Magna Case Study

Magna Logo

Strategic management improving efficiencies & driving down costs

Senior managers at a challenged car component manufacturer transformed their approach to leadership.

BACKGROUND

Senior Managers at a challenged manufacturer transform their approach to leadership.

Magna International, a major international car component manufacturer with two large sites in the UK was a company facing enormous pressures in 2015. Profit was down, the quality was slipping, costs needed to be reduced and the performance of its people was dire. It was at a crucial point in its history. Success over the next five years was dependent on the changes made in the next twelve months. They had to change.

Senior Managers in the business were not developing plans that were strategic enough. There was a culture of highly reactive managers focusing on today’s problems rather than planning successfully for tomorrow and a culture that ignored CI. This had led to a reduction in staff performance and quality issues. Morale, motivation and engagement in the business were poor. Retention rates in all levels of the business were low and Senior Managers were jumping ship.

There was an urgent need to change the behaviours of people at all levels of the business. It was vital that the culture changed to one which inspired strategy, growth and positivity. Without this, the business would at best standstill and at worst fall down.

SOLUTION

To bring about the change required not just classroom training but also senior coaching and continuous monitoring.

The training was aimed at managers at all levels of the business. Each level needed its own high impact effective training programme aimed specifically at their level. In the interest of synergy and uniformity, the topics and techniques covered were similar and consistent between the levels.

The training had the following objectives:

  • Be significantly more strategic in planning and their approach
  • Understand the role and the level at which managers should be operating – lead rather than do
  • Have the skills to coach, enthuse, inspire and develop people
  • Develop positive, engaged and accountable teams focused on customer service and quality

Each of the hard-hitting and motivational modules was tailored precisely to the needs and requirements of the client. The modules were a mix of energetic classroom teaching, dynamic discussion and advanced practical exercises. Running in parallel with the modules were projects that were undertaken by managers to develop their team, improve efficiencies and drive down costs. Coaching was also provided to Senior Managers to ensure business strategies were being developed rapidly.

TRAINING MODULES

Module 1: Being a United Team & Building a Strategic Plan

  • Working more effectively together to achieve more
  • Where are we currently working what we need to do to work at the right level
  • Develop a clear strategy to change the culture and performance of the business

Module 2: High-Performance Motivating Leadership

  • Tackling under-performance through motivation
  • Successful delegation strategies to empower teams
  • Techniques to create a culture of personal accountability

Module 3: Developing and Coaching Your Team

  • Coaching teams to increase capabilities and develop a culture of CI
  • Development strategy for teams and building succession plans
  • Finding time to develop through the use of time and prioritisation tools

Module 4: Leading Change and Ensuring Success

  • Reviewing the 4 modules to develop clear strategies for the future
  • Delivering change programmes successfully
  • Delivering transformational leadership teams to drive success

RESULTS

Each of the hard-hitting and motivational modules was tailored precisely to the needs and requirements of the client. The modules were a mix of energetic classroom teaching, dynamic discussion and advanced practical exercises. Running in parallel with the modules were projects that were undertaken by managers to develop their team, improve efficiencies and drive down costs. Coaching was also provided to Senior Managers to ensure business strategies were being developed rapidly.