Management training courses vary considerably. Whilst the topics which need to be covered do not really change, the names for the methods and tools used in analysing situations do.

One of the tools you may come across is known as the PEST analysis. PEST is, of course, an acronym. PEST stands for political, economic, social and technological. It is used as a way of describing external challenges that an organisation may face. Specifically, it deals with macro-environmental factors. The analysis gives organisations a framework to understand these factors, particularly when undertaking market research or strategic analysis.

Political factors include tax policy, employment law, trade regulations, wage legislation and political stability.

Economic factors would include items such as inflation rates, economic growth, rates of exchange, the level of inflation and the general economic systems which operate in those locations where the organisation operates.

Social factors include changes and shifts in cultural values, any relevant changes in the level of population, development trends, demographics, leisure pursuits, education and health.

Technological factors include the impact of key technological advancements, and research and development issues, opportunities for automation and technological incentives.

Knowledge of these issues allows a company to decide whether government policy changes would be beneficial.

One of the basics which come up again and again on management training, whatever subject is being studied, is the need for analysis. In order to analyse situations effectively, management gurus come up with specialist language and frameworks.

One of the most common of these is known as SWOT Analysis. As with all management training, an acronym seems to be requisite and SWOT is one. It stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. This analysis can be applied to a business as a whole or to specific projects.

Strengths are those features of the project or organisation which are beneficial and helpful in achieving the desired goals or objectives.

Weaknesses are the opposite side and refer to the shortcomings of an organisation or project which are going to make it difficult to achieve the goals or objectives.

Opportunities are those external issues or conditions which may be helpful towards the overall aims.

Finally, threats are the opposite of this and again refer to external relevant conditions which may impact negatively on the overall aims.

The whole point of SWOT analysis, in common with all other types of analysis is that it is not an end in itself. It merely provides a framework for discussion.

An actor will tell you that they have two instruments for their work; their body and their voice. Whilst this is over simplistic, it does mean that they take care of those instruments and a valuable lesson can be learned from their attitudes.

Management training often overlooks how important the work/life balance is and the importance of caring for yourself.

First of all your physical health is paramount. Don’t put off trips to the doctor because you are worried about being away from the office for a couple of hours. Whilst it is not necessary to spend hours each week at the gym it is important to eat and sleep properly so that the body’s immune system can do its job. Make sure you can switch off after a day at the office and relax effectively.

Equally important is your mental wellbeing. Stress causes physical as well as mental problems and there are all sorts of ways of addressing this. One of the best is having someone to talk to. This does not have to be a therapist. Often, just having a friend or partner is sufficient. This does mean that you should consider spending time on your social or family life in the evenings and at weekends.

More and more management training courses are addressing the subject of recruitment. It is being increasingly realised that selecting staff is not the province of HR. It needs to be driven, wherever possible, by the department where the staff will be working.

Inexperienced managers often have an over reliance on their instincts. Calling the first part of the recruitment process an informal interview is designed to make the applicant feel at ease. It is not an invitation to the person running the meeting to disregard professional standards.

Here are some of the areas which recruiters need to pay attention to.
If you are interviewing a number of people for the same post, it is only fair that you ask them all the same questions. This can be very simply ensured by listing the questions before you start. This also helps you avoid the embarrassing situation of running out of things to discuss. It does not limit you and you are still able to drill down into any points that specifically arise.

You need to avoid making judgements on personal criteria such as how much you like someone. You should also avoid making snap decisions about someone as it will influence your attitude to them for the rest of the meeting.

Management training should always include modules on negotiation and how to influence and persuade. Actually, the ideal situation is that anyone who has risen to the rank of manager will have these skills in abundance. Indeed, they may well have used them to get where they are. However, some graduates go straight from college to senior positions, responsible for many staff. These managers may not have charisma as a natural asset and will not have had the life experience to learn in the normal way.

There is no question that any manager needs good negotiation skills. Indeed, when you consider that time is literally money, it has never been more important to achieve agreement with colleagues and subordinates as promptly as possible.

One of the concepts regularly discussed in this context is that of influence. It covers a very wide range of subjects but boils down to the effect on each individual within a negotiation which the manager has. This will be affected by a manager’s history with that person and other things which may be going on. Clearly agendas, both hidden and visible, are paramount.

Persuasion is another concept which is useful as a way of dissecting a negotiation.