FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 30, 2007
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CONTACT: Joann Stevens
(202) 298-8239
E-mail: jstevens@elcinfo.com
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Program noted for successfully improving performance of diverse managers.
Ernst & Young recently audited BP's participation in The Executive Leadership Council (ELC) "Strengthening the Pipeline" program, designed to move high potential African American managers to the next level of management competency. The audit found that the “Strengthening the Pipeline” seminar helped bolster employee confidence and empowered management performance to produce improved bottom line results. According to the audit, BP's program graduates have either been promoted or moved on to new career opportunities.
BP's 2006 sustainability report, which is audited independently by Ernst & Young, highlights a case study of BP employees who participated in the program. To read about the program's impact on BP's employees visit http://www.bp.com/sectiongenericarticle.do?categoryId=9013834&contentId=7026824
As part of a comprehensive Diversity and Inclusion effort to foster equal opportunity for all employees, the percentage of racial and ethnic minorities at BP's US Group Leadership levels has almost doubled from 6% at year-end 2002 to nearly 12% in 2006. As part of this effort, in 2004, BP began participating in the "Strengthening the Pipeline" seminar created by The Council's Institute for Leadership Development & Research.
"The Executive Leadership Council and BP America are truly aligned in our goals to progress diversity in our workforce," said Bob Malone, Chairman and President of BP America Inc. "The ELC's 'Strengthening the Pipeline' seminar is just one of their initiatives that we believe accelerates this effort."
For nearly two decades, The Executive Leadership Council has influenced success factors and contributed to the development of diverse leaders ascending to corporate America’s C-suite positions. In 2003 the organization’s efforts accelerated when BP provided a $2.3M grant to The Executive Leadership Foundation, the nonprofit charitable affiliate of The Council, and partnered with The Council to develop the Institute for Leadership Development & Research. The Institute premiered its “Strengthening the Pipeline” seminar for high potential managers in 2004.
At the program’s launch, the Institute also engaged Claremont Graduate University (CGU) to assess and measure the effectiveness of the program's impact on the individual development of every participant from the day he or she entered the program. In 2006, CGU provided a mid-evaluative report of the findings which noted: effectiveness in program design, strength in support and networking system application, and invaluable mentoring component. The Institute will publish the final report in April 2007.
The initial findings from CGU and the independent Ernst & Young audit for BP America are promising in that they outline the transformational impact the program has had on participants. Noted within both reports are: improvements in work behavior noted by direct reports and supervisors, and the employee expressing greater self-confidence and a stronger sense of empowerment to excel in the job.
The “Strengthening the Pipeline” seminar is a year-long development program designed for diverse high performing corporate and high level nonprofit leaders who are within five levels of the enterprise CEO. Seminar participants are matched with Council members –senior level African American corporate executives and entrepreneurs – who mentor seminar participants for the duration of the developmental experience, and in many cases beyond. Cohorts meet four times over an 18-month period and are required to have formal contact at least once per month for a minimum of one-hour.
The “Strengthening the Pipeline” seminar content is designed primarily by and for African American senior corporate executives with support from academicians and business leadership management consultants. The seminar offers, over a series of sessions, structured, rigorous assessment and content designed to unlock the unlimited potential of the participants while preparing them for breakthrough career performances in the global marketplace.
The Institute’s “Strengthening the Pipeline” seminar has enjoyed tremendous success in its first three years graduating over 55 corporate leaders and attracting more than 100 applicants in its second year, most through word of mouth endorsements. Currently 41 leaders are actively engaged in the class scheduled to graduate October 2007. The program’s application process is one of the industry’s most competitive with only 30% of applicants accepted and an applicant waiting list a common occurrence.
Applications are currently being accepted for the 2007 “Strengthening the Pipeline” class. The deadline to apply is March 2, 2007, and application materials can be found on The Executive Leadership Council website at www.elcinfo.com.
BP is one of the world's largest oil and gas companies, serving about 13 million customers every day in more than 100 countries across six continents. BP's business is in exploration and production; refining and marketing; and gas, power and renewables including its new BP Alternative Energy business. Through these, BP provides fuel for transportation, energy for heat and light, retail services, and petrochemical products.
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