Do we need to educate managers?
© Copyright Frank D. Kanu 2000-2008
A recent study has shown that companies spend more money on toilet paper then on the further education of managers. Yes—toilet paper indeed!
A great many companies do not have any plan when and how to educate their managers and potential leaders. Yet all companies agree that their employees are the biggest asset they have. But just looking at the companies is too easy: There are many offers to train employees, but just a few concentrate on leadership issues. And most cover the theory only.
Pressure from fast developing markets—India and China—increase the need for better education; especially for management. But this education needs to be less theoretical and more practical. There is the need to change the way we teach economics; our understanding of economics. And the same goes for the training of our managers and leaders. Not just the markets get more global; buyers too.
Way too often young managers have received an education without practical experience. The title alone does not make a person an authority or an expert; nor does the knowledge of all the theories. In theory you know how to change the tire of your car—but did you ever do it? And if you had to—was it as easy as you thought? Was their great room for improvement?
This practice is as unsatisfying for the growth of a company as the often used strategy to hire the top talent, put them at their desk, miss to provide inside knowledge and still expect outstanding results within a fortnight.
Nobody thinks it is right to give you your driver’s license after taking the theoretical exam. You have to take a practical test. New managers on the other hand…
Technorati (All Links are external): better education concentrate economics educate educate managers educational seminar fortnight further education global buyers great room last time leadership issues leadership training managers practical experience recent study spend more money theoretical exam toilet paper train employees business leadership management
A recent study has shown that companies spend more money on toilet paper then on the further education of managers. Yes—toilet paper indeed!
A great many companies do not have any plan when and how to educate their managers and potential leaders. Yet all companies agree that their employees are the biggest asset they have. But just looking at the companies is too easy: There are many offers to train employees, but just a few concentrate on leadership issues. And most cover the theory only.
Pressure from fast developing markets—India and China—increase the need for better education; especially for management. But this education needs to be less theoretical and more practical. There is the need to change the way we teach economics; our understanding of economics. And the same goes for the training of our managers and leaders. Not just the markets get more global; buyers too.
Way too often young managers have received an education without practical experience. The title alone does not make a person an authority or an expert; nor does the knowledge of all the theories. In theory you know how to change the tire of your car—but did you ever do it? And if you had to—was it as easy as you thought? Was their great room for improvement?
This practice is as unsatisfying for the growth of a company as the often used strategy to hire the top talent, put them at their desk, miss to provide inside knowledge and still expect outstanding results within a fortnight.
Nobody thinks it is right to give you your driver’s license after taking the theoretical exam. You have to take a practical test. New managers on the other hand…
What is your company’s budget for leadership training?
When was the last time your company send a manager to an educational seminar?
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better education concentrate economics educate educate managers educational seminar fortnight further education global buyers great room last time leadership issues leadership training managers practical experience recent study spend more money theoretical exam toilet paper train employeesTechnorati (All Links are external): better education concentrate economics educate educate managers educational seminar fortnight further education global buyers great room last time leadership issues leadership training managers practical experience recent study spend more money theoretical exam toilet paper train employees business leadership management
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09:12 on Thursday, May 18th, 2006