The Process

In this section you will find more detailed information by clicking on the following links;

Executive Development Programme
Senior Management Leadership Development Programme
Middle Management Leadership Development Programme
Operational Management Leadership Development Programme
The Academy
Foundation Development Programme

Back To Top Of Page

The Executive Development Programme will be designed to support Directors to strategically grow the business through developing themselves both individually and collectively.

The specific content will be designed through a combination of consultation and 360 assessments but will include areas such as:

  • Developing Vision & Values Leadership
  • Communication Strategy
  • Leading Change
  • Strategic Planning & Direction
  • People Management Approaches
  • Performance Management & Review

Development objectives will be set by the Board.  In addition each Director will have their own Personal Development Plan.

 

Back To Top Of Page

 

The Leadership Development Programmes operate at 3 distinct levels:

  • Senior management
  • Middle management
  • Operational management

At each level a 12 month programme is designed to provide opportunities for delegates to develop their Leadership skills. The programme is an excellent opportunity to stretch and challenge delegates and to prepare you to be in a position to take on bigger roles in the future.

The programme aims to increase knowledge and skills however the core focus is the application of learning to improve performance in the work place. The programme will be characterised by the following guiding principles:

  1. It provides an opportunity to look in the mirror; to be reflective and challenge yourself
  2. To develop confidence and competence
  3. To focus on improving performance in the workplace
  4. Action orientated
  5. Blended learning
  6. To develop leadership skills

In this section you can learn more about:

The Application Process 

Access to the Leadership Development Programmes is by application and is restricted to staff at Senior, Middle and Operational Management levels.

Applicants will be assessed against the following criteria:

  1. Personal Qualities
  2. Performance
  3. Potential
  4. Committment

Applicants will submit a comprehensive application providing reasons why they should be put forward onto the programme, highlighting their key strengths and areas of development to enable them to lead and manage at a higher level.

Line Managers will be required to submit a reference for applicants that they manage.

A selection panel will assess applications and the final decision will be made by the Directors in conjunction with Line Managers.

All Applicants will be informed of the decision in writing.

Any applicants who are not put forward in Year 1 will have the opportunity to re-apply in Year 2. They will also be offered:

  • Feedback from their Line Manager
  • An updated Personal Development Plan (PDP) highlighting the areas for further development
  • Quarterly performance reviews
  • Advice on development opportunities; on line resources, work based tasks and training

For further details please visit the ‘How to Apply’ section.

PLEASE NOTE APPLICATION CLOSING DATE:

Performance Centres

Following the selection proceedure successful applicants will be put forward to the Performance Centre and Programme Induction.

The Performance Centre is a development opportunity to assess your strengths and areas for development in an open, transparent and objective manner. From this an accurate and focused PDP will be produced for each individual on all 3 Programmes.

Candidates will complete 360 assessments and receive comprehensive feedback.  The outcomes of the assessments will inform PDPs and highlight any common development needs which will then form supplementary elements of the Leadership Programmes.

 

What is the 360 Assessment?

360 degree assessments gather information about an individual’s performance as seen by their Managers, self, peers and direct reports.  The assessment is completed on-line and provides a comprehensive report that identifies strengths and areas for development.

It is one of the most powerful tools that can be used to aid your understanding of how others perceive you and to inform your personal development.

 Leadership Programme Design and Content

The programme is bespoke therefore the final design and content will be derived from a combination of;

  • The application process
  • Performance Centres outcomes
  • 360 degree  assessments
  • Inductions
  • Director Input

The Leadership Programmes will be differentiated at each level but may include:

  1. Manage Self – Self awareness, Spotting opportunities, innovation
  2. Manage/Lead others – Leadership style, Influencing not power, leadership skills, inspiring people to follow Gerard Egan’s ‘Delivering results beyond the ordinary’.
  3. Manage Stakeholders – Collaboration, afters, mutuality, networking.
  4. Manage the Business – Strategic thinking and planning (Executive), process of strategy (Senior) and business planning (middle) project planning (operational) and planning and coordination (academy).
  5. Company Values – How we do business, Strategic management, Negotiating and deal making entrepreneurial business development, rational skills.

