About Northern Bays Motors
A family-owned business and leader in automotive retail
Northern Bays Motors is a family-owned New Zealand business. A leader in automotive retail, the group now proudly represents North Shore Toyota, North Western Toyota, Lexus of North Shore, Bridgestone, and NST Parts brands.
The group consists of close to 200 employees across five main sites in Auckland’s North Shore and Western regions. Their vision is to create advocates for life, both in customers and team members.
Their Challenge
Prior to working with the Institute of Managers and Leaders, the team consisted of technical managers that had very little leadership training or development. They wanted to build leadership skills and capability across the business to drive performance. Building relationships, trust and common language, behaviours and standards across the group was also a high priority.
When working with IML, Northern Bays Motors wanted:
- A program that dove deeper than the average short course.
- The ability to co-design and create a program that suited their specific needs.
- Help with identifying capability shortfalls, and strategies for addressing these.
- Assistance with identifying talent for succession plans.
The Results
Senior business leaders reported that the Programs’ impact has been felt and is visible. They are experiencing a massive change in the interpersonal relationships of their leadership group. Feedback received shows that they now have a complete set of workable tools to use to course correct and lead their teams in turbulent times.
They are also enjoying a set of common language that helps them understand each other better. The senior leadership team are now better equipped at having difficult conversations, providing feedback and holding other team members accountable. Their leaders are now able to more confidently lead through change. They are aware of the importance of communication – especially through change.
“For anyone considering a development program with IML ANZ…go for it. The
learning and development opportunity is immense. ”
Mark Jago
Chief Executive Officer
“We wanted a facilitator with the ‘mana’ to reach our team and real-world leadership experience, someone strong enough to hold the mirror up when need be but have a kind and caring way that builds genuine trust and connection. Cheryl did all that and more.”
Matt Oxnam
Chief Commercial Officer
“It’s a significant investment, but you won’t regret it. It has been one of the most successful 8-10 months of our business’ history in terms of growth of our leadership team. Do it!”
Brownwen Newcombe
Chief Operating Officer
Key Areas of Need
Our Solution
Achieving organisational goals
Use leadership development as a mechanism for achieving organisational goals. Create clear structure and strategy. Break down silos and foster collaboration between business units.
Success of new operational model
Provide the right leadership skills to ensure that the businesses new operational model had commitment and would be a success.
Consistent leadership approach and common language
Leadership programs that targeted two different levels of managers and leaders but that provided consistency in approach and language, whilst also embedding the business vision, values and mission.
Build trust and strong relationships
Establish strong relationships at the senior level and build capability across all levels to drive performance.
Two customised leadership programs – one for the C-Suite and core leadership team, and the other for their managerial team members across the business. The Senior Leader Program cohort consisted of seven participants and ran across nine months for optimum behavioural change. It included 7.5 facilitated workshop days, four 1:1 coaching sessions and three analytic tools.
The People Leader cohort consisted of 14 participants in a range of managerial roles across Sales, After Sales, Parts, Service, Tyres and Administration. This Program started one month after the Senior Leader Program. It ran for 5 months and included 6 facilitated workshop days two 1:1 coaching sessions, and two analytic tools.
The Corporate Solutions team at IML ANZ worked with Northern Bays Motors to understand their challenges and customise a program and schedule that suited their purpose, needs and people. Based on the 70:20:10 learning methodology, the program
design focused on integration into the workplace, line manager involvement and the support of coaching and mentoring.
