Shell International Petroleum
To improve the skills and thinking of management at Shell an IMCA action
learning procurement leadership course was undertaken by a number of the
organization’s management. The course was to last seven months and in that
time the company wished to achieve a number of outcomes:
At the close to the course, a number of the organizations desired outcomes had
been achieved as well as other aspects which would be beneficial to the
organization. An important aspect on the course was the completion of
procurement improvement plans (PIP). These were action learning projects based
on real organizational problems which sought to find answers, change and savings
for the organization. A target was set of seven percent financial savings on
each PIP - this target was met and in some cases exceeded. A number of
associates made savings in the region of $ 12 million, through such things as
identifying corrective action to problem areas. The course also had benefits
beyond financial gains. The effect on management thinking was significant. A
number of associates commented that the course gave them a change of focus,
energy, change in mind set and thinking on business processes. One associate
commented that the course gave “the stimulus to achieve what should already
have been done, and had generally accelerated the implementation of their
projects”.
Another associate made this comment about the course:
The course helped him: “realize the power of leadership and to become more
aware of how to push and lead processes which contribute to savings. The course
provided powerful tools to enable managers to influence change and this was one
of the great strengths”.