A European based brewer with operations across the globe, this client has, like many other multinational companies, its own university. In this case there is a virtual university, providing a range of intranet based learning programmes, and a real bricks and mortar version where core faculty programmes are provided for managers from a cross the globe.
A key objective of the organisation is to create and develop a learning organisation, whereby training and coaching is recognised as a core part of manager's role. To achieve this the manager's skills in training, coaching and transmitting knowledge need to be developed.
We were asked to develop a programme primarily for managers and functional specialists, which would be offered as part of the core HR curriciculum at the university, and would also be available for local delivery in the operating companies around the world.
There are several elements to the programme;
Firstly, participants complete four hours study work prior to attending a workshop. This self study introduces some key concepts, provides some inputs on planning and preparing for training/ coaching sessions, raises questions which participants must respond to and bring the work to the workshop, and finally to identify some live training projects that they will develop during the workshop
An intensive 3 day workshop which focuses on the behavioural skills required to enable people to learn, and extensive practise and feedback time
Follow up telephone based coaching. Given the international nature of the participants, face to face coaching sessions would be logistically [and financially!] difficult
The programme is designed to show "best practise in action", so the learning is two dimensional - As facilitators we use all of the principles, behaviours, methods and tools that we are "teaching" during the workshop itself. So participants experience what it feels like to be the learning environment that we are encouraging them to create with their own people.
