Increasing Profitability Through Developing the Key Talent Pool

Challenge
A global leader in manufacturing products in automotive, thermo-technology, household appliances, and automation industries, determined a need to increase profitability through standardizing development of their key talent pool.

The company had identified that the mid level manager talent pool was key to their future business success, but had differing approaches in each location to developing their high potentials for this role. They needed to standardize development to ensure a clear picture of their pivotal talent across markets and geographies, so that they could successfully deploy talent to meet their critical business needs.

They had confidence in approaching Personnel Decisions International (PDI) to be their trusted partner in re-designing and standardizing their development program globally, as PDI already had a good understanding of the business and proven success from previous work.

Solution
PDI partnered with company's HR shared services group and other key stakeholders from more than nine different countries to bring together best practices from the different development programs and design a global high potential program.

Using a customized and realistic business scenario PDI designed a two-day workshop including "day-in-the-life" simulations and intensive feedback, and trained internal line managers to act as observers and give in-depth feedback to the participants.

This program is being delivered to more than 400 participants annually over the next 3 years, with PDI and the shared services department working together to share responsibility for ensuring the quality of the experience for both the participants and the observers.

Result
The success of the program is being measured at three levels--the participant experience, observer comments and the partnership with HR shared services.

From the formal evaluation results, the participant response has been overwhelmingly positive. They have found the program to be challenging and realistic, giving them true insights into their next role up, and clear direction for their development priorities.

The observers have enjoyed the experience, they have valued the opportunity to work more closely with the high potential group and have found it to also be a beneficial learning experience for themselves.

The partnership between PDI and HR shared services has also been positive, helping the group to gain greater exposure in the business and provide the organization with a valued contribution to meeting business goals.