About
Lendlease is an international property and infrastructure group with core expertise in shaping cities and creating strong and connected communities. Founded in 1958, Lendlease is headquartered in Sydney, with employees located in four operating regions: Australia, Europe, the Americas and Asia.
Sustainability at Lendlease is all about people: “Companies must start justifying their worth to society, with greater emphasis placed on environmental and social impact rather than straight economics.” Dick Dusseldorp, Founder of Lendlease (1973).
This approach to business underpins everything at Lendlease and in support of this the Lendlease Foundation was established in 1983 for the development and benefit of Lendlease employees. ‘Springboard’ was launched in 1998 as the Foundation’s flagship global programme. Springboard is now a multi-award winning, flagship global development programme that brings community sustainability to the heart of individual learning.
Impact Australia was first chosen to redesign the Springboard programme in 2008 to ensure it was meeting business, economic and social needs. Impact has specifically aligned the program with the Lendlease Foundation core principles:
- Enrich the lives of employees and their families
- Aid charities and communities where they have an involvement
- Inspire interest in the activities of Lendlease
Springboard was a five-day personal development programme. Participants travelled to Far North Queensland in Australia to spend two days learning about their strengths and reflecting on their personal goals, and two days working with a community partner. Eight Springboard programmes were run each year. During this time we worked with a community partner on six, long term, individual projects. Lendlease participants, in collaboration with the local community participants, managed the community projects to completion over the course of the year.
Impact’s design:
- Redeveloped a much-loved global programme to incorporate health and wellbeing, personal development and community involvement.
- Created a sustainable and enriching personal development experience with real activities and consequences.
- Supported community partners’ sustainable development by building their skills, knowledge and confidence and to leave a positive legacy in a community.
Employee engagement
Enriching lives: (measured pre and six-weeks post-programme)
- Physical health: increased by 24%
- Mental wellbeing: increased by 25%
- Management of stress: increased by 56%
- Work/life balance: increased by 70%
94.8% of participants will apply what they learned in their personal life
92.7% will apply what they learned in their professional life
Inspiring interest: (measured pre and three-weeks post-programme)
97% agree Lendlease is committed to employee development (up 45%)
95% view Lendlease positively (up 33%)
92% are committed to Lendlease (up 23%)
Aiding communities
Between 2008-2013, we completed 41 community projects in Far North Queensland through almost 3,000 employee days.
Award winning
This iteration of Springboard was recognised with awards from institutions including: Brandon Hall Group, Personnel Today HR Supplier Partnership Awards, Australian Business Awards and the Australian HR Institute Awards.