Boosting high-performing experts
Bertelsmann is a media, services and education company with more than 80,000 employees, that operates in about 50 countries around the world. It includes the entertainment company RTL Group, the trade book publisher Penguin Random House, the music company BMG, the service provider Arvato Group, Bertelsmann Marketing Services, the Bertelsmann Education Group and Bertelsmann Investments, an international network of funds.
Challenge
Bertelsmann was looking for an international training partner that could deliver a program for its various solution groups with participants coming from international locations. The program was designed to give experts a career boost and better understanding of how to manage themselves and others effectively.
Human Skills and Bertelsmann developed a customized program to help experts settle into their future roles and increase their impact and productivity.
Solution
Human Skills designed, delivered and managed a blended solution with multiple group modules as well as 1:1 coaching, group work and self-directed individual learning. This is providing the first step on the ladder to leadership for high-performing experts.
Pre-training
360-degree feedback including individual debrief and coaching.
Training modules
Tailored to the specific needs of the target group within the Bertelsmann talent pool. Guaranteeing the participants new insights in their behaviour, working styles and personal development.
- Module 1: Leading me first (including a teambuilding event)
- Module 2: Performing in tough situations
- Module 3: Presenting with excellence
Transfer
Supported by a learning diary throughout the training and individual coaching sessions between participant and coach, discussing strengths, challenges and areas for improvement.
All modules reflect the competency areas from the 360-degree feedback, which were selected collaboratively with Bertelsmann.
Result
The Personal Development Program (PDP) has become a well-known and popular program for high-performing experts who strive to proactively drive their professional career. The participants are nominated through supervisor and HR for PDP.
In 2023 the average satisfaction among 210 participants in 9 groups reached 4,48 on a scale from 1 (lowest rating) -5 (highest rating).
Participants especially value the following aspects of the program:
- Methods and tools for better professional performance
- High level of commitment by specific calls to action and follow ups
- Visible progress and personal growth in a short period of time
- Networking across the organization
- Fast learning curve and quick wins
- High level of practical relevance
- Personal breakthroughs and empowerment
- Very motivating atmosphere of growing together
- High level of interactivity, energy and experiential learning
- Learning by doing methodology
- Expanding own comfort zone
- Practice over theory
- Awesome coaches
- Very applicable content
- Individualized feedback addressing own potential
- Discover new abilities and own potential
- Gaining new perspectives
- Positive impact on shaping own personality
- Feeling of belonging
- High group dynamics
- High level of personal initiative
8 training days in 3 modules
individual coaching sessions
Self-paced learning
Languages: German, English
200+ international participants annually
Duration: 7-8 months
This development program is offered by four solutions groups at Bertelsmann:
