what she needed if she was to pursue a role in training.
In 1999, Elaine was awarded the trophy for Outstanding New Trainer within British Junior Chamber and in 2000 was awarded Outstanding Trainer in Yorkshire Region – she was thrilled. Even more incredible, through Junior Chamber, in the late 1980’s, she met a man called Scott White – at that time he was working with a large American training organisation. By the late 1990’s when Elaine came across him again, he was self employed. He has asked her to join his business as an Associate Trainer, a role she assumed in 2000. She went on to present several 10 week Personal Effectiveness Courses for his company.
In Elaine’s work life, in April 2001, she was promoted to the position of Premium Manager and was to head up her own team, looking after a portfolio of around 900 clients. Before doing so, she was approached to accept a twelve-month secondment as a Training Facilitator covering the Premium units across the North of England (around 300 staff to train). The secondment was subsequently extended, twice, to become almost 30 months and to include delivery of Retail, Business & Premium workshops within both NatWest and the Royal Bank of Scotland. The experience she gained and skills she honed in JCI was, undoubtedly, the catalyst for Elaine becoming a facilitator within the Royal Bank of Scotland Group (2nd largest banking group in Europe and 5th in the World).
During 2002, she attended the Anthony Robbins ‘Unleash the Power’ 4-day seminar in London, a truly awesome event, which included a fire walk.
Following a year as a Premium Manager in Sheffield, she returned to the training team as a Learning & Development Consultant and undertook a further 15 month stint, travelling the country, delivering and designing workshops covering delegates from Inductees up to Senior Management.
In 2009, a further career development saw Elaine become a Team Leader in the Private Banking Centre of Excellence in Sheffield. Initially responsible for the Training & Development of the 40+ staff, she also took over the management of the Administration team and additionally 4 members of the sales team. The closure of the Centre in 2010 brought redundancy for Elaine.
During her time in Learning & Development and through Junior Chamber, Elaine has developed a passion for training, fervently believing in developing people and having a burning ambition to guide, mentor and facilitate others to reach their full potential.
Elaine says, ‘My mission is to inspire, influence, motivate and encourage personal growth, respect and tolerance in myself and others’.
Elaine saw launching Effective Works as the next logical step in her career path. The firm was established in 2007, though not fully operational until 2011, and already has a small client base offering a besoke training consultancy covering everything from Training Needs Analysis, through Design and Delivery to Evaluation. Elaine also offers training courses/workshops to small companies, charities, JCI groups and individuals.
In 2014, Elaine was asked to consider taking on the role of Clerk to the Trustees of the JCI UK Foundation. Having received so much support and encouragement from the organisation over the years and wanting now to give something back, she agreed and has now been in this role for 2 years.