Essential Management Skills

Business Management

An introduction to the most essential business skills and the art of effective and efficient management.

Laolinkacademy
14
3h
0
(0)

An introduction to the most essential business skills and the art of effective and efficient management.

What Will You Learn?

Basics of leadership & team development
Strategic decision making & negotiation skills
Essentials of project and time management

Course Curriculum

1. Introduction
Welcome to Essential Management Skills! Whether you are an executive in a large company, an entrepreneur running a small business, a manager in a non-profit organization, or a graduate student – essential management skills are essential for success in any field. With increased globalization, virtual teams, and ever-evolving technology, managers must be able to adapt quickly to changing conditions and stay abreast of the latest trends and strategies. To be a successful manager, you need to have a solid foundation of management skills. These skills will determine how well you can lead and motivate your team, build relationships, and achieve desired business goals. It can be tempting to only focus on the areas of management that you’re already comfortable with. However, this course will help you to improve your skills in all areas of management, which is important for your long-term success and professional growth. You’ll learn how to plan and organize work, delegate tasks, and communicate. You’ll also learn how to troubleshoot problems and make decisions that are in the best interests of you and your organization. What are the main functions of managers? Managers are essential for any organization. They play a dominant role in the success of any corporate business, but non-profit and governmental institutions need employees with strong management skills as well. Managers typically manage the activities of a group of people, such as a department or division, in order to achieve an established goal. The main functions of managers are planning, organizing, leading, and controlling an organization (or a part of it). These functions are often referred to as the P-O-L-C framework: 1. Planning Planning is the process of setting the direction for the organization. It involves analyzing the environment and setting goals for the company. It also involves developing strategies for achieving those goals and determining how resources should be allocated to reach them. 2. Organizing Organizing is the process of establishing the structure of the organization, including its departments and roles. This involves allocating tasks, assigning resources, and setting up systems and procedures needed for efficient and effective operations. 3. Leading Leading is about motivating and inspiring employees to perform their best, as well as building relationships with customers and stakeholders. It requires developing and communicating a clear vision and strategy, setting performance standards, and providing direction and guidance. 4. Controlling Finally, controlling is the process of implementing the plan and monitoring its performance. This includes performing audits, analyzing performance data, and taking corrective action when needed. It ensures that the organization is on track to meet its goals and objectives. The primary functions of managers are planning, organizing, leading, and controlling.

2. Leadership
Leadership skills allow people to effectively manage and motivate others. Good leaders enable individuals to build strong teams and drive organizational success. Effective leadership can provide direction, enhance productivity, and foster a positive work environment.

Leaders and Managers
Emotional Intelligence
Leadership Styles
Management By Objectives

3. Team Development
Team development is the process of building a successful team. It involves creating an environment of trust, collaboration, and effective communication, as well as fostering individual growth. Team development should be seen as an ongoing process that is continuously monitored and nurtured.

Types of Teams
Stages of Team Development
Conflict Resolution

4. Decision-Making
Decision making is a critical skill that plays a vital role in both personal and professional life. Making informed decisions can help individuals and organizations achieve their objectives, avoid potential risks, and maximize opportunities for growth and success.

Decision Making Process
Psychological Barriers
Hidden Traps
Tool: Decision Matrix

5. Project Management
This chapter provides a practical approach to what many consider a complex process: the management of projects. In this chapter, we will define project management and simplify the processes required to manage a project successfully from beginning to end.

Project Definition
Phase 1: Initiation
Phase 2: Planning
Phase 3: Execution
Phase 4: Closure

6. Negotiation
Advanced negotiation skills allow leaders and managers to resolve conflicts, reach agreements, and make decisions that are in the best interest of their organization. Leaders who are effective negotiators are able to build consensus, maintain relationships and create win-win solutions.

Hard vs. Soft Bargaining
Win-Win Negotiation
Negotiation Strategies
BATNA

7. Change Management
Change management is the process of planning, implementing, and monitoring changes in an organization in a structured and controlled manner. The goal of change management is to help organizations successfully adapt to internal or external changes, such as new processes, systems, policies, or strategies.

