“You are making a Wise Choice.”

I’ve known Mike for many years – both as a peer and as a friend.  I would not hesitate in recommending Mike as a teacher to help you improve your business.  Mike understands and naturally projects that people make the difference – anyone can buy machines, but a plant will improve and flourish because of how leaders treat their people.  Mike has an exceptional blend of teaching skills from working closely with people – in both Human Resources, and in Operations.  He knows what it takes and has excelled in implementing lean common sense principles at multiple levels of leadership – team leader, supervisor, manager, new program launch, and operations manager.  He will effectively listen, share, and bring out the best of your team - and he won’t be afraid to share personal feedback with you as well.

Mike can effectively help your team with leadership development, standard work, problem solving, and operational improvement.  Mike will help your team improve their openness, trust, commitment, accountability, and results.  I guarantee it because I also recommend Mike to every one of our General Managers within Cosma.  If you are looking to improve, and you are selecting Mike to help, congratulations - you are making a wise choice.

Bob Tyssen, Director Materials, Logistics & Operations, Cosma International

"The greatest benefit in working with Mike is his practical hands on approach"  

Mike has always had the ability to quickly connect with people and provide valuable guidance.  This can only be done when people know you have their best interest at heart!  We have known each other for several years and I have had the opportunity to work closely with Mike within a Human Resource capacity and I have seen him grow tremendously both in the HR and in Operations within a manufacturing facility.

Mike was given the task in January of 2017 to work closely with my team on a process that was continually short shipping the customer and continuously shipping defective parts.  Quickly Mike trained and implemented the Get Quality Right the First-Time system capturing visual management and increasing our throughput in doing so.  I was so impressed with what Mike had done in a short period that we are carrying this system, with Mike’s guidance, through the rest of our facility.   I would stand behind what Mike offers and recommend him to anyone who is looking for Operational Strategies as well as Leadership Development. 

The greatest benefit in working with Mike is his practical hands on approach.  Consultants often tell you the ‘what’, but fall short on the ‘how’.  Mike, having come from the shop floor and lived through the challenges daily, knows what to do, and how to get operational improvements. I highly recommend Mike to any company struggling with operational issues or having the need to develop and coach leaders.   

Mark Whitten, General Manager Martinrea International

"Mike has a great aptitude and ability for leading people!"

I have known Mike Hillman for 20 years and have seen him grow tremendously.  When I first met Mike, he was working in a HR role at a large manufacturing facility in Southern Ontario.  As the operations leader of the facility, I quickly realized that Mike had a gift that set him apart from many others within that plant and encouraged opportunities that gave Mike a chance to show what he was capable of.  One of my proudest moments of my career was when I realized that my instincts were spot on and Mike hit the ground running. 

Mike has a great aptitude and ability for leading people.  Once given the opportunity to move from an HR role to an operational leadership position, Mike found his true path where he could bring his personal touch to the manufacturing floor.  Mike has the ability to recognize, create, and implement operational standards that support a culture of continuous improvement that is embraced by whichever team is around him.  That is only possible when a leader has the ability to connect on a human level first.  People do not care about how much you know until they know about how much you care, and Mike demonstrates that unique ability every moment of every day.

The number one obligation of leadership is to develop more leaders and Mike has a proven track record of identifying and developing leaders that add value to their organizations which in turn strengthen any operation that he is involved with.  A gifted people person that has embraced world class manufacturing methods and has the ability to teach, coach and mentor others is what Mike has become.  Mike is a class act that instinctively adds value wherever he goes.  My core expectations of leadership are that leaders do what is right, do the very best that they can and treat people the way they like to be treated!  Mike Hillman does this unconsciously and as a result is a world class leader.

I look forward to the next opportunity to work with him again. 

You make the world a better place Mike, keep going!

Andrew de Haan, Plant Director, Faraday Future

"Mike has helped numerous individuals realize their potential."

Mike’s passion and dedication to developing leaders and to creating high performing teams has always been a main focus in each role he has earned in his career.   Team members and team leaders have flourished under Mike’s leadership - He has helped numerous individuals realize their potential.

Mike’s leadership experience combined with his proven expertise in improving workplace processes is a winning formula for organizations that are serious about achieving greater results.  

Mary DiCaro, Professional Educator

"When Mike speaks, people listen."

Mike Hillman of Simply Advanced is an awesome facilitator.  He engages everyone in the workshop.  We have had the opportunity to have Mike present 2 workshops to our staff at Dutton Child Care.  The first workshop was Personality Dimensions.  What an “eye opener” for the team.  Everyone commented that it was fun, motivating and that they learned so much about their own personality and their co-workers.  What a team builder this workshop was!!  As they say, “time flies when you are having fun!!”

The second workshop was on Leadership/Management.  This workshop was very engaging for the management team. Staff were able to role play situations and Mike was very helpful to guide staff through strategies to handle workplace challenges.  Mike has a gift to deliver motivating and enlightening information.  He is very “hands on”.  When Mike speaks, people listen. 

Mike was very knowledgeable and listened to our needs during the initial consultation.  He took the initiative to tailor seminars to our needs.  His knowledge and resourcefulness have become invaluable to our company.  We will continue to invest in our staff with the help of Mike and Simply Advanced.

Pam Wardell, Executive Director, Dutton Co-Operative Child Care Centre Inc.

"Mike is a collaborative leader who easily builds strong, trusting relationships with all levels of the organization."

I’ve had the privilege of working with Mike as a peer while at Formet Industries when we were both in the role of Human Resources Coordinator.  Mike was hired from the production floor into the Human Resources department and it was evident within a short period of time that he was a great fit for the role.

I have known Mike to be a well-grounded and down to earth leader. He is goal oriented, independent and hard working. He is a collaborative leader who easily builds strong, trusting relationships with all levels of the organization. These qualities most notably translate into his ability to motivate a team. 

Mike is one of the smartest professionals I have worked with and has experience in many facets of Human Resources and management. I would recommend Mike for any leadership role and believe that he is a highly-qualified advisor in transforming individuals into great leaders.  I wish Mike all the success he deserves as he undertakes his new venture.

Lianne Gallie, Professor of Business/Human Resources, Fanshawe College

"Mike invested time into my development and helped me to become a strong leader."

I first began to work for Mike when I was 26 and became a Maintenance Team Leader.  Being young and new to a position of responsibility is difficult for anyone.  The people who lead you can make or break your success.  Mike invested time into my development and helped me to become a strong leader.

Our paths would cross again two more times in my leadership journey, both times reporting to him.  The roles had new challenges with different people, different equipment and different measurables.  Mike guided me when he sensed that I was unsure of my direction and ensured that I was growing towards my professional goals.

The most valuable thing Mike did was to develop people in a business that didn’t show interest in developing people.  While the company seemed to be heading closer and closer to bureaucracy he made sure to do business the way that he knew was right.  Put people first, because the rest will come.

Chris Dekker, Former Team Member