Information About Management Developmen Training?
Q: Information about Management Developmen Training?
Based on the assumption that there is always SWK in UKRM, I ask the
following question.
I think I've reached that stage in my career when I would like to consider
moving up the ladder in the medium term. I think my technical skills for my
profession are well up to par but I would say that my management skills
could do with a bit of work. So my question to UKRM is what is the best way
of improving or gaining these skills? My thoughts are:
Some form of academic course like a MBA;
Reading a book(s);
Further on the job experience;
Some combination of the above.
A bit of background. I have some supervisory and management experience but I
think I need to concentrate on improving the following: business planning;
financial planning, control and reporting; sales and marketing; recruitment
and personnel management; legal and insurance issues.
A:- Are you absolutely sure that you want to move into management? I seen
them mate, cunts the lot of them. Do you really want to be one of them?
Why not consider a sideways move instead to an existing but related
technology, perhaps a newer one or one which requires skills you have
which can be adapted to a new area.
- What, and change the charter on which ukrm operates?
I did half an Open University MB
A: Couldn't be bothered to continue after the heart op. The intro, B800, gives a good idea of what it's all about. You're welcome to borrow the course books if you're passing Coventry. - I am graded as supposedly "senior management" but to be honest it doesn't feel like it most of the time. It's just a slightly different sort of hassle but usually with more downside if things go wrong. You gain the advantage of having people working for you to delegate to but all the added responsibility of their welfare and development as well as ensuring they do a good job to keep the department running smoothly. Some people like sort of challenge - I'm not sure I do but there are the occasional bright moments if I am being fair. Note that my comments are somewhat tainted by current feelings about my job and my notorious lack of self confidence / awareness of my skill set. While people tell me I have the skill set to progress on to what we call General Manager level (one grade below Director) I really, really do not want the stress or hassle. I am more likely to ask to be downgraded or to go and do something completely different. Apologies for being more negative than positive but I think it is essential that you really work out why you want to make the move. I had the offer of this many years ago but it came to nought - can't really remember why. There are some people who I think are suited to this and can use the thought processes and awareness that an MBA gives to really develop their management skills and also to go on to great things. There are also those who emerge as strange computer like beings who are fantastic at the theory but crap at explaining it, applying it or otherwise acting like a normal human being who can relate to their staff and colleagues. On balance I don't think I have been disadvantaged by not having a MB
A: I am sure others will have different opinions. In my experience there is rarely any harm in reading books but they don't necessarily have to be MBA course books. There are many sources of inspiration available and many lessons to be learnt. Additionally it is helpful to read about current affairs, developments in your own and related industries and to deliberately read articles or opinion from those parties (political or otherwise) you disagree with. You then develop a good sense of reason and argument. A lot of my management development has been "on the job" and from bosses who had the wisdom and trust to give me challenging things to do and then let me get on with them. I made mistakes and learnt - I've been lucky to be involved in ground breaking projects and to have worked for interesting bosses e.g. Richard Bowker now head of the Strategic Rail Authority. The other side of "on the job" is to either ask to be placed on any relevant courses (e.g. recruitment or HR stuff) or request to be seconded out of your current department to work in another discipline