Development is tailored to the individual’s needs and career goals. As a core element of the MLDP, development consists of the following items: Targeted Development Process and Plan, Training, Special Projects at the Corporate Level, and Annual Community Service Activity.
Targeted Development is a "best practice" process at DuPont in which employees strive to continuously improve their capacity to add value to the Company and increase personal job satisfaction.
Program participants are required to develop an Individual Performance Plan (IPP) based on their strengths, needs, long term career objectives and personal considerations. IPPs are intended to support MLDP’s success in their current positions while developing the skills needed to meet future personal and professional goals.
Program participants attend two MLDP Semi Annual Meetings each year, have access to training based on individual development needs and career goals, and also go through a structured development curriculum that consists of over two weeks of formalized training during their first year in the program. The three key components of the structured development curriculum are Leadership, Marketing and General Management.
Leadership
Leadership Development includes on the job training through structured rotations, seminars by leaders, and targeted training modules based on participant’s needs centered around:
- Driving Results
- Influence Management
- Team Building
- Strategic Networking
Marketing
DuPont has created and adopted several best practices in marketing. Based on the individual IPP, participants have the opportunity to experience a variety of marketing training each year through on-the-job learning and structured marketing modules. Coming into the program MLDPs will go through an assessment test to identify marketing strengths and areas for improvement.
General Management
DuPont has adopted Six Sigma as a core operating process. Participants receive Six Sigma training in their first year to achieve Green Belt certification. Each year, several MLDPs go through Six Sigma Black Belt training.
Training is available on other core processes at DuPont that are fundamental to general management. DuPont Integrated Business Management (DIBM) is one such example. Additionally, MLDP hosts seminars to introduce participants to other functions and best practices across the company. Examples include engaging business leaders to understand cash management techniques and strategies.
The program office receives requests from various businesses and corporate to lead special high profile projects which MLDP participants can engage in. Although projects are not mandatory, program participants choose to take a leading role in them due to the opportunity and challenge that they provide.
In addition, participants are given ample opportunities to shape the evolution of the MLDP itself. For instance, MLDP participants have developed the program marketing strategy and collaterals, including this website.
Program participants are leaders, both inside and outside the company. As a result, they are required to engage in an annual community service activity. Program participants have done a variety of projects from helping improve marketing for a local Community Theatre, to helping our Work/Life Group internally develop a marketing plan. The activity does not have to be marketing oriented, but it does need to have a positive impact on the community.
"The MLDP provides businesses with a new source of high potential, highly motivated marketing talent to address our most challenging business and market opportunities. In addition, the program facilitates a smooth transition into our corporate environment by providing candidates an instant network, access and interaction with senior business leadership, and a high impact business project."
Barry M. Granger, Vice President and General Manager of Government Marketing and Government Affairs
