Explore our case study series, showcasing real-world learning and development solutions, impact, and insights from our work with clients.

Case Study 1: Developing a Global Leadership Pipeline During a Period of Rapid Growth

Harvest partnered with a multinational organisation operating across the environmental services and circular economy sector following a period of significant growth, acquisition activity and international expansion. With operations spanning multiple countries and a growing need for leadership succession, the organisation sought to accelerate the development of high-potential talent, strengthen leadership capability and create greater alignment across its global leadership population.

Working closely with senior stakeholders, Harvest designed and delivered a bespoke Leadership Academy as part of the organisation’s wider culture and talent strategy. The programme combined leadership diagnostics, executive coaching, facilitated leadership development, executive sponsorship, Action Learning and business impact projects over a nine-month blended journey. Participants were selected from across the organisation’s international operations and represented the next generation of leaders identified as critical to future organisational success.

Over three cohorts, the Academy supported the development of 44 high-potential leaders from more than 15 countries and business units. Participants worked on strategic business challenges, strengthened their leadership capability, expanded their organisational networks and developed greater confidence leading across boundaries, functions and cultures. The programme also generated Talent Readiness insights to support succession planning and leadership pipeline decisions, helping the organisation take a more structured and evidence-based approach to future leadership development.

Beyond individual development, the programme helped establish a shared leadership language and leadership expectations across a geographically dispersed organisation. It strengthened cross-functional collaboration, increased visibility of emerging talent and supported the organisation’s ambition to build a more connected, future-ready leadership community. The success of the initiative subsequently led to an expanded partnership encompassing executive team development, management capability building and wider organisational effectiveness programmes.

Case Study 2: Technical Writing Skills

Harvest recently partnered with a leading Irish health insurer following the centralisation of its Learning & Development function.
While the team had deep technical expertise, approaches to learning design and delivery varied across the organisation.
Together, we designed a practical development journey focused on technical writing, learning design and delivery skills. Through co-design, skills practice, workplace application and peer feedback, participants developed a more consistent approach to creating and delivering technical training.
The result was stronger technical writing capability, greater confidence in delivery, a shared framework for learning design, and a more consistent learner experience across the organisation. Many thanks to Tony Hayes for designing and facilitating the programme.

Case Study 3: Building Leadership Capability in the Agri-Food Sector

Since 2021, Harvest has partnered with a leading Irish agri-food organisation to design and deliver an accredited management development programme aimed at strengthening leadership capability and developing future managers.
The blended learning journey combines psychometric assessment, interactive masterclasses, one-to-one coaching, action learning, personal development planning and workplace application.
Topics include self-awareness, communication, stakeholder management, leading through uncertainty, and motivating and inspiring others.
Now in its fifth year, the programme has evolved from a business unit initiative into a broader management development offering within the organisation’s leadership academy.
Participants complete personal development plans, work on real business challenges, and present their learning and achievements to senior stakeholders as part of the graduation process. The programme continues to support managers in building confidence, applying learning in practice and developing the skills needed to lead effectively in a changing environment.

Case Study 4: Establishing a Skills-Based Organisation

In partnership with the Learning & Development Institute (L&DI), Harvest designed and delivers “Establishing a Skills-Based Organisation”, an innovative CPD programme that helps HR, L&D and Talent professionals respond to one of the most significant shifts shaping the future of work.

Launched in 2024, the programme has now been delivered across 13 cohorts, supporting more than 105 HR, L&D and Talent professionals from organisations spanning the public, private and corporate sectors.

Combining research, thought leadership, practical case studies and Harvest’s own Skills-Based Organisation Roadmap, the programme helps participants understand not only why organisations are adopting a skills-based approach, but how to implement it successfully within their own organisations.

Participant feedback has been consistently positive, with one attendee describing the programme as “fresh and innovative”, while another commented, “Nicola is an expert on the subject matter and made the content easy to follow and understand.” Others highlighted the practical nature of the workshop and the immediate value of taking new ideas and approaches back into their organisations.

The programme has also led to a number of organisations engaging Harvest to support the design and implementation of skills-based approaches tailored to their own strategic priorities, helping translate learning into practical organisational change.

Case Study 5: Identifying High-Potential Leaders Through an Assessment & Development Centre

A rapidly growing organisation approached Harvest to design an Assessment & Development Centre that would identify high-potential leaders and strengthen succession planning as the business continued to expand. The organisation wanted a robust, objective approach that distinguished leadership potential from current performance and provided meaningful developmental feedback.

Working closely with senior stakeholders, Harvest designed a bespoke Assessment & Development Centre underpinned by our Leadership Potential Model, assessing participants across Intention, Leadership Capability and Operational Capability. Using tailored simulations, strategic case studies, group exercises and behavioural observation, participants were evaluated against the leadership skills and behaviours required for future leadership success.

The result was a rigorous and engaging development experience that provided clear insight into leadership potential, informed succession planning, and equipped participants with practical feedback and individual development priorities to support their future growth.

Many thanks to Julie Ryan, Dr Kevin Jennings and Eamonn Eaton for their contribution to the design and development of this programme.

If any of these case studies spark ideas for your own organisation, get in touch with our team of experts – they’re always happy to explore what’s possible together.
Hello@harvest.ie / 353 1 497 4622