In the KGA Leadership Forum, we worked with a company's tenured managers to enhance their skills and effectiveness as organizational leaders. Mid- to senior-level managers participated in facilitated discussions on leadership topics that included the power of positive feedback, effectively dealing with change, and retaining top talent. These one-to-two hour sessions enabled managers to focus on overcoming obstacles and identifying best practices. The results - tenured managers were able to identify and build on their strengths and experience; enhance their knowledge, skill set, and tool box; and successfully address real business issues and needs.

KGA worked with a company's newest managers, helping them understand and master their fresh challenges. Employees participated in three half-day training sessions over a three-month period as part of our New Manager Development Series. Individuals discussed and planned the transition into their new roles, explored primary job duties, learned best practices, and identified opportunities for growth and development. Between sessions, the participants had the opportunity to apply what they learned and gain feedback. They were then able to discuss their experiences at the next scheduled training session. The focus was on continual development, with immediate utilization of the course concepts.

The results - new managers became more confident and were well trained, prepared and energized. Furthermore, they established a foundation that would enable even greater effectiveness in the future.

A $2 billion pharmaceutical company approached KGA about developing and enhancing employee skills that could increase productivity and have a positive impact on the working conditions of their rapidly growing, highly competitive environment. The company, which had an in-house university program, looked to KGA to create a customized offering that could be integrated with the program's existing employee development curriculum.

The company's learning and development staff requested a full-day training program that would combine two KGA strengths - stress management and time management. The goal of the program was to deliver a core set of self-management skills that would help employees to be more productive, while increasing their ability to deal with the organization's unavoidable pressures.

By positioning the custom program as an open enrollment class in the university curriculum, the HR group could publicize the course and encourage managers to recommend it in performance reviews and development discussions. Over the long term, managers would be aware of the details of the curriculum and could follow up and coach employees afterwards.

In partnership with a client company, KGA selected the most relevant segments of its two-day Stress and Time Management program and created a customized one-day session. This consolidated program provided concrete tools to help participants manage their work, gain a sense of control over their workload, and think more clearly in the face of stress. The curriculum also provided basic instructions in managing multiple priorities, project planning, and managing upward.

The company's investment in the class illustrated management's willingness to acknowledge and address the personal stresses related to a growing company. It also provided an opportunity for trainers to promote the EAP to individuals who might need additional support down the road.

The results - employees enhanced their core skills of time and stress management, while learning to create a work-life balance for greater overall productivity. In addition, participants developed closer relationships with coworkers from other departments and engaged with the company at another level.