New Developments The quarterly newsletter from Ashorne Hill

Summer 2013

Traditionally, talent management has been about developing individual potential and retaining key employees in an increasingly competitive labour market, whilst succession planning has focused on the needs of the organisation to ensure that the right people are available to fill critical positions.

Now they complement each other. A good talent management programme creates a pool of competent people who can meet the future leadership needs of the organisation; and by generating pools of talent around specific skills, functions or levels, the organisation will develop people who are adaptable and capable of fulfilling multiple roles. Achieving this laterally across key functions and vertically across different management levels will ensure that there is always someone to take over a key role when the need arises.

Few would dispute that a shortage of the ‘right’ skills is a perennial problem. In many disciplines the growth in individual knowledge and specialisation has resulted in a smaller pool of expertise in any one field.

We often hear people talk about ‘skills gaps’, or that their best people are ‘all retiring and not being replaced’; and for many organisations training a replacement from scratch is not an option.

As well as a smaller talent pool there is also the issue that people these days have a different relationship with work - a relationship that demands a better work-life balance and greater job satisfaction. This makes ‘talented’ people more selective about what they do and who they work for.

In simple terms “talented people need the organisation less than the organisation needs talented people”.

Therefore we need to recognise what ‘talent’ looks like and create the right environment to develop it and hold on to it. This will only work if the talent management programme is supported by and driven by senior management. The whole talent management process needs to be carefully planned and regularly reviewed as an integral part of the organisation’s core strategy. However, the ultimate responsibility for identifying and nurturing talent rests with individual managers.

Consequently the programme will not work unless there is an integrated process for assessing performance and potential. This cannot be just the realm of the HR department – the information must come from multiple sources, both formal and informal, and it must be reliable and accessible to the people who need it.

Talent Management and Succession Planning

Our Discovery Day at Ashorne Hill on Friday 6th September will include answers to the question:

‘How do I motivate, develop and retain high potentials?’

Full details at www.ashornehill.co.uk

This may include measures of skills, performance, outputs, results, competence and even potential - and come from a variety of sources including skills matrices, appraisals, performance reviews or less formal methods such as conversations with managers.

To retain talent we also need the right system of rewards. These are not necessarily financial rewards – and areassuch as employee engagement, culture, and psychological factors can have a far bigger impact on retention.

By fostering a culture that focuses on recognition, achievement, job enrichment, responsibility and advancement, a well-directed talent management programme ticks all the boxes in terms of employee motivation. This means that you are far more likely to retain the talented people included in your succession plans - and in the “War for Talent” that could be just the edge your organisation needs.

Terry Gordon - Senior Programme Director Ashorne Hill

‘Talent Management & Succession Planning’ was recently discussed as a keynote topic at our Learning & Development Managers’ Network, focusing on the priority challenges facing the L&D and OD community.

Our Network members represent a wide range of market sectors, from manufacturing and construction to engineering and from health and financial services to entertainment.

Search for ...” Ashorne Hill Learning & Development Managers’ Network.”

Customer Profile - NES

Agency ‘fam trip’ leaves guests stirred not shaken...appropriate level of management seniority for each group of participants. Supporting their managers to achieve a formal qualification demonstrates NES commitment to the highly qualified and experienced people who provide their service expertise to major customers across the nuclear industry.

The senior management programmeincludes a focus on leadership skillsand understanding ethical and cultural issues within an organisation - leading to a Level 5 Certificate in Management and Leadership. The first line manager/supervisor programme includes a focus on the impact of individuals’ performance on teams, recognising performance issues and implementing improvement measures - leading to a Level 3 Certificate in First Line Management.

Nuclear Engineering Services (NES) specialises in the design, manufacture, assembly, test, installation and commissioning of bespoke solutions for the nuclear decommissioning, defence and nuclear new-build markets.

Currently NES is working in partnership with Ashorne Hill on two linked learning and development programmes for their first line managers/supervisors and their middle/senior management team.

Given the mission-critical industry environment in which NES operates, each programme leads to a widely-recognised management qualification accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), at the

Ashorne Hill’s latest agency ‘familiarisation trip’ was a great success. Agencies from all across the country including Book-o-Tel, Ellis Salsby, Zibrant and Inntel arrived at Ashorne Hill for reception drinks and welcome in the Great Hall. The evening began with a tour of Ashorne Hill’s building and grounds.

The conferencing and events team led the tour showcasing the fantastic facilities.

The agents were able to view many styles of meeting rooms which were set up in a number of different layouts, enabling them to visualise how their clients could utilise Ashorne Hill’s facilities.

Looking out over the 3rd floor balconies - the sun was setting as guests took in the view of the rolling Warwickshire countryside and landscaped grounds.

The 80s theme for the evening proved very popular with the agencies. The entertainment began with a ‘Tom Cruise’ style cocktail demonstration.

Individuals were chosen from the audience to take centre stage and attempt to mix the cocktails in the same flamboyant way as the mixologists causing great amusement amongst fellow guests.

During the course of the evening every guest was given the opportunity to re-create some of the most popular cocktails.

With the sounds of the 80s being played throughout the evening, vases filled with retro sweets, glow sticks and the decor to match guests were truly transported back in time.

A BIG thank you to you and all the team for a wonderful evening and thanks for all the hospitality. We never realised what a great venue you have.

Linda Mansfield - Christmas Parties

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Ashorne Hill provided guests with a ‘Bowl food’ offering, enabling the agencies to sample multiple dishes throughout the evening.

