"Extraordinarily inspiring, new ideas, real impact to our bottom line, great networking"
These were some of the words used to describe the True North Best Practice Breakfast Seminar on 20th April. The topic was 'How to ensure learning and Development is truly valued in your organisation' and despite the early hour there was good attendance from local companies including Stibo, Kembrey Wiring, AFL and the NERC.
They were no doubt attracted by our guest speakers, Claire Balmforth, HR Director Carpetright plc and Alun Jones, HR Director Leo Abse and Cohen.
Carpetright is a well known FTSE 250 retail group with over 4,000 staff but like many such organisations had carried out little people development in the past. Clearly there were many barriers to overcome but since joining Claire has successfully implemented through True North, a senior manager and store manager development programme, customer & sales training and 1:1 board level coaching.
The great news is there have been visible and measurable improvements from those who have attended the programmes so the programmes will be rolled out to all other regions over the next 2 years.
Claire identified some key learning from her own experience ; build credibility early, identify 'quick wins', adopt a 'pace' right for the organisation, expect to influence at multi levels and be true to your own values and beliefs.
Leo Abse and Cohen are a multi site firm of solicitors with offices in Swansea, Cardiff and Newport and who faced many similar challenges. Alun identified that whilst there was much legal training , development around people and leadership skills was non-existent. He realised this was vital for the future growth of the firm and so took the decision to personally deliver a Leading and Managing Performance programme himself.
TrueNorth helped him put together the programme and the results have been extraordinary . The attitude to others of those who have undertaken the programme has changed significantly and as Alun states "they have started to use the terms and language he taught in his programme to describe others" , no mean feat in a traditional law firm!
So two very different organisations but with similar challenges and TrueNorth have personalised their respective development programmes to their respective needs, cultures and styles.
There was real energy during the morning which we hope to repeat at the next breakfast workshop due on Wednesday 30th June - contact us at contact@truenorthgb.com or 08451305500