PSA

Platform for self-development

Container handler PSA has a resounding reputation in the Antwerp port area and far beyond. What everyone may not know is that PSA is committed to a distinct and active HR policy. The painted elephants in the reception hall testify to this. They're the result of a teambuilding exercise on group dynamics and creativity.

We have been invited to PSA to talk about 'iGROW’, a powerful platform for self-development. Which this PSA has become the first company to integrate Quintessence tools into their own Sharepoint intranet environment.

iGROW in a nutshell

• Digital platform for competence development • Integration Quintessence Evolutips© tool with PSA’s own Sharepoint intranet system • Users make a Personal Development Plan, targeting learning opportunities and self-understanding • Information, example behaviour and on-the-job development tips

'iGROW is a great example of how we can work locally and still employ the global HR policy from our headquarters in Singapore,’ explains HR manager Sabine Corluy. ‘The development of our people is an important focus. Internationally, there are 8 key competencies around which we organise a lot of training. We wanted to start a trajectory in Antwerp to translate these ‘major’ competencies into easily accessible, bite-sized focus points that can be worked on.’

Putting people to work, in dialogue with each other and their managers

Koen Vansteelant (Sr. Training Officer PSA): ‘Our starting point was the eIDP (Electronic Individual Development Plan). People can use this PSA platform to define how far they have developed certain competencies and what they would still like to work on. But this step – working on your own growth – is not so easy. The big challenge? To translate personal competency goals into practical work instruments, that are preferably available for people at the moment they have time and energy for it.’

PSA asked Quintessence to join them in thinking about a low-threshold approach based on competencies. Sandra Schreyers and Valerie Deweirdt were leading the company in this area. ‘From the very beginning, we felt a strong match between PSA’s values and the way in which we look at personal development at Quintessence: putting people to work, in dialogue with each other and their managers. Furthermore, we could support PSA’s key competencies by the competency wheel we use in our Evolutips© tool.’

Personal growth made accessible

Sabine Corluy: ‘With this, Quintessence really came up with a solution for our problem. They didn’t just have the tools for making extra learning accessible. They also proactively refined and clarified the over-arching key competencies. Their IT service even talked with ours to build an application with which our people would be able to work, but which wouldn't require them to abandon the network.’

‘Today, about 150 managers have access to a digital personal development plan that combines Evolutips from Quintessence with our own eIDP app. The Personal Development Plan from Quintessence gives our staff members the possibility of using their own insight to work with information, tips and plans to strengthen their competencies and share perspectives with colleagues or management. The whole is really accessible thanks to realistic goals, understandable mini-competencies and behavioural advice oriented towards the workplace.’

You can’t force to learn, but you can offer as much opportunity as possible

Koen Vansteelant: ‘We are especially happy that there are now others asking when we will do something like this for them (we are planning this for the future). This interest tells me that the focus on development is not only in our heads, but has also reached the very heart of our company. At the end of the day, you can’t force someone to learn. You can only offer them as much opportunity as possible. And that works a great deal better for us with ‘iGROW’!’