A learning and development program proved a cost‐effective way to attract, develop and retain graduates within AIB, Ireland’s largest financial‐services organization. Graduate retention increased by 12 percent during the two‐year program, which coincided with the height of the Celtic...

A group of talented young people at the former Halifax plc have been helped to make the challenging transition from trainee to manager thanks to the introduction of mentoring, which is becoming recognized on both sides of the Atlantic as a highly effective human‐resource‐development process.

The wedding speeches that precede the toast to the bride and groom fill many of the people who have to deliver them with fear. And many end up saying something quite trite such as “Don’t they make a great couple? Thanks to everyone for coming” and other ill‐thought‐out or unrehearsed...

Substantial benefits to both the organization and its employees have resulted from job‐flexibility and work‐life balance initiatives at UK building society Nationwide. In the organization’s latest employee‐opinion survey, more than three‐quarters agreed with the statement: “I am...

It is not every company that would think to provide kayak racks for employees wishing to travel to work by boat, but that is precisely what Capital One did when it opened a new canal‐side building at its European headquarters site in Nottingham, UK. The move reflects an important philosophy at...

Purpose – Explains how ING, the global financial‐services group, called in drama‐based training specialist Steps Drama to help it to raise awareness of the business benefits of diversity – and the possible legal implications of non‐inclusive behaviour – for all 1,000 staff in its UK...

Purpose – Describes how an inspirational‐leadership program for senior managers at Cheltenham & Gloucester, one of the UK's largest mortgage lenders, is generating enthusiasm and energy within the business and helping the managers to get the best out of their teams, using more than just...

Purpose – Explores a pioneering “structured recruitment process” (SRP) introduced at Credit Suisse. Design – Contains information from a presentation to journalists by the Credit Suisse global head of human resources and its head of business‐support human‐resource management....

Purpose – Examines the success of the corporate university and “leaders as teachers” initiatives at financial institution Capital One. Design – Draws on information provided by the head of the Capital One University. Findings – Reveals 82 percent satisfaction with the Capital One...

Purpose – Describes the challenges faced by Visa Europe's leadership‐development program (LDP) in its fifth year and the approaches Visa Europe has taken to keep the program fresh, and to accelerate the development of a coaching culture in the business – one of the original objectives for...