Success Story: BMR’s Training Program

A custom-built solution to hone managerial skills

BMR has been working with Executive Education HEC Montréal for over a decade to develop custom training courses built around the retail chain’s needs. BMR’s Tremplin program was launched in 2022 to help store managers take their skills to the next level. So far, more than 120 people have enrolled in the program, which has yielded some decisive results and brought a renewed sense of purpose and enthusiasm.

The origins of the program

The Tremplin program arose out of a critical need to help upper-level store managers feel more confident in their roles, refresh their skill sets and improve overall organizational performance.

The result was a 6.5-day course combining experiential and theoretical knowledge. Participants were exposed to real-world case studies and hands-on training that could be applied immediately to their daily work.

Why go the custom training route?

“We decided to work with Executive Education HEC Montréal for our custom training needs because of their reputation for delivering high-quality solutions, their academically rigorous approach and their willingness to collaborate on a program that would meet our specific business objectives. This was essential in developing content that is aligned with our organizational realities, our strategic challenges, our corporate culture and our priorities moving forward. The instructors are genuine partners adept at bringing complex theoretical concepts to life using case studies that are relevant to our experience.”

François Grenier, Vice-President, Human Resources and Corporate Responsibility, BMR

Danielle Rheault, BMR’s Chief Organizational Development and Training Officer, explains why custom training was a strategic choice for the company. She also delves into some of the benefits that she has seen for managers and teams alike.

“Because custom training is flexible by design, it can be tweaked as new needs, projects and transformations arise, making it a long-term strategic tool rather than a ‘one and done’ activity. BMR’s practices and vocabulary are worked into the content, and managers are shown tools that have been built for their specific work context and can be put into practice immediately.”

Danielle Rheault, Chief Organizational Development and Training Officer, BMR

Compelling results

Among the outcomes of the Tremplin custom training program, as observed by Grenier:

Sharper managerial skills
Closer alignment between strategy and management practices, and a shared language
Direct impact on team engagement and performance, with managers who have the right tools and the confidence to lead
Asset in terms of next-generation leadership and talent retention, as the program is perceived by participants as a clear investment in their professional development.

The response to the program has been very positive at all levels of the organization, with participants giving high marks to the balanced combination of hands-on and theoretical information.

Satisfied participants share their experiences

The Tremplin program provides participants with an outstanding learning experience, a practical set of tools and the opportunity to share their thoughts and insights with other store managers from across Quebec. This helps to create a dynamic and collaborative community, where people can grow individually and contribute collectively to the organization’s success.

Several participants have shared their feedback about what the Tremplin program has meant to them and their career path:

“The Tremplin program put me in touch with other merchants, let me learn more about what they are facing and gave me some useful tools and professional pointers.”

Zoé Anctil

“The Tremplin was an amazing adventure that helped build my confidence and acquire a set of tools to become a better team leader.”

Pier-Alexandre Caron

“Through the Tremplin program, I worked out how to deal with several routine problems that managers like me encounter every day.”

Frédéric Lahaye

“My Tremplin experience gave me a boost, knowing that we’re all in the same boat and we all just want to ensure the company’s long-term success.”

Carolyne Leclerc

The learning approach and custom content developed specifically for the Tremplin program was instrumental in improving participants’ managerial skills, rallying teams around a shared vision and creating a lasting impact on BMR’s performance.

Conclusion

This productive partnership between Executive Education HEC Montréal and BMR led to the development of a custom program that has met the organization’s goals. Both parties are delighted with the results and are looking forward to building further on what they have accomplished to benefit current and future BMR teams.

Be sure to reach out to us if you would like to explore our custom training solutions and how they can benefit your organization. Together, we can build something from scratch or draw inspiration from one of our many existing programs.

Book an appointment today!