Human Resource Executive magazine names DDI’s new online frontline leader assessment a top product

Tuesday, October 04, 2011

October 3, 2011—Human Resource Executive® (HRE) magazine recognized Manager Ready as one of the Top HR Products of 2011.  Development Dimensions International (DDI) launched Manager Ready in early 2011 to help organizations identify and develop stronger frontline leaders.  Each year, HRE selects the top 10 new HR and training products based on criteria including innovation, ease-of-use and impact on the HR industry. "Human Resource Executive® has been evaluating HR products and conducting this competition for more than 20 years," explained David Shadovitz, editor-in-chief of Human Resource Executive®.  "Our goal has always been to identify products and services that clearly offer value to the HR community while demonstrating innovation."

An online frontline leader assessment, Manager Ready combines the efficiency of a technology-driven process with insights of live assessors—leading to a realistic participant experience and in-depth insight into leadership capability and performance.  Through this real-world simulation, companies are provided with critical information on how to make decisions about an individuals’ readiness for frontline leadership roles and how they can develop in those roles to be more effective.

Manager Ready provides a day-in-the-life experience of a frontline leader for individuals by using streaming audio and video capabilities. Throughout the computer-based simulation, users respond to open-ended e-mails, video voicemails, planning activities, and problem-solving exercises.

“Frontline leaders are more critical today than ever. They make the day-to-day decisions that make or break the business,” Scott Erker, Senior Vice President of Selection Solutions at DDI said. “We hear more and more that they’re not ready for the job the organizations needs them to do.  Our goal, with this innovation, is to identify the gaps between what skills leaders have—and what skills they need to be successful.”

One element that makes Manager Ready stand out is that questions derived from the simulation allow the users to respond open-endedly rather than choosing from a list of predetermined answers. In doing so, responses more accurately reflect how a frontline leader would react in a real life scenario.  Trained assessors extract the behavior gained from Manager Ready and measure participants for leadership readiness.

“This data has some teeth, which in an organization like ours is hugely important,” said Tim Toterhi, senior director of global organizational design for Quintiles. “Part of the reason we like Manager Ready is that it gives us robust, fact-based data to help enhance the decision-making process for selecting people—either for promotions or for hiring them into the organization.”

About DDI

Founded in 1970, Development Dimensions International, a global human resources consulting firm, helps organizations close the gap between today’s talent capability and future talent needs. DDI’s expertise includes designing and implementing selection systems, and identifying and developing front-line to executive leadership talent. With more than 1,000 associates in 75 offices in 26 countries, the firm advises half of the Fortune 500. For more information about DDI visit http://www.ddiworld.com/aboutddi.