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The Riviera Group
In its second year, Riviera's five employees built eight boats. Within five years, they made their first export to the US and two years later, their boats sold in Europe. Today, they employ 1200 craftsmen, build more than 400 pleasure boats a year and export to 30 countries. Over 200 apprentices study annually at the company's renowned training school. The foundation for Riviera's success lies in its values of mutual respect - for people and the environment; balance - between exceptional quality and cost and vision - of a successful future for all.
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Why Coaching?
As a dynamic, ambitious organisation, Riviera management worked both in the business and on the business. As their markets developed and staff numbers increased, they re-structured and re-engineered. Ultimately management bought the company. In 1999, with about 400 staff building 3-4 boats each week, Riviera operated from a platform of extreme optimism. The Coaches Consortium (TCC)approached them with a strategy to engage top executives in a coaching conversation that would bring more powerful ways of relating and influencing.
Given the company's excellent performance, I was a little apprehensive about how The Coaches Consortium thought they could tell us how to do it better than we were already doing. While I wasn't quite sure where TCC were coming from, I expected to learn more about me and my management style. I also wanted tools that would help my perception and people management skills.
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Leadership Coaching
Initially, the two top executives, including Philip Candler, undertook Leadership Coaching. TCC's unique approach identified the key areas that impacted his business success and leadership capability. Philip prioritised the areas that needed the most attention. He worked through the coaching insights and transitioned to a greater level of self-awareness and sustainable personal and professional growth.
One of the greatest things I learnt was how to be in the moment; to dis-connect from the emotion of the conversation and connect with the outcome I'm after.
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Lead Team and Strategic Direction Coaching
TCC now provide Lead Team and Strategic Direction Coaching to Riviera's Executive Team. These group sessions, are chaired by the coach who probes the lead team as a whole and as individuals. They discuss where they want to go and how they want to get there. The coach's approach is forthright and challenging. The passionate debating is underpinned by mutual respect, honesty and trust. Within this coaching environment, the lead team negotiate the company's strategic direction.
We've made changes to our lead team and are using coaching to enhance their performance. It's about understanding each others' expectations; expectations about the company, each other and ourselves.
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Life Skills Training Program
For two hours each month, Riviera executives present Life Skills Training to their apprentices. The Life Skills Training Program and accompanying resources were designed by TCC and apprentices participate throughout their four apprenticeship years. Monthly evaluations show that over 60% consistently want to be in the program.
That's a great response. Our apprentices start when they're about 17. It's a challenging time in their life; they're just leaving home and facing the highs and lows of independence. The program's about showing them what's possible. It helps them look to the future and build longterm plans for themselves. Some have bought their first house - that's an awesome achievement at such a young age.
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Sustainable results
Although the TCC approach is one of 'working themselves out of their client's business', they remain a valued partner. In the past, pure optimism drove the company forward. Now that optimism is strengthened by reality and strategy. Riviera examined their resources and re-positioned people into their strengths. They have strengthened the business with a phased, rather than ad hoc, growth plan of about 15% annually.
The coaching has made us more structured, more understanding of each other's personalities and because of that acceptance, more honest.
Coaching is about having the ability and foresight to see a need and bring the solution. It's the best way to get a snapshot of your management style, your business style and your vision.
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