Leadership & Management
Leadership and Management
The survival of many businesses is threatened by the current economic climate. Short-term action to cut training and development budgets can blunt your competitive edge. Recent research shows that companies that do not invest in training are two and a half times more likely to fail than those that do.
Start at the top with the Leadership and Management Programme.
Owner managers and directors are undoubtedly going to be tested over the next months and years. The programme will help to equip you or a member of your senior management team, with the skills necessary to become a more effective leader.
Organisations in the private, public, voluntary and third sectors employing between five and 999 staff are eligible. The programme supports the purchase of training or development opportunities for one of your senior management team.
The first £500 of training is free. In addition, if you contribute up to £500 it can be matched with up to a further £500.
Tailor-made personal development
An independent Business Link Adviser will help you to diagnose skills needs and put together a Personal Development Plan (PDP). The managers can go on any course or training programme, provided it meets the skills needs and is documented in the PDP. Training can be qualification or non-qualification based and includes coaching and mentoring.
Your adviser will offer guidance on how to consolidate existing skills and fast track personal development.
A lack of leadership skills, particularly among small and medium-sized organisations, is a major issue. One estimate (Ros Taylor Group) suggests that the cost to the UK economy is in excess of £6 billion a year. This is compounded by the fact that the UK trails behind its international counterparts when it comes to investing in managers - we currently spend £1,400 per person on management training, considerably less than any other country in Europe. Yet over half of CBI employers cite improving management and leadership skills as the most significant factor contributing to competitiveness. Leadership training is a very broad remit and senior managers could benefit from looking for topics that fit their current and future needs to ensure the survival and potential growth of the organisation. These might include:
• developing vision and strategy;
• change management;
• motivating others;
• communications and relationships;
• team building;
• developing leadership qualities;
• managing in crisis situations;
• reviewing and improving performance;
• business start-ups and new ventures;
• financial and risk management.
Third sector organisations can now have extra help for leadership and management training, ensuring they get the best performance from staff during challenging economic times.
Where do I get more information?
Call 0845 00 66 888 to talk to a Business Link Adviser.
Monday to Friday 8.00am - 8.00pm. Saturday, Sunday & Bank Holidays 8.00am - 2.00pm.
(Closed 25th, 26th Dec & 1st Jan)
www.businesslink.gov.uk/northwest