What we do
Maximise Consulting is a boutique management consultancy founded by Max Edwards in 2008.
We help leaders and teams create clarity, shared purpose, insight and impetus for action when organisational issues are complex.
Our contribution is to help people access the knowledge, judgement and experience already within the organisation. Through skilful facilitation, inquiry and constructive challenge, we surface assumptions, connect perspectives and help leaders work through issues that are difficult to resolve through business-as-usual.
Our work is grounded in the belief that people change performance. Whether it’s getting to the heart of people and performance issues, planning for significant organisational change, building the change agenda, facilitating leadership alignment or simply providing a sounding board, it’s our goal to help you connect the dots and navigate the journey.
How we work
We begin with curiosity about the organisation, its history, market context, people and performance requirements.
Each engagement is designed around the client’s objectives and circumstances. We draw from established thinking in strategy, organisation development, systems thinking, leadership, behavioural psychology and group dynamics, applying what is useful to the situation.
Supported by a network of alliances with complementary specialist expertise, we build customised solutions. We do not apply “one-size-fits-all” or product-driven solutions.
Define & Discover. We shape an approach that reflects the organisation, its people and the outcomes sought. The design is tested with key stakeholders and refined before detailed delivery is agreed..
Design. We shape an approach that reflects the organisation, its people and the outcomes sought. The design is tested with key stakeholders and refined before detailed delivery is agreed.
Deliver. Delivery may include facilitated working sessions, stakeholder engagement, leadership conversations, information sharing and structured commitments to action. We help create the conditions for honest dialogue, deeper understanding, shared insight and purposeful decisions.
Enable. Progress rarely depends on a single event. We work with clients to maintain momentum, strengthen ownership and build the capability needed to continue the work..
Evaluate. We agree what success looks like, which measures matter and how impact will be assessed. Where appropriate, we establish baseline measures and review changes in engagement, capability, behaviour and performance. Evaluation is built into the work to support governance, stakeholder confidence and continuous improvement.
Our people
Max Edwards
Managing Director
Max works with CEOs, boards, executive teams and people leaders to create clarity, alignment and momentum around complex organisational issues.
Over more than 25 years, he has worked across the Asia-Pacific and Europe, helping leaders use their collective knowledge and judgement to make better decisions and strengthen accountability.
Before founding Maximise, Max held senior roles with Mercer’s Human Capital consulting practice and Insurance Australia Group’s corporate organisation effectiveness team.
He has also designed and facilitated postgraduate executive development in leadership, strategic change, governance and ethics across the Asia-Pacific.
His work spans strategic planning, organisation design, post-merger integration, culture renewal, executive coaching, leadership development and team effectiveness.
Laura Nord-Thomson
Director
Laura works with senior leaders, teams and individuals to strengthen talent, leadership and organisational performance.
She has more than 25 years of experience across the Asia-Pacific and United Kingdom, working in global management consulting firms and senior industry roles.
Her experience includes Randstad, Hudson Global Resources, Penna UK, Melbourne Business School, Telstra, Bristol Myers Squibb, Olympus and Royal North Shore Hospital.
Laura has designed and delivered work in talent management, leadership development, executive coaching, career management, job design and capability development.
She brings a strong understanding of competencies, talent success factors and role requirements across industries, functions and organisational levels. Her broader experience includes sales strategy, sales force effectiveness and professional practice management.
Purpose and values
Our purpose is to help organisations, leaders, and their teams to perform, succeed, and grow. We believe that people change performance.
We are committed in all our interactions to:
INTEGRITY: respect | honesty | reliability
PARTNERSHIP: relationships | collaboration | synergy
GROWTH: curiosity | learning | impact
What working with Maximise is like
Insight built from within
We help experienced leaders make fuller use of the knowledge and judgement already within their organisation. Through skilful facilitation and inquiry, we surface assumptions, broaden perspectives and help people work through issues that are difficult to resolve through ordinary discussion.
Designed for your context
Every engagement is shaped around the organisation, its history, people and desired outcomes. We draw from established thinking across strategy, organisation development, behavioural psychology, group dynamics and leadership, applying what is useful rather than imposing a set formula.
Ownership for action
We involve the people whose understanding, commitment and action will determine whether progress is sustained. This creates stronger alignment, clearer accountability and decisions people understand and own.
Capability that transfers
We openly share practical ideas, tools and ways of working. Our aim is not only to support the immediate outcome, but to strengthen the client’s capacity to continue the work.
Focused value
Our boutique model provides direct access to senior experience, flexibility in how work is designed and a strong focus on the outcomes that matter.