Exec Development Programme 22

Executive Development Programme 2022

Embrace the fact that you will at some stage find yourself outside of your comfort zone. It will happen! It is also a great opportunity to build a solid network of people whom you will not have worked with before. Never underestimate the power of the network as a source of learning and development.

Take time to reflect on each session and then test yourself by putting it into action at the first opportunity.

Steve Wilson, Exec Dev’21 participant

Executive Development Programme 2022 In April 2021, Commercial Services Group set out on its first Executive Development Programme. The intent behind the 12-month programme was to enable senior managers within CSG to gain exposure to what is needed to lead at an executive level – appreciating the difference between a ‘bigger job’ and a ‘higher level’ of operating and leading.

The programme was designed to enable a peer network that had not previously existed at CSG that would bring immense value to both the delegates and also CSG through the erosion of silos and a culture of knowledge sharing, feedback and new ways of thinking.

It was never intended to be a succession plan to replace our existing C-Suite – moreover, develop a talent pool of high calibre future executive leaders to support CSG’s continued hyper-growth and enable opportunities to be realised.

Of the cohort of eight who participated in Exec Dev’21, 100% were successful in internal promotions and all gained experience actively leading ‘career-high’ projects, business (and market) innovation and disruption.

Following the success of CSG’s inaugural Exec Dev programme, plans are currently underway for developing an external executive development programme in response to APSE funding and research

by De Montfort University with respect to developing the next generation of local authority executive leaders.

Definitely a shift in thinking that has helped me understand the step up in expectations in my new role. The changes I can begin to see include: • Putting time aside to forward plan and strategise • Setting clear direction and reinforcing the vision in everything we do • Having more confidence in my direct report to ‘get on with it’ meaning I spend less time on operational aspects • Seeing myself as an advocate for the business and our growth plans Eamon Grimes, Exec Dev’21 participant

And now we are ready to start Over the next 12 months this is what you can expect: Unrivalled content to support your development and transition to a future executive leader.

External global experts delivering bespoke sessions.

Topics include optimising your message, personal impact and communicating with conviction; creative thinking & understanding of the conditions for innovation & disruption; what is commerciality and how to make investment decisions based on a commercial growth strategy and the power of emotional intelligence, developing teams for high performance and leading through uncertainty.

Involvement in activities that will raise your profile at an industry level.

Participation in Group-wide gamechanging initiatives.

Growth through challenge and going beyond your comfort zone.

Direct insight and opportunity to engage in CSG’s executive leadership challenges.

Develop a network that will support your personal and professional impact.

[ Describing the 12-month exec dev programme… ] Immense development. Through two new roles at CSG and CES, I’ve been projected into unfamiliar levels of responsibility, expectations and requirements.

Throughout this time I’ve given a lot of thought towards the ‘high octane’ percentages, concentrating specifically on brand/image and network. I’ve come to realise doing a fantastic job isn’t enough, and that colleagues and directors need confidence that you’re performing, which is delivered through strong image and networks, and not performance alone.

Matt Southern, Exec Dev’21 participant

What we expect of you:

It’s not a ‘one-day per month’ event – the value lies in your total commitment.

Be open to learning new skills and drop any remnants of ego.

Put into practice what you learn as soon as possible.

Allow yourself to focus 100% on the sessions (no calls or emails).

How the programme is shaped – details of each session and the topics covered.

5 MAY 2022

PM Cohort activity (session owned and delivered by two members of cohort).

1 DECEMBER 2022 AWR

PM Personal impact and presentation with The Method – external expertise from the world of performing arts – how to ensure your message lands with impact.

AWR

AWR

AM Progress update; spotlight session; phase three challenge.

PM Introduction and deep dive into the JV model and case studies Joint Ventures with Steve Wilson and JV partners.

5 JANUARY 2023

AM Progress update; spotlight session.

AWR

AM Progress update; spotlight session.

PM Cohort activity (session owned and delivered by two members of cohort).

PM Cohort activity.

TBC

AM Progress update; spotlight session; phase two challenge.

PM Creativity with Kirk Vallis, Google’s Global Head of Creativity – learn tools to increase your capacity to think creatively, understand the conditions for innovation and disruption, business simulation.

1 SEPTEMBER 2022

AWR

AM Progress update; spotlight session.

AM Progress update; spotlight session.

4 AUGUST 2022

Collaboration and teamwork (External Speaker and Escape Room activity).

3 NOVEMBER 2022

PM Career octane (secrets to success and power strategies for personal performance) and success mindset; phase one challenge.

7 JULY 2022

LONDON

AWR

AM Intro to the programme including the format, cohort introductions, rules of engagement, business spotlight.

1 JUNE 2022

6 OCTOBER 2022

AWR

AM Progress update; spotlight session.

AM Cohort activity (session owned and delivered by two members of cohort).

2 FEBRUARY 2023

TBC

AM Progress update; spotlight session.

PM External expert on entrepreneurial mindset and commerciality, business simulation.

2 MARCH 2023

AWR

AM Progress update; spotlight session.

PM Cohort activity (session owned and delivered by two members of cohort).

30 March 2023

AWR

Consolidation and the next steps.

[ The past 12 months have been… ] a step change in terms of ambition, belief in what’s possible and approach to people. I set goals for what I want and what I expect my part of the business to be like and to achieve. I think about strategy and take more deliberate action to meet goals.

I internally shout down a fixed mindset and negativity. I spread the message about ambition, development and strategic thinking to my team and the people I mentor.

Andy Morgan, Exec Dev’21 participant