The event culminated in an 80s disco – people partied until the small hours of the morning and good fun was had by all.

“ ”The venue was breathtaking and what a super time we had.

Helen Higgins – Hotelsmart

To book a show-round please contact the booking office:T: 01926 708200 E: enquiries@ashornehill.co.uk W: www.ashornehill.co.uk

Excellent course - very enthusiastic in doing the best for the company and this enjoyable and productive course will definitely be put into practice.

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Brilliant models to use back at the workplace - especially the high performance model.

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To discuss requirements for design and delivery of bespoke programmes contact Stephen Upton:T: 01926 488051 E:Stephen.Upton@ashornehill.co.uk

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Executive Head Chef Stuart Anderson

Invoicing: Agree payment terms and conditions well in advance.

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Ten steps to organising a successful conference...

Ashorne Hill’s Operations Team has over twenty years experience of organising conferencing and events, so why not take a look at their top tips...

Identify goals and objectives: What type of event is it? Consider the aim of the event and desired outcomes, target audience etc.

Budget: Split your costs between essential and non essential items, for example; venue, materials and speakers, then extras such as private dining, team building activities and so on.

Location: The venue should be central for all attendees and close to transport links.

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Ashorne Hill Learning & Development Managers’ Network This year our L&D Network has gone online with the launch of a members onlyLinkedIn Group. This means that thecommunity can continue to discuss priority L&D challenges between our quarterly Network meetings - and can also propose or post comments on members’ suggested keynote topics for our next meeting agenda.

Our L&D Network first met in October 2010, since when the total number of member organisations has grown to over 80 - representing a wide range of market sectors from manufacturing and construction to engineering, and from health and financial services to entertainment organisations.

Members come together regularly to share their current issues and challenges in meeting the development needs of

their respective organisations, and selecting outsourced service partners for their learning & development programmes.

Network meetings at Ashorne Hill (usually attended by around 20 members’ L&D or OD managers according to individual diary commitments each time) take the form of a highly interactive discussion on keynote topics proposed by our members prior to each meeting - followed by our Network dinner and an overnight stay in our ensuite accommodation on site if required. This is all entirely complimentary, on a personal invitation basis.

Members also enjoy benefits in the form of free places or special discounts on their Ashorne Hill conference venue bookings and tailored learning & development programmes.

For more information or to discuss potential membership of our Network please contact Rachel Matthews or Stephen Upton on 01926 488099/488051 or send a request via LinkedIn.

Facilities: Estimate the number of delegates and list facilities required include: suitable meeting rooms, bedrooms, grounds, catering options, syndicate rooms and any special requirements.

Site visits: Venues can look very different “in the flesh” so arrange a showround of potential venues and shortlist those that fit your key criteria.

Confirmation: Select the venue and confirm the required space. Establish a key contact at the venue to organise your event details.

Finer details: Provide the chosen venue with your specific requirements; chosen menu, wines, equipment requirements, delegate numbers, meal times etc.

Pre meeting arrangements: Request and send out pre arrival information and a location map to delegates.

Enjoy your event!

To book please contact our Booking Team: T: 01926 488017 E: Christmas@ashornehill.co.uk

W: www.ashornehill.co.uk

Christmas Party Nights at Ashorne Hill 2013

Christmas Menu

Pumpkin & ricotta ravioli, brown butter & sage dressing, crispy pancetta

Homemade chicken liver parfait, fig jelly, crusty bread

Roast parsnip soup, parsnip crisps, spiced sour cream

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Turkey roulade, apricot, pancetta, chestnut farce, herb fondant potato, medley of winter

vegetables, cranberry jus

Pot roast salmon, roasted beetroot, buttered broccoli, Parisian potatoes, white bean &

fennel sauce

Aubergine & pine nut cannelloni, Provencal vegetable, herb sautéed gnocchi

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Traditional Christmas pudding brandy sauce

Glazed lemon tart, raspberry cream

British cheese platter, chutney, biscuits

7.00pm - Reception drinks in the Great Hall

7.30pm - 3 course Christmas dinner prepared by our award-winning chefs

(including Christmas novelties)

Coffee and Chocolates

9.30pm - Evening entertainment

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Christmas Party Nights

- Thursday 12th December - Fully Booked- Friday 13th December- Saturday 14th December- Fully Booked- Wednesday 18th December - Casino- Thursday 19th December - Tribute band- Friday 20th December- Saturday 21st December For dates that are not listed please enquire

Prices Standard ticket price - £40 inc VATTribute band and casino ticket price - £45 inc VAT

Accommodation Single occupancy Bed and Breakfast - £40 inc VATDouble occupancy Bed and Breakfast - £60 inc VAT

Join us for an evening of fine food and entertainment.....

If you are a L&D or OD professional come along to a ‘Discovery day’ and find out how we can make a difference to your business...

This complimentary day provides an opportunity for you and a colleague to sample what our customersdescribe as the unique ‘Ashorne Experience.’

A packed agenda includes the chance to learn how we guarantee a minimum of 100% ROI from ourbespoke management development programmes.

Book now via our website www.ashornehill.co.uk

Ashorne Hill Discovery Days

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Date

Ashorne Hill Discovery Day

On the day

A 400% ROI case studyThe business case for blended learningInteractive workshops on your priority questionsNetworking with L&D and OD leadersTour our superb facilitiesAccommodation andhospitality free of charge

1 Business, 128 managers,1 training course,

£1 million ROI in 12 months - How...? “

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6th September 2013