Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe Limited (FTEL) is the largest supplier of broadband access solutions in the

, and a centre of excellence for the group’s DSL products.

Like most large organisations they conducted an Employee Survey which revealed that an area in which further focus was required was training. The help of leading training and HR recruitment specialists Wright Solutions was enlisted.

From day one, Wright Solutions worked closely with Fujitsu to clearly understand the areas in which managers needed guidance and the additional skills that would subsequently provide the greatest business benefits. An initial budget was allocated to undertake training on a trial basis. The primary objective of this training was delivering practical tuition that could be readily transferred to the workplace.

Wright Solutions designed two training programmes for middle and junior management respectively. Each programme comprised of five two-day modules. Management Skills, Time Management, Management Style, Negotiation Skills, Presentation Skills and a range of other disciplines were encompassed. Two of the five planned modules were selected to be tested under the trial and twenty four managers were chosen to attend.

Nigel Roberts, Training Consultant at Wright Solutions, confirmed “we designed the programmes with practicality in mind. Each module incorporated practical exercises, thought provoking discussions and analysis sessions. One module took managers through the costs associated with recruiting new staff. They were absolutely astounded to discover just how expensive it can be to take on new employees. This approach really helped to bring home the importance of good interview skills and a robust recruitment process. Another module covered negotiation skills and after we had finished, one manager admitted that he realised he had been far too dominant in previous negotiations. Delegates often tell us how easy they can relate to this type of training and that is why it is so effective”.

The trial was hugely successful with attendees providing encouraging feedback. The remaining three modules were duly commissioned and both training programmes completed. The project culminated in a challenging finale for the middle managers. Roberts continues “Fujitsu asked for the training to be as beneficial as possible. With this in mind, the two teams of middle managers were given a final task of establishing and launching a fictitious company using a £2m budget. In order to do this, they had to put all of the elements of the training they had received into practice and develop a recruitment plan, organisational structure, financial forecast and other strategic planning documents. Their recommendations were then formally presented to Fujitsu’s Board of Directors along with a full management report”.

The junior managers also were presented with a challenge. They delivered individual presentations to senior members of the Fujitsu management outlining what they had personally learned from the course and how they had been able to apply their learning to their every day roles. Alison Patterson, HR Manager commented, “as a member of the panel and being involved in the design of the training programme from the start, listening to the presentations was very rewarding. Not only was it great to hear how much the delegates had benefited from the programme, but the presentations were a great way of increasing the buy-in from senior managers as to the value to our business of investing in training.”

Alison Patterson added “we have been delighted with the results. Managers have already visibly started to introduce parts of the programme into their every day roles. They are also highly motivated and team spirit has improved”.

Following the success of the training, Wright Solutions were awarded a second project. They were asked to design and introduce a graduate management training scheme within Fujitsu. The Company gave Wright Solutions four weeks from initial brief to required implementation. The scheme was delivered on time, along with an induction day format and supporting materials such as trainee booklets, hand-outs and an online internet page. Five graduates have since joined the scheme and embarked upon their new careers.

Alison Patterson also added, “we are now using Wright Solutions to work with us to design a “Customer Connected” programme which will help staff to understand how their role impacts on customer service every minute of the day. This will consist of two videos giving key customer service messages from customers themselves. A one day, face-to-face customer focus event will also be delivered to all our staff with customer contact roles.

"We consider Nigel Roberts to be part of our HR Team, not an external consultant. Wright Solutions are a pleasure to work with.”

Wright Solutions provides a uniquely integrated range of corporate training and HR recruitment services and can be contacted on 0121 687 4040 or by email at enquiries@wrightsolutionsltd.com