Introduction

In all organisations there is a need from time to time to re-evaluate activities, processes and strategies to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. This may be required as a result of market or technology changes, reorganisation, or before the introduction of new IT systems.

Often there is benefit to be gained from agreeing documented management systems covering quality, environment and health and safety. Over the last 20 years many organisations have drastically reduced their staffing levels with much greater output from a third or a quarter the original workforce. These changes have usually been achieved by the use of new technology, new ideas and the elimination of middle management jobs.

This has meant enormous changes in work practices and new styles of management. Managers have often needed help to identify where they need to go and how to get there. With the need to change in order to keep up not getting any less, learning how things have been done elsewhere by someone who knows how to do it can be very valuable.

Managers need to know about techniques and ideas which are completely new to the company. Books and training courses may not always explain the practicalities of how to make it work in a different situation. Transfer of best practice requires best practice to make it work.