Improved Leadership and Management of the Small Business Sector in Northern Ireland

Aim
The aim of the Task Group was to advise on actions to improve leadership and management, including the adoption of High Working Practices, in the small business sector and make recommendations through the Adviser to the Minister for Employment and Learning.

Objectives:
The Task Group would:

• identify what is meant by leadership and management development and the high performance working practices that are associated with business success.
• review the research evidence and policies and programmes which support high performance working, best practice techniques and management and leadership development to identify how effectively they are addressing the needs of Northern Ireland’s small business sector;
• identify key issues and barriers that face the small business sector in developing and utilising best practice techniques and management and leadership programmes;
• develop and recommend mechanisms through which these practices could be taken on board by an increased number of small businesses in Northern Ireland;
• provide the Adviser with an interim report on its findings by 31 January 2010, including recommendations for increasing the number of small businesses utilising high performance practices; and
• provide the Adviser with a final draft report on the Task Group’s activities, findings and recommendations by March 2010. 
   
  This report is now available on our publications page.