Case Studies

Reviews from graduates of the private School of Management (which I founded and led for seven years)

M.K., strategic cross-functional leader

I first met Lev at a sales training he was conducting at the advertising agency where I worked. Lev demonstrated a deep understanding of sales organization processes and knew how to win over an audience, to infect people with his knowledge, skills, and approach.

Since then, Lev and I have collaborated on several projects and even launched start-ups together. I graduated from the School of Management founded by Lev, where I received invaluable knowledge and skills that help me in my daily activities.

Lev is a highly proficient expert in the field of top-tier and full-cycle Organizational Development and HR, and also possesses remarkable strategic vision and process management skills. He was repeatedly engaged by me as an external consultant in the companies for which I worked. Each time I was more than satisfied with the quality of the work done. I have always been happy to collaborate with Lev and would strongly recommend him to any client.

I was impressed, first of all, by Lev’s deep understanding of the ideology and technologies of regular management; secondly, by his ability to quickly and successfully establish contact with the audience, to convey the key aspects of any topic in a simple and convincing manner. Compared to other similar courses, the educational programs developed by Lev stood out for their practicality, common sense, interactive and dynamic format, and non-conformism. Thanks to the School of Management, I gained knowledge and skills that I still use in my management activities.

Lev is an experienced expert in organizational development and also has skills in strategic and process management. I highly recommend him to any potential client.

I joined the School as a marketer. So I have advanced in my career, and this has had a significant impact on my financial situation. By and large, as a result of the classes, everything fell into place in my mind. True, when you go back to work, there is chaos in your head again, a whole bunch of questions arise – but now there is a foundation on which these questions can be answered.

What I liked and remembered most were not the lectures, but the interactive “gamified” sessions. Although after these sessions, the next working day was very difficult – they require more effort. Nevertheless, they were the most interesting. When you participate in a live process, you remember more.

When teaching, you can give all kinds of different approaches and methodologies, and rack your brains trying to decide which one is best to use. Lev has concentrated his vision of what management should be like, and gave it to us. On the one hand, this may be limiting; but for me it makes life easier. I don’t rush from one thing to another, but try the technique I’ve been given – and it works, if only because I don’t jump from one thing to another.

It so happened that my professional growth coincided with the School. Everything was very interconnected, and it was very valuable for me that the School helped me see things that I would not have been able to see on my own. I will be honest and say that I use much less of my higher education in sociology in my work, than what I learned at the School. After university, I had a very idealized view of how an organization works.

I always looked forward to these sessions. I prepared for them. And then I thought, “Why am I looking forward to them so much? After all, there is enough training at work, everything is constantly new.” It’s all about communication. On the one hand, I gained useful knowledge and honed my professional skills; on the other hand, I rested my soul here. I felt like this is the university class I studied with for five years, whom I know so well, who have all become like family to me.

Every Sunday, when it was all over, my friends from my professional circle would come to me, and I would tell them about the sessions and share what I had learned. And they would say, “Oh, that one is good, and that one is also good!”

I was feeling a bit aggressive at the presentation. But I decided to join. It turned out to be the right choice. First of all, I would like to thank the group. What my fellow students gave me: I used to think that everything in life was difficult, that it was difficult to retain employees, and that no one understood me at work; and when I met reasonable people here who think the same way, it inspired me greatly. Plus, I gained knowledge from the trainers. Now I am bolder and more confident at work, I don’t just swallow everything, I show my true self, I can object. If I don’t like something, I make it known. Before, when an employee quit, it was a disaster for me, but now I have completely changed my attitude towards this. There’s no need to hold on to an employee. That’s what I wanted to do, and I mentally deceived myself into thinking that I was doing so. But I wasn’t.

My feet carried me here on their own. Thank you for instilling hope, confidence, and strength in me.

I divide my impressions of the School into personal and professional ones.

I started my business right after college. At first, it was small companies that closed down over time. And I always did everything myself, like a squirrel in a wheel. I lacked information and basic knowledge, relying on intuition, like a blind mole, at random. There are things that I figured out over five years, and I still doubted whether they were right or wrong. I am sometimes an indecisive person. I looked at things from the outside and asked my friends for advice.

And here were a few things that were like balm for the soul: “Yes, indeed, I’ve been thinking correctly for five years.” I’m insanely happy.

As for the personal side of things. There are friends we’ve known for a long time. But it’s always nice to bring something new, a fresh perspective, a new stream, additional joy. Thank you for that.

The School has given me a lot. First, confidence in myself, my strengths, and my abilities. When you radically change your field of activity, this is important! Second, I acquired practical management skills. Third, I developed a fierce desire to bring everything to life, and most importantly, I am succeeding!

Thank you very much!

Recommendation letter from V.S., the CEO and co-owner of a manufacturing company

It is with great respect and sincere appreciation that I write this letter of recommendation for Mr. Lev Minikes, who played an instrumental role in the transformation and long-term success of our business by providing consultancy services to our company.

At the time of his engagement, we were a regional manufacturing business facing deep internal challenges. The company was co-owned by three executives with divergent visions, and decision-making processes were slow, ineffective, and severely hindering our ability to grow. Lev was invited to assist not only with business process improvements but also to act as a mediator at the executive level – a task he approached with rare professionalism, strategic clarity, and emotional intelligence.

Lev joined our board of directors as an independent member and was elected Chairman of the Board, which enabled him to facilitate constructive dialogue and realign the leadership team. His efforts resulted in the creation of a new governance model, where the role of CEO was formalized, and operational management was delegated to professional executives. As part of this transition, I assumed the CEO role with Lev’s personal coaching and support.

In parallel, Lev led a comprehensive business transformation program, which included:

  • Redesigning the organizational structure and workflows
  • Mapping and optimizing cross-functional processes
  • Creating job descriptions with clearly defined KPIs
  • Implementing a company-wide performance management and KPI-based remuneration system
  • Launching a strategic planning cycle and performance monitoring tools
  • Delivering targeted leadership training across all levels of management

The results were nothing short of extraordinary. Within 6 years of project launch, our company’s turnover grew by over 500% and successfully expanded from a local operation to a global player. Our production facilities became regional benchmarks, regularly visited by peers and partners for inspiration and learning.

Lev’s ability to bring order to chaos, foster collaboration among conflicted stakeholders, and build systems that endure long after the consultancy ends, speaks to his rare capability as a transformational consultant. His contributions left a permanent mark on our company’s culture, structure, and performance trajectory.

We are deeply grateful for Lev’s partnership and support, and I wholeheartedly recommend him as an independent consultant of the highest calibre.

I am pleased to write this letter of recommendation for Mr. Lev Minikes, who worked with our company first as an external consultant, and then as the CEO of the company. His contributions during this critical period were vital to the survival and revitalization of our business.

Our business, a mid-sized clothing company with 11 retail locations and a wholesale division, was in severe distress following the global financial crisis. Faced with the threat of bankruptcy, I invited Lev to advise me as CEO on how to stabilize and transform the company.

Lev’s involvement was immediate and highly impactful. He quickly diagnosed operational inefficiencies, organizational gaps, and financial blind spots. More importantly, he translated those insights into concrete, actionable solutions that restored performance and rebuilt morale.

Among his major contributions were:

  • Redesigning core business processes and introducing structured job descriptions with clear KPIs for all roles
  • Implementing a Mystery Shopper program, which allowed us to improve customer service and evaluate staff performance objectively
  • Rolling out a new performance management system, linked to a KPI-based incentive structure that increased accountability and motivation
  • Introducing rigorous budgeting, financial reporting, and data-driven decision-making frameworks, all of which helped regain financial control
  • Coaching our management team in open communication, transparency, and customer focus, which completely shifted the tone of leadership and operations

Thanks to Lev’s efforts, our company restored profitability within just six months, even while navigating a highly volatile retail environment. Beyond the numbers, Lev’s influence reshaped our corporate culture—promoting a sense of shared responsibility, teamwork, and customer-centred thinking.

Lev combines deep organizational insight with practical execution. He is equally capable of addressing financial, structural, and human dynamics within a business, and always maintains a strong ethical compass. I remain grateful for the clarity, professionalism, and strategic value he brought to our company at a time when we needed it most.

I fully endorse Lev Minikes as a highly competent and trustworthy independent consultant and am confident that any client or institution he works with will benefit greatly from his expertise.

I had the privilege of working alongside Lev Minikes for two years at Integral Group, where he served as the Head of HR & Organizational Development while I held the position of Chief Digital Officer for the Geneva office. Lev’s exemplary qualities and contributions to our professional environment were truly commendable.

Lev consistently demonstrated a remarkable ability to navigate complex challenges with reason and calmness. His extensive experience in talent acquisition and organizational development was evident in the implementation of efficient, long-term strategies that significantly benefited our team. Lev’s positive and inspiring nature was a constant source of motivation for the entire team, as he always sought the positive side in any situation.

One of Lev’s standout attributes was his adeptness in communication. He not only facilitated effective communication between team members but also played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between project needs and the goals set by the CEO. Lev’s assertiveness, coupled with a keen focus on mutual benefit, ensured a collaborative and harmonious work environment.

I particularly appreciated Lev’s talent in conflict management and resolution. In a situation where conflict arose between myself and my team, Lev’s intervention led to a solution that not only resolved the immediate issue but also benefited all parties involved. His ability to find common ground and instil a sense of collaboration was truly invaluable.

Lev’s non-judgmental and understanding approach created a stable and positive work atmosphere. During challenging times, his guidance was instrumental in addressing management failures, and his calm demeanour served as a beacon of stability.

In summary, Lev Minikes is an outstanding professional whose expertise, positivity, and exceptional interpersonal skills make him an asset to any organization. I wholeheartedly recommend Lev and am confident that his contributions will greatly enhance any team or project.

I am pleased to write this letter of recommendation in support of Mr. Lev Minikes as a self-employed consultant.

Lev was employed as a Global HR Business Partner at Stichting IDH, where I had the opportunity to supervise him directly. Throughout his tenure with us, Lev has consistently demonstrated the capabilities, professionalism, and entrepreneurial mindset.

Lev’s role at IDH placed him at the intersection of strategy, operations, and international HR governance. He has led and delivered a number of high-impact initiatives, including:

  • A comprehensive project to develop and implement a Succession Management system, enhancing workforce planning and talent pipeline development.
  • Design of a company-wide Learning and Development framework, transforming fragmented L&D practices into a unified internally cohesive system that is interconnected with the overall strategy and goals of the organization.
  • HR analytics reporting and insight translation, presenting data-driven recommendations to senior leadership and translating workforce trends into actionable planning.

Among his many contributions, Lev played a central role in:

  • Streamlining and formalizing of key HR processes (Position Management, Goal Setting, Mid- and End-Year Performance Review, Internal Complaint etc.)
  • Improving several core HR policies, including Speak-Up, Recruitment, and Employee Engagement frameworks, ensuring compliance with local employment laws and international best practices.

Lev’s extensive prior experience as a management consultant was evident in his ability to independently assess organizational challenges, design scalable solutions, and partner with diverse stakeholders. His approach is structured, outcome-oriented, and deeply rooted in strategic thinking – qualities essential for effective independent advisory work.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if further information is needed.

Sincerely,
Carolien Arents
Director HR
Sticting IDH