Testimonials
"Amazing!!! I have been in multiple leadership trainings and this was by far the BEST, thank you!"
April McDonald
LSF Health Systems
Jacksonville, FL
"Doug is a true modern-day business visionary. He has a profound ability to connect with people, both as a leader and as a peer. It is with this trait, that he is able to effectively consult and collaborate with organizations of all types and sizes. I had the honor of working with Doug on numerous imperative projects, all of which we are still reaping benefits from."
Aaron Raymo
Strategic Marketing Manager
Gevity
Bradenton, FL
"Doug was an engaging and inspiring speaker. I hav ebeen to several leadership trainings in the past and I can say that this training was excellent. The material was clear and easy to apply. I will be using some skills I leaerned to better communicate with other managers and my team. I also have new tools to use when managing my time to make sure all my efforts are geared towards meeting our organization's goals."
Rosalyn Beachy
MyUS.com
"Very informative program. I thoroughly enjoyed it and learned a lot."
Gary Johnson
Clearwater Gas System
Clearwater, FL
"Excellent, to the point, focused, structured, new material and educational. Really enjoyed the day planning. Lots of great information."
John Briggs
Sales Manager
Anexio, Inc.
Sarasota, FL
"Interesting, effective, makes you think, makes you aware of the strengths you have already, but haven't utilized or realized."
Elisabete Silva
Columbia Restaurant
St. Petersburg, FL
"Very useful information that is relevant and can be applied immediately."
Greg Garretson
Serve Industries
St. Petersburg, FL
"Doug did an excellent job involving everyone. I am amazed how many of our folks stayed with this and didn't find a way of skipping out."
Chuck Warrington
Managing Director
Clearwater Gas System
Clearwater, FL
"Very engaging. Doug kept us involved, listening, and interacting!"
Leslie Bailey
Prevent Blindness Florida
Tampa, FL
"Valuable information; relevant and easy to understand"
Cary Stiff
Vice President
Chi Chi Rodriguez Academy
Clearwater, FL
"The program was very pointed and direct"
Ross Silva
FL
"I have been involved in several similar trainings, but this was by far the best, most concise leadership program I have attended. Very well done. I learned several new things as well as refreshed several others. Thank you!"
Ben Secoy
Sysco Foods
Columbia, SC
"Very informative. Doug is an excellent speaker, very articulate and funny."
Wanda Valentin
AVI-SPL
Tampa, FL
“Hi Doug, Thanks for sharing tonight at the Centre Club’s Social Media panel presentation. I really appreciated your insight on LinkedIn strategies. I learned a ton!!”
Matt Ashwood
Brand Development & Social Media Marketing
AshwoodMedia.com
"Especially at this point on our many change initiative journeys, this was perfectly timed. i will begin working with working agreements and power paraphrasing immediately."
David E. Gregory
Sysco Foods
Columbia, SC
“Very informative program that has helped me greatly. Doug is an inspiration and has taught me better ways to deal with situations, not only in the workplace, but in my home life as well. I wish there were more sessions I could attend. The program was a great use of my time!”
Jandi Brown
Senior Customer Service Rep
Vanguard Advanced Pharmacy
Bradenton, FL
"This session achieved the deliverables required. It was very good for the group."
Jim Driscoll
Chief Operating Officer
Shaw Development
Bonita Springs, FL
"Very informative, great content and easy to follow presentation. Doug was a fantastic teacher."
Chris Brooks
Sun Hydraulics
Sarasota, FL
"Great insight and new tools for selling my product, progressing a sale and communicating."
Tim Collins
Kaiser Permanente
Denver, Co
"Doug is very personable and works extremely well with collegues and clients. He has an uncanny ability to target the challenge, and then effectively impliments strategies that improve and motivate staff and management to reach their maximum potential."
Linda Singer
Realtor
Michael Saunders & Company
Sarasota, FL
"Very thorough, covered many valuable topics. I have already used things I learned! Even seasoned professionals will learn and take away many new techniques."
Connie Arledge
Principal, Senior Vice President
Kerkering Barberio
Sarasota, FL
"User friendly simple method that will create high value of return"
Cherie Moony
Gateway Bank
Sarasota, FL
"Very informative. Well presented ideas on fostering a better company through communication and leadership."
