Synergy
"Synergy provides for the practical study of organisational structure and management. As well as creating their own organisation, the participants have to manage the children, the camp, the programme and themselves. The experience will contribute to their personal development and effectiveness at work, as well as to their life skills. They will also have fun and feel good about their contribution to the community"
Head of training, Rolls Royce
Introduction
Good organisations are constantly striving to find quality Management Development Training through which individual’s core values, attitudes and behaviours are permanently changed for the better.
More recently the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has moved up the corporate agenda.
“88% of the participants in the survey regarded the alignment of corporate and individual values and commitment to a worthwhile cause as a significant influence on their decision to join and particularly stay with an organisation.” CIPD
The Synergy Programme is a new and challenging training vehicle, which combines the ultimate in quality training with a charitable purpose. Its central feature is an assignment that requires participants to plan and deliver an adventurous holiday week for a group of disadvantage 12 year old children.
Experience has shown Synergy to have:
All this, whilst enhancing the lives of 35 underprivileged children by giving them a holiday they will never forget. Here are some client comments:
Good organisations are constantly striving to find quality Management Development Training through which individual’s core values, attitudes and behaviours are permanently changed for the better.
More recently the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has moved up the corporate agenda.
“88% of the participants in the survey regarded the alignment of corporate and individual values and commitment to a worthwhile cause as a significant influence on their decision to join and particularly stay with an organisation.” CIPD
The Synergy Programme is a new and challenging training vehicle, which combines the ultimate in quality training with a charitable purpose. Its central feature is an assignment that requires participants to plan and deliver an adventurous holiday week for a group of disadvantage 12 year old children.
Experience has shown Synergy to have:
- Provided participants with enhanced management and leadership skills which are immediately applicable and transferable to the working environment
- Improved public and staff perceptions of participating organisations through their involvement in a community project
- Produced a positive change in attitudes and behaviour of participants through this enriching and life changing experience
All this, whilst enhancing the lives of 35 underprivileged children by giving them a holiday they will never forget. Here are some client comments:
"What the camp did so well was to provide an arena for learning that didn’t feel engineered or false like so many other development courses do. The camp itself provided a 100% practical experience where learning is lived and not taught. That sort of learning certainly can’t be put on a shelf and forgot about, and that’s what makes it such a valuable experience for those who take part."
Area Manager, Halfords
"I have been on many management courses that are just theory based and the content doesn’t sink in. With this course you get the chance to put theory into practice, truly analyse your behaviour/performance and look at improvement areas.”
Manager, Clarks
So, how do we achieve our results?
Synergy is delivered by our team along with the Bristol Children’s Help Society (BCHS), a successful charity that has helped disadvantaged children for over a 100 years. The venue for this programme is Barton Camp, the Society’s comprehensively equipped residential centre near Weston-super-Mare in the Mendip Hills.
The programme is divided into three distinct phases. The first two phases last seven days and are residential.
The objective given to all participants at the start of the training is:
”To design and deliver a programme of activities to 35 disadvantaged 8-10 year olds, so good that they will never forget it.”
Phase 1: Planning
Planning is imperative in preparing the week for the children. The participants are entirely responsible for the content and delivery of the programme. The initial period, without the children, usually spent over a weekend, comprises of a series of training inputs. These include exploring individual learning objectives in a supportive environment and discussing management theories and techniques which will underpin a successful programme.
The programme is divided into three distinct phases. The first two phases last seven days and are residential.
The objective given to all participants at the start of the training is:
”To design and deliver a programme of activities to 35 disadvantaged 8-10 year olds, so good that they will never forget it.”
Phase 1: Planning
Planning is imperative in preparing the week for the children. The participants are entirely responsible for the content and delivery of the programme. The initial period, without the children, usually spent over a weekend, comprises of a series of training inputs. These include exploring individual learning objectives in a supportive environment and discussing management theories and techniques which will underpin a successful programme.
Phase 2: Going Live
The children arrive on Monday morning. The activities chosen for them will be entirely up to the participants. These might include creative activities, sports, nature trails, swimming or off site visits to farms or beaches. The group is given a small budget to manage to help them to deliver the activities. Our staff and schoolteachers will be on hand to ensure that all activities are conducted safely.
The learning outcomes from this programme are rich and diverse. All can be expected to better understand the processes of: -
For many the learning is highly personal and profound, often bringing about real changes in attitudes and behaviour, both at work and in their personal lives.
During the programme participants attend regular reviews. Models and management theory appropriate to meet the real needs of the group, are introduced by our staff as they emerge, so that the learning is directly applicable to issues as they arise. During these sessions we make great efforts to draw parallels with the participants work environment.
Our staff are available throughout the week to help and guide participants, offering 1:1 sessions should any delegate request them.
