Coaching and Building Teams

We wouldn’t have the team we do, without your thoughtful guidance and patience. We wouldn’t be where we are in the project, without your gentle nudging and brilliant leadership. And the stories! I will definitely miss the stores! I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done. J. Dahlquist, Managing Director

Indra guided teams that delivered consistent high-quality work despite being widely distributed, demonstrating the value of [agility] to unfamiliar or skeptical clients and internal stakeholders alike. She is an engaging and persuasive speaker, and she walks the Agile talk, particularly in valuing people over processes and tools. If you want to know how Agile is supposed to work, look no further. J. Rogers, Senior Developer

Having been trained in more traditional, rigid, PMP standards, it was remarkable how much more practical and effective the agile process turned out to be. Indra's influence in how we do business will long outlive our shared contract and has already spread its virtues to other areas of the organization. I will continue to default to her leadership and expertise as I progress in my own understanding of the agile process. J. Osborne, Project Manager

For [us], product development has always been a long, ineffective process that typically spans a two-year timeline. However, we needed a viable, training tracking product in less than a year. They said ‘it can never be done’. With agile [ways of working] and Indra leading the development team, we had a deliverable product in six months. Having been an employee for over 25 years, not only is this the fastest that I have seen a product developed, but it is the only product that has met and exceeded all expectations and was developed ahead of schedule. M. de Rojas, ATO Safety & Technical Training

Through Indra's facilitation, she got the leadership team aligned; a new team was hired and performing in slightly over a month. She brought way more to the table than I realized, and I am very thankful for it. She turned a few non-believers into some of the most prominent advocates not only for "Liftoff" but for the project and its success. M. Cantrell, Project Manager

You created a team environment that inspired innovation and growth. I'm very grateful for that. It allowed me to grow in ways I never imagined. D. Mullins, Senior Developer

Your level of understanding, excellence, attention to detail, and care for people is far beyond what I thought I would ever see in a company or business environment, let alone in IT.  M. Womack, Customer Support Specialist

Agile...Mentor...Leader...These three things come to mind when I think about Indra Books. She had this magnetic attraction derived from her confidence, compassion, and determination to keep the team moving forward. M. Cantrell, Project Manager

Indra is an amazing project lead and an effective leader. Our concerns were always heard and she always made sure we were in a position to grow and strive in our positions. J. Patton, Customer Support Specialist

TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Elvin Assiam is one of the most resourceful trainers I have ever had. His teaching methods are very practical and involving. You can’t get bored in his class. M. Anao, Software Engineer

I like a number of things about your workshops.

• You empower people as well as teams to define for themselves what it means to be successful
• You are not dogmatic of any one methodology
• You are knowledgeable and experienced
• You are 100% present in workshops and listen, really listen to what everyone is saying
• The tools you help us develop have helped us to rise much higher

I appreciate that you take the role of helping people to learn how to lead themselves instead of telling people what to do.

It's refreshing to see people in this role not have a canned inflexible narrative, but rather one that is consistent, beneficial, and focused on what each unique audience needs. I. Klotzko, Senior Developer 

I think the workshop was extremely practical and effective. It encouraged team participation and focused on the areas our team needed to focus on. The workshop was also very example-oriented, which really helped me understand better some of the concepts being discussed. S. Cook, Contracts Manager

I really enjoyed this training as Indra kept us engaged with ‘learning by doing’ tactic; Concise in explanations and stays on the topic. Thank you! A. Shao, Tester

Elvin is a great Scrum trainer. He interacts with his students and makes the learning process very practical for all. I recommend him as your Scrum trainer anytime. Daniella D, Entrepreneur 

Thank you so much for bringing the topic regrading appraisals! I always thought I am in the minority of being demotivated by those.” X. Handel, Agile Product Manager

The Successful Product Delivery group coaching programme is like a mini-MBA. From start to finish how to create success. Technology Manager

Real life, real learning. Being an Agile fan, I loved your webinar. I’m impressed by how you kept everyone’s attention without any slide or visual support. It was pragmatic and I could feel it was based on real life experience. P. Ducolin, Engineer

Karim possesses a rare blend of passion, knowledge, and the ability to connect with diverse audiences, which makes him an invaluable asset to any conference, workshop, or educational event. R. Brave, President/Chairman, Dutch New Narrative Lab Foundation

Karim El Oteify is an amazing speaker who can bring complex issues to life in an accessible and stimulating way. His positive and energetic attitude is truly infectious and facilitates deep discussions and audience engagement. D. Deichman, Professor of Design Thinking and Innovation, Rotterdam School of Management

Everything I was hoping for. Karim listened...and combined his professional background and personal experiences into a relevant and engaging story. Can't wait to have him again. S. Young, Ph.D. Professor in Privacy and Ethics Erasmus University Rotterdam

TRANSFORMATION AND CHANGE

Indra has exceptional expertise in mentoring, coaching, and leading teams. She is consistently motivated to transform workplace culture. I was impressed by Indra’s ability to coach even the most complicated teams, creating long-lasting camaraderie and efficiency, even while separated by miles or even time zones. Indra is an asset to any company through her natural ability to augment high-performing teams that yield in continued sustainability. R. Das, Proposal Manager

Indra is someone who is capable of not just advocating for, but implementing meaningful change in an organization. She has an excellent ability to meet teams where they are and work with them to overcome the roadblocks that keep them from getting to the place they want and need to be… Indra's experience with a variety of organizations and team structures large and small, as well as her decades of experience in IT and project management gives her a deep well of knowledge to draw from. If there's a problem with your organization, she's probably seen it, dealt with it, and solved it not once, but numerous times. She was an incredibly valuable asset to our company, and it was a privilege to work under and alongside her. A. Blomeke, Developer

What would you tell others in the federal space that are considering using agile ways of working?

• Touch-base with other agencies who have successfully used Agile to get their insight and to get info on “If you could do one thing over again what would it be”.
• Get Agile training prior to adopting/using Agile
• At times you may feel uncomfortable if you have had experience with ‘traditional’ s/ware development however, “feel the fear and do it anyway!”  T. Bradley, Program Director

Rosi was so great to work with. Her professionalism and tenacity are top notch. Rosi is a credit to (the organization). She was friendly, professional and always accessible...and a great problem solver. Anonymous Client

I've been impressed by Karim's expertise in complex problem-solving and ability to bring in structural change with empathy and determination. It is a privilege to work with him on several projects that center intersectional groups. S. Passeport, Inclusion Project Lead ErasmusX