1 October 2007

The Apprentice-style leadership program tests executives

Managers are poised to dodge the words "You're fired!"

A new leadership development program based upon and combining the principles used in the TV shows The Apprentice and Dragon's Den is soon to be launched by management consultancy, Pilkington Leadership.

Test your tactics
The courses will be aimed at business leaders interested in growing their leadership potential and who are charged with shaping the culture of their organizations.

The program will test and grow a variety of core capabilities from entrepreneurial ability, through to personal impact and team leadership. The pilot program (carried out with water and electricity network operator, United Utilities) involved managers being split into teams, each of which was given £1,000 in cash and asked to return 6 weeks later to evaluate its profit on the original investment.

Deliver financial returns
The teams in the pilot came up with a variety of ideas and devised strategies to turn investment into profit. The learnings have been very different from those which are derived from traditional classroom-based management seminars.

In addition, the teams have delivered impressive financial returns with the winning team producing over £11,000 in less than 6 weeks.

Invest in real-world tasks
Those taking part in the program have described the program as a rewarding but highly challenging experience.

Karl Brookes of United Utilities explained: "It's unique from any other management development program exercise I've been involved with, in that the task is real and therefore carries many of the associated 'real world' risks."

When Pilkington launches this new program he's planning to increase the money given to each team from £1,000 to £5,000. Companies interested in taking part should contact Mike Pilkington or one of his team.

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