Beth Casale
AVI-SPL
Tampa, FL
"I like Doug's interactive, casual yet natural presentation style. It makes the information easy to hear and retain."
Suzanne Jester
Executive Director
Kaiser Permanente
Atlanta, GA
"Incredibly informative and useful not only for professional circumstances, but for personal situations as well."
Nicole Ousley
Easy Living Florida
Clearwater, FL
"Today there were new ideas shared and our team became closer as a result. Great team building concepts and techniques."
Sue Lewis
Aging Wisely
Clearwater, FL
"Fantastic program. It should have a positive impact on our relationship with our company."
Kim Keller
AVI-SPL
Tampa, FL
"Your techniques and skills helped to consolidate our priorities, while providing a detailed roadmap to implement."
Carole Pettijohn
Director of IT
Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court
Bradenton, FL
"I learned so much from Doug, especially the key points for a successful team: Communication, Planning & Team Work."
Genera Waters
AVI-SPL
Tampa, FL
“Invaluable. How do you put a price tag on this content? The ideas and values are viral. They spread to the people we as leaders have committed to serve with our guidance. I can’t thank you enough!”
Jonathan Hernandez
Front End Pharmacy Lead
Vanguard Advanced Pharmacy
Bradenton, FL
"Very good and productive! Great information on holding effective meetings."
Pat Foley
Union Pacific Railroad
Kansas City
"Hi Doug,
First let me say, it has been such a pleasure working with you over the last few months. The tips, guidance and support you provided and offered were INVALUABLE.
I also appreciate the comprehensive summary. Believe it or not, I used it as a reference point early this morning."
Crystal Waiters
Child Support Department Manager
Manatee County Clerk of Circuit Court
Bradenton, FL
“I have worked with Doug Van Dyke over the past couple years. His techniques and coaching have made me a more confident and successful sales consultant. In 2009, I was awarded the top sales consultant in my company!”
David Brown
Sales Representative
Humana
Kansas City, KS
“Entertaining and fast-paced. Kept my attention from beginning to end.”
Dawn Plavak
Manatee Chamber of Commerce
Bradenton, FL
"Really beneficial to me. I have learned a lot of things that will be very useful to me and to my team. I would like my staff to attend also. Great program....thank you!"
Bob Yursky
General Manager
Omnicare
"Doug, I just wanted to thank you on behalf of Nielsen for the wonderful Lunch & Learn session you provided for nearly 170 associates today. Judging from the evaluations, you really struck a chord by providing ideas and information that helped each of them have a valuable take away. Again, thank you very much for your very professional and engaging session. We've started the year off on the right foot with our Lunch & Learn series and your've set the bar a little higher for all who follow."
Amy Dreher
Global Learning Services
Nielsen Media Research
Tampa, FL
"The Leadership Development Program provided valuable insights, skills and habits that will continue to raise my bar."
Lennie Pici
Bright House Networks
St. Petersburg, FL
"Great content; very well-presented."
Joe Greco
Lockheed Martin
Oldsmar, FL
"Fantastic! Awesome! Interesting! Informative! Engaging!"
Suzanne Kistler
Manatee County Tax Collector
Bradenton, FL
"Great program! I got a lot out of it."
John Beauchamp
Locksmiths Hair Designers
Clearwater, FL
"Lots of great material/tools. Fantastic program."
Sue Ruland
Performance & Training Consultant
FCCI Insurance Group
Sarasota, FL
"Doug provided quality strategic planning facilitation for the non-profit organization I lead. He crafted a productive agenda that left us with a sense of accomplishment, and provided great insights as we progressed with our planning. I recommend Doug for your strategic planning needs. And, it's true, he's a downright nice guy!"
Mike Kennedy
President & CEO
Suncoast Community Capital
Bradenton, FL
"Doug, your speaking style and content is well disciplined. The format was effective in covering specific content."
Wesley
The Hiller Group
Tampa, FL
"The team building program was very informative and helpful. I loved the day planning ideas. Doug's sessions are always a great time!"
Merideth Henry
Aging Wisely
Clearwater, FL
“Great presentation and facilitator, generating self-evaluation and insight regarding our team. Looking forward to continuing the process.”
