"The Brathay learning experience gave us valuable insight which has enabled the department to tackle the often emotional issues that our day-to-day challenges throw at us. "Damien Ghee, IT & Programme Director, Warburtons
The Challenge
The Warburton's technical teams was facing a challenge. The businesses expected them to take on a
leadership role and needed them to use their technical skills to innovate new ways of doing business, serve customers, reduce costs and raise quality.
The aims of the programme were:
- Achieve clarity of direction, vision and Improve communication across the team.
- Increase awareness of individual working style preferences and appreciate each other's strengths.
- Identify and develop collaborative working practices, avoiding silo mentality.
Brathay's Approach
1. Diagnostic stage
The employee survey provided a useful starting point for looking at the team's current state. this was supplemented by:
- 1/2 day workshops with the team.
- Observation of individuals within the team and in the workplace, with feedback.
- A feedback report, provided to senior managers and HR.
2. Residential event at Brathay Hall
Three events were held, including senior management, in order to cover the whole team. The key aims of these events were:
- Examine how personal drivers and beliefs influence mindsets and behaviours.
- Identify the links between personal attitude and behaviours on team, management and organisational performance.
- Highlight the emotional impact of change, and
- Identify tools and techniques that help the team respond to the needs of others including feedback.
Outcomes
A new forum was created as part of the IT governance structure with the responsibility for increasing the motivation and morale of the department in delivering change.
- The forum started with the implementation of an action plan arising from the Brathay work.
- 12 months after the work with Brathay was complete, the department has changed and developed at a rate which the management team are proud of.
"The Brathay learning experience gave us valuable insight into ourselves, our colleagues and how we interact with each other. In the past not all of our team would have been comfortable in even talking about these issues - never mind attempting to successfully resolve them." Damien Ghee, IT & Programme Director, Warburtons.