2008 WINNER
David Izett of Colliers CRE with Wendy Rice-Isaacs of ALA
The Colliers CRE Working Together Team Development Programme was considered by the judges to be a highly innovative program in the way it brought together the three areas of learning: corporate social responsibility and client relationship management.
Colliers CRE partnered with a coaching company, client, charitable organisation and Swindon school community to educate children about sustainability, raise charitable funds, build closer relationships with
the client and most importantly, for the purpose of this submission, build internal teamwork competencies amongst Colliers CRE staff.
The programme was a significant exercise in terms of complexity, scale and participation. The qualitative and quantitative evidence provided suggests that the intervention had a significant impact and contributed to the learning of on all those involved.
2ND PLACE
Lovell’s has again demonstrated sustained excellence in learning and development with a commendable second place for their Senior Associate Development Programme.
With its innovative design, clear focus,
and alignment to the firm’s broader career strategy, this programme incorporates many of the features the judges look for in high-impact development: the imperative to support individuals in transition, the involvement of senior leaders in the development process, the understanding that effective development requires a long-term framework of support, the partnership between Lovells and a leading international business school (Ashridge) and, most importantly, the joint ownership of development by the individual and the firm.
3RD PLACE
Linklater's intervention to improve the feedback skills of the firm's partners arose from a need voiced by associates, who wanted more regular, balanced and specific feedback.
The design of the intervention was considered by the judges to be innovative, for two reasons. The workshop used forum theatre where actors played out scenes and partners directed them. Whilst it respected the partners' preference for a short event, the workshop was followed up, including with on-line video clips of feedback and 1:1 coaching.
Reactions from partners have been positive, the on-line tools and coaching well utilised and there is evidence the intervention has contributed to improved associate satisfaction.
EUROPEAN WINNER 2008
Toon Wurfbain of the Dutch office of Clifford Chance with Wendy Rice-Isaacs of ALA
It was good to see the way that the Dutch practice at law firm Clifford Chance used the diagnosis of soft skills carried out by their global academy to fashion a comprehensive programme bringing together local technical knowledge with global people skills. This was a co-ordinated, carefully timetabled piece of training that sets a new standard for practices in Continental Europe.