Development Center and Coaching

Business sector: international banking

Challenge
We had been conducting both individual and group assessments with and for one of our longest standing clients for quite some time. It was clear that assessments for selection purposes were helping our client make wise decisions about who to hire and who to promote. Assessments with a development focus were seen as both accurate and containing useful recommendations, but there were serious questions about what happened with recommendations after feedback to participants was provided and reports filed. Our client wanted to „protect“ their investment in Developmental Assessment by insuring follow through on recommendations.

Solution
We helped our client deliver an ongoing program that combined a Development Center with a coaching approach in order to maximize the professional development of a selected group of employees. papilio consultants worked with program participants prior to, and during a 3 day
Development Center, and then followed the participants for one year in order to help them implement what they learned. papilio consultants worked with senior managers from the organization to observe and assess participants in the Center and to generate brief developmental reports that were then reviewed with participants and the participants’ line manager, resulting in a development plan signed by all participating parties. A limited number of coaching contacts with the participants over the following year assured compliance with the plan, and assisted in overcomming barriers as they arose.

Benefit
While the real benefits of such a program are only obvious over the course of individual participants’ careers, the program was well received by both participants and their line managers. Issues identified at the Development Center stayed „on the table“, and progress on these issues was systematically monitored. Participants commented favorably on obtaining „real help“ rather than simply going through one more course or exercise.