30th May 2008, 01:49 PM
I very much agree with hurting-back (2315 post) but I wouldn't totally pooh-pooh all or any 'management' introductory courses. The point that the huge majority of businesses, whether professional or trade, manage perfectly well with no formal management training, or any realization that they are actually 'doing management' is very valid.
Doing a management course will not necessarily make you a good, or a better manager, and not doing one will not necessarily make you a bad one. There are plenty of good managers who haven't done a course and plenty of bad ones who have. There is merit though in an introductory course setting out some of the basics of tax, employment law, marketing, contract law, the dreaded business plans, VAT, even (I am sad to say) how to write formal letters and documents. If I was in a position to set up on my own I would certainly wish to do something of the sort.
Incidentally, architects do get something of the sort in their 'Professional Practice' which is the third and final part of the course, done part-time and necessary before qualification and use of the title Architect.
Doing a management course will not necessarily make you a good, or a better manager, and not doing one will not necessarily make you a bad one. There are plenty of good managers who haven't done a course and plenty of bad ones who have. There is merit though in an introductory course setting out some of the basics of tax, employment law, marketing, contract law, the dreaded business plans, VAT, even (I am sad to say) how to write formal letters and documents. If I was in a position to set up on my own I would certainly wish to do something of the sort.
Incidentally, architects do get something of the sort in their 'Professional Practice' which is the third and final part of the course, done part-time and necessary before qualification and use of the title Architect.