Case study Aggregate Industries
Developing managers using 360 degree feedback
Case study at a glance
Challenge 1 Use 360 degree feedback to better inform managers’ development
Solution 2 Created a 360 tool that’s simple and easy to use
Result 3 360 process is being used successfully to inform development plans
Aggregate Industries quarries, manufactures and supplies a wide range of heavy building materials to the construction industry, including aggregates plus ready mix concrete, asphalt, concrete landscaping products and contracting services.
They have over 250 sites across the UK, Channel Islands and Northern Europe. Aggregate Industries is a member of the Holcim Group, one of the world’s leading suppliers of cement and aggregate.
Their search for a 360 degree feedback partner in 2014, led to them appointing ETS.
Case study: Aggregate Industries - Developing managers using 360 degree feedback Call us today +44 (0)1932 222700 or visit www.etsplc.com David Butterfield, Head of Learning and Development at Aggregate Industries, explains what they were looking for from a supplier:
We looked at a number of leading providers of 360 degree feedback systems before deciding to partner with ETS. They “ impressed us early on when we attended one of their highly professional events, which featured a customer presenting on how they work with ETS.
This professionalism continued through the initial scoping and
design stages and through to implementation and beyond. ETS
took time to understand our business needs and convinced us that they could tailor a system that matched our needs. I’m “ pleased to say that they have been true to their word and the system we’re now using is delivering what we asked for.
Challenge:
Aggregate Industries was keen to focus on improving managerial capability and they identified 360 degree feedback as a tool to inform managers’ development needs.
Having previously relied on a paper-based 360 degree feedback process, they saw benefit in introducing a more formal, online system.
Furthermore, Aggregate Industries planned that, ultimately, all 750 managers across the group should be encouraged to participate in the process. This meant the need for a secure and accessible online approach.
David Butterfield explains more about the business need for a new 360 degree feedback process:
We wanted to replace our old, manual process with an online
tool that was simple to use and produced feedback that
“ managers could build immediately into an IDP – Individual Development Plan. The feedback needed to include a balance “ of harder indicators such as ratings against our competencies and leadership behaviours and softer feedback such as personal comments.
Case study: Aggregate Industries - Developing managers using 360 degree feedback Call us today +44 (0)1932 222700 or visit www.etsplc.com
Solution:
Initial design
Our consultants worked closely with Aggregate Industries in the design phase. We led a review of the existing questionnaire, making some amendments and improvements. We also ensured that the questions mapped to the organisation’s competency framework and recognised leadership behaviours.
Our brief for the system was to create an online system that would be simple and easy for people to use – both for completing the questionnaire and when accessing and using reports. As is often the case with 360 degree feedback, confidentiality was a key concern for people, so we included details within the system to offer assurances over this aspect of the 360 process. This simplicity also extended to the administration and reporting functions. We designed the system to be very easy for the internal HR team to set up and manage new questionnaire cycles. The same is true of the reporting outputs, with individual and group-level reports available.
Making refinements
Following an initial pilot group undertaking the 360 degree feedback process, there seemed to be an issue with a positive skew of ratings given. We worked with Aggregate Industries to address the concern with inflated scores.
We suggested a change to the rating scale from a more typical six-point frequency scale to a developmentally-focused scale. In addition, we included more guidance within the system for those providing feedback, re-emphasising that this is a developmental process and that constructive feedback is encouraged to help colleagues to improve their capabilities.
Result
David Butterfield explains how the data from 360 degree feedback is being used:
We’re currently using the new 360 tool for ad-hoc reports requested by managers, and as a key component of our first
“ line manager development programme. Managers attending
this programme are asked to complete a 360 in advance of attending, and the feedback is used to formulate an Individual “ Development Plan to discuss with their line manager. Additional support is then provided by trained internal coaches.”
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Case study: Aggregate Industries - Developing managers using 360 degree feedback Call us today +44 (0)1932 222700 or visit www.etsplc.com