Michael Gallen
Manatee Chamber of Commerce
Bradenton, FL
"Well done- many new ideas I can take home and implement"
Carolyn
Dermazone Solutions
St. Petersburg, FL
"Not only was Doug's presentation effective and efficient, but it was perfectly timed for this organization."
Dennis Cowgill
Conmed Linvatec
Largo, FL
"Engaging and encouraging. I feel charged up and revitalized. Fits every need of our organization ... and personal life."
Valerie Nelson
Boys & Girls Club of Manatee County
Bradenton, FL
“Very enlightening. I hope the info is used to further progress our group.”
Cheryl Richert
Manatee Chamber of Commerce
Bradenton, FL
"I thought the program was excellent!"
S. Harris
Pinellas County Government
Pinellas County, FL
"Great! Good skills to learn that can be adapted and work on a daily basis."
Linda Chamberlain
President
Easy Living Florida
Pinellas County, FL
"Very inspiring. The visual aids and exercises were energizing. We jumped right in to the session and had a fast-paced, learning experience!"
Tony Castillo
Steel In The Air
Ft. Meyers, FL
“Hello Kay. I cannot imagine you picking a better presenter for your keynote address than Doug Van Dyke. Cardel employed Doug’s services for a high-end Realtor event held at my model home in MiraBay. We focused on a small group of Realtors who focus on sales in excess of $1MM. There were about 15 in attendance and each left feeling their time was well spent. I received feedback from each Realtor after the event asking if they would have another chance to hear Doug speak. A few weeks later, Doug gave a presentation to a group of real estate and building professionals at the Tampa Bay Builders Association monthly meeting. There were over 100 people in attendance and the presentation was on selling to millennials. The presentation was lively, fun, educational, and interactive. Doug made a large room feel very comfortable as he was able to address specific questions and concerns of those in attendance. It is with pleasure I recommend Doug to you as a presenter for your group of professionals.”
Kevin Franzese
Area Sales Manager, Mirabay
Cardel Homes
Apollo Beach, FL
"Great program, very informative. Doug creates an atmosphere that allows people to open up, face their fears, and triumph without fear of failure. The constructive feedback from the group is so well structured."
Andrew Gittens
Sun Hydraulics
Sarasota, FL
"The Phase II Leadership Program material is an imperative tool. The focus on developing each leader to become savvy and the attention to detail was impeccable. Thank you for your due diligence Doug."
Illyaas Brewer
Electrical Department Group Leader
Pierce Manufacturing
Bradenton, FL
"Great program!! Served a valuable purpose. Nice job."
Randy Haynes
AVI-SPL
Tampa, FL
"My recommendation to business leaders is to invest in leadership training for yourself and your employees. I can speak from experience; I have elevated my skills and knowledge to a greater level. Thank you Doug for making me not only a better manager, but a better leader."
Duane Allen
Night Outbound Manager
Sysco West Coast Florida
"Very practical with effective strategies and tools to deploy in any workplace."
Anthony Gagliano
CareerSource Suncoast
Sarasota, FL
"Very informative, helpful, interesting and fun. Loved the interactive activities!"
Marjorie Mourid
AVI-SPL
Tampa, FL
"Simple concept, very interesting and applicable."
Gloria Tracy
State College of Florida
Bradenton, FL
"I really enjoyed your program. It produced tangible, doable, and meaningful tasks."
Bryan F. Howell
Vice President
Parkway Realty Services
Charlotte, NC
“During a recent weekend, the management team of Samy Company attended a two-day offsite session to map our corporate vision and strategies. We invited Doug Van Dyke from DVD Consulting Incorporated to facilitate the session, and all participants agreed that he did an exemplary job of leading a tough team to achieve the goals stated at the outset of the session. Doug’s entertaining style and experience as a skilled facilitator made him an invaluable asset to the team and a key to the success of the sessio’n. We often refer to that offsite as a defining and successful event in our company’s history. I highly recommend Doug Van Dyke as a skilled facilitator and consultant. The monies spent were well worth the effort and we are continuing to enjoy the tangible and intangible benefits from this event.”
