HR Case Study - Image Source
Situation
Image Source is the world's No 1 production company and brand for contemporary and creative royalty free images, a company recognised for innovation, confidence and commercial success. Trading principally through the internet, they have offices in London, New York, Los Angeles and Cologne.
In the past two years the company has expanded rapidly in the UK, and the workforce has doubled to over 60 employees during this time. The company was keen to introduce a formal training schedule and to allocate a budget to learning and development. Alyson Pellowe, Managing Consultant of People Vision, performed a Human Resources Health Check for the company before training was delivered.
Karl Cheek works for People Vision as a Learning and Development consultant. Viola Lambert is Office and Human Resources Manager of Image Source. |
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Challenge
- Post-appraisals in 2006, some Image Source Line Managers felt that Time Management and Presentation Skills training would be useful for a selection of their teams. Karl created training session outlines for these topics to enable Viola to liaise with her colleagues on the specific areas to be covered.
- Karl worked with Viola to tailor the training to Image Source's individual situation. The Presentation Skills workshop is usually a two day project but to meet Image Source's needs Karl condensed it into one day of training.
- The training was to be given to a mix of junior and senior staff across the board, from Assistants to their Senior Managers and Marketing Directors. Karl was to deliver the training in a way which was accessible and beneficial to a group of participants with varying degrees of experience.
Action
- Karl gave three days of tutor-led workshops, two days of which focussed on Time Management and one day focussed on Presentation Skills.
- Karl led the training to achieve maximum participation from individuals. He facilitated discussion and cooperation as groups worked together on presentations, after which they received feedback from Karl and the other participants.
- Training was given to small groups of seven people or less which ensured that all participants had time to convey their ideas and to participate fully in the tasks.
- After training the participants completed evaluation forms to further enable People Vision to tailor training programmes to the needs of employees and organisations.
Results
- Karl's training session outlines helped Image Source to select the right training package and satisfy the needs of different departments. Viola notes that 'the sessions were very nicely laid out in two-day schedules and they highlighted all the right points. The Line Managers thought they were ideal.'
- The participative nature of the workshops enabled skills to be learnt and improved during training, while working in groups on target-led projects ensured that employees put their knowledge into practice immediately in a cooperative environment.
- Consultation and performance feedback during the workshops aided group learning and improved confidence in the new knowledge. Time was spent working through difficulties to achieve results and ensure that participants gained a correct understanding of the topics.
- Evaluation forms completed by course participants have been extremely positive, and Viola noted that the training 'really helped people across the board. They seem to be using what they learnt in their day to day work after the training.'
- Karl has been engaged to deliver two days of Leadership Training in June, developing the skills that Middle Managers need to successfully lead their teams. Training will also focus on improving team performance and morale. The course will incorporate discussions about leadership and employee participation in leadership activities.
- Karl's training in June has been made available to Image Source Group employees. Head of the Creative, Germany requested leadership training in her annual appraisal and will join Karl's two-day workshop. Not only will she be able to interact with Middle Managers from the UK, but Viola notes that 'it is more cost effective for Image Source for her to join the group', a decision which will improve the international performance of the company.
Client Testimonial
'People Vision were invaluable . . . They highlighted the company's training
requirements and were able to provide positive solutions.'
Viola Lambert: HR Manager, Image Source
