The Brandon Hall Award for “Best Competencies and Skill Development” celebrates programmes that effectively build crucial skills and deliver tangible benefits to individuals and organisations. It recognises practical and well-designed initiatives aligned with business objectives.
Cegos recently won a silver award in this category, in partnership with Ocean Winds.
The challenge: developing communication skills
Ocean Winds (OW) is an international organisation, founded in 2020, and dedicated to offshore wind energy. With operations spanning Europe, the United States, Asia, Brazil, and Australia, the company’s employees work in multicultural and geographically dispersed teams. In such an environment, communication is not only a required professional competence but also a strategic asset.
Recognising this, OW’s People and Learning team prioritised the creation of a programme that would build communication as a core organisational skill.
The goal was to establish a shared approach that would enable collaboration, enhance relationships, and contribute directly to business performance.
The solution: exploring language behaviours
Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) is an approach that explores how language, behaviour, and thought patterns can be aligned to achieve more effective communication and positive outcomes. It was chosen as the foundation because it offers practical tools to improve clarity, empathy, and influence in communication.
What became the ‘Communicating with NLP’ programme was co-designed by OW and Cegos using the Cegos 4REAL methodology (Real, Efficient, Adapted Learning). This emphasises practical application, sustainable learning, and alignment with workplace challenges.
The design process included focus groups, workshops, and structured interviews with employees across functional areas. This ensured the programme addressed authentic professional challenges, from managing conflict to leading negotiations.
Program design: A 3-years blended journey
The structure of the programme consists of three modules delivered over three years, providing a progressive learning path:
- Module 01 – Understanding my Communication: Foundations of NLP, sensorial modes, calibration, synchronisation, and basic negotiation tools.
- Module 02 – Making my Communication Effective: Advanced techniques, including metaprograms, sub-modalities, and strategies for handling conflict conversations and feedback.
- Module 03 – Making my Communication Impactful: Application of NLP tools to public speaking and presentations, combined with techniques for conflict resolution and impactful feedback.
Each module combines face-to-face workshops, e-learning content via the Cegos Learning Hub, and peer coaching. The learning journey follows the principle of spaced learning, ensuring long-term retention and workplace application.
Delivery: bilingual deployment across 4 countries
The programme was launched in 2023 and rolled out across Spain, the United Kingdom, Poland, and the United States. Training was delivered bilingually, in Spanish and English, to ensure inclusivity and adoption.
Facilitators acted as guides rather than instructors, emphasising discovery and practice over theory. Approximately 80-85% of each session was dedicated to experiential learning, including roleplays, business case simulations, and peer feedback.
Logistically, the programme required a significant commitment. Employees travelled across countries to attend two-day in-person sessions, reflecting OW’s belief in the importance of communication skills as a long-term investment.
The People Director and L&D Manager personally championed the initiative, embedding it in the company’s annual learning plan.
Importantly, the programme’s growth was largely organic, driven by strong word-of-mouth recommendations from participants rather than a formal marketing campaign.
Measurable benefits: NPS and informal advocacy
The impact of the programme has been substantial. By 2024, fifteen training sessions had been delivered across two modules, reaching 225 employees. The 2025 - 2026 rollout includes seventeen additional sessions, extending the reach of Modules 02 and 03.
Key results include:
- Net Promoter Score (NPS): 75 across all cohorts, an excellent result in L&D standards.
- Satisfaction levels: 8.56 out of 10 overall satisfaction.
- Expectation management: 69% reported the training exceeded expectations; 31% stated expectations were met.
- Relevance to job roles: 96% considered the training valuable and relevant to their position.
- Goal achievement: 4.63 out of 5 participants agreed that programme objectives were fully achieved.
Beyond metrics, informal advocacy has been one of the strongest indicators of success. Participants consistently recommend the programme to colleagues, reinforcing its credibility and generating sustained interest.
One participant summarised the impact succinctly: “The session has made me aware of areas I can improve and develop. I am thrilled and will certainly apply them in my daily activities.”
The programme has also contributed to OW’s wider organisational culture. By providing employees with tools and a shared methodology for communication, the programme contributes to strengthening collaboration, breaking down silos,
The ‘Communicating with NLP’ programme has gone beyond addressing a skills gap. It has contributed to promote a cultural foundation that supports growth, cohesion, and competitiveness in the offshore wind industry.
