People Skills Need Improving

6 November 2009

A survey of 439 manufacturers, to be released today, found many companies were weak when it came to looking after their staff.  The report, Management Matters in Australia: Just how productive are we?, by Professor Roy Green from the University of Technology, Sydney is part of a project by the London School of Economics ranking the manufacturing performance of 16 major economies. Australia ranked sixth out of 16, behind the US, Germany and Japan.

"Australian managers must give more attention to building their people management skills and the relationships within their organisations", said Professor Green.  "Investing in improving management practices is the single most cost effective way of improving a company's performance."

Federal Industry Minister Kim Carr said the report showed there was plenty of room for improvement in the Australian sector.

"This study is a bit of a wake up call, it is one of the most significant elements of the productivity agenda and it has been neglected in much of the discussion to date."

The study suggests a greater focus on professional education and developing higher skill levels as solutions for companies wanting to improve management practices.

Download the full report here -

www.innovation.gov.au/General/Corporate/Pages/ManagementMattersinAustralia.aspx

Have a look at our Human Skills program to see how you can improve the relationships within your organisation.