Health Sector

pivotal: "vitally important in determining outcome, progress or success"

"The work Sheryl has done with board members is working… it’s no longer theory but starting to be put into practice!”

Board Chairman

"Sheryl’s also very good on time. She keeps to time and covers everything off. She’s not frightened to dump stuff though – she’ll go along with what’s happening for the group and deal with whatever comes up.”

Board Chairman

"Take facilitation – I feel like I can sit down with Sheryl for 10 to 15 minutes and portray something and the results will come across [from Pivotal]. It doesn’t soak up a lot of time [talking to Pivotal] and Pivotal is very outcome-orientated. I like that about them.”

Chief Executive

“That fresh attitude…it invigorates us to do other things, to look at things differently. Sheryl pulls your head out of the sand!”

Chief Executive

“After a few years in business I was going around in circles. I just needed some new input and Sheryl was the one to give me that. What with the long hours I was working I never had time to think. I got into the same trap as I had in my earlier businesses. I sat down with Sheryl and it seemed like I could start working less hours and getting more money! I followed her advice to the ‘t’. I had been working IN my business not ON it. I couldn’t believe it!”

Business Owner

Currently Chair of Beetham Health Care Ltd, Sheryl Smail has extensive experience in health. It spans the Ministry of Health, regional health funders and providers, and mainstream, as well as Maori, health service providers. Based in a region that is about 50% Maori, Pivotal has considerable experience in, and understanding of, the governance, management and service development needs of Maori health providers.

Starting from her days as a registered nurse she has: managed wards, departments, hospitals and health services; provided national and international health professional leadership and policy advice; been involved with the regulation of nurses; undertaken strategic, business and project planning across secondary and primary health care; mentored senior health managers and the list goes on.

Sheryl had 6 years as Tairawhiti Healthcare’s chief executive before establishing Pivotal. Initially she focussed her energies on ‘rebranding’ herself and the company away from health – extending her skills and applying her experiences to add value to other sectors. This has really enriched what she now brings health sector clients.

How can Pivotal benefit you?

We can bring any of our expertise to bear on your specific needs. Our health sector experience means we talk your language and quickly grasp what you need to achieve.

Examples:

Strategy and Planning – We can design and facilitate your planning processes; design and facilitate workshops; prepare plan documentation.
Stakeholder engagement – Design and facilitate stakeholder engagement processes
Coaching – Building strong and effective leadership and management within health remains a priority. An experienced and skilled mentor can fast track this development.

“She was a good sounding board – she had a broader perspective than I did. I spoke to my chairperson and we agreed to engage her in a mentor capacity. We were really happy with her. She exceeded our expectations actually.” Health Chief Executive

We also know that sometimes you are not really sure what the problem is. You just need someone neutral and independent to investigate with an open mind. Someone with the sector knowledge, intelligence and people skills to review and report in a constructive way that preserves, and ideally enhances, relationships. We can do that for you too!

“Take facilitation – I feel like I can sit down with Sheryl for 10 to 15 minutes and portray something and the results will come across [from Pivotal]. It doesn’t soak up a lot of time [talking to Pivotal] and Pivotal is very outcome-orientated. I like that about them.” Health Provider Chief Executive