Change Management program accelerates DHL business in Africa

Program is a key stimulus in the burgeoning skills gap in Africa, allowing local recruitment rather than expatriate staffing

DHL Express has attributed its improved earnings in Kenya and the continent to a change management programme seeking to bridge the skills divide in Sub-Saharan Africa.

In 2012, DHL Express recorded the highest earnings in its history, a feat that has been attributed to the programme that the company adopted during the year. The company is part of Deutsche Post DHL and generated revenue of more than 55 billion euros in 2012.

The ‘Certified International Specialists’ programme is an innovative learning and development tool that the global logistics giant delivers to every employee across the network. It among other things aims at  bridging the skills divide between Africa and the developed world  and providing comprehensive training and education for the company’s employees.

According to DHL Express Country Manager for Kenya Alan Cassels, the programme has greatly improved employee morale thus enhancing performance which boosted the company’s earnings in Kenya and across Africa.

“CIS has played a fundamental role in the business performance of the company and we’ve seen how a change management program can really contribute towards the bottom line. Our company in Sub-Saharan Africa posted strong growth last year, continuing to drive the economic growth of the continent, and I believe that CIS is a big part of this growth and our success.” said Cassels.

Among other things, the CIS programme involves innovative learning methodologies that train employees across all functions on the fundamentals of international shipping, enhancing their knowledge of essential aspects, such as import - export documentation, geography and global expertise, and transport regulations and processes. 

 “One of the major challenges facing any multinational company operating in Sub-Saharan Africa is the lack of adequate training, and education systems which sometimes fall short of global standards. While we believe we attract the best and brightest talent on the market, we know there is a critical need to provide additional training and make our employees feel part of the global network, while also giving them international experience,” said Cassels.

 The training sessions are delivered by employees trained as facilitators. Through video interviews, it has also engaged former executives of the company in telling the story of the entrepreneurial roots of DHL and the values that helped the company to become a global leader in logistics.

To date, CIS has been delivered to over 100 000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, and to nearly 4 000 employees in 51 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, making it one of the largest corporate training programs ever implemented. The materials have been translated into 42 languages.