The Sanitarium Food Company has been in operation for over 100 years as a fast moving consumer goods company specialising in the manufacturing of food and beverage products. The company’s food and beverage business operates across Australia and New Zealand, employing approximately 1,200 people.

For the past five years Sanitarium had run a very successful leadership program but found themselves at saturation point – all of their leaders had been through the program and were leaving the company in need of a new direction. As a result, the Human Resource Department was tasked with consulting with staff to develop a new L & D program that coincided with Sanitarium’s company values of care, courage, humility, integrity and passion. Additionally, the company wanted the program to be accessible for employees at all levels and stages of their professional journey.

The result was the development of the “Living, Learning and Leading by Values” program. Beginning at day one of employment, a suite of programs that encompass on the job training, off site training, workshops, retreats, eLearning, peer learning, coaching, 360 feedback and webinars are delivered to employees. The approach involves a focus on ensuring that company values are more than just words on the wall and that employees not only understand them but can action them. Crucially, these programs are designed to fit to individuals from operational staff members to senior leaders. By providing a wide range of initiatives the program strives to be accessible, flexible and relevant to specific employee needs.

Following the implementation of their “Living, Learning and Leading by Values” program, Sanitarium have reported a transformative effect on their workplace culture that’s been authenticated by positive employee feedback. The company does, however, want to continue to improve the system and is working closely with its staff to ensure it can continue to drive innovation in its professional development practices.