Specsoft Software Solutions (Pty) Ltd., Centurion

Successful companies large and small all around the world know that much of their competitive advantage resides in their intellectual capital. They also know that it takes a strong and special commitment to grow employees into the fully-performing leaders they depend on to achieve the organisation's objectives, in the present and into the future. Few organisations have achieved greater acclaim for developing leaders than General Electric (GE). For decades, this company's succession planning model has significantly contributed to its leadership culture, which, in turn, is largely responsible for GE's enormous success and status as one of the world's most admired companies. Fortunately for companies navigating the leadership development and succession planning minefield, a framework has been developed encompassing the best practices and lessons learned from companies like GE, and exists today as the Leadership Pipeline Methodology, the Drotter Model. Often referred to as 'The thinking manager's framework' the Leadership Pipeline Methodology was developed by human resources guru and one of the early designers and practitioners of GE's succession planning process, Stephen Drotter. He researched the critical requirements for business success over a number of years and in many companies. The result is a real-life framework by business, for business, built on a sound philosophy that reflects an understanding of the work of leaders and the fact that performance is measured in results achieved. Over 100 leading companies and organisations worldwide have bought into the Leadership Pipeline way. It has shown them how to build their leaders by understanding the six critical passages a leader must navigate, and providing the required development in order to do this successfully. The result is a sustainable, full and ongoing pipeline of leaders that will continue to deliver on the company's strategic objectives.