Outplacement is an invaluable service but, in our view, all too often it is packaged, prescriptive and formulaic in the support it offers. Very few executives need the equivalent of bereavement counselling when they lose their job. They simply want a new one - and as quickly as possible.

We see no conflict in running outplacement support alongside recruitment. Quite the contrary, it is complementary. It places the individual in a quite different and more uplifting environment, The accent is on the positive from the word go. An office, or gopher farm, full of similarly placed individuals, as is the case with most outplacement specialists, can be rather depressing, creating the image of being part of a persecuted minority group.
And the word 'holistic' is banned from our offices.

We do not market our service widely, and deliberately keep our activities limited, enabling us to give serious time to each person, and maintain support at a consistently high level. Almost all our business comes through word of mouth recommendations.

• We can help people to manage their way through change, manage their career development and achieve a better career/life balance

• NextStep is a completely flexible career consultancy service for senior executives. All of our services offer one-to-one appraisal, coaching and support from experienced consultants
  The pace and approach are individually tuned to the particular needs and pressures of people working at top level.
  You have the chance to take stock of your own situation and evaluate what you really want next, whether a similar executive position, a change of direction, or a portfolio approach.
  You have unlimited one-to-one career consultancy and we will work with you for as long as it takes to make your transition.

• We provide:
  an exclusive Edinburgh base
  a 'private office' with secretarial support for your campaign
  research support with access to the internet
  identification of networking employment and career opportunities
  international links as well as offices in Edinburgh and London
  coaching for interviews and networking meetings
  cv development
  continuous support, counselling and motivation
  progress assessment and campaign fine-tuning
  independent personal finance and tax advice
  and most importantly, we help find you a new opportunity, through networking on your behalf and through access to our vacancies databases.

• If you are an individual who feels that their career may not be panning out as expected or, if you work for an organisation that is currently considering an outplacement exercise, please call us.

email, or telephone us, for further information