Raymond Blanc's Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons Restaurant and Hotel uses the MAP Assessment tool to train and develop their managers. The training manager introduced MAP Assessment because it provides an objective measure of managerial abilities and identifies areas for development, bringing a global perspective to their training programs. More than 40 of their 52 managers have undergone MAP Assessment, including Raymond Blanc, and it has added credibility and value to the organization's management training.

1. MAP Assessment is on the training menu
at Raymond Blanc’s Restaurant
Master Chef Raymond Blanc is noted for his great eye for
detail and passion for fantastic food and memorable service. He is involved in
every aspect of the Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons Restaurant and Hotel including
the training and development of staff. Ian Donn Training Manager at Le Manoir
explains.
In the past Raymond Blanc’s Oxfordshire establishment had taken a traditional
view of training undertaking management day courses and work-based manage-
ment qualifications. I joined the organisation and found that we were look-
ing for something different which would bring a global perspective that
hadn’t been felt in the hospitality industry before.

2. I had come across an objective management assessment tool called MAP in a previous
role and I felt it had potential to fill the need for something that could bring in global per-
spectives, but still be totally relevant to Le Manoir. Another solid reason for recommending
the introduction of MAP was that I knew it would bring additional validation and
credibility to our training programmes. It also sits comfortably with the other
testing and assessment tools we employ.
High performing managers
MAP Assessment is a management assessment and development tool developed by Dr
Scott Parry following his research into leading organisations such as Ford, Kodak and
AT&T. The key competencies that MAP Assessment is based upon were identified as being
consistently held by high performing managers. MAP Assessment provides an organisa-
tional framework for management development and enables individual development needs
to be identified.
I knew this had created an objective measure of a manager’s abilities as well as giving a
blueprint for development which was something we could really use.
At Le Manoir we employ MAP Assessment as the basis for our development process for all
our existing and potential managers. We do not make a distinction as to
level of manager. Every one of our managers are working or
going to work through MAP Assessment as it is an integral part
of our ‘Valuing Managers’ programme along with psychometric testing and
more traditional delivery.
We have had around 44 managers go through MAP Assessment including the
General and Deputy General Manager, which is good for an organisation of
52 managers. Raymond Blanc has also been through MAP As-
sessment and found the process useful and supports it completely.

3. Credibility for training programmes
Personally, I find MAP Assessment an interesting insight and benchmark into what candi-
dates know about management. Although it is a snap shot, I find it very accurate and a
good predictor of current knowledge. It has added great value to the organi-
sation, not only from the information on the individual it gives, but the credibility it has
brought to our training.
“We can now benchmark our managers not only
against each other, but also against a national and
international record of how thousands of other
managers perform their key competencies. Putting
our managers through the assessment again also
shows what impact our development programme
is having on them and how best to move forward.
Being able to identify an individual’s development
and training needs has also been particularly useful in prioritising their training needs and
effectively using our training budget.”
Overall, MAP Assessment has been a valuable and consistent tool that
managers have continuously benchmarked themselves against. As such it has inspired
people to push their own development and take a real interest in being better managers. I
think the use of MAP Assessment has in part been instrumental in de-
veloping some of the best management skills in hospitality at this
time.
To discover how your organisation can also benefit from
incorporating MAP Assessment into its Management
Development programmes contact:
Sonia Kaur
The Peplow Group
Gray’s Hotel & Conference Centre
Telford TF3 4ND
01952 425085 sonia@peplow.org.uk