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Unilever’s four-year journey to set a new standard for management

Empowering 15,500 managers with the core talents to lead and perform

Photo of a man in a lab coat examining a bottle with a white version of the Unilever logo superimposed in the middle foreground
0%
of participants agreed with the statement "I learned new knowledge and skills from attending Explore"
0%
of participants agreed with the statement "I have been able to successfully apply the knowledge and skills I learned to my job"
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of participants agreeing to having applied the knowledge to their job said they were able to apply their learning in just 2-4 weeks

About Unilever

Unilever is one of the world’s largest consumer goods companies, with products sold in over 190 countries. Its diverse portfolio spans beauty, wellbeing, nutrition and home care, with iconic brands like Dove, Ben & Jerry’s, Hellmann’s and Lipton.

Headquartered in London, Unilever employs over 127,000 people globally and is committed to sustainable growth, innovation and social impact. With a focus on purpose-led brands and a global strategy grounded in making sustainable living commonplace, Unilever is a recognised leader in responsible business.

Unilever
FMCG
128,000 employees
London, UK
Performance management, leadership development

Challenge

A global rethink of the manager’s role

The Unilever Management Development Programme (UMDP) is an ambitious global learning initiative targeting 15,500 supervisors, first- and second-line managers, to take a fresh look at the role of a manager and how they create value.

Solution

Setting a new standard for great management

Two programmes were developed focusing on seven core talents of every great manager. Over the next four years, all managers will get to experience the UMDP and, in doing so, set a new performance standard for Unilever.

Results

100% learned something new, 96% put it into action

The courses received 100% “Agree or Strongly Agree” feedback scores from the participants on the day, but what was happening three months later?

  • 100% agreed they had learned new knowledge and skills from attending the programme
  • 96% said they were able to successfully apply the knowledge and skills to their job
  • Of these, 91% said they were able to apply their learning in just 2-4 weeks

Awards

CIPD People Management Awards and Personnel Today Awards finalist

This programme has been a finalist in the CIPD People Management Awards and Personnel Today Awards.

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