In Australia, BDO has more than 160 partners and over 1,300 people providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services to clients.
The Apex Leadership Development Programme in Australia was developed as a result of an initial directive from the Executive Committee to design a practical yet inspirational development programme for their emerging leaders.
The BDO learning and development team, with full support from the Executive, the Board and the Partnership, embraced the opportunity to bring this programme to life. The team worked in close partnership with Impact Australia on the leadership journey and The Talea Group on business development to design and deliver the Apex Programme.
The Apex programme combines Impact’s current thinking on leadership and The Talea Group’s experience in business development to enhance organisational performance coupled with lots of practical experience, tools and techniques.
The multi-modular programme included 360° feedback, diagnostics, cross-functional business projects, experiential projects and learning reviews. Participants received feedback to challenge individual behaviour and ways of working to ensure they used their leadership abilities to deliver results.
Importantly, participants also had access to the following supporting mechanisms to embed ongoing learning back in the workplace. These included; 1:1 coaching at critical points throughout the programme to maintain momentum and leverage results, Partner mentoring, networking and sponsorship, cross-functional peer development groups to offer support and challenge and a dedicated online learning portal with access to materials, videos and alumni chat forums specific to the programme.
Launch: An interactive platform to engage participants and build programme awareness
Leadership in Action: Developing capacity for leadership, instilling skills and confidence to manage key responsibilities and achieve business results.
Coaching for Performance: Techniques to help participants get the best from their teams.
High-Performing Teams: Designed to develop high-performing team behaviours in cross-functional and virtual groups.
Business Development: Identifying value propositions, building and growing client relationships, cross- selling and developing a business plan.
In Market Journey: Participants visit external organisations to look at leadership, innovation and engagement best practice.
Business Ethics: How to make ethical business decisions whilst minimising risk and maintaining corporate responsibility.
Leadership Review: Motivating and engaging participants to head back into the firm with continued enthusiasm.
Throughout the programme, learning was created by integrating experience with theory and drawing practical conclusions. Feedback to individuals about the effectiveness of their leadership and business development actions ensured that the learning was relevant, leading to lasting behavioural change in the workplace.
"Throughout the programme, learning was created through integrating experience with theory and drawing practical conclusions. Feedback to individuals about the effectiveness of their leadership and business development actions ensured that the learning was relevant, leading to lasting behavioural change in the workplace." - Afroditi Bousnakis, National Head of Learning & Development.
