“Jim has an impressive breadth of knowledge. His experience in so many areas gives him the flexibility to really respond to a client’s needs. He is very good at tailoring his services to the needs of the individual company.”
Tim Sullivan
VP of Administration
Hitchiner Manufacturing
The Business
New Hampshire-based multi-national manufacturing company
The Need
With the majority of the company’s leadership age 60 or older, the company needed to enhance its succession planning and organizational development efforts to create an up-and-coming generation of leaders. The company decided to create leaders from within its current workforce rather than launching an expensive search for outside talent.
The Response
Sapphire Consulting was hired to create a leadership development program that included:
360º Assessments
Sapphire Consulting gathered feedback from co-workers and supervisors of 15 potential leaders and current officers to identify strengths and weaknesses and provide insights into leadership styles.
Leadership Training
Sapphire conducted a two-day coaching workshop with potential leaders to improve their leadership and communication skills. Sapphire then helped create structured training programs in which participants lead fellow employees in specific endeavors, such as workplace safety programs. Sapphire also conducted training programs for current executives and officers to help them serve as advisors for future leaders.
Executive Coaching
Sapphire worked one-on-one with specific employees to help them overcome roadblocks to success as indicated in the 360º evaluations.
The Outcome
Sapphire Consulting continues to work with the company to enhance the leadership skills of key employees. After one year, company evaluations showed that leadership development efforts were helping participants improve their communication skills and become more effective leaders.