Developing and Inspiring Leaders
Bayer is increasing its efforts in the area of leadership development. The new Bayer Academy offers an extensive training program to facilitate lifelong learning focusing on the individual needs of our leaders. The aim is to make sure that managers at all levels - from new leaders to top executives - are equipped to meet the demands made on them. This concept is a key element in Bayer's new talent management strategy.
It is based on the conviction that all employees have strengths and talents that are worth optimal support. The Academy will be launching its first programs in January 2013.
"The Bayer Academy is designed to help employees realize their goals and lead the company into a successful future. It supports employees' career development and provides optimum preparation for new and more complex management challenges," says Management Board Chairman Marijn Dekkers. He adds: "The training courses will strengthen the leadership competencies of Bayer managers worldwide." To that extent, the Bayer Academy is also a response to the Employee Survey, which highlighted a need for improvement in the area of leadership.
The Bayer Academy programs are based on the LIFE values and closely linked to Bayer's corporate strategy and objectives, as explained by Gabriele Oehlschläger, who heads the HR//Center of Expertise Talent Management at the Corporate Center: "The systematically structured management training modules make an important contribution to developing a common understanding of leadership culture in keeping with the LIFE values."
The modules are also closely integrated into the Performance Management & Development concept, which will form a central element of the Employee Discussion from this year. This includes discussing individual scope for development and selecting appropriate training.
State-of-the-art training concepts
The Bayer Academy's structured training program provides a uniform Group-wide curriculum for leadership and management development. Alongside this, it includes a broadly based range of continuous professional training courses. Central aspects addressed by the Bayer Academy include innovation, customer focus, and diversity and inclusion. The Bayer Academy will get off the ground in mid-January with the revised "Learn to Lead" and "Bayer Leadership Excellence" seminars. Further leadership and general management modules will be added in the second quarter of 2013.
Since October 2012, senior executives have been offered a new "Leading Innovation" program. Further modules for this target group are to be designed in close collaboration with the subgroups.
"Our modules are based on the latest approach to leadership and management development. Participants from all Bayer Group companies in all countries can build their leadership and managerial skills through a uniform system of practical and interactive training. At the same time, the Academy will strengthen discussion and networking between managers," explains Gabriele Oehlschläger.