The following elements will be covered within the development programme and will be linked to your PDP’s and differentiated to your level on the programme:

 

1. Communication
Managing meetings, effective Reporting skills, Monitoring skills,
Networking skills
2. Leadership & People Management
Managing teams, Performance Management, Assertiveness,
    Delegation, Motivation, Managing yours and others time, Coaching
3. Relationships (Internal / External)
4. Technical Competence
5. Commercial Awareness
6. Rational Thinking, effective Decision Making
7. Project Management
8. Financial Understanding
9.Product Knowledge
10. Understanding the recruitment and selection process
11. Health and Saferty Awareness
12. IT Skills and Competency

Action Learning Sets

An Action Learning Set is a dedicated team that is formed to resolve key business issues. This process provides cross functional opportunities to learn about other areas of the business.

Key features of an ALS are;

  • They run in parallel to the taught programme
  • They comprise teams of about 6 individuals
  • There will be 2 work based business improvement projects:
    • Project one:
      Delegates will deal with a live business issue to be identified by either the Directors or the Delegates.  This will be an opportunity for the Team to organise itself, establish the team dynamics and understand how the ALS works.
    • Project two:
      This will be a more significant issue where the ALS have to present their project to the Board for approval, providing a full prospectus and project plan with costings where required. Outcomes will be monitored and reported.  Candidates will have to achieve measurable impacts on the business and present the results back to the Board.

The ALS’s decide when to meet outside the taught programme.  However they will be given some time at the end of each 2 day taught module to update on ALS projects.

Evaluation

A key component of the Programme is to have in place mechanisms to measure your progress and achievements.

The following evaluation methods will be used;

  1. Evidencing of key performance indicators within your area of the business.
  2. 360 Degree Assessment
  3. Directors will assess the value and impact to the business of the Action Learning Sets.
  4. A Governance panel meet quarterly to assess progress, updates, and impacts
  5. Performance reviews with Line Managers
  6. Learning History. This will involve building a learning log evidencing development, and recording examples of application to the workplace. The Learning history will be signed off by Line Manager.
  7. Comprehensive Personal Development Plans which will be reviewed quarterly.
  8. Review day presentations – Delegate presentation to the Directors

 

What do you need to do now?

Click on the ‘How to Apply’ tab to download the application form.

Further information is also available on the FAQ section.

Back To Top Of Page

The aim is to provide a foundation of professional development to ensure that individuals and teams have the opportunity to continuously improve performance.

This programme will produce enhanced Personal Development Plans (PDP’s) for each discipline and role within the business and coordinate the scheduling of 1:1 performance reviews.

Research tells us that the vast majority of development takes place in the work place. Whilst training is important it is also critical that there is an infrastructure in place to ensure that work based development opportunities are identified and maximised.

The academy will therefore produce:

  • Individual Personal Development Plans (PDP’s) will set out competency based criteria for each role in the business. These documents will state clearly the requirements of each role in a precise jargon free manner.
  • Work based opportunities to develop skills, knowledge and experience. Support will be provided to Line managers to identify work based development opportunities in a structured manner.
  • Performance reviews and feedback. PDP Review Meeting at which the employee will discuss their learning and performance over the previous year and will agree Personal Development targets for the forthcoming year.
  • On line learning – The company is committed to providing blended development opportunities. Advances in technology are providing additional learning opportunities. This programme will start the process of building the online library and interactive learning resources.
  • Core training programmes – Once completed the PDP’s will be reviewed to establish any development trends. This will then be considered in line with business needs and priorities and core training programmes will be developed.
  •  Line Managers will receive guidance and support on their role in developing staff


What do you need to do now?

Look out for further updates on Individual Personal Development Plans and on line learning resources which are being developed for you to access.

Back To Top Of Page


Programme outline

Foundation Development Overview

 

What do you need to do now?

The FDP is open to all weekly paid staff. You will receive a letter inviting you to apply to the programme.

Any applicants who are not put forward in Year 1 will have the opportunity to re apply in Year 2. They will also be offered:

  • Feedback from their Line Manager
  • An updated Personal Development Plan highlighting the areas for further development
  • Quarterly performance reviews
  • Signposted to development opportunities; on line resource, work based tasks, training

Back To Top Of Page