Courses

External courses still have a part to play in management training, although nothing like the central part they have played hitherto. The obvious use is when there is a specific technique which somebody needs and which is suitable for teaching in a classroom. For example, network analysis, discounted cash flow, and computer programming are mechanical skills which can be taught in a logical sequence and there is no likelihood of managers resisting the lesson on the grounds that that is whay they have been paid to do for several years. Selection interviewing and appraisal interviewing are skills which can be learned and practised at a course, as is the fault analysis type of problem solving. In none of these cases should there be any difficulty in seeing where to apply the techniques back home. Mechanistic techniques or skills, then, which managers realise will profit them can be taught economically at an external course. Some of the expensive equipment — so often used as toys or gimmickry — can be helpful in demonstrating the difficulties and in showing students how they are progressing. A good example is the use of closed-circuit TV for interviewing.