Management courses

[AustrianAndyGull]

Has anybody done any management courses or maybe is involved in teaching or delivering these?

Basically i'm looking for a short course just to learn about the basics of management and assertiveness / communication skills etc but i'm struggling to find one that doesn't involve my workplace. For example, most courses I've looked at require me to be in a job which uses management skills already and the courses sort of dovetail the job. I'm not in a job like this but want to learn more about management and test myself a bit more and pehaps get a recognised qualification.

Can anyone help?

[AustrianAndyGull]

Obviously it would be a clearly insane, maverick employer that would take ME on in a management capacity but we've all got to start somewhere. You don't have to be perfect to be brilliant.

[Behind-the-Gulls]

Guess you're looking for an "introduction to management" type course,Andy.
The management training industry offers all sorts of courses and they can be very expensive.
As you're looking to find and pay for such a course yourself the best option might be to try an Adult Education course on the subject-these are often held in schools or FE colleges in the evening,and are relatively cheap.
Hopefully such courses are available in your area?

[MidDevon]

Behind-the-Gulls makes a very valid point about costs.

There is a whole industry of companies rolling out courses such as "train the trainer" , "diversity training" and "time management"

All these courses are essentially "taken off the shelf" and rebranded to each company with flashy PowerPoint’s, flash suits delivered by great speakers....who have never really managed....that's why they are now training.

My advice to anyone thinking on how they can achieve in the workplace and start to have the confidence to drive others (that is what it is down to) is to first start by reading the only good management book ever written. It is called "Eat That Frog" ...price less than £6 on ebay tonight. It quite simply changed the way I managed my work and life and helped me tremendously in setting up our own business. It is best if one of your friends at work or your partner can read the book at the same time so you have someone to talk to about the book and ensure you make some changes to how you go about your everyday life.

[Behind-the-Gulls]

Other books on management I would recommend are:
How To Win Friends and Influence People-Dale Carnegie
One Minute Manager-Spencer Johnson and Kenneth Blanchard
In Search of Excellence- Tom Peters
Also anything by Peter F Drucker.

[AustrianAndyGull]

Thanks all for all the info but i'm not entirely sure management is for me. I think i'd be a superb manager because I treat everyone the same, i'm honest and morally upright and if something is happening that is morally wrong but i'm benefitting from it then i'll say it's wrong but that's not how it works nowadays is it? I wouldn't last two minutes in a job by being honest and moral. No, best stick to working with the animals, they're easier to work out.

[MidDevon]

Treating everyone the same is exactly the opposite of what you should do !

Treating people fairly is important, of course, but as a manager you invest your time where it has most effect.

Investing in those people who have the most potential is what you do.

Managing those out of the business that either do not add value or do not add enough value either through capability or conduct is a sad necessity in today's business world.

And yes animals are easier....

[AustrianAndyGull]

Cheers Mid Devon, valid points there.