Testimonials
Supporting new hires through a sound and professional onboarding process is at the core of our values. For this reason, we’ve created a space where candidates can be heard. Learn more about Mandrake Group’s unique support process from the candidates themselves.
Francis Baillargeon
VP & CFO at AddEnergie Technologies
“In terms of learning, I would say that from my point of view, the support I lived helped me in what was my most significant role evolution in my history – different responsibilities, different type of management, size and nature different business. Linda helped me to step back from a time when it would have been otherwise difficult to take it and offered me some real strategies to make sure my transition was a success – and it was always done in practice context which I applied as soon as I returned to the office after our meetings. I kept several learnings from it and continue to apply it and I also took notes to ensure that the next integration of a new leaders into our team will be a great success.
Linda has allowed me to focus not only on making the obvious parts of my immediate transition a success, but also on building a foundation that allows me to build strong relationships and a good approach to work for the longer term. I liked the progressive structure of the support meaning that the elements that we focused on in the first month were appropriate for these experiences, and those that came out in the third / fourth month were different, but just as relevant.
For me, it was the price of certain initiatives or habits, sometimes innocuous, that allowed me to set the tone well with my colleagues – up, down, and sideways. I also liked using the “excuse” of my integration to have frank discussions with the members of my team which did not allow me to accelerate my learning and to clearly express my objectives to demonstrate the seriousness of my steps. “
Daniel Hébert
Vice President and Group Lead, IT
“As part of my hiring at BDC through the firm of Mandrake Vézina Lebeau, I was able to benefit from excellent support from Linda Arsenault in the integration of my new position. Our meetings began before my arrival in order to prepare the plan for my first 90 days. Our discussions continued in the months following my entry into post to discuss the human, political and organizational aspects related to my new responsibilities.
Linda was of great help in preparing my findings and my action plan following my first 90 days. Linda’s experience, listening skills and sound advice allowed me to successfully integrate and build a solid foundation for my future at BDC. Thank you!”
Yannick Beaulé
Vice President Sales and Corporate Development
“These support sessions have proven to be very profitable for me, just to take a break from the daily hustle and bustle and reflect on my actions in a context of integration into my role. In addition to allowing this moment of reflection, our discussions made it possible to bring out a few points that I had to integrate in order to optimize this integration. A great idea from Mandrake.”
“I thought it was important to let you know that this approach was greatly appreciated and brought a lot of value. Thank you!”
Michel Lalonde, FSA
Vice President Human Resources Canada
” As I am not patient by nature, my main challenge was not to question everything in the first month in my new position. This is what was discussed in my first two meetings with my coach. I have also received documentation to this effect. I have to say that taking a step back before you act is probably the best advice ever. It allowed me to better understand the corporate culture as well as the people and, of course, to make better decisions afterwards. It also allowed me to establish my credibility with my team. Subsequently, the focus was on the expectations of my superiors. I had not taken the time to understand the expectations to my respect and this point came up during a meeting with my coach. Since then, I have taken the time to validate them and I am in a much better position following these meetings with my superiors. I believe that the executive coaching provided upon my hiring has generally helped me to land smoothly and integrate into my new environment.
Thank you for giving me this beautiful gift!
Michel “
Eric Martin
Vice-President of Information Technologies and Digitalization
“I’m generally open to this type of process but was still skeptical that this kind of coaching would add value at this point in my career. I’ve joined and integrated into more than a dozen companies over the years. I thoroughly prepared with readings, discussions, reflection… Once on board, I was well received and given good support. I listened and set up the right messages, best practices, and a new strategic plan… And it’s been successful so far.
Our discussions throughout this process helped me avoid certain potentially perilous grey areas. Having seen a lot of this kind of thing in the past doesn’t necessarily mean I’ve seen it all! It is quite possible that I might not be looking in the right place at the right moment! Your questions, always on point, helped me see these areas and contribute to my overall thought process. It was subtle but very useful! You really listen, and it’s always a positive, enjoyable experience!”
Caroline Paquet
President
“Allow me to underline the contribution of Linda Arsenault, your integration coach, in my integration process.
I intend to add a session to the one already provided by Mandrake. She has a different and paused eye.
She had very good advice in regards of the situation with my predecessor, and this was very valuable. In integration, we are often tempted to take charge from the start and we forget the most important … assimilate the organizational culture. She helps you adapt and navigate a new organization.”
