Managers unleashed: why training is key to effective management

With the Chartered Management Institute reporting 82% of new managers aren’t trained in how to lead a team, we talk to Roger Mason, Director of Consulting, at Reed Learning, about the importance of setting your managers up for success.

8 mins read
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11 May, 2025

​​You wouldn’t allow a pilot to fly a plane without training, so why would you expect someone to manage people without knowing how to do so? Is it the same thing?

Recent research from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) highlighted that eight-out-of-ten (82%) new managers take on management responsibilities without any formal training. Fifty-two per cent do not hold any management or leadership qualifications. And 26% of senior leaders and managers have never received any formal management training.

Some managers might appear natural-born leaders, others may struggle to ‘manage’ and need a helping hand. So why, when managing teams effectively and efficiently is at the heart of almost every business, are we allowing for failure?

We talk to Reed Learning’s Roger Mason, on the benefits of investing in courses like those from CMI for their managers and the positive impact manager training can have on a business, it’s people and the managers themselves.

Watch the full interview or read the Q&A below:

Q: What do you believe are the primary reasons for investing in training programmes for managers?

A: If you're running an organisation, of any sort, you have to work out what you can do to make sure that organisation succeeds. And I like to think of these things as levers.

What are the levers that you can pull to achieve the organisational outcomes that you need? And that might be to do with financial investment, that might be to do with the way you pay and reward your staff. That might be to do with the products you make. Developing managers is one of those levers. And in my view, it's an important lever because there's lots of evidence, as well as common sense, that would suggest, if an organisation has effective managers, then its staff are more likely to be productive, more likely to stay with the organisation, and more likely to be happy.

Research from CMI has identified this case of accidental managers. Eighty-two per cent - that's four-out-of-five managers - have moved into management roles without any formal professional training. And we just wouldn't let that happen with pilots or with accountants. We just wouldn't trust people with those roles. And with managers, we do that. We put so many people into management roles, so that perhaps is the most important reason why organisations should really consider training and developing their managers.

Q: How do you think well-trained managers contribute to organisational success?

A: There are loads of ways that managers will contribute to the outcomes of an organisation. Research from an organisation called Gallup has identified that managers account for 70% of the variance in employee engagement scores.

The difference between having a great manager or a poor manager contributes to so many different things. That would include productivity, profitability, quality, staff turnover, absenteeism. Therefore, if you want to see an improvement across all of those metrics, across every aspect of the organisation, one place to look would be the quality of your managers.

Q: What qualifications are available to leaders to help develop their managerial skills?

A: Management development is a vast, vast thing. If you want to develop as a manager, there are lots of self-guided ways. Even through things like TikTok and buying books, of course, but many people will choose to get professionally qualified.

We work with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), and we deliver their qualifications. People would book onto those qualifications for a number of reasons. It gives a rigour to the training. You know that the content that you're getting is robust, that the techniques you're going to be learning about are thorough. It's recognised, so you can say, “Yeah, I'm a qualified manager. I've got the evidence of that.” There's also the benefit of studying with other people.

If you enrol on a CMI course delivered by Reed Learning you get to hear the experiences of the peer group - other managers sharing similar experiences. And also, we offer qualifications at different levels. So, managers are able to pick the method of study and the level of study, from entry-level management to more senior management, that suits them and works around their job, their career, their family and everything else.

Q: What specific skills or competencies do you think are essential for managers to develop through training?

A: There are timeless things that every manager should get the hang of. So, they would be things like goal setting, motivating a team, running meetings and giving feedback. What I'm seeing, increasingly, is the way that organisations are wanting their managers to develop what have been called 'soft skills' historically.

And, a great place to start would be self-awareness and emotional intelligence. So, if you're a manager or new to management, think about, “Well, where do I begin?”. My encouragement would be to begin with self-awareness, developing your emotional intelligence. And as part of that, seeking some feedback from other people.

Q: How do you measure the effectiveness of manager training initiatives within an organisation?

A: When I'm talking to customers, I'm always encouraging them to think about the outcomes that matter most to their organisation. That may or may not involve financial measures, but in any company, in any business, in any charity, in any public sector organisation, there'll be two, or three, or four metrics, that really determine the health of that organisation. And, developing managers, which doesn't always involve training - there's lots of ways to develop managers - should always be linked to those outcomes.

We should be able to draw a link between the outcomes of the organisation and the work that's done with managers. And then beyond that, there should be some common sense applied. So, for example, if you wanted to train managers on appraisals, presumably there's going to be some evidence that appraisals need to happen, that when appraisals happen well, there are good outcomes for the staff and so on. And, you should be measuring those things, and setting a baseline before doing any training. So, then you can actually measure and evidence what has changed as a result of this intervention.

Q: In what ways do you think ongoing training and development for managers impacts employee morale and retention?

