Company: Stiller Group
No of employees: 725
Core area of business: Third Party Logistics – Transport and Warehousing
The Business Challenge
Stiller Group was looking at ways to improve its efficiency and service quality with a specific focus on the
management team level of the business – aiming to improve management confidence and competence. Looking to the future the organisation wanted to address issues including skills gaps, building capacity for growth, improving retention and to create a culture of Continuous Professional Development.
The Solution
Through its strategic plan ‘Raising the Bar’ Stiller Group introduced a programme of Leadership and Management qualifications (National Qualifications Framework from Level 3, first level management to Level 7, middle management) with the help of Business Link North and Hartlepool College. The publicly funded Level 3 NVQ in Leadership & Team Leadership served as the foundation for the businesses ongoing skills development strategy. Organisational buy-in was ensured as part of the plan; this was led by Divisional Senior Teams who are also participating in the programme. There has been a great response to the programme and staff have been able to take part in the sessions, fitted around their work role and workplace, the convenience of this encourages them to participate. Stiller Group employees report that they are getting a great deal from being a part of this initiative and the organisation has seen numerous benefits from developing its workforce through publicly funded qualifications.
The Results
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Retention amongst team leaders and managers is excellent and reflects the overall staff turnover figure which is consistently under 1.75% (currently at 0.95%)
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Improved confidence and competence in managers and leaders impacts on productivity – results are currently being tracked through Stiller Group’s evaluation framework
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Anecdotal evidence and a noticeable change in behaviour patterns indicates that knowledge and skills gained through the programme are having a direct impact on the business