Managing For Dummies: Skill Training For Managers

Management by the "seat of the pants" that used to suffice in the pa and ma world of business will no long suffice in today’s high-tech business climate. Modern executives need a great deal of training in the use of modern management techniques in order to efficiently utilize their workforces. Management coaching programs are one option to provide them with the necessary skills. Another choice is one-on-one business coaching using a professional coach. Other managers still prefer to use books and online resources for self-training.

One of the most common sources of self-instruction is the "Dummies" series of how to books. You can get them on every topic from calculus to cooking and now there is one for managers. Managing for Dummies is the new go to book for new managers trying to learn the ropes. Seasoned managers can hone their skills and find tips on how to troubleshoot problems. Managing for Dummies offers easy to understand, practical information for all levels of the managerial ladder.

"Managing for Dummies" makes no assumptions about what you already know, but also avoids a condescending tone. The witty writing makes up for your embarrassment at not knowing a lot of the basics of managing employees, and you’ve got a well-written, funny, step-by-step description of what it takes to be a good manager.

One key point of this book is that managers need to learn to delegate. A manager should be managing a hand-picked staff instead of trying to do everything himself. To make sure the staff works well, managers need to learn how and who to hire.

Teamwork is the wave of the future as companies are discovering that more and more specific problems as well as the successful implementation of new or changed policies are handled better by team effort. Skill areas that are covered are conflict resolution, employee coaching, team development, and joint effort.

The book "Managing for Dummies" places a lot of emphasis on the importance of good communication skills. Without communicating effectively, the knowledge or innovative thinking of any manager won’t amount to much. You can’t motivate without communicating, and good communicators get great results in terms of performance from their employees.

Not only do managers need to be able to adapt to sudden, rapid changes and critical deadlines, but they need to be able to help the people that they supervise adapt as well. This book also details ways in which to effectively deal with office politics, and the importance of developing a corporate ethical standard.

Another skill that is addressed by this book that is critically important in managing, but often difficult to achieve or uncomfortable, is the proper evaluation of both individual employees and the company as a whole. The book gives proper perspective on constructive performance criticism, proper rewarding of performance, as well as weeding out those who no longer meet the needs and expectations of the company. As with all of the ’Dummies’ line of books, this one gives fresh perspective on the basics of this topic.

Modern executives have recognized that management by the "seat of the pants" method is rarely enough in the current business world. Nearly everyone is familiar with the "Dummies" instruction book series, covering topics as diverse as golf and trigonometry. Now, "managing for dummies" has been added to this useful product line. Regardless of whether you are a rookie manager in need of business coaching, or a seasoned veteran looking to sharpen your trouble shooting through management coaching, this book has useful and well-organized information to help you excel. As with all of the ’Dummies’ line of books, this one gives fresh perspective on the basics of this topic.

About the Author

G. Purdy recently published some new articles on management coaching. He's an established public speaker and writer. More info, resources and great products on management coaching at executive coaching.