France De Blois
Vice President, Finance
” The frequency of one (coaching) session per month was well scheduled and allowed me to have external and objective monitoring of how my integration was going at Cogeco. I really appreciated this process and the support and I am sure that it contributed to my integration going well. “
Martin Lebeau
Vice President, Business Development – Sales & Marketing
“I mainly wanted to thank you and recognize the relevance of the integration support that I received from your firm, Mandrake Vézina Lebeau.
For my part, it was a first experience that I really appreciated. Linda’s approach was fair, paused, and to the point. Following each of our meetings, I retained a suggestion, initiative or comment that I subsequently implemented during my integration period.”
Christian Guy
Vice President, General Manager – Réal Huot, Groupe Deschênes
“Since the end of August, I have been involved in a great challenge with Groupe Deschênes (Réal Huot). Understanding the challenges or the right way to integrate a team requires serious thought. Throughout this reflection, reading and observation, the presence of a guide is essential. I have been and still am a captain of a beautiful ship and in our various responsibilities we need lighthouses. They are our points of reference and reassure us about our professional procedures. Linda was an exceptional listener and in my opinion her support is essential for a successful integration. Much work remains in front of me, but I know that I can always have access to her thoughts. For a leader, the presence of a quality person like Linda proves to be an added value that any serious company that wants the success of its leaders should promote.”
Mireille Larouche
Vice-présidente, Gestion du capital humain
“What a privilege to have experienced integration into a new company while being accompanied by an expert coach in the field. A peace of mind knowing that I could count on her precious advice to guide me in my approaches, my ideas, my actions.
Each meeting was an opportunity for me to take a step back and think about my next steps. To reflect: nowadays, we only too rarely take the time for these privileged moments, which nevertheless allow us to move forward and much better. This is what my coach will have so beneficially allowed me to do, always taking me further, faster. Thank you Mandrake for giving me such a strategic ally during my integration, but above all very human and authentic!”
Stéphane Piotte
Chief Financial Officer
“I find your (integration coaching) initiative excellent and I really enjoyed the sessions, even if sometimes I was short of time and in a hurry.
Coaching has forced me to step back on occasion and think more deliberately about my transition/integration process.
This caused some awareness on my part, and also stimulated better internal feedback/game plan with my peers and subordinates.
So thank you for your support, and good luck!”
Sandra Charlebois
Vice President, Talent & Culture
“I have finished my coaching sessions with Mrs. Arsenault and I wanted to tell you know that the service provided by Mandrake is greatly appreciated.
First of all, it’s a unique and also very valid service offer for me, who had never changed jobs, so having the opportunity to discuss with a professional about my issues, adaptation challenges, was greatly appreciated. It also led me to reflect on certain avenues to take as part of my integration into Groupe Sélection.”
François-Philippe Lessard
Vice President, Corporate Developement
“It was appreciated to have a neutral onboarding during my integration process, to validate certain approaches and my game plan before implementing them or reviewing them with my manager.”
Philippe Piuze
Vice President, Construction
“The meetings were beneficial for my integration because they made it possible to have good exchanges together as well as to make breakpoints and awareness. Having a discussion with an external stakeholder allows you to put events into perspective to assess the situation.”
Nicolas McDuff
Senior Vice President, Global Communications and Marketing
“The advice provided by Linda were very judicious and useful, including regarding the priorities to be established (and negotiated) with my new manager. Linda’s advice also allowed me to prioritize the development of strong relationships with not only my team and my manager, but also with my colleagues at the same level throughout the company. She was able to ask me the right questions, those that made me stop and think.
This is not the first time that I have changed companies in my career, but never before have I felt that my integration went so easily.”
Isabelle Le Beau
Vice President, People and Culture
“Thank you for the support during my integration period. Listening to your coach, her ability to listen and her ability to lead us to ask ourselves the right questions were key to my successful integration into Belron.”
Francine Sabourin
General Manager
“I wanted to take a few moments to highlight the quality of the support I received during my hiring process, but also during my personalized coaching with Linda Arsenault. Arriving in an association like the ACQ is a tough challenge and the three coaching sessions I received really allowed me to take a step back in order to properly follow the stages of my integration. Many thanks for all of this.”