Concurrent B7

Creating High Performance Managers While Running a Positive ROI – John Swire and Sons Case Study

The development of a learning partnership with clients is central to AIM’s education philosophy. John Swire and Sons -a multinational, multi-disciplined, commercial group with interests spanning five continents- invited AIM to design a developmental program for senior managers that linked both the personal and business needs of the individuals. In Australia, The Swire group of companies employ approximately 500 people and run a range of businesses with different operations and cultures.

The management development program was viewed as an intervention that would build skills, facilitate learning and culture building across the diverse Swire businesses.

The program was heavily experiential and the topics covered included recruitment and selection, leadership, team building and operational skills. The program was delivered in two modules on a residential basis. The UK based Management Charter Initiative (MCI) competency framework was utilized as the basis of the program development, after taking into account the Australian context.

Significant project work was incorporated and Swire have enjoyed substantial financial benefits from the conduct of the program. The combination of tight design, strong facilitation, experiential activities and project-based work intended to improve operational efficiency have resulted in a very profitable program for all involved.

Presenter: Brad Markham

Brad holds a Bachelor of Business with a dual major in Human Resource Management and Workplace Relations as well as a Masters in Adult Education. He has been involved in consulting for the last 10 years, working with a wide range of large and small public and private sector organisations.

Prior to this broad based consulting work, Brad was employed in a number of public and private sector industries including construction, insurance, service, transport and education. He has held both line and staff senior management positions. He has also owned and operated an international tour business that required periods of overseas employment in Indonesia and Hong Kong.

Brad has over fifteen years experience researching, designing, presenting and evaluating corporate training programs. He has facilitated for both Corporates and Universities. He is a recognised expert in the areas of front-line and senior management, human resource management, performance management, project management, staff selection, and workplace training and assessment.