MAP Assessment is on the training menu at Raymond Blanc’s Restaurant

Master Chef Raymond Blanc is noted for his great eye for

detail and passion for fantastic food and memorable service. He is involved in

every aspect of the Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons Restaurant and Hotel including

the training and development of staff. Ian Donn Training Manager at Le Manoir

explains.

In the past Raymond Blanc’s Oxfordshire establishment had taken a traditional

view of training undertaking management day courses and work-based manage-

ment qualifications. I joined the organisation and found that we were look-

ing for something different which would bring a global perspective that

hadn’t been felt in the hospitality industry before.

I had come across an objective management assessment tool called MAP in a previous

role and I felt it had potential to fill the need for something that could bring in global per-

spectives, but still be totally relevant to Le Manoir. Another solid reason for recommending

the introduction of MAP was that I knew it would bring additional validation and

credibility to our training programmes. It also sits comfortably with the other

testing and assessment tools we employ.

High performing managers

MAP Assessment is a management assessment and development tool developed by Dr

Scott Parry following his research into leading organisations such as Ford, Kodak and

AT&T. The key competencies that MAP Assessment is based upon were identified as being

consistently held by high performing managers. MAP Assessment provides an organisa-

tional framework for management development and enables individual development needs

to be identified.

I knew this had created an objective measure of a manager’s abilities as well as giving a

blueprint for development which was something we could really use.

At Le Manoir we employ MAP Assessment as the basis for our development process for all

our existing and potential managers. We do not make a distinction as to

level of manager. Every one of our managers are working or

going to work through MAP Assessment as it is an integral part

of our ‘Valuing Managers’ programme along with psychometric testing and

more traditional delivery.

We have had around 44 managers go through MAP Assessment including the

General and Deputy General Manager, which is good for an organisation of

52 managers. Raymond Blanc has also been through MAP As-

sessment and found the process useful and supports it completely.

Credibility for training programmes

Personally, I find MAP Assessment an interesting insight and benchmark into what candi-

dates know about management. Although it is a snap shot, I find it very accurate and a

good predictor of current knowledge. It has added great value to the organi-

sation, not only from the information on the individual it gives, but the credibility it has

brought to our training.

“We can now benchmark our managers not only

against each other, but also against a national and

international record of how thousands of other

managers perform their key competencies. Putting

our managers through the assessment again also

shows what impact our development programme

is having on them and how best to move forward.

Being able to identify an individual’s development

and training needs has also been particularly useful in prioritising their training needs and

effectively using our training budget.”

Overall, MAP Assessment has been a valuable and consistent tool that

managers have continuously benchmarked themselves against. As such it has inspired

people to push their own development and take a real interest in being better managers. I

think the use of MAP Assessment has in part been instrumental in de-

veloping some of the best management skills in hospitality at this

time.

To discover how your organisation can also benefit from incorporating MAP Assessment into its Management Development programmes contact:

Sonia Kaur The Peplow Group Gray’s Hotel & Conference Centre Telford TF3 4ND 01952 425085 sonia@peplow.org.uk