Wolverine Worldwide has been named one of the “Best Companies for Leaders,” according to an independent study conducted by Chief Executive magazine and management consulting firm Chally Group Worldwide. The results of the study, published in the January 2012 edition of Chief Executive, ranked Wolverine Worldwide 27th among 40 other global companies, several of which are members of the Fortune 50.
Blake W. Krueger, Wolverine Worldwide Chairman and CEO stated, “It is an honor to receive this prestigious recognition. It has always been our philosophy that great leaders are only as good as the team that surrounds them. Here at Wolverine Worldwide, we have made significant strides in creating a workplace environment that is conducive to leadership development. We firmly believe that recruiting, developing and retaining the very best talent has been the bedrock of our success and the great things that have been accomplished on behalf of our portfolio of 12 lifestyle brands in more than 190 countries around the world.”
This year marks the sixth time this study has been conducted. The ranking is widely regarded as a benchmark for leadership development and talent management and is based on independent research of approximately 1,000 firms globally.
Criteria against which companies are evaluated include the quality of leadership development processes; the depth of the leadership pipeline as measured by the percentage of senior management positions filled by internal candidates; and the level of involvement in leadership development by the CEO. From a financial perspective, the companies on this list are also notable for their achievements in generating significant increases in company market value and shareholder returns. Additionally, a company's ranking is affected by its reputation among its peers as a source for well-rounded talent.
Wolverine Worldwide, long a leader and innovator in global brand development is proud to now be recognized for its excellence in organizational development. The Company operates with the mindset that best-in-class organizations create an environment of operational clarity, encourage professional development, drive accountability and recognize successful leaders. Wolverine Worldwide and the other companies recognized as “Leaders” know that current and future leaders require focused development in relationship building, influencing, adaptability, and interpersonal and collaboration skills to help ensure success in today's workplace and global business arena.
The company's portfolio of highly recognized brands includes: Bates, Chaco, Cushe, Hush Puppies, HYTEST, Merrell, Sebago Soft Style and Wolverine. The Company also is the footwear licensee of popular brands including CAT, Harley-Davidson and Patagonia.
