Your business doesn’t need better people, it needs better thinking.

Across businesses globally, the same issues continue to show up…

  • Employees waiting to be told what to do

  • Declining accountability and ownership

  • Safe, predictable thinking

  • Inability to problem solve

  • Insular and siloed patterns of working

  • A shift from contribution to “what’s in it for me”

  • Resistance to change and new ways of working

  • Chronic lack of initiative

And while these patterns present as behavioural issues, they actually stem from the way people think. Teach people to elevate their thinking and you change everything….

 

  • The quality of their decisions

  • The strength of their ideas

  • The level of initiative

  • The way teams collaborate and engage

  • When you improve the way people think, you improve the way they perform

What’s different about The Elevator?

Most consultants analyse problems, we change the way your people think about them.

The Elevator sets about identifying where performance, innovation, and problem solving are being limited by entrenched patterns of thought. Then we embed better thinking directly into your organisation.

We change the way people think, by teaching the fundamentals of lateral thinking. This lateral thinking training isn’t the product. It’s the execution and the last stage in the process.

We equip your people with practical, easy to use tools, to challenge assumptions, generate stronger ideas, and act with greater clarity and initiative. Along with the freedom to do so.

The impact doesn’t sit in a report.
It lives inside your business, improving how your people think - and perform - every day.

  • Escaping habitual thinking

  • Generating more diverse ideas

  • Learning to uncover hidden opportunities

  • Having more initiative

  • Greater mental flexibility

  • More engagement

  • Reducing fear of failure

  • Greatly improved psychological safety

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Structure & Cost

The first step is establishing those critical metrics of success. For some organisations, it’s success on the sales front. For others, it’s ideation and problem solving. Some want greater staff engagement and a lift in employee satisfaction.

 Each program is tailored, but as an example, a typical day with The Elevator includes the following:

Format

A genuinely interactive workshop-style event, that includes up to 20 participants. Most days contain
4 sessions of 1.5 hours each.

Location

Ideally in your business for convenience and minimising down time. External
locations charged at cost.

Inclusions

All training tools and equipment, along with a strategic feedback write-up post session to outline key learnings and reminder processes, specific to your business.

Toolbox

Each attendee receives an Elevator toolbox to transform theory into actionable practice.

Follow-Up

A recommended follow-up session after 30-60 days to review progress and quantify success.

Pricing

As a guide a standard one-day program is priced at $9,900 and includes up to 20 participants.

About

Nick McDonald - Founder
and Director of The Elevator

With over 20 years of experience using lateral thinking to reshape the direction and profitability of businesses, Nick McDonald is a seasoned leader in innovation and strategic transformation. As the founder and director of The Elevator, he brings a wealth of practical expertise, helping organisations and individuals unlock their cognitive potential through the power of lateral thinking.

 

Throughout his career, Nick has proven his ability to deliver impactful results across a range of industries. His strategic influence has driven a 30% sales increase for Australia’s largest automotive service and repair organisation, redefined Perrier’s positioning in the Gulf region to become a go-to choice for everyday consumption, and unified Uncle Toby’s cereal products ahead of a major share float. His recent work with the Australian International Airshow has led to four consecutive sold-out events, marking record-breaking success for one of Australia’s premier events. Nick has also led high-stakes pitches, including a multi-million dollar win for the Mercedes Benz advertising business in the Gulf region.

  • In addition to his commercial achievements, Nick has spent 15 years in human resources, where his talent for spotting "out of the box" thinkers has made him a sought-after consultant. Strategic placements of key creative personnel has helped transform Melbourne ad agencies into more creative and profitable businesses. Most notably, his placements are almost always successful with a 96% success rate inside the guarantee period.

    Nick's dedication to the next generation of creative thinkers is reflected in his role on the Deakin Advisory Board, where he shapes marketing and advertising curricula. He has coached over 50 young creatives, many of whom are now internationally recognized in their fields. His contributions extend beyond business, with pro bono roles including committee work for the Australian Grand Prix and revitalizing the Melbourne Advertising and Design Club.

    At The Elevator, Nick is now channelling his passion and expertise to help businesses elevate their problem-solving capabilities, improve productivity, and think laterally. His track record, experience, training and deep understanding of what drives innovation make him uniquely suited to help businesses become more productive.

The back story