As a leading global executive search and leadership advisory company, Odgers Berndtson asked themselves how they could bring the next generation of leaders into the partnership as they sought to evolve their organisational culture.
Chris Bollinghaus is Chief Operating Officer of Odgers Berndtson in the UK, with responsibility for the firm’s people, process and operations. He explains the thinking behind their initial requirement for a bespoke development programme:
“We had a cohort of bright, successful and ambitious consultants who were demonstrating a set of values that were consistent with where we were going as a business. We wanted to stretch and challenge them, to provide them with Executive Education grounded in strategic leadership to help prepare them for senior roles in the company.”
The search for a world-class business school partner
In appointing an education partner to work with them, Chris knew they wanted a business school with highly engaged faculty who understood their specific business needs and challenges.
“We spoke to several business schools who wanted to provide a template approach where they would ‘lift and shift’ one of their existing programmes. What Bayes wanted to do was come in and talk to us, understand our business and its challenges and tailor something specifically for us. That really impressed us.”
The Bayes approach
Bayes’ distinctive approach to Executive Education includes:
- Extensive consultation which informs programme development, creating learning solutions which are tailored to the specific business needs of each client
- World-class faculty offering expert insight and real-world experience to translate classroom learning into practical application
- Highly-detailed feedback and post-programme analysis to ensure a tangible return on investment.
Developing a custom solution
"When we started our relationship we recognised that the best development programme would not be designed by Bayes alone, or by people like me who were not core practitioners.
There was extensive consultation with our leadership team, our partners, but also more broadly and deeply into the organisation to really understand all the different elements which needed to feed into it.
Using the insight gained through this process, the teams developed what has gone on to become the ‘Global Partner Development Programme’. This brings together consultants from across Odgers Berndtson’s international locations for a rigorous learning experience."
Pre-programme activities include psychometric testing for delegates and work to establish key company challenges which need to be addressed by the programme. This informs the curriculum of an intensive five-day residential programme which is split between Bayes Business School and Odgers Berndtson’s London headquarters.
Topics covered on the programme include:
- Understanding effective leadership in a connected world which is adaptable and agile.
- Developing an understanding of leadership styles, self-awareness and leading with impact.
- Leading others and motivating and managing teams.
- Establishing a sustainable culture for success and optimising performance in the global context.
Creating an intensive in-person learning experience
For executive search firms, the value of time together in-person is not to be underestimated. Chris explains:
“I don’t think we would have had the same outcomes if we had not had that quality time together in-person in the classroom. It gives you a really deep understanding of each other and forms a sense of togetherness.
This is a challenging programme. We’re putting people outside of their comfort zone and asking them to share some vulnerabilities, be open and authentic. That’s hard to do with a group of people over Zoom. It’s much easier to form a bond and feel comfortable having difficult conversations with someone you might have had dinner with the evening before.”
Group projects continue after the programme to enable participants to put their learning into action. They then present their findings back to other groups in a follow-up session held two to three months after the residential programme.
Offering unparalleled support
One of Bayes’ strengths is that its faculty has a high level of involvement in developing custom programmes for each client, and they seek detailed feedback from within the organisation to determine the adaptations needed to keep programmes relevant. Chris explains:
"A real plus point for Bayes is that the faculty has always made themselves directly available, in ways we wouldn’t necessarily have the right to expect. A couple of years ago, we invited one member of the faculty to join me and our Chief Executive for a briefing on how our business had been evolving.
We happened to call him on his 60th birthday when he was on holiday in Paris, but he still offered the time to have a call with us to have the discussion about how our business was developing. He was genuinely interested, and it’s a measure of Bayes’ commitment to our partnership."
Delivering impact in the organisation
For any Executive Education programme, it is vital that the impact and outcomes of learning can be measured and analysed to ensure a return on investment. For Odgers Berndtson that incorporates three elements. Chris says:
“Firstly, we take feedback from participants and monitor that really carefully. We work with the Bayes team to make any changes needed for future programmes.
Secondly, we link learning to individual achievement objectives. If we do the programme well and help them set the right development objectives, which they address through learning and their day-to-day activities, then we can say clearly that we have met the goals of the programme.
Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, it is about bringing the right people through to the leadership of our organisation. Are we retaining, developing and promoting the right people for our business? And the statistics show that we are – currently more than 50% of our senior leadership team are Bayes alumni from these bespoke development programmes. They have shared their experiences as they have progressed through the firm, and I think that is the ultimate measure of success."
For those who participate in the programme, Chris says the value is clear.
"People are delighted and tell us that it’s a privilege that the firm is investing in their development. It has created a strong sense of togetherness and they feel we believe in them becoming a part of Odgers Berndtson’s leadership and being the future of our organisation. That generates a lot of positivity."
Odgers Berndtson
Odgers Berndtson transforms organisational performance by finding exceptional leaders. Their global network of over 250 partners in 32 countries mean they have the local knowledge powered by international insights to create fulfilling placements. From DE&I consulting to leadership advisory services, they go beyond the expected to deliver industry-shaping advice for their clients and candidates.
With clients from start-ups to multinational corporations, Odgers Berndtson’s remit spans the private, not-for-profit and public sectors, with expertise in business, government, academic and public life.
They began working with Bayes Business School in 2014, and the partners have since collaborated on many custom development programmes, tailored to meet Odgers Berndtson’s specific needs.
Bayes Business School
For more than 50 years, Bayes Business School (formerly Cass) has been leading the way in Executive Education. Bayes’ custom programmes help organisations excel in uncertain environments, and becoming better prepared to respond to a world which is ever changing.
Based in the City of London, Bayes is among the global elite of business schools and holds the gold standard of 'triple crown' accreditation from AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS.
The School’s faculty consist of world-class academics and industry-leading practitioners. Bayes academics explore imaginative new angles, asking difficult questions to produce ground-breaking research that has a positive impact on business, society and the environment.
Learn more
Find out how Bayes Executive Education team can help you meet your organisation’s business needs and challenges.
Contact
To speak with a member of the Executive Education team, please email us or visit our contact page.
