Opportunity
The media is a fast-changing sector that requires senior managers to be constantly learning, adapting and anticipating future challenges. As a progressive firm, Scottish commercial television broadcaster and digital media company STV wanted to invest in its senior management to facilitate their professional development and to build the strategic capabilities of the company.
Approach
In 2007, STV was on the brink of collapse. Over the next decade, the company was transformed financially, reputationally and culturally. Following this story closely, we spoke with those involved in the transformation, culminating in writing a case study of the corporate transformation.
Conversations about the leadership development programme and the needs of strategic leaders emerged from these discussions. Initially commissioned to co-create a module on the theme of ‘Leading the Business’, this learning built on existing activity in the business focused on ‘Leading Self’ and ‘Leading Teams’. Around 40 senior managers took part in the module across three groups, focusing on creating a common platform for understanding corporate strategy, culture and change in the context of the business.
We developed two further modules from learner feedback. The first looked at scenario planning – with scenarios presented to senior management; and on the finance side, exploring the crucial topic of STV’s relationship with the City of London.
Collaboration coursed through the programme from design to delivery: most of the sessions were co-presented by board members and senior executives. This blend of management theory with valuable executive insights created a genuinely innovative learning experience for participants on the course.
Impact
STV praised the learning environment the Business School provided. With attendees drawn from Finance, Sales, Technology, Journalism and Creative functions, the course facilitated cross-functional working. The modules allowed busy senior managers the opportunity to reflect more on the strategic challenges that the company faces.
This is a truly circular success story. Senior STV executives are involved at every stage of the programme. One of our students shadowed STV’s CEO for three days, which was an amazing opportunity and a transformational experience. A PhD student wrote her thesis on STV and digital. Over 120 MBA students have written essays on ‘What strategic lessons they can learn from the turnaround of STV’, some of whom presented their findings to the senior management team. Senior executives have come in and taught on Business School programmes.Professor Chris Carter, the Business School’s Chair in Strategy & Organisation
The breadth and depth of the relationship that has developed between STV and the University is testament to the collaborative and client-focused approach of the Business School team, particularly Professor Chris Carter. From an initial brief to deliver a module supporting our wider leadership development programme, a multi-faceted learning network has developed. This has provided mutual benefits to our staff and Business School students.Suzanne Burns, HR & Communications Director, STV Group plc
Key facts
The programme forged a valued relationship between the Business School and STV, across all areas of its operations.
The Business School's initial research activity resulted in a programme that added significant value to STV, to our offering, and to our students.
Very much co-created with STV, the programme united our client with our students and exposed both to powerful new relationships.