The projects are a great way to build skills, build networks, learn how ERM works and know more how to apply those skills in the future as they become leaders of ERM."
Toby Hanna
Global Technical Communities Director, ERM
Talent development for aspiring leaders
Photo credit: Tommy Ju, China
Given the constraints that COVID-19 presented, our global Learning Team has been working hard this past year to translate many of our programs from face-to-face to virtual, including our global leadership development programs known as Athena and Aspire.
Aspire is one of ERM’s flagship global talent development programs, targeted at our highest potential mid-level consultant and professional support staff. The program develops leadership capability, enhances business acumen, strengthens knowledge about ERM and expands networks through interactive workshops and strategic team projects. This past year, 115 employees from around the world participated in Aspire. With participants in both consulting and support roles from 29 countries in all four regions and the full range of ERM service lines, we had a truly diverse cohort.
Delivering a global six-month program in the midst of a global pandemic has presented its challenges. However, it has presented opportunities too. This is the first time we delivered the program across all regions at the same time, and the virtual platform presented opportunities for all 115 delegates to connect with each other globally, rather than just within their regional groups. It has also been a great opportunity to reimagine the content and delivery format. The program is now delivered in smaller sessions over a period of several months and includes building critical capabilities, such as client skills and personal resilience.
While this virtual approach created its challenges, particularly in terms of recreating the networking opportunities, it has proven that we can still continue to connect and develop our talented people across the business albeit in alternative and creative ways. As part of the program, participants worked in one of 17 different teams on a business-critical strategic project. The projects required teams to use their critical thinking to get to the heart of a problem and come up with actionable recommendations while developing leadership and collaboration skills. This year, teams tackled everything from renewables and hydrogen expansion to the future of work and virtual onboarding of junior staff.
Athena is our new learning portal for employees early in their ERM careers, who bring valuable new skills, experiences and perspectives to ERM, helping us to deliver our market-leading services and guide the business direction as future leaders. It is therefore vital for the sustainability of the business that we do more to facilitate and support the development and learning of employees at the entry and junior levels of our organization. Launched in December 2020, the site is evolving as new content, resources and events are added, including:
- Guides to the tools, systems and resources used at ERM;
- Specially curated ERM Academy e-learning playlists;
- Live skill-building events;
- Access to our technical communities;
- Resources to help you utilize the support of line managers;
- Useful links to information about ERM’s brand, activities, markets, clients, services, structure and acronyms;
- Links to career progression support and internal opportunities;
- Introductions to ERM’s Core Consulting Skills (CCS) program and the ERM Way of Client Development; and
- Opportunities to connect, collaborate and engage with fellow employees using Athena, as well as the wider ERM community.
We created Athena not just to provide learning content to our employees, but to provide them with the tools to take control of their career development and create a meaningful path to their future within ERM.