Bertelsmann

Overview

Founded in 1835, today Bertelsmann is one of the world’s largest mass media companies, whose major divisions include the RTL Group, Penguin Random House, Gruner + Jahr, BMG, Arvato, Bertelsmann Printing Group and Bertelsmann Education Group. Bertelsmann worked with the RRCA and other well known providers on their Creative Leadership Curriculum, delivered over 12 months in three modules. Steven Moran, Group EVP & Chief Learning Officer at Bertelsmann said: ‘We wanted a partner who could relate to our editors and creatives who think of their work as art more than a utility!’ 

Course structure

The Creative Leadership workshop was delivered over three days by Rama Gheerawo, Director of the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design at the RCA in London. The 15 selected participants represented emerging creative talent from across the organisation who were making the transition to more senior roles. The workshop provided a toolkit to help the participants better manage the pace of change by focusing on innovation and design thinking methodologies, pitching and communication, as well as how to frame issues and solve them in a business context. 

Outcomes

Technology has transformed the way print and broadcast material is consumed. Steven Moran commented: ‘Companies and their employees need to be more responsive and flexible. In short, Bertelsmann is striving to establish sustainable change in the company’s learning culture.’ Participants walked away with a more creative mindset, an ability to communicate this to others and a pathway to develop their own leadership.