The children arrive on Monday morning. The activities chosen for them will be entirely up to the participants. These might include creative activities, sports, nature trails, swimming or off site visits to farms or beaches. The group is given a small budget to manage to help them to deliver the activities. Our staff and schoolteachers will be on hand to ensure that all activities are conducted safely.
The learning outcomes from this programme are rich and diverse. All can be expected to better understand the processes of: -
- Planning
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Project Management
- Organisational Structure
- Change management
For many the learning is highly personal and profound, often bringing about real changes in attitudes and behaviour, both at work and in their personal lives.
During the programme participants attend regular reviews. Models and management theory appropriate to meet the real needs of the group, are introduced by our staff as they emerge, so that the learning is directly applicable to issues as they arise. During these sessions we make great efforts to draw parallels with the participants work environment.
Our staff are available throughout the week to help and guide participants, offering 1:1 sessions should any delegate request them.
"Eight year old children have not yet developed diplomacy skills to the level of woolly’ feedback. As such, what you see is what you get. There is no room for inference, ambiguity or fear of retribution, they are direct and honest and incredibly refreshing"
Marketing Manager, Clarks
Phase 3 Evaluation
Following the programme a self-appraisal system is used to capture the learning. Participants complete formal responses in the week after the programme, when they have had time to reflect on their experience. These form powerful records of individual learning, often revealing significant attitudinal shifts in both management and personal development.
Everyone who attends the Synergy programme will have a better idea of their strengths and weaknesses, helping them to understand their current and future needs.
In the workplace, the self-assessed needs can be further shaped by line managers and mentors who are able to use the records as a platform to explore individual progress and where appropriate, plan further interventions in the future.
MORE!
Six weeks after the programme, there is an option for the participants to meet again. Such is the bonding experience that many are keen to do this. The function of this day is to explore what individuals have been able to apply at work and to resolve any difficulties, which they might have still been experiencing.
Clients usually take this opportunity for the participants to report back (either formally or informally) to their senior managers the learning gained and the difference made to their management performance.
The experiences at Barton Camp can leave lasting impressions on the participants and this shared experience means that the participants work better in their teams on their return to work.
Such can be the profound effect of the course that many participants have chosen to stay involved with the charity or the school, by volunteering their time or specialist skills. Others have chosen other forms of involvement with their local community. GrassRoutes and BCHS are pleased to facilitate this where possible.
Following the programme a self-appraisal system is used to capture the learning. Participants complete formal responses in the week after the programme, when they have had time to reflect on their experience. These form powerful records of individual learning, often revealing significant attitudinal shifts in both management and personal development.
Everyone who attends the Synergy programme will have a better idea of their strengths and weaknesses, helping them to understand their current and future needs.
In the workplace, the self-assessed needs can be further shaped by line managers and mentors who are able to use the records as a platform to explore individual progress and where appropriate, plan further interventions in the future.
MORE!
Six weeks after the programme, there is an option for the participants to meet again. Such is the bonding experience that many are keen to do this. The function of this day is to explore what individuals have been able to apply at work and to resolve any difficulties, which they might have still been experiencing.
Clients usually take this opportunity for the participants to report back (either formally or informally) to their senior managers the learning gained and the difference made to their management performance.
The experiences at Barton Camp can leave lasting impressions on the participants and this shared experience means that the participants work better in their teams on their return to work.
Such can be the profound effect of the course that many participants have chosen to stay involved with the charity or the school, by volunteering their time or specialist skills. Others have chosen other forms of involvement with their local community. GrassRoutes and BCHS are pleased to facilitate this where possible.
Who is the programme for?
Some of the companies who have benefited from the Barton experience to date include: Barclays, British Aerospace, Clarks, Halfords, Unite, News International, Nortel, Rolls Royce, Royal and Sun Alliance
We have worked with all levels of management with great success, but should underline that the Synergy programme benefits all participants with potential – not only newly qualified graduates and younger staff, but management through to the most experienced senior levels. We are most keen that each programme meets client needs and invest significant time before the event to ensure close tailoring to suit your specific requirements.
Some of the companies who have benefited from the Barton experience to date include: Barclays, British Aerospace, Clarks, Halfords, Unite, News International, Nortel, Rolls Royce, Royal and Sun Alliance
We have worked with all levels of management with great success, but should underline that the Synergy programme benefits all participants with potential – not only newly qualified graduates and younger staff, but management through to the most experienced senior levels. We are most keen that each programme meets client needs and invest significant time before the event to ensure close tailoring to suit your specific requirements.
"Synergy is frontline management training at its most extreme, providing learning that surpasses theoretical understanding that is deeply embedded."
CEO Clarks factory shopping
Spend your money on the Synergy Programme as you will get a direct return on your investment."
Head of Organisational Development, Halfords.