What our clients say
While our name is new, the service we offer has been available for many years. In the past, our unique approach to personal development has benefited a wide variety of organisations.
The commercial advantage we can offer businesses of all sizes has been proven time and again. Here is a selection of case studies illustrating the measurable improvements we can make to a company's bottom line.
Earth Tech - Tailor made solutions for real situations
Earth Tech, a consulting, engineering and construction firm, based in Barnsley, required a development programme that would meet their specific needs.
Recognising that a flexible approach to learning would be most beneficial, we worked closely with the Earth Tech human resources team. In collaboration we developed an integrated programme, made up of a series of bespoke non-accredited modules.
Covering a range of issues, the programme included strategy, change management, management and leadership, coaching and mentoring, finance, corporate social responsibility and marketing.
“We worked with Sheffield Business School to establish an in-house academy which provides bespoke training to our managers. We have had great success with our first Earth Tech Academy members, who are already implementing the skills sets gained from the training, which used the cutting edge research and knowledge that only a university can supply.”
Tony White, managing director, Earth Tech UK and Europe
South Yorkshire Police - Positive action mentoring
When South Yorkshire Police were looking to develop a new mentoring scheme, the first of its kind in the UK, they approached us for help. They wanted to create a team of mentors who can support members from under-represented groups, such as through their gender, sexuality, ethnic origin, faith or disability.
The overall aim of the project was to improve recruitment, retention and career development of individuals from these under-represented groups.
We developed a five-day programme, which helps the volunteer mentors to develop the specialist skills they need to offer support to colleagues at work.
“This development programme is already proving to be a very impressive experience for our new mentors. Not only do we have a veritable 'who's who' of academics from the British mentoring scheme delivering the programme, but the accumulated knowledge, experience and material being provided to the candidates is of the highest calibre. With this standard of preparation, we expect great things of the new mentors once they are active in the role.”
Inspector Simon Mellors, scheme co-ordinator
Mobil Industrial Lubricants - Developing strategic capability
Although related to the larger Mobil Corporation, Mobil Industrial Lubrication is effectively an SME (small to medium sized enterprise). Operating in a mature and declining market with increasing competition, the organisation needed to set itself apart from its competitors.
It was identified that, although the business employed expert scientists and engineers, it did not exploit this competitive advantage. Yet, by developing its people to become strategically capable, the company could add value to its industrial lubrication products by selling knowledge-based scientific consultancy services.
We worked with Mobil Industrial Lubricants to implement a six step programme, to turn the company around.
“We've seen impressive, measurable improvements since the project was implemented. Appraisal ratings improved by 15 per cent, the profit per employee increased by £60,000, in real terms, and turnover increased 120 per cent over 5 years. The increase was directly attributable to the sale of knowledge-based consultancy.”
Davy Tree - Organisational change that provides business benefits
Davy Tree is an Ohio-based, employee-owned organisation with 6,000 employees. It wanted to develop an organisational culture that empowers its employees to support each other.
To help them realise their goals, we developed the INSPIRE (Innovation Systems for Performance Improvement and Re-organisation) programme. A bespoke programme, INSPIRE gave managers greater powers to change complex situations.
Through the use of effective evaluation techniques, it provides evidence of organisational benefits. This has given managers the necessary skills, confidence and motivation to take on the role of internal consultants and organisational problem solvers.
“The INSPIRE programme developed by the University of Sheffield has led to real organisational change from the top down.”
Business Advantage
Sheffield Business School
Sheffield Hallam University
Stoddart Building, Sheffield S1 1WB