The Universal Manager integrates traditional learning material with the latest on-line sources of professional development. The Universal Manager comprises: a complete set of dossiers on management topics a bank of generic assignments on CD-ROM and this dedicated website to support learning.

The Universal Manager dossiers include many features which will aid study:

Learning Profile

Glossaries
Fully indexed
Clear navigation
Full referencing to published material and free content on the internet
Carefully structured content including activities, full commentary on activities and reflective questions

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CD - Management Assignments (UMCD01) - BUY HERE
A bank of management assignments in both HTML and PDF formats is available for networking and/or adaptation. Assignments cover all aspects of the 15 dossiers and include: the assignment aim, accreditation references to Level 4 S/NVQs (including personal competencies) and the NEBS Management Diploma in Management, a narrative introduction to the subject matter, assignment tasks, hard copy and internet references. Also suitable for other level 4 and 5 programmes.

Risk Management (UMDP01) - BUY HERE
Dealing with risk has become a key management task in both private and public sector organizations. Risk Management surveys the diverse categories of risk now identified (including financial, environmental, health and safety and project risk) and examines many of the techniques used to quantify risk. Using a variety of case studies, the dossier also presents some practical processes that can be applied to the comprehensive analysis and management of risk.

Planning and Controlling Projects (UMDP03) - BUY HERE
This dossier focuses on the ‘hard skills’ for a manager to plan and control projects effectively. Its detailed coverage includes planning and scheduling, contract management, purchasing, monitoring, control and evaluation.

The Learning Organization (UMDP04) - BUY HERE
2+2=5 in the learning organization, where collective experience is systematically captured and shared. Yet, as this dossier contends, few organizations currently possess the systems, the culture and the commitment to harness and extend collective learning in pursuit of strategic goals. The Learning Organization is a comprehensive guide to key developments in learning theory (such as double-loop learning and emotional intelligence) and contains descriptions of various practical techniques for developing organizational capability.

Managing for Knowledge (UMDP05) - BUY HERE
How do organizations capitalize on their knowledge asset? This dossier looks at the benefits offered by strategically focused knowledge management systems. It also examines knowledge acquisition and distribution techniques; how organizational culture can hinder or contribute to effective knowledge management; ways of protecting the knowledge asset; and likely future developments in this evolving discipline.

Obtaining and Retaining Customers (UMDP06) - BUY HERE
 Customer power is steadily driving up quality and service in just about every industry. At the same time, organizations are becoming more sophisticated in the ways they profile, communicate with and deliver to the customer. Using case study examples, this dossier examines up to the minute techniques in market analysis, product and service placement and establishing fruitful dialogue with customers. It looks at innovations in the way organizations are extending their ‘offers’ and explores how trends in globalization and communications technology are re-inventing the supplier-customer relationship.

Human Resource Planning (UMDP07) - BUY HERE
While many top managers claim that ‘people are our most important asset’, few organizations commit the same energy to effective people deployment as they do to financial control. Human Resource Planning gives an insight into the many practical ways organizations can maximize the return on their people investment. Taking in workforce planning, job analysis, recruitment, selection and reward systems, this dossier is an authoritative survey of current best practice in managing the human resource.

Business Planning (UMDP08) - BUY HERE
This dossier 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.

Managing Quality (UMDP10) - BUY HERE
This dossier summarizes the historical development of quality theory and practice and examines quality planning techniques. It highlights the issue of obtaining and maintaining organization-wide commitment to quality standards and reviews seven current quality models. Effective quality control techniques including auditing are explored, together with a look at the impact that quality management can have on organizations.

Managing Harmoniously (UMDP13) - BUY HERE
This dossier looks at some of the most difficult parts of the manager’s job: handling conflict, responding to poor performance, implementing disciplinary and grievance procedures. As well as exploring the consequences of mismanagement or negligence in these situations, we examine techniques for preventing and retrieving breakdown in the workplace.

21st Century Communication (UMDP14) - BUY HERE
The speed, range and quality of organizational communications have been revolutionized by dramatic increases in technological capability. And the revolution isn’t over. How can organizations keep up with pace of change, ensuring that they reach the widest possible audience, quicker than the competition and with the right messages? 21st Century Communication puts technology in context: surveying the bewildering array of available systems, tools and formats, and emphasizing the importance of high quality human input to communication processes. If you want to know about the utility of the World Wide Web, or how digital technology will shape the future, this dossier is for you. At the same time, those interested in traditional, interpersonal communication processes will also find much of value.

Managing for Sustainability (UMDP15) BUY HERE
 At the beginning of the 21st century, the sustainability agenda has arrived at a point beyond the political, intergovernmental talking shop stage.  It is already affecting the work of many managers, and for the rest, it will be a challenge in the very near future. What people mean by sustainability varies widely and this presents organisations with the challenge of being clear about definition and measurement. The other challenge for organisations is transparency – otherwise sustainability can be whatever you want. Today, it is accepted that there are three facets to corporate sustainability – economic, environmental and social.  In addition, there are international standards emerging that will show an organisation’s approach to sustainability for what it is. These subjects are explored in this dossier in detail illustrated by a range of examples.

Managing Health and Safety (UMDP16) BUY HERE
Aimed at directors and managers, as well as professionals in this field, this dossier examines the principles and practices of effective health and safety management. Coverage includes legislation, monitoring and risk assessment, communication and training, and how leading organizations are integrating health and safety into mainstream business management.

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