Joe LaHurd
CFO
Samy Company
Coral Gables, Florida
"Thank you Doug,
You are a wonderful facilitator and I truly believe you have helped us develop a great working relationship between the conservation, sales, administrative and conservation teams. Looking forward to possibly working together during our annual meeting as well as with other internal departments."
Lyn Cacella
Residential Growth & Retention Manager
Florida Public Utilities
West Palm Beach, FL
"The energy of the presenter and engagement of participants was outstanding. The program was well paced and balanced."
Nick Delihas
Shaw Development
Bonita Springs, FL
"Very practical and good tools. Good examples throughout will help me be a stronger team leader and coach others."
Rob Lane
Managing Partner
Kerkering Barberio.
Sarasota, FL
“What a fun and enlightening experience! Gave us a really insight into one another that we can move forward with.”
Kim Dalglish
Manatee Chamber of Commerce
Bradenton, FL
"Doug has the uncanny ability to present a topic in straight forward, easy to understand language. Many people find themselves moving from a worker role to a leadership role with little formal training. This book lays the groundwork for a new leader to rise to the top. Fundamentals presented in a straightforward manner makes this one of the best books on the subject available today. I highly recommend it."
Mike Miller
Vice President
Technology Transfer Services, Inc.
Tampa, FL
"Very inspiring to improve my personal leadership skills. The different levels of communication and presentations were great. This will excellerate my leadership skills to a higher level."
Rick Sweitzer
F-Line Supervisor
Pierce Manufacturing
Bradenton, FL
"Very on point and very eye opening. Great Communicator."
Ken Lewis
Suncoatings Inc
Tampa, FL
"A lot of good content packed into one day; nice level of interaction and practical examples."
Barbara Solberg
University of Kansas
Kansas
“Hi Doug,
Thank you again for all your time and knowledge shared during our sessions. The tools discussed are invaluable and ones I will use for many years. The sessions have challenged me to raise the bar as a leader and in my own personal development.
Thank you!”
Angela C Perez-Chanthavong
Sr Risk Analyst
American Express
"Doug offered a new way of thinking about working with colleagues at all levels and at different stages."
Jackie Dryden
Homeless Emergency Project
Clearwater, FL
"I've been through similar programs and this is by far the most effective training I have encountered."
Darren Calhoun
AVI-SPL
"Wonderful, useful & fun. You did a great job, Doug! I appreciate learning your techniques. Now I need to IMPLEMENT!"
Judi King
Boys & Girls Club of Manatee County
Bradenton, FL
“The program has been very helpful for me. It involved so much detailed information. Doug did a great job. I find myself utilizing steps from the program daily – with great results. I learned things that I never would have thought about in the past. It makes work easier with regards to dealing with people and situations.”
Ashley Bagley
Vanguard Advanced Pharmacy
Bradenton, FL
"Great experience, provided effective tools for the workplace in a positive and open environment."
Bo Gorham
Vice President
American Express /Serve Virtual Enterprises, Inc.
Saint Petersburg, FL
"This information will be very helpful moving our company forward with the management changes we have been working through."
Beth Casale
AVI-SPL
Tampa, FL
"Pitched up some interesting tidbits."
V. Bartz
Tidewell Hospice
Clearwater, FL
"Thanks again for the training session this week. I received excellent feedback from our leaders and was surprised that many of the attendees had little if any knowledge of the many techniques you so effectively demonstrated. I'm already forecasting the future financial gain as a result of the improved productivity and collaboration!"
Troy Barnes
President
Sysco Foods
Columbia South Carolina
"Great program. Doug always keeps us on time and on track!"
Brian Langille
Clearwater Gas System
Clearwater, FL
"Our office recently went through Doug's Working Agreement initiative. The program was great. Theory was great. Application will be challenging. But we need it."
Maggie Reister
Manatee County Clerk of Courts
Bradenton, FL
“There are a multitude of useful practices effectively discussed/communicated to increase efficiency in leadership positions stemming from structuring priorities and communication styles. I found all areas helpful and usable. Now it’s a matter of practicing, expanding, and refining these skills! A life-long process.”
Laura Johnson
Gulfstream Property & Casualty Ins. Co.
