case studies

Nestle Purina - Inspirational Leadership

The Inspirational Leadership programme was introduced to Nestle Purina in 2004 to address some specific cultural and management problems at that time:

Integration of companies and a need to develop a coherent culture.
A blame culture which led to groups working in silos
The need to align with the larger Nestle group and to implement the Nestle Leadership Framework
The need to clarify what was expected of leaders and help them do it in a European business.

Following the initial roll out to the top 150 leaders in the business, the culture was visibly seen to open up, a more coherent sense of direction was developed and communicated, leaders took responsibility for leading and the results started to improve.

Since then the programme has been extended to the next level of leaders with some adaptations including a stronger emphasis on coaching, and the demand is as strong a demand as ever for places as the programme is further developed and also adapted for the virtual environment. The road from manager to leader and coach is seen to be continuous and the organisation is fully aware of this.

The results of the programmes and associated initiatives are evident:

Individual business improvement plans for all attendees.
Recognizable increase in leadership capability supported by the 360º data.
Nestle Purina has a clear sense of their identify and how it fits in Nestle culture.
Individual leaders having a clear sense of their roles and abilities.
Much of the previous silo and blame culture has disappeared.

"Starfish's Inspirational Leadership is pure win-win for yourself and the company. It is the only training I have experienced so far that helps you to think about yourself in the work environment thus enabling you to transfer the learning to your job with immediate impact."

Business Unit Director

CSC F&A Management
- High Performing Teams

Starfish worked with the CSC F&A management team over two years. In that time they facilitated three key management events at which a vision was developed for the team, strategic issues were tackled, relationships improved and clear actions taken.

Each event followed our team development process so was preceded by data collection both from the team itself and the wider function before a design was agreed with the Vice President. We then facilitated each event insuring that the key issues were tackled and clear, practical and achievable plans were agreed and followed up.

"Starfish' helped us to both understand the issues we had operating as a cohesive team and to agree how we should tackle these issues in a constructive way. They also supported us in the development of an effective strategic vision for the wider F&A team which focused us on looking toward the future with goals that were achievable and measurable."

Vice President Finance & Administration

Coaching

The intensive coaching sessions have produced some really significant change as reported in the following examples:

Marketing and Sales Manager - UK

“The time you spend is yours – you go at your pace and follow your agenda. It is a tiring and challenging time but so unbelievably rewarding and amazing. It is corny but it has changed my life – it was the best investment in me I have ever made and those three days will stay with me forever. I feel so privileged to have spent the time with my coach and for him to help me be me and love the person I am. It has changed my outlook on life; it has changed how I approach the relationships I have in my life and it has improved my confidence at work and therefore my performance.”

Marketing Director - Norway

“For me it was THE key step in getting out of a down period at work (and every day life as a consequence) and the lack of motivation and inspiration I was feeling at the time. It helped me start dealing with some personal suppressed feelings and emotions which also led to helping me deal with my daily life at work.

Getting away from your daily life to focus on yourself was key –you do need the space and time following the sessions to contemplate and reflect.”

"It has changed my life and was the best investment in me that I have ever made. It has changed my outlook and has changed how I approach the relationships I have in life. It has improved my confidence at work and, therefore, my performance."

Commercial Manager