Talent Assessment Case Studies

Polaris Case Study: Elevating Talent as a Competitive Business Advantage

As Polaris has rapidly grown, its senior leaders credit part of its business success to its strategic approach to HR and talent management, including MDA’s expertise in assessing, identifying, and developing the top-tier talent needed to run a company whose size has more than quadrupled within the past 15 years. Polaris knew its talent management strategy and processes needed to evolve to meet its growing domestic and international business requirements, yet it needed a partner that could go the distance.

Case Study – Polaris Case Study: Elevating Talent as a Competitive Business Advantage (483 KB)

Learn How Otter Tail and Polaris Drive Business Transformation

MDA supports organizations with business transformation by aligning their business and talent strategy and leveraging best practice solutions. Read this Twin Cities Business article to learn how we supported Otter Tail Corporation and Polaris Inc. with this important work, leading to extraordinary growth and success for both organizations. Read the article here.

Polaris Case Study: The Predictive Potential of Assessment

Joe Wollan, Director of Talent Acquisition, Polaris, describes how talent assessment plays a critical role in the success of their business strategy. You’ll walk away with new ideas to strengthen your organization’s assessment strategy, scale assessments cost effectively at lower levels, and leverage the latest in talent analytics.

Case Study – Polaris Case Study: The Predictive Potential of Assessment (351 KB)

C.H. Robinson: Leveraging Assessment to Create a World-Class Leadership Culture

Leading organizations leverage assessment to create a world-class leadership culture. Here C.H. Robinson explains how they created a global leadership strategy designed to identify, develop and retain high-potential employees; create a strong leadership bench; and develop the next generation of diverse leaders who empower teams to deliver exceptional results.

Case Study – C.H. Robinson: Leveraging Assessment to Create a World-Class Leadership Culture (158 KB)

How MDA Leadership helped Sleep Number identify and develop the leaders responsible for its record-breaking results

While several factors have contributed to Sleep Number’s success, the company’s leadership credits in particular an ongoing, decade-long effort to unite employees behind a vision to improve peoples’ lives through personalized—and better—sleep experiences. To get there, Sleep Number, with MDA’s help, needed to identify and develop leaders capable of achieving transformative cultural and business results. Learn how they did it.

Predicting Success: How ARS Identified High-Performing General Managers to Drive Business Growth

ARS approached MDA Leadership to improve performance consistency and business growth across its geographic footprint based on the leadership capabilities and impact of its General Managers (GMs). By smartly and effectively identifying those most likely (and least likely) to succeed as GMs, ARS is now much better prepared to achieve predictable business success and enjoy a higher likelihood of long-term, sustainable growth. Learn how they did it.

Case Study – Predicting Success: How ARS Identified High-Performing General Managers to Drive Business Growth (773 KB)

How Bench Strength Experience Helped the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation Identify and Develop its Top Talent

Given our inherent barriers for predicting talent success, it’s no wonder many organizations struggle identifying the high potentials they need to strengthen their leadership bench. This case study dives into the dilemma of a perceived lack of leadership bench strength faced by the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation (HBFF). Together, MDA and HBFF landed on piloting MDA’s Bench Strength Experience, a comprehensive, industry-leading assessment and development program designed to give clients critical insight into the depth, breadth, and diversity of their leadership talent—and provide participants with an unmatched learning and development journey.

Case Study – How Bench Strength Experience Helped the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation Identify and Develop its Top Talent (402 KB)

Assessment Becomes Critical Component in High-Growth Organizations

With companies facing a record pace of leader retirements and talent shortages, they need sophisticated assessment-driven strategies to identify top talent and accelerate leader development. Learn how Ecolab and Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. are leveraging assessment to accomplish their ambitious business goals.

Case Study – Assessment Becomes Critical Component in High-Growth Organizations (1603 KB)

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C-suite Selection and Succession: Delivering Leadership Excellence for the Future

MDA Leadership helps CEOs articulate executive leadership needs, identify top talent, and accelerate C-suite transitions.

Senior Executive Blueprinting ™

Succession planning begins at the top. CEOs, in partnership with human resources and their boards, must think carefully about the talent they need for the future in key leadership roles. Similar to CEO Blueprinting™, MDA Leadership helps our clients articulate the executive leadership they will need to successfully navigate emerging business challenges and drive evolving strategies.

C-suite Selection and Succession

Not all C-suite hires and promotions achieve success. We help CEOs select the right executives by bringing an informed, experienced, and objective voice to the table. Based on a CEO’s criteria and an organization’s norms, we assess and analyze executive candidates to provide definitive and well-grounded promotion and hiring recommendations.

C-Suite Transitions

About 60% of executives say they were not prepared for the strategic challenges they faced in their new senior leadership roles.3 MDA Leadership accelerates effective transition into the C-suite. Through a unique discovery process, we help executives gain deep insight into what it will take to be successful given stakeholder expectations, team dynamics, and the nuances of C-suite leadership. Our seasoned coaches guide leaders in designing and executing highly relevant and engaging onboarding plans.

Board Services: Enhancing Board Effectiveness

MDA Leadership helps boards strengthen their governance roles and internal dynamics.

Board Evaluations

Most boards are required to evaluate their own performance on an annual basis—an exercise that can range from “checking the box” to an experience that truly engages board members in the right conversations. Our services include full board evaluations, individual director reviews, peer feedback, chair role transitions, and action planning.

Board and CEO Consultation

Creating strong board and CEO collaboration requires mutual trust and respect. Forging and maintaining productive relationships cannot be left to chance. MDA Leadership provides trusted advisor consultation for CEOs and their boards to foster alignment in critical areas such as decision-making, role clarity, governance, and communication.

CEO Coaching and Trusted Advisor Consultation

Two-thirds of CEOs don’t receive any outside advice on their leadership skills, and yet almost all would be receptive to suggestions from a coach.4 Since a one-size-fits-all playbook for CEOs doesn’t exist, MDA Leadership provides CEO coaching. Whether business performance is hitting the mark or not, even seasoned CEOs benefit from the safe place and counsel we provide to help them evolve their leadership.

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At MDA Leadership, we know there are no one-size-fits-all solutions for every organization. We take the time to get to know your business and your leadership needs and recommend a range of options that are the best fit for your growth goals. Let's see how MDA Leadership can optimize your Talent Strategy for the Long Run®.

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