Our Work with Digital Catapult
Digital Catapult brings together expert and enterprising researchers, startups, scale-ups and academic and industry leaders to discover new ways to solve challenges that will unlock the UK’s potential.
Digital Catapult is the UK authority on advanced digital technology.
The organisation more than 275 people across the UK. They are part of the Catapult Network that supports businesses in transforming ideas into valuable products and services.
Client requirements were to create an internal blended manager academy to drive engagement and performance through brilliance in people management and create a consistent and exceptional employee experience.
The client identified the following learning outcomes:
- 01
Support managers who are technical experts to understand the importance of people management
- 02
Build capability by equipping new and existing managers with the knowledge, skills and behaviours in people management to feel confident and be effective in their role
- 03
Help managers to develop an inclusive and safe culture at DC
- 04
Support managers to flourish in a hybrid world in both 1-1 and team working
- 05
Create a community of new managers and a culture of continuous learning
Equipping Leaders with Essential Management Skills
The Coach House recommended a modular programme of core competencies within the organisation.
Each 2.5-hour module included a mixture of current models and theories, discussion and practical exercises. The workshops were designed to deliver a minimum of three outcomes and whilst most sessions were attended in person we offered a virtual workshop to support accessibility and inclusion. Each module was facilitated by an experienced practitioner with specific expertise and industry knowledge. An interval of approximately 3-4 weeks between modules allowed for reflection and application of learning. We created pre and post-work to prepare and embed learning and enable learning transfer. The programme was led by one of The Coach House directors who was responsible for the briefing and coordination of the facilitation team, communication between modules and providing feedback to the client regarding common themes emerging and further development opportunities.
Modules Included
Emotional Intelligence at Work
Courageous Conversations
Productivity
Beyond the Brief
Coaching for Performance
We also supplied a specific module for their Women in Tech group as part of their DE&I initiative. This focused on the themes of confidence and imposter syndrome.
The Coach House are a true partner to Digital Catapult, working with us to design a programme that meets our needs and aligned to our culture.
Learning is engaging, highly interactive and the facilitators positively encourage discussion and debate which all the participants speak highly of at DC. Learning is practical so that managers can immediately put into practice new skills
The feedback and evaluation from the client
Engagement levels and attendance rates for each session were high, the facilitation team were rated highly and anecdotal feedback suggested that the diverse range of training styles and delivery methods meant it appealed to the majority. The feedback and evaluation from our client, Julia Humphreys, Head of Learning and Development, outlined the following areas of tangible impact in the business;
- Greater consistency in manager capability, resulting in staff turnover well below industry average
- Greater engagement with management development than ever seen before at Digital Catapult
- Positive feedback in their employee survey and ED&I audit
The success of the programme in meant The Coach House provided further programmes of workshops in 2023.
The Coach House are a true partner to Digital Catapult, working with us to design a programme that meets our needs and aligned to our culture. Learning is engaging, highly interactive and the facilitators positively encourage discussion and debate which all the participants speak highly of at DC. Learning is practical so that managers can immediately put into practice new skills.
J. Humphreys
Head of Learning & Development, Digital Catapult
