UCI cinema managers are stars of the show : Employee turnover drops dramatically following training program

Purpose – Illustrates how a training initiative for general and regional managers at cinema chain UCI has helped to reduce its staff‐turnover rate from 120 per cent a year to one of the lowest in the industry, saving around £500,000 in recruitment and training costs. Design/methodology/approach – Presents information gathered from an interview with the UCI human‐resources manager. Describes the design, delivery and outcomes of the training initiative. Findings – Demonstrates that the training provided an unrivalled opportunity for general managers to spend quality time together, learning from each other as well as from the trainer. Satisfaction rating for the courses was 100 percent. Some 87 percent of participants stated that the training had exceeded their expectations, and 70 percent commented that the training had been made available to them just in time for their development needs. More than 80 percent of general managers said they had “become different” in their approach to managing others, while 45 percent said that other UCI employees had commented on a change in their behavior. Practical implications – Highlights the factors that contributed to the success of the training initiative, and the positive outcomes on company and individual performance. Originality/value – Contains much to interest human‐resource managers in the leisure industry who are contemplating the introduction of a management‐development initiative.