IN TOUCH : Diary date for Management Focus

The Government looks set to support joint private and public sector initiative to encourage managers and business owners to develop their management capability.
The project, called Management Focus, is the brainchild of the Business Capability Partnership set up under Ministry of Economic Development funding allocated in last year’s budget.
The idea, promoted initially by the New Zealand Institute of Management, involves major sector groups such as Business New Zealand, the Employers and Manufacturers Association, economic development agencies, chambers of commerce, educators such as institutes of technology and universities, and government departments such as NZ Trade & Enterprise and the Department of Labour.
The cross-sectoral promotion of management excellence will create an “enduring brand” under which range of activities will be developed and promoted to create week-long Management Focus programme every year, starting in July this year.
“The initiative aims to inspire and encourage managers and business owners to consider how developing their management capability will benefit their enterprises,” says NZIM national chief executive David Chapman. “We want to develop an ongoing strategy for cele-brating management achievements and excellence and for communicating practical ideas and resources to managers and business owners. We want to encourage an attitude of building on success.”
A steering group has been set up to develop and identify range of activities including major sector promotions, practical publications, presentations by successful home-grown business leaders, and joint private and public sector presentations.
“We want this to become an outstanding annual event that really lives up to its name and delivers sustained programme of Management Focus activities,” says Chapman.