Businesses 'slapped' into shape

Leadership is the most talked about but least practiced discipline in business, a group of 250 business leaders from the private and public sector were told yesterday.

During the Belfast lecture from management consultant Stan Slap, styled 'A Short, Sharp, Slap', delegates were warned of the dangers of "the seven deadly sins of management" and guided through some popular myths of management.

Commenting on Mr Slap's visit, Management and Leadership Network's (MLN) Chief Executive, Bill Manson, said: “We were delighted to bring Stan Slap to Belfast to share his views on modern management and to challenge management and leadership practice in Northern Ireland.

"The MLN is raising the awareness of the need for management, leadership skills and an associated entrepreneurial spirit in Northern Ireland. Stan Slap brought a fresh approach to motivate managers to lead from their personal values, whilst not being afraid to make and learn from mistakes along the way. The benefits of improving employee commitment and the bottom line speak for themselves.

"These events prove that these issues are important to businesses in Northern Ireland for practicing managers to take time out to develop their management and leadership capabilities.

"Now it is the task of MLN and those who were at the event to address and challenge those organisations which are as yet still unconvinced of the need for management and leadership excellence."

The event, which was held at the Ramada Hotel, was organised by the recently launched MLN in conjunction with Beamish Associates and sponsored by Invest NI.

(MB)