Managing the Workforce

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When it comes to getting things done by a group of people even seemingly simple things can go wrong. This exercise highlights the common problems in workforce management and allows participants to find effective solutions to ensure success.

Participants form three teams representing Managers, Supervisors and Production Staff at Universal Toys & Games. Presented with an urgent enquiry from a valuable customer regarding a new product, Pentominoes, the ‘workforce’ responds by producing quotations and mock-ups for two possible formats for the customer to consider.

Will the workforce operate smoothly, harmoniously, efficiently? Will the information required for the customer be complete and accurate? Will the quality of the mock-ups persuade the customer to confirm the order? Will they meet the deadline? A courier will arrive in one hour to collect.

In addition to the immediate task there are additional issues to distract the whole workforce. Is the staff balance right between the three groups? Appraisals are coming up - there is talk of redundancies. People’s performance is being closely observed.

Lots of issues are guaranteed to arise: lack of overall control, lack of effective feedback mechanisms, mis-communication, poor delegation, misinterpretation of roles, poor practical skills and non-cooperation are just a few!

A great way to illustrate the issues that lead to under-performance and the key skills required to ensure good workforce management.