A: There are lots of ways that working with managers will play out in the morale and wellbeing of a team.

The most important relationship in the workplace for a staff member is the relationship with their manager. If that manager is supporting them, guiding them, giving them feedback, that's not only going to improve their productivity in the workplace, and help them to do their jobs well. We know that that carries across into their life. Their wellbeing, their mental health, satisfaction, and outcomes like that. Overall, working with managers is not just about productivity, it's also about the wellbeing and overall health of the organisation.

Q: How you ensure that manager training aligns with the strategic goals and objectives of the organisation?

A: Well, I've got three top tips for this one. Firstly, make sure that you've got the right sponsor, so that would mean someone from the leadership team, typically. So, if you're asked to design some training for managers within the organisation, then you need to understand who's made that request and why, and what are they actually trying to achieve as a result of that. You have to be strategically aligned, and that typically means working with someone who owns the strategy.

Tip number two is set clear metrics so you know in advance what are the measurable things that you're trying to achieve as a result of this. Whether that's to do with financial performance, whether that's to do with staff outcomes, whether that's to do with customer outcomes, compliance, whatever it might be. Get really clear on those metrics up front and measure them in advance, so, you've got your baseline.

And then thirdly, training design, in my view should be 90% commercial and 10% creative. And that's perhaps a slightly controversial thing to say as a creative trainer.

If you spend the time up front getting really clear on what the training needs to achieve, and working really hard at understanding the things that you can do with people to understand what's happening for them at the moment and what needs to change – that's core to the training. And then on top of that, can come your creativity in terms of how you bring that training session to life. And that 10% of creativity is so important as well. But first of all, you have to have the foundation of a really robust plan for what you're going to achieve.

So, the three tips. Get the right sponsor. Make sure you're working with the right sponsor. Secondly, have your clear metrics. And thirdly, in thinking about your training design, think commercially before you think creatively.

Find out how they can tailor training courses to the needs of your organisation here.

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Pros and cons of universal basic income: solution to unemployment or too expensive?
5 mins read

Pros and cons of universal basic income: solution to unemployment or too expensive?

​​​What is universal basic income?

Universal basic income (UBI) is a system in which every adult receives a set amount of money on a regular basis. This payment is unconditional, meaning it does not depend on the recipient's income, employment status, or any other criterion.

Universal– to everyone

Basic– to cover everyday expenses

Income– regularly, for people to spend how they wish.

UBI has been an interesting and controversial topic of conversation over the past few years, with various trials and studies conducted to evaluate its potential impact. While we may be a long way off from this being considered in reality, let’s look at some of the pros and cons of introducing this concept.

Pros of universal basic income

Reduce poverty

One of the main arguments in favour of UBI is its potential to reduce poverty and economic inequality. A 2022 study by the University of York found that a UBI model could cut poverty by more than half. This would be achieved through tax adjustments and guaranteed weekly payments, providing a stable income for everyone. This stability could lead to a more robust economy, increased consumer spending, more job opportunities, and a healthier market overall.

Increased consumer spending

With more disposable income, people would likely spend more, stimulating demand for goods and services and benefiting businesses across various sectors. This increased spending could also lead to higher tax revenues, which could be reinvested into public services and infrastructure.

Empowering workers

UBI would offer a safety net, reducing the pressure on individuals to accept low-paying or precarious jobs. This could lead to higher job satisfaction and productivity, as people would be more likely to pursue jobs that align with their interests.

Improve workplace conditions

It would also encourage businesses to enhance their working conditions by shifting the power dynamic to the employees. With a guaranteed income, workers would no longer be compelled to stay in jobs solely for financial reasons, allowing them the freedom to leave roles with poor working conditions.

This shift in bargaining power would encourage employers to enhance job quality, offer higher wages, and create more supportive work environments to attract and retain employees. Consequently, businesses might need to implement more employee-focused policies, such as flexible working, improved benefits, and a stronger emphasis on work-life balance, to stay competitive in the labour market.

Innovation and entrepreneurship

Many people hesitate to start their own businesses due to fear of failure and financial risks. However, UBI could provide the financial stability needed to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation, potentially resulting in economic growth for the country. This could lead to the creation of new industries and job opportunities, further boosting the economy.

Foster education and societal benefits

Having a steady income would encourage more individuals to pursue further education and training, culminating in a more educated and skilled population. This increase in educational attainment can have numerous positive effects on society, including:

Higher civic engagement: an educated population is more likely to participate in civic activities such as voting, volunteering, and community involvement, fostering a stronger democratic process and community cohesion.

Enhanced critical thinking and creativity: education cultivates critical thinking and creativity, which are essential for technological innovation and economic growth.

Reduction in poverty and inequality: education is a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty. By providing individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to secure better-paying jobs, UBI can help reduce income inequality and improve overall economic stability.

