Training and development
We recognise that getting the right start is crucial to building a successful career. This is
how we approach your early training and career development.
The Challenge Initiative is structured around the following components:
1) Induction The induction gives you the opportunity to learn about our
company, objectives, products and markets.
2) Functional development Developing a base of excellence in the function into which
you have been recruited.
3) Managerial Developing managerial competencies needed in your future
development roles.
4) Business awareness Gaining an understanding of the overall business and
appreciating the role played by each function.
5) Performance appraisal Giving you regular and constructive feedback, both formally
(every 6 months) and informally (every 6 weeks) to ensure
that you achieve the defined standards for the Challenge
Initiative.
The induction gives you the opportunity to learn about our Group objectives, products and
markets. It introduces you to our corporate guiding principles and culture, the role of each
function, and industry issues in your country. It also introduces you to our product – and how
we market it.
The Challenge Initiative programme includes your functional development – your
development of a base of excellence in your chosen function. We will clearly explain what
we expect of you. Then, with support from your coach and your mentor, you’ll set your
objectives and work towards achieving them in order to meet the needs of the business and
your personal development objectives.
You’ll develop the management skills you’ll need in your future roles with both formal
training and on-the-job experience. And you’ll have the opportunity to put these skills into
practice in preparation for the move into your first management role.
We also expect you to develop business awareness, an understanding of the overall business
and the role played by each function. In other words, we want you to understand the business
beyond your own functional and geographical area of responsibility. We want you to question
our existing ways of working and to bring positive change to our business. We’ll provide you
with opportunities to challenge our practices, a receptive audience and the feedback you’ll
need to build your knowledge.
We monitor your success through regular performance appraisal. We give you regular and
constructive feedback, formally every 6 months and informally every 6 weeks. This ensures
that you’re aware of the standards you should aim for, and also that we can tailor your
development to your needs.