Oliver Vergo
Design Thinking Consultant at Fonk Cape Town- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Joe Mealing
I’ve been a client on Ollie’s integral coaching course for 6 months. It’s often hyperbolic to say an experience has been ‘life-changing’ but meeting Ollie and going through the integral sessions with him really has been. Ollie is a rare breed who listens intently, enables one to fully express their thoughts and feelings, and knows just the right thing to say to probe and prod to offer suggestions and/or find solutions. Ollie has helped me create a more coherent and cogent approach to life’s challenges, better equipping me with the tools to improve and develop. Until I saw Ollie’s LinkedIn page, I didn’t quite realise how many other things he is involved in. To say that he came across as if integral coaching was his only career, is probably the best compliment I can give him. He is present, engaging, kind, thoughtful and respectful. The fact his success has many guises and forms is a testament to his intellect, analytical mind, and warm nature. I couldn’t recommend his services any higher.
Faranaaz Rahbeeni
Practical and Simple is the best way I can define Oliver’s design thinking workshop. The two days of engagement, was a build-up of tasks and implementation of various skills and tools that did not leave me disappointed. I was amazed at Oliver’s ability to enlighten/teach us and at the same time stand back and allow ‘students’ to find the creative solutions and experience WOW moments. A brilliant facilitator who does not overcomplicate a simple methodology, I would recommend him to any business.
Joe Mealing
I’ve been a client on Ollie’s integral coaching course for 6 months. It’s often hyperbolic to say an experience has been ‘life-changing’ but meeting Ollie and going through the integral sessions with him really has been. Ollie is a rare breed who listens intently, enables one to fully express their thoughts and feelings, and knows just the right thing to say to probe and prod to offer suggestions and/or find solutions. Ollie has helped me create a more coherent and cogent approach to life’s challenges, better equipping me with the tools to improve and develop. Until I saw Ollie’s LinkedIn page, I didn’t quite realise how many other things he is involved in. To say that he came across as if integral coaching was his only career, is probably the best compliment I can give him. He is present, engaging, kind, thoughtful and respectful. The fact his success has many guises and forms is a testament to his intellect, analytical mind, and warm nature. I couldn’t recommend his services any higher.
Faranaaz Rahbeeni
Practical and Simple is the best way I can define Oliver’s design thinking workshop. The two days of engagement, was a build-up of tasks and implementation of various skills and tools that did not leave me disappointed. I was amazed at Oliver’s ability to enlighten/teach us and at the same time stand back and allow ‘students’ to find the creative solutions and experience WOW moments. A brilliant facilitator who does not overcomplicate a simple methodology, I would recommend him to any business.
Joe Mealing
I’ve been a client on Ollie’s integral coaching course for 6 months. It’s often hyperbolic to say an experience has been ‘life-changing’ but meeting Ollie and going through the integral sessions with him really has been. Ollie is a rare breed who listens intently, enables one to fully express their thoughts and feelings, and knows just the right thing to say to probe and prod to offer suggestions and/or find solutions. Ollie has helped me create a more coherent and cogent approach to life’s challenges, better equipping me with the tools to improve and develop. Until I saw Ollie’s LinkedIn page, I didn’t quite realise how many other things he is involved in. To say that he came across as if integral coaching was his only career, is probably the best compliment I can give him. He is present, engaging, kind, thoughtful and respectful. The fact his success has many guises and forms is a testament to his intellect, analytical mind, and warm nature. I couldn’t recommend his services any higher.
Faranaaz Rahbeeni
Practical and Simple is the best way I can define Oliver’s design thinking workshop. The two days of engagement, was a build-up of tasks and implementation of various skills and tools that did not leave me disappointed. I was amazed at Oliver’s ability to enlighten/teach us and at the same time stand back and allow ‘students’ to find the creative solutions and experience WOW moments. A brilliant facilitator who does not overcomplicate a simple methodology, I would recommend him to any business.
