| When thinking about the benefits of investing into | | | | a positive business and professional image. |
| the development of managers within a business, it | | | | Businesses that are seen to invest in staff |
| is necessary to first consider the answers to two | | | | development will not only find it easier to recruit |
| further questions: | | | | quality personnel, but will also enjoy much lower |
| 1) What is the business or organization striving to | | | | rates of staff turnover. |
| achieve? | | | | However, it is important to recognize that |
| 2) How do the managers need to think and act | | | | individual development is not just about "going on |
| for the business to achieve these goals? | | | | a course". While training courses will enable a |
| Management development can only help to | | | | manager to address a specific skills gap, there are |
| improve the performance of a business if the | | | | other alternatives to consider - for example: |
| development activities are directed in the right | | | | Secondments into other roles within other |
| way and are aimed at achieving a measurable | | | | teams or departments to improve business |
| change. For example, the outcomes required from | | | | understanding and team focus. |
| the development activities may be around: | | | | Coaching. |
| Developing managers to have more impact | | | | Mentoring |
| and influence with the intention of leading to | | | | Project work |
| increasing sales revenue. | | | | Research |
| Improving the performance management | | | | Networking |
| skills of managers to in turn improve the | | | | Reading |
| productivity of staff to increase capacity and / or | | | | This list is by no means exhaustive! |
| reduce costs. | | | | Whatever the reason for investing in |
| It is also good to remember that there are a | | | | management development, the impact on |
| range of less tangible business benefits associated | | | | individual performance and the impact on the |
| with management development activities - for | | | | company's bottom line should always both be |
| example, investment in training and development | | | | kept in mind, measured and regularly evaluated to |
| is often seen by employees as a sign of being | | | | ensure that the investment is worthwhile and that |
| valued by the company, as well helping to create | | | | the full benefits have been gained. |