Assistant Vice President of Product Operations
Sarasota, FL
"The program was great. It encorporated all the core principles and qualities of great leadership. Well done!"
Joanie Read
Human Resources
Pinellas County Government
"The program made me think about and examine the way I handle certain situations. It has provided insight and has changed some of my perceptions and attitudes."
Shirley Fieber
Tax, Construction
Kerkering Barberio
Sarasota, FL
"Doug has an innovative and interesting presentation style. I liked how the action items blended into discussion items. Fantastic program."
Dottie Fischer
Aging Wisely
Clearwater, FL
"Great job! Amazing presentation"
Randy Keirn
District Chief
Lealman Fire District
St. Petersburg, FL
"Written by an experienced speaker and training expert, Leadership Simplified presents a breezy, fast-paced guide to becoming an effective leader. Based on work with thousands of professionals, the book blends anecdotes and practical advice as it breaks down the steps toward becoming a successful leader into a series of well-defined tasks. With an informal style, clear action points, and intriguing stories, the book is a refreshing antidote to the more ponderous works dealing with the issues of leadership."
David R. Miller
Market President
Humana
Kansas City, KS
“Absolutely inspiring! After 20 years in business and many, many training events, the programs you have customized for us over the past few years have been the most productive I have ever experienced.”Â
David Miller
President
Humana
Kansas City
"Wow did I learn a lot!"
Lauralee Westine
Law Offices of Lauralee Westine
Palm Harbor, FL
"Excellent program. Doug is a very effective and entertaining speaker."
Brian Langille
Clearwater Gas
Clearwater, FL
"Great program. It is already making a difference with our team."
Darin Nearmyer
Union Pacific Railroad
Kansas City
“Doug is a wonderful person who is genuinely interested in developing leaders at all levels. His positivity and enthusiasm in the material is contagious and makes an 8am (sharp) start engaging. As an aside his flexibility and understanding made completing the class possible for me- I will forever be grateful for that. I highly recommend the Leadership Simplified programming for any lifetime learner looking to sharpen, grow, or develop practical leadership skills.”
Jill Gass
Step Up Suncoast
Sarasota, FL
"Very well done. Morale booster for the group. Happy we had it."
Patrick G. Hannon
Director of Procurement
AVI-SPL
Tampa, FL
"This program is so amazing!"
Yantee Hines
Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court
Bradenton, FL
"Doug - You are an extremely effective coach & mentor for me and my organization. Your ability to read strengths and weaknesses of individuals is uncanny, and you use your reads to recommend an effective approach to aid in individual development. Constructively, I would like you to dig deeper to keep me on-task, and continue to force the uncomfortable conversations and decisions. It was an interesting read on our team's strengths and the harmony thread. We are an operations organization - Sometimes we need to rock that boat! I look forward to another year!"
Bo Gorham
Vice President
American Express / Serve Virtual Enterprises
St. Petersburg, FL
“Dear Doug, I wanted to let you know the good news, that we just this week sold our shop. As you may remember, Eddie and I purchased Marion Smith Florist 10 years ago with virtually no equity to our name. We were able to get $650,000 for the business, and are holding no notes, during a challenging retail environment. I think back often and realize that none of this would have been possible without your dedication and creativity. I can’t thank you enough for not discarding our intentions and instead working with us to help us realize our dream. Now I have new dreams, and am looking forward to investing in another business, but this time with an MBA degree behind me and significantly more equity.”
Richard Deighton
Dade City, FL
"Doug's strategic planning session was very good for our team. We moved along. The exercises were applied to help give construct."
Tim McGraw
Shaw Development
Bonita Springs, FL
"You were a big hit with our group. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with such expertise. I have received loads of positive feedback. Thanks again."
Jane Egbert, CFRE
Executive Director
St. Petersburg Free Clinic
St. Petersburg, FL
"Great! I will be implementing much of what I learned tomorrow."
Dawn League
Customer Service Manager
Invitation Consultants
Tampa, FL
“Mr. Van Dyke, I attended your course a couple of years ago, and ever since then my sales have increased at least 60%. Thank-you for the professional way you re-directed my sales knowledge! I hope to attend another seminar very soon.”
Mike Merino
Tampa, FL