SUCCESS STORIES | CONSUMER BEVERAGES

SOFT DRINKS GIANT MUST ENGAGE GLOBAL ORGANIZATION AROUND MANIFESTO FOR GROWTH

Facing increasing competition, threats to market share, a recognized but potentially fading brand and grumblings from the distribution network, this organization needed to focus on a new strategy for growth.  With over 90,000 people in 200 countries, communicating with consistency and impact was critical to executing the new strategy. They needed to rebuild trust and influence with their independent distribution network and prove that a large company could still respond nimbly to shifts in the marketplace.

The top 300 leaders were charged with this task and to do so they had to hone their communication skills to inspire and engage people globally in this new direction. They needed to quickly and effectively rebuild relationships and instill trust and confidence in the brand.

THE ARIEL GROUP SOLUTION

The Ariel Group was brought in to design and deliver a custom training solution that was integrated into the larger leadership initiative for the 300 global leaders. This program was built around the concept of inspiring storytelling, used experiential, theater-based exercises combined with role plays and intensive one-on-one coaching to achieve the following learning objectives for these leaders:

• Understand and increase the effectiveness of your own style of communication – focusing on being able to energize, inspire with clarity, authenticity and enthusiasm
• Recognize and adjust your Leadership Presence style to a variety of situations and challenges where communication and authenticity are critical – the ability to build hope and optimism even in times of self-doubt.
• Connect people to ideas and bring them together around bold opportunities
• Build consistent and relevant leadership messages and stories that mobilize the organization around the new strategy for growth.

RESULTS

Rated as one of the top training programs ever delivered, participants reported that they were able to bring a heightened sense of confidence and presence to their interactions with key stakeholders and more effectively communicate key strategic messages. In the words of two participants, “I learned how increased self-knowledge will allow me greater authenticity in dealing with people” and “I learned that leadership is more than leading, it is motivating and inspiring people”.