The client
The Youngman Group, one of the world's leading suppliers of access equipment, lighting towers and events products

The challenge
As part of a redesign of their strategy and vision, Youngman wanted to build the business further, and encourage all staff – but particularly the young senior management team – to develop professionally and personally alongside the company's growth.

What we did
The Youngman Group turned to Sheffield Hallam's Business Advantage team to design and deliver a bespoke leadership development programme for the company.

The Business Advantage team and LED, a consultancy run by Sheffield Hallam associate Alan Jones, worked together to conduct an initial cultural survey and skills gap analysis with the company’s management group. Then, using the information they’d gathered, they set about creating a tailor-made programme to meet the company’s needs and aspirations.

The results
A training programme for the company was created, looking at expanding creativity, product and strategy development, business improvement, and customers and markets. It included a change project in which the participants worked in cross-functional groups to develop one key initiative they felt was vital to take forward.

As a result the company are seeing significant changes in working practices, and are developing strategies to increase business and remain competitive. Staff motivation and commitment has also increased as a result of individuals being more involved in organisational decision-making and change.

They say
'We are delighted with the leadership development programme. The participants have developed significantly both in terms of their leadership ability and as a management team. They have enjoyed the challenges created by the programme and having completed the first year, most are keen to go on and do a further year’s programme – a great testimony in itself.

'Our processes and results have improved significantly over this period and there is no doubt that staff development through attending the programme at Sheffield Business School has proved to be a key enabler to these results.'

Paul Bentley, managing director, Youngman Group

We say
'The programme was specifically created to encourage participants to move on from the traditional way of doing things and to start thinking about things in different ways. An added bonus was that we were able to accredit the programme, meaning that all those who successfully completed it not only benefited from important personal and professional development, but also gained a certificate in professional business leadership.'

Sarah Fidment, business engagement fellow, Business Advantage