BTSR guidebook ~ Training & skills self-evaluation
British Sky Broadcasting Ltd: Developing our Managers - Believe in Better
| Date: | September 2008, updated June 2009 |
|---|---|
| Contact: | Simon Day |
| Telephone: | 020 7805 7887 |
| Updated by: | Kenny Henderson |
| Telephone: | 07709 482141 |
It is a fundamental requirement of all businesses to ensure that employees have the correct skills to fulfil their roles and potential. Finding the balance between development needs, learning styles and business impact is a challenge and one that requires a great deal of thought and planning.
One such challenge is providing sufficient support and development opportunity for new Managers or Managers that are new to a company. At Sky we recognise that people are different and they are best placed to determine what development is appropriate for them and when.
To this end, Sky has found that providing a portfolio of connected development solutions works well. This provides Managers with the opportunity to get engaged in their new roles and get involved in those development opportunities that are most aligned to their needs.
Our programmes comprise a series of complementary modules that collectively form the basis of what it means to be a Manager at Sky and what Managers can do to support their team to achieve their best. Other than the regulatory courses such as Health & Safety, Managers discuss their individual development needs with their own Manager and together select the appropriate modules. In January 2008 we added the Sky Leader´s Certificate and Diploma programmes to our curriculum for the First Line Manager and Middle Manager population.
These programmes are accredited by the Chartered Management Institute. This clearly outlines Sky´s performance expectations of our Managers and provides the benefit of external recognition for their development.
Each intervention (workshop, e-learning, download) targets different aspects of the role as a Sky Manager. These have been designed to encourage a new way of thinking about leadership and management that works well with Sky´s culture.
Our approach is to provide a different management focus dependent on the level of responsibility. For First Line Managers we offer the Sky Leader´s Certificate, accredited by CMI, which comprises four core modules delivered over an eight-month period, covering areas such as Introduction and Essentials of Personal Development, and Leadership, People and Team Management. At Middle Manager level within the organisation we build on the four core modules of the Sky Leader´s Certificate, offering an additional two modules: Module 5 - Persuading and Influencing, Successful Budgeting and Module 6 - Professional Presentation Skills.
In addition to the classroom learning, both the Sky Leader´s Certificate and Diploma are supported by solutions such as shared learning forums, where Managers come together to discuss their experience of implementing the learning back in the workplace, 360° feedback and further reading recommendations.
For Senior Managers in the organisation we offer two programmes - Podium Leaders, a development programme for Heads of Department and the Sky Leadership Development Programme (SLDP) for high potential leaders in the organisation - both of which are designed and developed around our core leadership behaviours (Head, Heart and Guts) and are supported by additional development activities such as coaching, 360° feedback and psychometric assessment.
In the past six months (January 09 - June 09) a total of 171 Managers throughout the organisation have enrolled in the four development programmes offered. In addition several hundred Managers have participated in some 1,400 days of dedicated management training from our core development curriculum.
This is testimony that self-led development works in a dynamic business environment. Sky feels that it is important to recognise that one single programme is not the whole solution, and that in development one size does not fit all.
This being the case, a critical aspect to the success of the programmes is how they are supported, embedded and built upon. Being mindful that people learn in different ways and that development is an ongoing need, we have created a variety of ways for people to access their learning.
The Development Studio is an online resource accessible by all employees 24/7 that holds all our core and management/ leadership development offerings. As mentioned previously, Sky provides a wide range of core skills solutions as well as opportunities for development with more focused content, such as project management, presentation skills, dealing with difficult conversations and coaching, to name but a few.
Sky´s approach to developing its Managers and Leaders is a direct reflection of the culture in Sky, embodying the spirit of “believe in better”. Over the past twelve months the Talent Development Team has reviewed and revised its approach to Learning & Development, aligning to the business priorities and our core management behaviours (the “what” and “how”).
By offering a choice and depth in content, along with a variety of innovative and appropriate methods of delivery, Sky´s Managers are empowered to develop themselves, meet the growing needs of the business and fulfil their own potential. For Sky, our Managers are essential to the success and future growth of our business.
