Case Study: Pacific Brands
Home-grown senior leadership program delivers results
In March 2006, Melbourne manufacturer Pacific Brands started a customised program for groups of 25 senior managers with Mt Eliza executive education, a part of Melbourne Business School. Pacific Brands (which owns Bonds, Berlei, Holeproof, Kolotex and Sheridan brands) wanted to provide a more tailored education for its senior executives. They attend for nearly a year and cover off on several modules including strategy, negotiation, finance, supply chain and brand management.
Pacific Brands relisted on the ASX in 2004 after being bought from the collapsed Pacific Dunlop in 2002 by a private equity group.
Chief Executive Paul Moore (left) says during the company's time in private equity ownership, management had the opportunity to get more involved with staff development.
"We make undies most of the time," he says. "But ensuring the continuation of the group's iconic brands and the development of new lines, such as fluoro underpants for men, is particularly important given fierce competition from imports. We develop products on the strength of our ability to do it ourselves. Therefore, our work with Melbourne Business School (MBS) has been a crucial part of creating the leadership the company needs in order to do the best for our people."
Working in Partnership with program design and delivery
Why choose MBS? Moore is against the idea of sending large groups overseas: "I wouldn't send 25 people to the big overseas universities. I'm not knocking Harvard or Stanford or Columbia as business schools, but all you get when you go there is their vanilla course, whereas with MBS we get to know the program facilitators and have the opportunity for greater input because the courses are customised." Moore says the company interacts with program facilitators regularly and each module has a senior manager as a sponsor. "HR and I observe the courses and get feedback; we're making modifications all the time and the program facilitators themselves will suggest changes."
