ABSTRACT
As you are aware, one of the key distinguishing themes of this book is that of helping develop your competence and expertise as a manager using consultancytype research. The bulk of the book centers on actually planning, conducting and reporting upon a consultancy project, and although 11 of the 12 chapters in the book focus on how to complete these activities, again, it is important to stress that consultancy type projects and research are among the most useful vehicles for helping to acquire and develop transferable skills needed for personal and professional development throughout a management/executive career. In this chapter, therefore, I introduce the process of trying to ensure the development of a manager/executive focusing primarily on how this can be
achieved through a process of self-development. In doing so, I shall also relate this process of self-development to the consultancy research process. As already mentioned, this second chapter uses a somewhat different approach and style to the remaining chapters in the book. In this chapter I shall be taking you through how consultancy-type research projects can contribute to the development of the manager/executive, including how to establish goals for self-development, determining how consultancy-type research activities can help achieve these goals, and the importance of constant evaluation in the process of management self-development. At the same time, and through this process, we are seeking to establish an awareness and receptiveness to the importance of continuing self-development throughout the manager’s life.
