Title: Managing for Knowledge (dossier 05) and Business Planning (dossier 08), both from the Universal Manager series.
Author: Scitech Educational in partnership with NEBS Management
Publisher: Scitech Educational Ltd
Price: £24.99
Format: A4 paperback
The Universal Manager series is a dynamic, flexible learning resource for 21st century managers. Designed to NEBS Management and S/NVQ standards, it contains a wealth of material to support both the professional development of experienced middle managers, and the formative development of management students and recent graduates. There are 15 dossiers in the series, each one providing an authoritative, clear sighted and occasionally provocative survey of a hot management topic.
Managing For Knowledge examines the benefits offered by strategically focussed management systems. It also examines knowledge acquisition and distribution techniques; how organisational culture can hinder or contribute to effective knowledge management; ways of protecting the knowledge asset; and likely future developments in this evolving discipline.
Business Planning clarifies distinctions between strategic and business planning, and surveys various purposes and techniques for both processes. It also discusses methods for analysing the business environment, measuring performance, and involving staff in business and strategic planning. A valuable and comprehensive set of tools and templates to support a practical business planning process are included.
The format of both dossiers is clearly laid out and makes for an easy, well indexed read with the occasional illustration bringing a bit of humour. Terms and jargon are clearly explained and regular activity and pause to reflect sections encourage the reader to consolidate their learning by applying it to their own business.
Overall these dossiers provide both a quick read for a manager needing to update knowledge on a subject or a handy reference book to keep within reach for instant answers.
Managing for Knowledge and Business Planning were reviewed by Simon Shaw, Training Manager, Nestle UK Ltd.
See an earlier review of another dossier in the series, Delivering Successful Projects.
