Crown have been in business for 45 years and over that time have grown to be market leaders in 5 different businesses spread across 55 countries and 250 locations. They are truly Global with a very international culture, in fact 10% of employees are foreigners working outside their home country.
Their heritage business is relocation and they provide a full range of domestic and international services to some 100,000 families on the move each year. Crown employ some 4,000 people across 250 locations so one of the challenges is ensuring learning reaches every employee.
“We are very serious when we say “Our People are Our Greatest Asset.”
The big business drivers for leadership development
- The company has had substantial growth over the years and not only in terms of geography but also in business lines and services – It recognised that business success relies very much on people and keeping them engaged.
- There is a war for talent going on – The world is much smaller today and companies are competing for talent from a global pool. “We want to keep our people, keep them engaged and benefit from their expertise and experience”.
- “We felt that the timing was right and that we should look to develop a programme that will meet objectives of our business and protect our future”.
Programme objectives
- Provide the competencies required of leaders to carry out the company’s global mission, in an increasingly competitive marketplace
- Create learning and development experiences that will engage, inspire and build business acumen and management of others skills in key competency areas
- Motivate staff & retain our key talent
Why Hemsley Fraser?
“I was very clear about what I was looking for in terms of a partner: I wanted an organisation who had an international outlook and who’s culture would fit well within the Crown culture. They needed to be inter-culturally aware, have global operations and really understand what we as a company were trying to achieve”. In December 2008, Hemsley Fraser was advised that they were the successful tenderer.
The programme – Crown Leadership Journey
The blended programme started with preparation and pre-work and an opening webinar . Each participant was asked to complete a 360 degree feedback analysis. Session 1 involved 3-days of face-to-face with the Hemsley Fraser facilitators, with the learning focused on planning, engagement and financial planning. The programme then included action learning projects, ahead of session 2. This focused on achieving results through others and people management.
Throughout the four month period there was support through webinars and each team was allocated a project sponsor to support and offer coaching as required. The combination of classroom work and workplace learning through the action projects worked very well and achieved great results.
Success measures included
Retention – employee still with Crown in 12 months?
Employees taken on a wider responsibility?
R.O.I. margin improvement.
Behavioural Surveys from managers
Hemsley Fraser survey 12 months later
Anecdotal
Internal & external marketing