Virtual development zone is key to business success say MLN

Leadership and management skills make a real difference to the bottom line but have been identified as one of the top development needs amongst Northern Ireland businesses, according to a recent province wide survey by the Management and Leadership Network (MLN).

To meet these needs, and assist with business growth, MLN is adding to its range of services to leaders and managers with the introduction of a ‘virtual’ Development Zone.

This is an online learning resource aimed at busy owners and managers who need and want to develop their business management and leadership skills.

“The MLN Development Zone has been designed specifically for managers and business owners to get easy access to development resources at the touch of a button,” says Bill Manson, Chief Executive of MLN.

He continued: “It offers practical support so that leaders and managers can develop at their own pace and focused on their particular development needs. It can be used in many ways - to identify development needs, give a quick insight in to a particular issue, build an in-depth knowledge in a particular area and provide support to formal courses for example.”

The online resource provides a full range of tools to fast track individual’s leadership and management development including self-assessment exercises, case studies and articles from leading management thinkers.

Managers from one of Northern Ireland’s most successful franchises, The Streat Café, were the first business users to pilot the online resource,” says Nikki McQuillan, Co-Founder of the Streat Café.

She added: “This is a first class resource for business owners and managers alike and it is already proving its potential in our organisation and for our growing network of franchises.”

Access to the Development Zone is freely available through the MLN Website. Those interested can register by visiting www.mln.org.uk/register.asp

(SP/EF)