Royer Thompson

Meet Mildred Royer.

She’s a former lawyer, a Masters of Arts graduate, a former Employee Relations officer, Director of Human Resources, and Deputy Minister of Health, and a member of several boards of directors.

With such rich educational qualifications and affluent career experiences, no doubt Royer has her pick when it comes to professional opportunities. Employers from diverse sectors all over the province would jump at the chance to access Royer’s wisdom and experience.

So, of all the opportunities at her fingertips, what profession did she choose?

Royer chose to become president of Royer Thompson Associates, a well-established human resource and management consulting firm specializing in recruitment, leadership development and evaluation, governance-related services, organizational design, human resources planning, service delivery, and career transition.

It’s the perfect fit – Royer has a plethora of experience (and then some) in all areas of organizational management.

And she’s not the only one at Royer Thompson with an impressive acumen. The company’s team of highly qualified experts are professional to the nth degree.

“All of our employees have considerable experience managing in corporate and private sector environments,” explains Royer. “They’re seasoned when they come to us. They know what the issues are; they’ve proven their ability to effectively work through all types of issues.”

Royer joined the consulting firm (then Thompson Associates) more than 10 years ago.

“In the company’s development stages, a couple of very professional people got together and decided there was a need for a human resources service that focused on quality of service,” explains Royer. “So the company was developed on very specific values: listening to the client, meeting their needs by focusing on their unique needs and providing a very high standard of professionalism.

“It was very attractive to me,” she adds.

In 2006, she founded Royer Thompson Associates and applied the same values to her company.

Royer found that the needs of her clients were evolving and, hence, her business needed to respond.

“The economy of the late ‘80s to early ‘90s required many companies to focus on downsizing and realignment, so human resources firms responded by focusing on career transition and some recruitment. Today, Royer Thompson Associates still focuses on those two main pillars (recruitment and transition) but they specialize in a broader range of practice.

“We’ve evolved to specialize in organizational design, executive coaching, compensation issues, and labour relations,” says Royer.

Royer Thompson Associates has offered these valuable management insights to clients across the full spectrum of sectors. Their clients are public and private; provincial, municipal and federal; non-profit and industrial; they’re new and seasoned; Fortune 1000 and mom-and-pop shops.

Considering the diverse nature of the work, it’s hard to imagine there are many more boundaries beyond which to expand. But Royer’s vision for the future of her company includes growth.

“The focus as we forge ahead will be developing our service levels (continuing to perfect them), constantly improving the quality of our work, and growing throughout Atlantic Canada,” she says.

But Royer adds that doesn’t change her commitment to Nova Scotia and the quality of her work. “We will continue to remain true to our roots. And always, quality is paramount. Quality will never be sacrificed for growth and expansion. It’s the quality of the work, not the amount, that’s important to Royer Thompson.”

Indeed, work quality is the defining feature of Royer Thompson’s service offering. In fact, Royer says it’s the high standard of quality and professionalism that sets Royer Thompson apart from the rest.

And it’s also what brings in business. “Word of mouth is very important for us,” she explains. “Our business is really dependent on reputation.”

“The most significant compliment we can receive in our line of work is when clients speak well of us,” Royer adds. “There’s a role for advertising and marketing – indeed, we do some of that – but we rely on the quality of our services, and the resulting word of mouth that emanates from it, to truly promote our business.”

Besides a really great reputation around these parts, Royer Thompson has strong ties to the province of Nova Scotia.

Royer was born and raised in Cape Breton, educated in Nova Scotia, and worked for municipal and provincial governments here before taking the reigns of this Nova Scotian company. What’s more, all of her staff has ties to the province as well.

But the ties are etched even deeper than that. Royer believes Nova Scotia is the perfect backdrop for her business.

“There’s a tremendous advantage to operating a management consulting firm in this province,” she says. “Most notable is our ability to access and recruit outstanding individuals. Not only are we able to find talent and experience here within our borders, but we are also able to recruit highly qualified people from abroad, who are willing to come to Nova Scotia because of the enviable and attractive lifestyle.

“There seems to be something in Nova Scotia for every type of individual we recruit,” Royer adds. “For those nearing retirement it’s the laid back lifestyle… the ocean… the tranquility. For the young, urban crowd raising families, it may be the cultural and artistic communities, or the positive educational opportunities and health care.”

As a business owner, Royer feels it’s her responsibility to give back to the community that has afforded her so many opportunities throughout her life and career.

“I’m deeply committed to making this province the best it can be and that’s why I’m delighted to be here,” she says. “I would encourage all those in Nova Scotia’s vibrant business community to sing the praises of our province, too.”

And Royer is absolutely right. With a myriad of opportunities at our fingertips, a sought-after lifestyle and culture, and a business environment saturated with talent and experience (of which Royer is a prime example), Nova Scotians have a great deal of which to be proud.