IMD is a real powerhouse. It offers the best in academia, the best case-studies and has access to real-life executives from industry leading companies. For us it is an inspiration to have our program at IMD.
Hempel: Top management retreat
Context
IMD and Hempel began their journey together in 2014 when they conceptualized the `Strategy 2020´ platform to prepare for the future and start their organizational transformation. From this platform the company developed the Hempel Summer School program held annually at IMD. As part of the annual strategic cycle – board meeting, summer school and leadership conference, Hempel works with IMD to make decisions on their next strategic moves. At the summer school, a top team of 26 Hempel executives and future leaders gain new inspiration and together decipher the best ways in which to execute their strategic objectives.
Challenge
How best can Hempel move from products to solutions? How can the organization better align and interact more effectively with customers? What steps are required for Hempel to make these moves both in the marketplace as well as internally? How to change the culture? These are the challenges facing Hempel and what they seek to address.
Custom approach
The Strategy 2020 platform and Hempel Summer School program were created by working in close collaboration with the company CEO, Head of Strategy and Head of HR to determine how best to address the four cornerstones in the `Journal of Excellence´: customer excellence, innovation excellence, execution excellence and people/leadership excellence. IMD combines timely case studies – as well as new concepts and insights from industry leading companies such as Nestlé, Tetra Pak and Vestas – to create a truly customized solution producing immediate results.
Impact
Participants in the Hempel Summer School program gain fresh inspiration and improved cross-functional alignment. Using a custom, blended-learning approach new insights are made and in turn significant strategic decisions taken. Post-program participants then cascade their learnings, discoveries and actions taken throughout the organization with their Top 100 conference.