| • Do you want to help create positive change in your team, department or organization? Then the Solution-Focused approach is for you! The next online SF Business Professional, presented with the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, will start on Sunday 26 October 2025. This course will be based on the new edition of The Solutions Focus, published in May 2024. The course runs over 16 weeks, with a week's break at half time. This course has been revised to include Mark's latest work and the developments contained in his book The Next Generation of Solution-Focused Practice, as well as classic work from The Solutions Focus book. The course includes using SF ideas to work in individual, group and organisational settings, coaching practice and a project. This programme has been online since its inception in 2011, and the format has been a huge success with lots of interaction between learners as well as with course tutor Mark McKergow himself. |
|
This course appeals to relatively experienced coaches, change agents, facilitators and consultants as well as managers who are seeking to build progress in tough situations (without hiring a consultant!). Our participants come around the globe, and you will end up with a new network of trusted colleagues as well as the very best in elegant change-building processes. The course helps you really build an understanding not only of SF tools and techniques but also of how and why these ideas are effective, how to introduce them and the subtlities of combing these simple-looking tools in the complexities of real life organisational work. This is also currently the leading programme aimed at supporting you towards full membership of SFiO, the professional body for SF coaches, consultants and managers in organisations. Here are some quotes from 2024 participants.
This has been an excellent course. I wanted to move beyond just reading about SF in books and put it into practice—and the course delivered this and much more. Not only did I learn from my own observations and activities, but I also gained valuable insights from my classmates' experiences. (G, USA)
Mark himself will be the course tutor, and places are limited to 20. It's a great way for managers, coaches and consultants worldwide to work with Mark and learn SF the very best way possible. Course fee is US $1495 (early bird - book at least a month in advance) or $1595 full price. For booking go to the UWM website at https://uwm.edu/sce/certificates/solution-focused-business-professional-certificate/
Each week there will be:
Much of the work is 'asychronous' - you can do it at times to fit in with your work and life. Don't worry, there will be lots of engagement with Mark and the other participants. We will also hold live Zoom calls for questions and discussion, about every fortnight on Sundays at times arranged with the participants. The first of these will be held at the start of the programme, to allow you the chance to say hello in person and discuss your hopes and goals for the course. Don't worry if you can't make it - the call will be recorded and you can listen later.
A great opportunity to deepen the Solution Focus approach, the teacher - in addition to the excellent preparation - is very kind and helpful, the proposed abundant practice and the work of reflection on the personal understanding and experience of SF are very useful. (M, Italy)
The Solutions Focus approach is an effective framework of practices leading to growth and improvement, in a much wider scope than so far I had believed it was. This course is well-designed and gives much food for thought and practice - it is an enormous added value to merely reading a book, meeting with peers and reading their views is an enriching experience, and Mark is a teacher not to be missed out on! (F, Singapore)
As the course progresses, we will lead up to you doing a ‘project’ – something which you’re doing at work, or you are interested in, to really use and demonstrate your SF skills. Your 2000 – 3000 word report on this will constitute your final submission and completion of the course. The final submission date will be no later than two weeks after the formal end of the course. Many people find that, although it looks a bit daunting at first, this is a very achievable goal, and many find they write more than is strictly required!
Everyone on the last course managed to write something suitable. You may also be interested in taking your project forward for SFIO accreditation via peer review. There is no extra charge for this for SFIO members, details at the SFIO website Becoming an SFiO Reviewed Practitioner | SFiO.org.
The SFBP course will enhance your skills and ability as you work on projects or problems with others as it is highly practical. A bonus is that you can apply the Solutions Focus approach immediately to create real change and amplify what’s already working. You will meet people from across the globe, all bringing unique perspectives that will enrich your experience. It is wonderful to also have the opportunity to work and learn directly with Mark! (I, Australia)
I have greater confidence in the SF space and more 'tools’ and have improved my ability to focus on the 'inbetween' the noses. The online portal is easy to navigate, the weekly activities are meaningful and not overly onerous and the opportunity to practice with others is valuable. Moreover, the learning can be applied immediately. (S, New Zealand)
“One thing I noticed is how cleverly the course is constructed. The design allows you to build understanding and confidence in using the specific tools and through the coaching work to draw from that experience what the tools can achieve.” - SFBP participant
Week 1: Introduction, what do we mean by Solution Focused
Week 2: SIMPLE principles and Tools introduction, what elseing and Affirm tool,
Possibilities from Past, Present and Future
Week 3: Future Perfect tool, and the difference between Future Perfects, goals and targets
Week 4: Platform tool and the Customer for Change
Week 5: Scaling and Counters tools
Week 6: Small actions and tougher platforms - where people don’t know or disagree
about what they want (plus start full-on coaching relationships between participants)
Week 7: Tools for teams
Week 8: SF and OD - organisational change contexts
Halfway check in and project setup, also change coaching relationships – over halftime break
Week 9: Inbetween, not individual - the Interactional View
Week 10: SF and Performance reviews/appraisals
Week 11: Solution Focused Reflecting Teams format
Week 12: SF and Leadership: Leader as Host
Week 13: 'Stretching the world' - how SF works
Week 14: Connections/differences with other approaches - NLP, Appreciative Inquiry, Positive Psychology, etc
Week 15: SF Evaluation
Week 16: Closing review - what’s better
"I have better knowledge and understanding of SF, both theoretical and practical, feel more confident in using the SF approach. Work seems less "heavy" when using SF, spending less time talking about problems"
“I’d say, ‘Don’t delay!’. I really found the course stimulating and endlessly fascinating. I was inspired by the brilliance of my fellow participants. The opportunity to read each other’s posts was invaluable.”
“I thought that I was quite good at coaching but now I feel more confident about how I can ask questions in the specific moment, jump between all the tools, and have also a deeper understanding about SF in general and compare to other ways of working with coaching. “
The course is open to all. This is a management course, and so some kind of position where you are managing, coaching, coaching managers, managing coaching, facilitating, consulting and so on will mean that you can put the learning into practice straight away.
You will need a copy of The Solutions Focus:Transforming Change for Coaches, Leaders and Consultants by Paul Z Jackson and Mark McKergow 3nd edition - purple cover with steps picture). This is easily available from Amazon, and all other book sellers, via our books section. There is also an e-book and an audio book. All other readings and materials will be provided. The course telecalls use the Zoom platform.
I am often asked in advance about the times for the calls on this course. First of all, the calls are every two weeks, and at a time designed to suit as many of our participants as possible. It depends where in the world the people are.In the past they have been at 12 noon UK time or 8pm UK time. It all depends and is negotiated.
Secondly, these call are not for teaching - they are for connecting, questions, discussion. I used a 'flipped classroom' model where the information is presented asynchronously through readings, forum discussions etc. Then the learners use it in pairs activities (at times mutually arranged by the pairs, who change around every two weeks so you work with lots of different people. And finally we discuss it on a call.
Thirdly the calls are all recorded and made available privately within the group, so it's always possible to catch up later. And I am always available for a personal call if anyone wishes. (Mostly they don't, so I think the teaching method works pretty well.) I have been running the course since 2011 with great feedback, so I think it works pretty well. And of course you are welcome to get in touch with any queries or concerns.
700 days ago
987 days ago
1110 days ago
1117 days ago
