Walk the Talk: Applying TQ Principles to an Element of Management Development ‐Contracting

As a result of organizations′ increasing predilection to contract for services, a gap has emerged between the management skills we emphasize in management development programmes and the skill needs of future managers. A total quality approach to management development will require us to close this contract‐related training gap. Introduces ideas which inform the need for the development of skills in conceiving, egotiating and administering contracts for services heretofore performed by employees. Suggests that we need to begin to re‐examine the current content of management development programmes to identify this and other gaps. We must ask: What additional skills do today′s managers eed to be effective tomorrow? Why? How do these skills differ from currently required skills? What kinds of training can close the identified gaps?