What we do 

• Deliver sustainable learning: GIBS designs programmes according to theoretically supported physiological and sociological principles of adult and organisational learning. A core focus is delivering knowledge, skills and behavioural values that provide immediate tools to assist the executive or manager in his or her current work context, but also builds bench-strength for future positions.
• Make use of innovative technology: Understanding the importance of time and the need for efficiency in learning, GIBS CSP integrates innovative methods to extend and personalise the learning experience. This includes hosting customised organisational landing pages to deliver content, customised on-line personality assessments, on-line coaching, use of podcasts, web-based discussion groups and during programme monitoring of executive action plans.

• Murray & Roberts executives visit the site of the planned Trump Towers in Dubai

  Focus on business impact: GIBS CSP programmes are designed to facilitate more effective achievement of the strategic focus areas of our partner companies and the key performance dimensions and areas of executives, with the emphasis on application of all learning. The emphasis on knowledge and skill development remains. Action learning is one of GIBS’ key differentiators, with programmes delivering many multiples of return on a partner company’s investment.

Examples of our work conducted at different levels in partner companies: 

Claudio Chiste and Shaun Rozyn at the London Stock Exchange

Industry-initiated executive development programmes: GIBS CSP has designed and presented an international executive development programme for one of the leading sector education and training authorities in South Africa. Delegates are selected from the commercial, investment and niche banks in South Africa. The programme is co-presented with Erasmus Business School in Holland. The programme is designed to entrench and develop the knowledge and skills required of future banking executives as well as thought leaders on the key financial developmental issues facing South Africa, the African continent and the world. With an action learning component, final presentations are delivered to a high powered panel including business school faculty, the banking ombudsmen and senior banking executives. 

Global executive development programmes: GIBS is in its fourth year of delivering a programme to a leading global petrochemical organisation with operations in Africa, the Middle East and China. This powerful programme is designed around the leadership traits of a leader, from the organisation’s viewpoint. Sponsored by the Global Chief Executive Officer (CEO), this programme consist of blocks in South Africa and two global destinations, usually focused on the future markets of the partner organisation. An important value-add for the partner company is the inclusion of a number of suppliers and government partners as participants on this programme to allow a common understanding of their different perspectives.

Leadership development programmes: Within our range of leadership development initiatives, GIBS CSP has presented this programme more than once for a leading supplier of earth-moving vehicles, automotives, logistics and handling services. The organisation has operations in North America, Europe, Africa, the East and Australasia. The programme has been carefully designed to emphasise personal leadership within the value-based leadership framework of the partner company. In addition, the programme incorporates experiences of leaders in the organisation who reflect on aspects of their diverse, world class businesses. A four-fold financial return on learning investment was achieved for this programme in 2009.

SABMiller executives working to deliver action learning projects

Green hunting! Replacing an elephant’s transponder in Mabalingwe, Bela Bela, and contributing to sustainability.

Business-driven action learning programmes: A leading global beverage organisation engaged GIBS CSP to design a programme focused on projects critical to the future of the organisation. Leading talent in the organisation focused on providing solutions and exposing opportunities. The programme, presented in three blocks, enabled cross-functional teams from different countries to focus on presenting a range of solutions to significantly improve operations specific regions or countries. Delegates spent a period of time in that country aided by an action learning process as well as a functional expert. The programme culminated in executive presentations to the managing board of the organisation. 

High potentials programmes: GIBS CSP has designed a highly focused programme for one of the world’s five largest gold-mining organisations. This programme takes a select group of executives out of their functional roles in the organisation for a period of time. They receive intense academic and work-focused inputs, executive coaching and opportunities to work alongside an executive. Many benefits were noted for this programme, such as the reduction in the attrition rate of highly sought-after high potential employees.

Middle management programmes: GIBS CSP presents the global Management Development Programme for a global diversified mining company with operations on five continents. Focused on building a one-organisation mindset, the programme has innovatively used work-based projects to focus on the individual, team and organisational levels. A detailed ROLI (Return on Learning Investment) assessment has identified that this programme has delivered five-times the return on learning investment. 

New leaders programmes: GIBS CSP has partnered with a leading South African retailer to develop identified graduate hires and designed a programme linked to a formally accredited academic programme to prepare young leaders for the workplace and possible future leadership positions. This programme has differentiated the organisation and has been key to helping them attract new talent and retain these young leaders with a dedicated development path for them.

Leadership within an historical context: a visit to Johannesburg Prison where both Mandela and Ghandi were interned

Specialised functional programmes: As an example, GIBS CSP has co-designed a Human Resource capability programme for one of South Africa’s largest telecommunications companies with operations in 23 countries. The programme, delivered in three global hubs, has embedded “the HR way” through the global organisation and accredited HR practitioners so that performance contracts with the line functions on service levels could be signed off.