Learn to be an Expert Manager
Ordinary managers study ordinary courses and learn to manage in ordinary situations.
Exceptional managers study things that are not found in most other courses. They learn to think outside of the box and find solutions that are a little more innovative and different. They sometimes make more mistakes; because they try things that others might not even try; but we learn from our mistakes, and ultimately, the best managers come grow from education and experience which is beyond the norm.
This course is experiential learning (beyond the norm); uses problem based learning projects (not found in most mainstream courses), and encourages lateral thinking, engagement with industry and networking skills. This course is designed to help you toward being more than an "ordinary" manager.
COURSE CONTENT
Core Modules
The following modules are normally compulsory:
- Management
- Business Studies
- Workplace Health and Safety
- Leadership
- Instructional Skills
- Marketing Foundations
- Financial Management
- Introduction to Psychology
- Personnel Management
- Project Management
- Computer Servicing I
- Conservation and Environmental Management
- Sales Management
- Research Project I
- Workplace Project I
- Industry Conference / Seminars
Elective Modules
A further five modules can be selected from any of the modules which are offered by this school with a course code beginning in either V or B. The selection must be proposed by the student and approved by an academic officer. They can be from any discipline or combination of disciplines.
Students are normally encouraged to delay selecting and studying any of these modules until they have completed at least half of the compulsory modules.
LEARN TO KNOW YOUR OWN STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
A manager does not necessarily need to be an expert in everything a firm does, but they should have sufficient knowledge to either be able to help or know where to refer a staff member to. If they do not know, they should also be willing to help the staff member and find out. There is nothing wrong with saying – “Good question, I don’t know the answer to that, but give me a few minutes and I’ll see what I can find out.” This is far better and shows you are more interested in helping than saying – “Good question, I’m sorry I can’t help - I don’t know the answer”.
Staff expect managers to be able to help them with their problems. At the most basic level, most staff will be aware that managers are paid more because they know more, so will expect them to be able to help with problems they cannot solve on their own.
A bad manager will not necessarily bother to help their staff or learn the business. A good manager will always try to help and find out solutions. If they do not help –
- Staff will stop asking them for help.
- Staff will start to think of them as a waste of time.
- They will complain about them.
- They will go to other staff or managers instead for help.
- These other staff and managers will become disgruntled that the manager is not helping the staff.
- Morale in the firm could be affected.
- There is also the issue of who is responsible. If a staff member goes to a manager for help and does not get it then they try to solve a problem on their own and make a mistake, who is responsible? The staff member for trying or the manager for not helping them?
So a good manager should always show an interest in what their staff are doing, learn more about their jobs and know who to ask for help. With well-targeted professional development and succession planning many of these problems could be overcome in time by ensuring the middle level manager does fully understand the various roles and activities in the company and that they have the skills and knowledge then to perform much more effectively. This in turn would boost staff morale and productivity overall.
Don't be Disorganised
Bad management can also come from being disorganised. Disorganisation tends to be contagious. If the boss is disorganised, pretty soon the subordinates become increasingly disorganised too. Disorganised people lack focus. They do not see things that need doing; but they may well see a lot of other things that do not need doing. They can very easily become busy doing what they do not need to do - so much so that they don’t have time left to do the things that really need to be done.
A disorganised manager can cause confusion in a business.
