Case study: Laminex
How our Transformational Leadership Program transformed Laminex
The Laminex Group’s Mark Walter is clearly passionate about his organisation’s “journey from good to great”.
The National HR Manager is also determined to extract maximum value from his training budget. Having identified a gap in the leadership programs The Laminex Group was already running, he was cautious in assessing providers.
“We recognised we needed a more senior, strategic program and we asked, ‘Who has the experience, the credibility, the exposure?’
“And clearly Mt Eliza executive educations was in our sights. We looked at a couple of alternatives, but we decided on Mt Eliza.”
Mr Walter needed convincing results to confirm that The Laminex Group’s substantial investment in Mt Eliza executive education’s Transformational Leadership Program was worth it.
“When we started this process two years ago, I was a little nervous over the cost ... but with the program achieving such great results I now see it as a huge investment. Mt Eliza executive education did a great job.”
After an initial intake of 15, The Laminex Group has this year extended its investment and is putting a further 20 people through the program. The program begins with a diagnosis of participants’ needs and includes substantial feedback opportunities for all, across a diverse range of business and personal development topics.
The Transformational Leadership Program’s intake represents The Laminex Group’s diversity, bringing together staff from as far apart as New Zealand and Western Australia.
Mt Eliza executive education’s program reinforces the premium The Laminex Group places on cultural values such as trust and communication, as well as delivering tangible results.
“We were looking for two things – a transformation in the person and really practical-on-the-ground change, as in 'Let’s see what they can do differently.' And I’ve got to say, that’s happened in almost every case.”
For some individuals, the impact has been dramatic. A manager whose staff had been less than happy with his autocratic style has completely changed his approach and is now much more inclusive.
Mr Walter says “He’s now well regarded. People have rung me to say, ‘What on earth happened? This guy is different!’ ”
In other cases, individuals are using their new-found knowledge and approach to substantially add value to their teams: “One is the Victorian Sales Team. Three senior people who completed the program last year have taken back a raft of new concepts and learnings – setting a new benchmark in the way they deal with some strategic issues. It’s refreshing to see the injection of new ideas across the business.”
The Laminex Group’s work with Mt Eliza will continue, reflecting its strong and genuine commitment to staff.
“Our business stands out because it is very focused on building relationships, and trust is very important to us. We really go to great lengths to take our people with us. The Transformational Leadership Program is one example of our desire to be an employer of choice.”
