New Opportunities
After thorough research into various course providers, the CEO chose the competence house Aider.
– Many operate with fixed course packages, whereas we wanted a high degree of customization. That flexibility and expertise was with Nina, who could adapt a module to be part of a series of courses, says Hove.
He is referring to Nina Stokke Tronsrud, Senior Manager at Aider. She had the pleasure of leading the course titled “Value-Creating Board Work” for NOVA’s employees across three rounds.
– The gender balance requirement was perhaps the starting point, but Geir was clear that this was about developing the employees. And I believe we have succeeded. The response has certainly been overwhelmingly positive, with participants saying the course has given them both new insight and new opportunities, says Stokke Tronsrud.
– Naturally, it was important for us to find a partner we resonate with. Aider shares our values, and we know and respect each other. There really was no other option.
Aiming to Be the Best Workplace in the World
The course leader also noticed that participants were not necessarily aiming for a board role within NOVA Consulting Group, but valued the transferable skills for roles outside the company.
– Many participants hold positions in other organizations, housing associations, or sports clubs, and a typical feedback is that this course makes them more confident in those roles. That’s how we succeed in fostering lasting growth and development. Additionally, there’s an element of employer branding in being an employer that supports you in serving on boards elsewhere, she explains.
For CEO Hove, it comes down to what he calls NOVA’s core principle: creating “the best workplace in the world.”
– We are certainly not there yet, but we won’t get there without listening to our employees, and this will give them an even more qualified voice. It has been amazing to see satisfied employees sharing new knowledge, learning, and understanding. All credit to Nina for an incredibly rewarding program, Hove concludes.
– Next time, I think I’ll participate myself.
