The client

Martek Marine Ltd

The challenge

Rotherham-based marine company Martek Marine has experienced massive expansion since its inception in 2000. Now overseeing nearly 50 staff, founder and CEO Paul Luen approached the Centre for Individual and Organisational Development to help enhance leadership capability in his management team. This will enable him to shift his focus to a more outward-looking role to develop the business.

How we worked together

Following an initial scoping meeting and a literature review, we developed a questionnaire based on best practice. We wanted to gain an insight into the organisation’s culture, in order to understand how we could best support them in developing and implementing 360 degree feedback. We interviewed all of the company’s employees, analysed the results and used this information to write a report making recommendations on how to implement this kind of feedback process specifically at Martek Marine.

The result

Based on the research findings we developed a full implementation plan specifically tailored to the needs of Martek Marine. This includes a 360 degree questionnaire, facilitating monthly management team meetings, and skills development for the senior team in coaching, giving and receiving feedback and goalsetting. The first round of 360 degree feedback takes place in September 2010 alongside a six month review of annual appraisals.

The project has been successful because of the bespoke nature of our consultancy – everything is tailored directly to the individual company we are working with. By speaking to all of Martek Marine’s employees we gained a comprehensive picture of the culture within the organisation, and therefore we were able to make more meaningful recommendations.

We say

Amanda Drewett from the Centre for Individual and Organisational Development said,‘Working with Martek Marine has been rewarding, as it has enabled me to speak to a number of people within the organisation on a project which will support a shift in culture.’

‘We have developed a strong relationship with Paul Luen, who is open and honest with his feedback – which I have really valued. Having full support and input from the client is key to a successful project.’

They say

Martek Marine CEO Paul Luen said, ‘We have already seen significant benefits from the work carried out. We have identified key behaviours which we are now beginning to recognise and celebrate. We have seen an increase in peer to peer challenge, trust and transparency among the senior team. The longer term benefits will be more apparent towards the end of the year.

‘Working with Sheffield Hallam has been refreshing. They are commercially focused and work at the pace of an SME. Our relationship is based on mutual trust and respect.’