KN Academy: cultivating excellence to shape the future

Kuehne + Nagel is a global leader in the transportation and logistics industry, organized around four activities: logistics, road transport, air freight and ocean freight. With 10,000 employees, 16,000 customers and 146 sites and agencies in France, the Group has a clear ambition: to become the trusted partner for a supply chain committed to a sustainable future. To achieve this, talent development is a priority. "Our transformation strategy requires leaders capable of driving this vision forward. We are identifying high-potential talent that we need to train to build the Kuehne+Nagel of tomorrow," explains Nathalie Barrière, Director of Skills Development.
With this in mind, the company turned to emlyon business school to design a tailor-made training program, specifically adapted to its challenges, culture and ambitions. Unlike standardized executive training, a customized program allows us to create a unique pedagogical path in close collaboration with the company, integrating its strategic objectives and specificities.

The program lasts a full year and participants are rigorously selected. “This selectivity is essential," underlines Nathalie Barrière. “Each class of twelve 'academics' is put together by our career management department after an in-depth analysis of profiles following annual interviews and panel sessions. We look for profiles that combine skills, potential, humility and the ability to embody the Group's values”.

Structured around fifteen modules and a total of 200 hours of training, the curriculum is partly certifiable. “It is attached to our Executive Master in General Management, explains Estelle Crouzet-Bruyère, project manager for customized training at emlyon business school. This training offers a 360° vision of the organization, which is essential for future leaders”.

In order to guarantee the excellence of the program, emlyon business school mobilizes top-level contributors: professors-researchers from the school, notably in the fields of leadership or finance, specialized freelancers and certified professional coaches, who ensure regular monitoring of the team's cohesion. This diversity of expertise, orchestrated by a dedicated pedagogical coordinator, ensures the coherence of the program and the learning process.

"In finance, for example, we use a serious game that simulates business issues directly related to their activities. The goal is to make each learning experience concrete," explains Nathalie Barrière.

The program's pedagogical philosophy aligns with the "Grand 8" approach, emphasizing concrete behaviors applicable to the actual work environment. Its impact is quantifiable, integrating four key change dynamics: vision, acquiring targeted behaviors, practical action, and individual and collective reflection.

The executive committee's involvement is another key success factor, as it increases learner commitment and the transformative impact of the training. “It's a remarkable investment on the part of Comex, emphasizes Nathalie Barrière. Guillaume Péard, our CEO for France and the Maghreb, is personally involved, and each member of the Executive Committee shares their expertise during special times with the academics." This high-level mentoring translates into personalized support: each participant is followed by a member of the Kuehne+Nagel executive committee. "These mentors facilitate access to strategic contacts within the organization and provide a real operational bridge," she adds.

The training program creates a strong sense of togetherness among the participants. “The team spirit is remarkable, says Nathalie Barrière. Participants follow each other for a year, creating lasting bonds. We see this in the company: they maintain active communication, which is essential for our future leaders. It even facilitates mobility between business units”. This collaborative dynamic is reinforced by the way the program is organized: the twelve participants are divided into cohorts that deliberately mix employees from different departments, encouraging cross-functional exchanges and mutual understanding of each other's challenges.

The program's effectiveness is evident in its consistently high Net Promoter Score (NPS), which exceeds 9/10, as noted by Estelle Crouzet-Bruyère. Notably, 70% of participants change jobs during or after the course, as highlighted by Nathalie Barrière. The program's impact extends to talent retention, contributing to the long-term success of our organization. By engaging participants closely in the company's transformation, the KN Academy fosters a comprehensive understanding of strategic issues, enabling them to apply their learnings through company projects. This approach strengthens their sense of belonging and long-term commitment.

The program's selective nature fosters a sense of pride among its participants, who in turn become dedicated ambassadors for the KN Academy. These "academics" embody the program's values, positively impacting the company culture.

The impact on the employee advocacy strategy is also significant. “When budgetary considerations arose, there was never any question of discontinuing the KN Academy program, confides Nathalie Barrière. This underscores the program's return on investment and the strong commitment of Comex to this initiative, thereby reinforcing our employer brand both internally and externally."

The KN Academy exemplifies the advantages of a customized program developed in collaboration with emlyon business school and an international group that prioritizes talent development as a core element of its strategy. Beyond its proven track record of career progression and retention, this elite training program cultivates a genuine community of leaders, poised to spearhead Kuehne+Nagel's transformation towards a sustainable future.