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News Release from: Chartered Management Institute
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 01 November 2007
Management pressures damage strategic
plans
Survey revealed that conflicting and ever increasing demands on manufacturing managers detract from strategic planning and slows long-term company growth.
The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) said that figures released this week reveal that conflicting and ever increasing demands on manufacturing managers detract from strategic planning and slows long-term company growth The research was carried out among 1,175 interviewees who said that though determined to cary out strategic planning were worried about being able to produce results
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 2 May 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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* Four out of five managers and directors struggle to prioritise workloads.
Most - some 58% - said they are too busy to plan for the future.
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* Worryingly, said the CMI, 52% admitted they are not looking for new market opportunities or product gaps in the marketplace.
* Although more than 80% of interviewees said that they 'can't wait to get up', only five out of 10 found time to talk to staff, while just one in 10 relax away from work.
In more detail, the research report, sent to Manufacturingtalk, said that an overwhelming majority in the manufacturing sector (87%) struggled with the challenge of 'prioritising work'.
Over half (58%) claimed to have 'little time to think', Some 44% said that they struggle to find 'time for strategic planning'.
Only five in 10 found it easy to make time for their staff and 39% said that they are diverted by internal politics.
Of concern, respondents found it hard to manage personal needs.
Some 47% found their own administration a challenge and 60% said that they often find it hard to get home on time.
Only one in 10 strongly agreed that they could relax away from work.
** Trying to achieve daily goals - the research showed that striving to reach daily goals could be at the expense of long-term success.
The main research findings include the following.
* Daily diverts - 73% admitted that 'finishing tasks' is a battle.
49% blamed an organisational culture of 'meeting overload' for this and 51% also said that 'meeting preparation time' diverted too much attention * Innovation a low priority - worryingly, only 11% believed 'innovation' was a challenge, while the majority (56%) claimed that new product development was not a high priority.
In terms of long-term growth it was also a worry that 52% viewed 'seeking new markets for products and services' as unimportant.
* Development at a standstill - in spite of 81% of organisations struggling to recruit the best candidates, only one in three respondents claimed that internal talent management is important to their employer.
Only 24% agreed with the research statement that they 'understand how their career will progress'.
CMI also said in its report to Manufacturingtalk that the research showed manufacturing managers were worried that such narrow approaches will affect performance, although managers iwere determined to succeed.
Those who could not wait to 'get up in the morning' to go to work accounted for 83%.
Then, 75% claimed that they found it easy to 'keep positive'.
The results also showed some manufacturing management camaraderie, with 76% asking colleagues for support.
Director of marketing and corporate affairs for the Chartered Management Institute, Jo Causon, in the report sent to manufacturingtalk, said: "In the current climate, prioritising a multitude of responsibilities and tasks at work is a real challenge for managers.
Organisations need to provide a supportive and open environment so individuals can dedicate time to developing fresh ideas for the future of the business.
The lack of professional training and development is also a concern.
If UK employers fail to invest in the skills and competencies of individuals, there will be a serious impact on how well the UK performs on a global market in the future".
* Visit The Chartered Management Institute's Web site where it has set up a freely downloadable resource to help individuals juggle priorities and manage more effectively.
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