Westcode Semiconductors

Development of team leaders' skills and the transformation to a more collaborative environment

Westcode Semiconductors provide High Power Semiconductor devices and control assemblies for the Worldwide Power Control Industry. With 260 employees and £18 million turnover, they export 90% of their product. With growing market pressure, Westcode needed to reduce order lead times and improve ‘on time’ delivery.

Opportunity

To design and deliver a programme of development for supervisors with a predominantly ‘command and control’ management style and develop their team leader capabilities. Also, to create a working environment of effective collaboration within and across production cells, leading to increased transfer of knowledge, best practice and problem-solving.

Action taken by True North

Working closely with the HR, training and operations managers at Westcode, True North:

• met with managers to clearly define the business drivers for a development programme and the intended results.
• carried out one on one meetings with all the programme participants to help them feel comfortable with embarking upon and contributing to the programme.
• designed an appropriate series of sessions to meet the needs of both the organisation and the individuals involved.
• delivered the programme and amended it over its duration to meet specific problems as they arose.

Results

Participants in the programme feel good about themselves, and about what they've learnt. They are more confident in running their sections and more capable of taking on aspects of the planning and control systems. Cell leaders now recognise problems and question them accordingly. The programme has significantly increased the number of people in the business creating positive change.

The company is very clear about the significance (for itself and its employees) of the change it needs to achieve and has extended the target group for the programme.

Fran Porfirio, training manager at Westcode: "I found it refreshing how close the True North coach in particular has come to be with our candidates. She’s got their trust; she treats them as individuals, not as candidates."