The Challenge of Management

Wednesday 4th July to Friday 6th July 2012

Through this event we are aiming: 

• To demonstrate the nature and complexity of problem-solving in industry and commerce.
• To show that successful management requires that the skills of different people be used effectively within a team.
• To show that the managerial key skills of communication, negotiation, leadership, presentation of ideas and time-management are essential for success in future life.
• To help kick start the development of these skills.
• To have an enjoyable and rewarding time

How will you be working during the event?
You will be working in groups of 8 or 9 on a series of team-based hands-on activities and tasks. To help you in this every group will have the services of a "business adviser" who is there as an extra team member to help you succeed but not to instruct. All advisers have first hand knowledge of their own enterprises and are drawn from a wide range of jobs in diverse local businesses.Most of all, however, they will be bringing with them experience and enthusiasm in equal quantities.
 

What will you be doing during the Challenge of Management?
The event is a mixture of the high pressure and the light-hearted. It is great fun - but deadly serious!

Activities that you will be taking part in are:

• What is a Manager? - Your ideas of  what management is all about
• Newspaper Bridge - Can you win the competition to design a new bridge for flood stricken Cumbria?
• Don't Panic! - Time Management - Can you decide what REALLY needs to be done?
• Sark Sponsorship - Can you convince the "Bank of Sark" to sponsor your club or society?
• Bric-a-Brac - A frenetic marketing, design and production exercise. Possibly the best team activity ever. "Blue Peter with knobs on"
• The Brilliant Biscuit Baker - Can you achieve the "Win-Win" in negotiation?
• Ideas Trade Fair - Can you sell YOUR idea? Can you be entrepreneurial in the recession? Can you convince the "buyers" at the Trade Fair? Click here for more information on the trade fair.
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• BISCUITS - Throughout the event each group will be running a small biscuit baking company, competing to manufacture and sell your biscuits to various retail outlets in England, Ireland and Belgium. For more information on this important part of the event please click here.

What can you gain from it? 
You will be able to:

• Develop your ability to perform effectively in a small group.
• Sharpen up your presentation skills.
• Improve your personal skills of communication, time-management, managing people, problem solving, decision-making, initiative and negotiation.
• Work closely with Advisers from outside the school environment.
• Gain some appreciation of the rate of change in both society and in business.