Management capability

The Government is going to divert 20 million from State development agencies to fund business networks that will focus on developing management skills, standards and industry-geared training.

The Enterprise Strategy Group report points out that a survey last year of senior expatriate managers working in this country found that Irish managers' weak international skills and lack of strategy and customer focus was putting the country's continued success at risk.

At the same time, it points out that organisations like the Irish Management Institute (IMI) have found that the country's business leaders themselves recognise they need training in areas like managing change, and the development and implementation of strategies for their businesses.

The group recommends the development of business networks that can identify their members' management needs, and in turn act as focal points for the delivery of the necessary training.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms Harney, has pledged that the Government will divert €20 million from State agencies to these networks to allow them to do this effectively. The group calls on businesses themselves to recognise the importance of management, and take responsibility for developing it.

The report also recommends that development agencies place an increased emphasis on the boards and management capabilities of the companies that they are supporting.