Lewin: Three Phases Change Model
Kotter: 8-Step Change Model
Bridges: Transition Model
Change Skills

8. Business Ethics
Business ethics is a system of ethical principles applied in the business world. It provides a framework for managers to identify and resolve ethical issues in the workplace. Additionally, business ethics help managers to create a corporate culture that values integrity and fairness.

Ethical Principles
Corporate Social Responsibility
Triple Bottom Line

9. Time Management
Time is one of the most precious resources we have. Time management is the process of organizing and prioritizing tasks to make the most efficient use of time. Effective time management strategies can help individuals be more productive, reduce stress, and achieve their goals. Good time management enables you to work smarter – not harder – so that you get more done in less time. It involves setting goals, planning ahead, and being mindful of how time is spent. There are a number of different time management techniques that you can use to help you make the most of your time. Here we want to highlight ten useful time management strategies. Think of this list as a Time Management Toolbox. Try not to implement all strategies at once. See them as single tools, pick the ones you can apply the easiest in your situation, and test them: 1. Create a to-do list. A to-do list is a simple but effective way to manage time more efficiently. By listing out all the tasks that need to be completed and prioritizing them based on importance and urgency, individuals can focus their time and energy on completing critical tasks first. 2. Use a planner. A planner or calendar is a useful tool for managing time and staying organized. By scheduling appointments, meetings, and deadlines in advance, individuals can plan ahead and be mindful of their time commitments. 3. Set goals. Establishing specific and measurable goals is an important part of time management. By setting clear and reachable goals, individuals can stay focused and motivated, and prioritize tasks that align with their objectives. 4. Prioritize tasks. Prioritizing tasks based on importance and urgency is crucial for effective time management. By focusing on critical tasks first, individuals can ensure that they meet deadlines and achieve their objectives. Try to avoid multitasking. 5. Break tasks into smaller parts. Large tasks can be overwhelming, but breaking them down into smaller, more manageable tasks can make them easier to accomplish. This strategy can help reduce stress and ensure that individuals stay on track to complete their work. 6. Eliminate distractions. Distractions such as social media, email notifications, and phone calls can be a major drain on productivity. By removing or minimizing these distractions, individuals can focus on completing critical work. 7. Use time blocking. Allocating specific times for certain tasks is an effective time management strategy. By dedicating time for tasks such as email or phone calls, individuals can manage their time more efficiently and reduce the likelihood of getting sidetracked. 8. Take breaks. Taking regular breaks is essential for managing time and reducing stress. By taking short breaks throughout the day, individuals can recharge and refocus, which can help increase productivity. 9. Delegate tasks. Delegating tasks to others is an important time management strategy. By entrusting certain tasks to others, individuals can free up time to focus on more important tasks or projects. 10. Learn to say no. Learning to say no to requests or activities that do not align with goals or priorities is an important part of effective time management. By saying no to non-essential tasks, individuals can focus on the most important work and reduce stress. Time management is a skill that needs to be practiced. It is a process, and it may take some trial and error to find the strategies that work best for you. The more you do it, the easier it will become. Just like any other habit, it takes time and effort to develop good time management skills. But once you do, it will make a big difference in your life. Time management is a skill that can be learned which enables people to use their time more efficiently. The benefits of time management are numerous and can have a profound impact on a person’s life. It can lead to increased productivity, improved quality of work, and less stress.

10. Case Studies & Conclusion
To complete this course and highlight its core concepts, we will take a closer look at the leadership approaches of Steve Jobs at Apple and Bill Gates at Microsoft. After that, we will discuss how the University of Oxford promotes sustainability. Finally, we will summarize the key takeaways of the course.

Case Study: Microsoft & Apple
Case Study: University of Oxford
Summary

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A course by

Laolinkacademy

In today’s business world, management and leadership skills are essential for long-term success. This course teaches you how to manage organisations and empower people. You will learn various leadership models, discover different leadership styles and understand how teams develop.
You will also learn the basics of project management, change management and time management. Furthermore, this course will teach you how to make better decisions and how to become a superior, more effective negotiator.
You will also receive short case studies of Apple, Microsoft and the University of Oxford that summarize the key takeaways of this course.