The updated, second edition of Self-managed Development Pocketbook has been updated and a second edition will be available in June 2016. The pocketbook gives an overview of the increasingly important process of self-managed development (SMD) in which individuals take responsibility for, and control of, their own development. The book looks at the reasons why SMD is growing in popularity and how it fits into the other organisational processes. Attention is then turned to the individual’s role: raising self-awareness (using techniques such as skills audits, performance reviews and SWOT), reviewing self-perceptions (to increase awareness of new possibilities) and, finally, action planning (setting objectives and measuring commitment and motivation). Apart from being of value to individuals seeking to develop new skills and capabilities, the Self-managed Development Pocketbook will also give HR professionals a clear understanding of SMD and how it fits within their strategic plans.

The Self-managed Development Pocketbook gives an overview of the increasingly important process of self-managed development (SMD), in which individuals take responsibility for, and control of, their own development. The book looks at the reasons why SMD is growing in popularity and how it fits into the other organisational processes. Attention is then turned to the individual's role: raising self-awareness (using techniques such as skills audits, performance reviews and SWOT), reviewing self-perceptions (to increase awareness of new possibilities) and, finally, action planning (setting objectives and measuring commitment and motivation).

Get off to a flying start as a new manager, with the help of this time-saving ebook. Each chapter can be read in five minutes or less (ideal for reading in your coffee break or on the train) yet the tips you'll pick up can benefit you throughout your whole career. The short chapters are structured so that you can read them in any order, dipping into your chosen topic as the need arises. Topics include: assertiveness, career development, decision making, handling difficult conversations, interviewing (and being interviewed), learning, listening, managing meetings, negotiating, NLP, organising yourself, persuading, presenting, rapport, report writing, self-confidence, stress management, time management and transactional analysis. Each comes with an exercise to help you put your newly-gained know-how into action straight away. Now you don't need to search through numerous lengthy management books trying to unearth the gems that will actually be of use in your everyday work - Mike Clayton has done that hard work for you, distilling some of the most helpful business models and presenting you with the essence: clear, succinct summaries of the techniques that will serve you best. Quick Tips For Managers will be helpful to experienced managers too, as a concise refresher.

As the director of the Creating Working Relationships Programme at Ashridge, one of Europe's top 20 business schools, Fiona Dent knows how important it is for individuals to work together effectively. In her latest pocketbook (she has also written our popular title on leadership) she describes how to create, develop and sustain constructive working relationships. 'Whatever your level in the organisation, profession, role or nationality', she says, 'much of your success will depend on how you interact with those around you.' The book describes how to create, build and sustain relationships. It identifies the key features that make a relationship work (eg openness and honesty, empathy, respect and trust) and those that don't (eg jealousy, arrogance, conflict of interest and misunderstanding). The focus is on helping readers recognise their own approaches to relationships at work, thereby enabling them to identify and understand the differences in other people's approaches and modify their own behaviour accordingly. This modification, combined with good interpersonal and communication skills, lies at the heart of relationship-building.

Written for leaders at all levels - strategic, organisational and team level - the Leadership Pocketbook explains how to inspire, influence, deal with change and achieve objectives. Illustrated throughout, the book adopts a practical approach, setting out the principles of leadership, the role of the leader, the skills required for effective leadership and the key challenges facing leaders in today's business environment. This 2nd edition sees the addition of a new section about leaders and social responsibility. "Contemporary business leaders must be aware of the major forces shaping society today and understand how their organisations need to respond and contribute to these challenges", author Fiona Dent writes. She is Director of Faculty Development at Ashridge where she is also Programme Director for the Influencing Strategies and Skills Programme. A focus of the book, described by the author as 'perhaps the most necessary skill for any leader', is self-awareness - to know yourself, to realise what your leadership strengths and weaknesses are and when you must continue to develop. "With admirable clarity, Fiona Dent distils the salient leadership issues and skills. Every potential leader and every leader with potential should find a place for this book in their pocket or bag." Philip Hodgson, Director of Leadership Programmes, Ashridge "A practical, easy to use guide for all levels of leadership. It covers a broad range of topics in sufficient detail to make it usable both for fresh learning and for reference." Richard Nicholson, Management Development Manager, Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd