Client Testimonials & Interviews

Comments from Participant - Ray Bezant from BOC Gases in Perth
"One of the most valuable things I've gained from the Diploma in Business program is to tackle projects in a very structured manner. My team & BOC have benefited from projects I've completed - we've solved about 4 or 5 significant problems.
My advice to others thinking about doing the program? - DO IT, but you've got to be committed."

Comments from Participant - Christine Weedall Green Triangle Forest Products
When dealing with individuals to promote change I am now "Armed & Dangerous!"

Client Interview with Peter Dawson, Learning and Development Manager of Weyerhaeuser
Ruby Lucas recently interviewed fmi client Peter Dawson for fmi Blueprint. Peter is the Group Organisational Development Manager for Weyerhaeuser, where he assists with the strategic development of team members. Weyerhaeuser is a North American based global company which is probably the largest timber company in the world - they are the largest landowner in America after the United States government. Within Australia Weyerhaeuser are based in Queensland, NSW and South Australia. The company manufactures logs into timber products, particularly plantation pine, which is predominantly used for building supplies. The company also has a division called Pine Solutions which deals with the sales and marketing of their products.

Peter, what fmi programs do you have in place within your organisation?
Through fmi we are currently running both the Certificate IV and the Diploma of Business (Frontline Management) programs at our mills in Tumut and Mt Gambier and we are about to have another program starting in Caboolture later in the year. We also have 3 of our Service Team leaders completing the Diploma of Business (FM) through public courses held at fmi's headquarters in Sydney.

What do you believe differentiates fmi from other management training providers Peter?
There are a few things about fmi that really appeal to me. Firstly, it was great that I was able to choose a particular facilitator, who I'd previously done work with and had been very impressed with. Secondly I think the materials that fmi provide are very clear and well written and provide a great resource. Thirdly the follow-up support that fmi provides is really useful. fmi regularly provides me with assessment updates so that I can see where the team is at with their work.

Your employees undertake projects as part of the assessment through fmi, what benefit have you seen from these?
Well Ruby, before I took on this role, some of our employees had undertaken frontline management programs; however there had been no real payback to the organisation. The courses we have run with fmi have benefited our organisation, by developing team cohesion. This increase in harmoniousness in turn increases productivity and output.

fmi client interview - Bob Howarth, HR Manager, Wingham Beef Exports

Wingham Beef Exports is a major meat processor in NSW and is located in the picturesque Manning Valley on the Manning River just 10 minutes from the Pacific Highway. It has been operating since mid 1980's. Over the last ten years the company has doubled production of high class beef products for the export market. Key members of the management team at Wingham Beef Exports are currently about half way through an FMI Management Development Program leading to Certificate IV in Business (Frontline Management) BSB51004. 
Bob Howarth is the Human Resources Manager and the driving force behind the Frontline Management Program there. Bob has 30 years training & development experience and has held executive positions in several top-20 Australian companies. Bob was interviewed for blueprint by Bill Groenen of FMI:

Bob, what was your main motivation for starting the Frontline Management Program?
Well Bill, Frontline Managers were promoted on technical beef processing skills and potential for supervision roles - the program provides a base of knowledge and skills specific to production leadership roles. This is the first time such training has been offered to the plant management team.

What have been the main benefits to your team so far?  
The program allows participants to learn the latest management techniques and to apply these skills in the workplace. It provides the opportunity to review best practice principles and to up-skill in the critical area of managing teams.

What do you believe have been the main benefits to you so far as the driver of the program? To witness the transition of learning from the workshop to the workplace. To see, first hand, the application of new skills to frontline mgt positions that are clearly adding value to the business through improved performance in production processes.

What has been the biggest challenge so far Bob?
Completing project work & work place application assessments on time in an already busy production environment is a challenge.

What do you believe have been the main benefits to your organisation so far Bob?
The program provides the necessary underpinning knowledge - but more importantly it can be tailored to our specific needs and be applied at a very practical level. Workplace projects and application assessments allow seamless transition of theory to the real world of managing in our plant.

Email from Ahmed Rifai, BOC Gases

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