Challenge of Management

Challenge of Management

A Challenge of Management Conference is a one and a half to two and half day event for students from the senior end of schools and colleges, most of whom will go on to higher education or professional training. In our experience this event works best if it is organised for a whole year group irrespective of individuals' future career intentions.

Each conference has the following aims:

To demonstrate the nature and complexity of problem-solving in industry and commerce.
To show that successful management requires that the skills of different people be used effectively within a team.
To show that the managerial skills of communication. negotiation, leadership, presentation of ideas and time-management are essential for success in future life.
To bring home to young people the excitement and satisfaction of a career in management.

Each conference also demonstrates:

That society depends on the wealth created by industry and commerce.
That industry and commerce need high calibre people if they are to continue to make an important contribution to economic prosperity.
The only thing that is certain in present day working life is that change is part of it and that we all must be able to handle change successfully.

These aims are achieved using a proven programme methodology that has evolved and been developed over the last 20 years.

Each conference is a mixture of the high pressure and the light-hearted. It is great fun - but deadly serious! Teams of delegates typically take part in a testing business simulation, typically "BISCUITS" or "IceCream"; a design, marketing and manufacturing exercise; case studies (as used in business schools) and role play exercises. The whole event is workshop based.

Throughout the conference the delegates work in groups of 8, each with "business adviser" who is there as another team member to help but not instruct. All advisers have first hand knowledge of their own enterprises and are drawn from a wide range of jobs in diverse local businesses. Typically they would have between them sales, marketing, production, finance, engineering, personnel and other functional skills.

Delegates and advisers alike are surprised how quickly and how well they perform.

An adviser can be of ANY age. He or she may only have a few months experience or be near retirement. They must, however, be enthusiastic about what they do. Each adviser must also enjoy the company of bright young people and be prepared to stimulate, and be stimulated by, them. The only other requirement is that they are available for the whole conference.

What is gained from a conference?

Delegates will be able to:

Develop their ability to perform effectively in a small group.
Sharpen up their presentation skills.
Improve their personal skills of communication, time-management, managing people, problem solving, decision-making, initiative and negotiation.
Work closely with Advisers from outside the school environment.
Gain some appreciation of the rate of change in both society and in business.

Advisers will be able to:

Hone their personal management skills.
Network with other managers over a two-day period.
Experience the excitement and enjoyment of working with bright young people.
Add value to the educational process in a realistic and worthwhile way.

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