Management Skills for International Business

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/management-skills-international-business

Introduction

### Course Review: Management Skills for International Business **Overview:** The "Management Skills for International Business" course, offered by the University of London on Coursera, provides a comprehensive insight into effective management and leadership in a global context. Designed for those looking to sharpen their management techniques, this course is a part of a broader specialization aimed at enhancing essential business, academic, and cultural skills necessary for success in international business environments. ### Course Structure and Syllabus: The course is structured into four enlightening weeks, each focusing on different facets of management, making it accessible yet profound in content. #### Week 1: How to Measure a Manager's Level of Effectiveness The first week sets the foundation by exploring management principles and differentiating leadership from management. You're introduced to the key attributes of effective managers, exploring how to measure their impact on organizational success. By week’s end, you'll not only understand these distinctions but also know how to assess a manager's performance and role in change management—a critical skill in today’s ever-evolving business landscape. #### Week 2: How to Achieve Optimum Team Delivery In the second week, the focus shifts to teamwork—an essential component for any successful business. You'll learn about team dynamics, roles, and how to effectively resource and develop a team to achieve optimal performance. The peer review assessment at the end of this week deepens your understanding by encouraging reflection and practical application of concepts learned. #### Week 3: How a Manager Can Motivate Their Team The third week dives into motivation—a cornerstone of effective management. Various motivational theories are explored, providing insights into what drives employees and how managers can foster a motivating environment. By the conclusion of this week, you’ll be equipped with various techniques to energize your team, ensuring each member feels valued and driven. #### Week 4: Managing Change Finally, the last week focuses on communication—arguably the most vital skill in management. You will explore effective communication techniques and the nuances of verbal and non-verbal interactions within the workplace. This week also addresses the critical need to manage workplace dynamics such as the grapevine, helping you understand rumors and informal communication channels and their impacts. ### Personal Insights and Recommendations: Having completed the "Management Skills for International Business" course, I found it to be an incredibly enriching experience. The course content is not only relevant in today’s global business environment but also presented in an engaging manner. Each module was structured effectively, ensuring a gradual build-up of knowledge that culminated in practical assessments that enhanced learning retention. The combination of theoretical foundations with practical applications through assignments and peer interactions fosters a collaborative learning atmosphere. Moreover, the course materials are well-researched and present real-world scenarios that resonate with managerial experiences across various industries. I highly recommend this course to professionals seeking to elevate their management capabilities, whether they are seasoned leaders or aspiring managers. The skills acquired will not only assist in navigating team dynamics and motivating employees but also equip you with the vital competencies required to manage change in a constantly shifting business landscape. For anyone involved in international business or aspiring to work in management, this course serves as an indispensable resource that promises to enhance your career trajectory significantly. ### Conclusion: In an increasingly interconnected world, the ability to manage effectively is paramount. The "Management Skills for International Business" course from the University of London on Coursera is an exceptional opportunity for anyone looking to bolster their management skills. Not only does it provide essential knowledge, but it also fosters practical capabilities needed to thrive in today's competitive business environment. Don't miss the chance to invest in your career and development—enroll in this course today!

Syllabus

How to Measure a Manager's Level of Effectiveness

This week we will be looking to explore the following key areas;
* the key aspects of management, both in theory and reality
* the similarities and differences between leadership and management
* how the stakeholder added value of a manager’s contribution can be measured
* the essential requirement for a manager to embrace and successfully manage change

At the end of this week, learners will be;
(1) able to understand and apply the key attributes of a manager
(2) aware of the possible differences between a leader and a manager
(3) able to measure levels of a manager’s performance and organisational added value
(4) familiar with the key stages of effective change management

By the end of week two, learners will be able to understand and explain the main features and roles of a team, have an understanding of how to resource and develop a team, and how to achieve and measure optimum team delivery. At the end of the week, learners will be given a peer review assessment, where they will be asked to reflect on a scenario and share their answers to the set questions.

Week three introduces learners to a range of conceptual motivation frameworks. Learners will gain an understanding of the reasons employees come to work, the ways in which a manager can motivate their team, individually and collectively. By the end of the week, learners will be able to understand and apply motivational theories to the workplace, and have a good understanding of a range of techniques to motivate employees.

This week we will be looking to explore the following key area:

*a range of techniques when communicating in the workplace
*selecting the most appropriate delivery channel
*the differences and similarities between verbal/non-verbal communication
*the need to understand and manage the grapevine

At the end of this week the key learning objectives will be:

(1)to have an awareness of several approaches to effective communication in the workplace
(2)to understand and apply the key criteria when selecting the best available delivery channel
(3)to have have an understanding of the importance and key aspects of verbal and non-verbal communication
(4)to have an awareness of the inevitable existence of the grapevine and how it’s impact can be managed