Joe Mealing
I’ve been a client on Ollie’s integral coaching course for 6 months. It’s often hyperbolic to say an experience has been ‘life-changing’ but meeting Ollie and going through the integral sessions with him really has been. Ollie is a rare breed who listens intently, enables one to fully express their thoughts and feelings, and knows just the right thing to say to probe and prod to offer suggestions and/or find solutions. Ollie has helped me create a more coherent and cogent approach to life’s challenges, better equipping me with the tools to improve and develop. Until I saw Ollie’s LinkedIn page, I didn’t quite realise how many other things he is involved in. To say that he came across as if integral coaching was his only career, is probably the best compliment I can give him. He is present, engaging, kind, thoughtful and respectful. The fact his success has many guises and forms is a testament to his intellect, analytical mind, and warm nature. I couldn’t recommend his services any higher.
Faranaaz Rahbeeni
Practical and Simple is the best way I can define Oliver’s design thinking workshop. The two days of engagement, was a build-up of tasks and implementation of various skills and tools that did not leave me disappointed. I was amazed at Oliver’s ability to enlighten/teach us and at the same time stand back and allow ‘students’ to find the creative solutions and experience WOW moments. A brilliant facilitator who does not overcomplicate a simple methodology, I would recommend him to any business.
Credentials
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Certified Business Advisor & Member
Institute of Business Advisors Southern Africa (IBASA)Aug, 2018- Nov, 2024 -
Masters in Business Administration
THE ASSOCIATION OF MASTERS IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATIONJun, 2018- Nov, 2024 -
Bachelor of Arts - Joint Honours Geography & Italian
University of LeedsSep, 2006- Nov, 2024
Experience
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Fonk Cape Town
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South Africa
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Technology, Information and Internet
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1 - 100 Employee
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Design Thinking Consultant
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Oct 2018 - Present
I facilitate co-creation workshops with clients and colleagues to tackle the 'discovery phase' of app design. I bring a human-centred approach to problem-solving, keeping the user at the centre of everything we do while navigating the complexity and uncertainty of the co-creation process. I bridge the gap between business and design, ensuring the products we create address real user needs, are differentiated in the market and have a targeted launch and management strategy. I facilitate co-creation workshops with clients and colleagues to tackle the 'discovery phase' of app design. I bring a human-centred approach to problem-solving, keeping the user at the centre of everything we do while navigating the complexity and uncertainty of the co-creation process. I bridge the gap between business and design, ensuring the products we create address real user needs, are differentiated in the market and have a targeted launch and management strategy.
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Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika at the University of Cape Town
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South Africa
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Higher Education
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1 - 100 Employee
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Programme Lead & Design Thinking Coach
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Mar 2016 - Present
I facilitate multi-disciplinary teams of students and professionals in order to develop their skills, knowledge and experience of Design Thinking practices. I design and facilitate learning programmes which can be as short as 1 day or as long as 8 weeks, and are structured with a step-by-step approach to understanding problems, identifying user needs, generating ideas and prototyping these in a light-touch manner. I specialise in managing team dynamics, encouraging radical collaboration, bridging the gap between analytical and intuitive thinking, celebrating failure and instilling an empathetic mindset towards the users we are designing for. Show less
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Integral Coach
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Feb 2021 - Present
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Lobster Ink
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Netherlands
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E-Learning Providers
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100 - 200 Employee
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Operations Manager
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Oct 2015 - Jul 2016
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Lobster Ink
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Netherlands
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E-Learning Providers
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100 - 200 Employee
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Head of Translations
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2014 - 2015
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Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
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United Kingdom
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Government Administration
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700 & Above Employee
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Fast Stream Civil Servant - Business Analyst
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Oct 2011 - Oct 2013
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HHS International Cultural Exchange Center
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China
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Strategic Management Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Au Pair & English Language Teacher
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May 2011 - Sep 2011
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Hotelplan UK
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United Kingdom
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Travel Arrangements
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100 - 200 Employee
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Resort Chalet Manager
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Nov 2010 - Mar 2011
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Skiworld Ltd
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United Kingdom
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Leisure, Travel & Tourism
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1 - 100 Employee
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Chalet host
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Nov 2005 - Apr 2006
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Education
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Graduate School of Business - University of Cape Town
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), with Distinction -
University of Leeds
Joint Honours Modern Languages: Geography & Italian, Humanities -
Università degli Studi di Ferrara
Erasmus Scheme, Lettere e Filosofia -
Colchester Sixth Form College
A Levels -
Colchester Royal Grammar School
GCSE