Improved public health: educated individuals are more likely to make informed health choices, meaning lower rates of chronic diseases and improved overall public health.

Cons of universal basic income

High cost

Implementing UBI would be extremely expensive, requiring significant tax increases and reallocation of public spending. While it's challenging to estimate the exact cost, one analysis projected a gross cost of 555 billion – which includes the UBI payments themselves as well as the cost of integrating it into the existing tax and benefits system. Therefore, many critics argue that for this reason, UBI is not sustainable or even feasible.

Decreased motivation to work

Critics argue that UBI could reduce people's incentives to work, prompting higher unemployment rates. They fear that with a guaranteed income, people might choose to work fewer hours or not at all. If this were the case, higher unemployment rates could negatively impact economic growth due to less taxable income.

Those who do continue working while receiving UBI might be less motivated to perform at their best. With their basic financial needs met by UBI, the urgency to excel and advance in their careers could diminish and we could see reduced effort and productivity.

Challenges for low-wage industries

Industries relying on low-wage labour might face increased wage demands, as workers with a financial safety net might be less willing to accept low-paying jobs. This could cause higher operational costs and potentially drive businesses to automate more processes.

Inflation

Increased disposable income could generate higher spending, driving up demand and prices, resulting in inflation. This could erode the purchasing power of the UBI payments, potentially negating some of the benefits.

Potential inequality

While UBI aims to reduce poverty and inequality, some argue that providing the same payment to everyone wouldn't solve inequality but merely shift the goalposts. Critics suggest that a more targeted approach might be necessary to address the specific needs of different groups within society.

The debate around UBI is far from settled, and its implementation would require careful consideration and robust policy design. As we move forward, it's important to engage in thoughtful discussions, consider diverse perspectives, and explore pilot programmes to better understand UBI's real-world impacts.

Ultimately, the question remains: can UBI be the transformative solution we need to fix the unstable labour market, or will it prove too costly and complex?

If you are looking for a talented professional to join your team, or seeking a new employment opportunity yourself, get in touch with a specialist consultant today.

How to fight economic inactivity
1 mins read

How to fight economic inactivity

​It was recently my turn to pick up the pen and contribute to City AM’s ‘The Note Book’.

I chose to write about the issue of economic inactivity and to focus on ways to encourage younger people into the workforce and ways to incentivise older workers to work for longer.

My thinking is that this will encourage the highly paid and highly skilled to work up until retirement age rather than choosing, as many do, to retire early.

And my estimation is that this would result in more, not less, tax being collected and collected sooner because these individuals are frequently higher rate taxpayers who will typically find ways to avoid inheritance tax in the extra spare time they have after they’ve taken early retirement.

Instead, these highly capable higher rate tax payers will be incentivised to continue to contribute to the growth of their organisations and the wider economy and consequently to the exchequer as well.

One for the Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR) to grapple with perhaps… but I’ve no idea how you’d model such an idea. Sometimes it’s just better to give things a go!

And if you do get a chance to see the play ‘A View from The Bridge’, you should go. It’s a precious thing - a brilliant play, brilliantly acted!

Click here to read the article.

Sales CV template: for Sales Executives and other sales professionals
2 mins read

Sales CV template: for Sales Executives and other sales professionals

​​Whether you are a sales executive, supplier relationship manager or field sales consultant, use our free template to build your perfect sales CV today.

[Full Name]
[Home address]
[Contact Number] • [Email Address]

Personal Statement

Use this section of your CV to highlight the skills that would be transferable in a sales environment e.g. questioning and listening, tenacity, resilience and the ability to think on your feet. It’s also a good idea to include a link to your LinkedIn profile.

Sales professionals are target driven and financially motivated, so don't forget to highlight and "sell" yourself.

Try to avoid statements such as "I work well as part of a team and on my own initiative" or "I can communicate at all levels" - the majority of CVs contain these statements. CVs that show creativity stand out in sales.

Education

A relevant degree, for example Business Studies will give you a great start, but many degrees have a sales element, e.g. Psychology - understanding people, Engineering - problem solving, Law - negotiation skills etc.

It is important to present your education in a way that identifies you as a sales person.

In some sales positions experience trumps education, so if you don’t have a glittering academic record, make sure you elaborate on your experience.

[College/School Name]
[Date M/Y– Date M/Y]

A-levels:

  • [Subject] – [Grade]

  • [Subject] – [Grade]

  • [Subject] – [Grade]

GCSEs:

  • [Number] GCSEs, grades [range], including Maths and English

Work Experience

This should be brief and, as a general rule of thumb, focus on the last five years of your career, or last three roles, in chronological order with the most recent at the top. Highlight your key achievements, and aim to use bullet points rather than lengthy descriptions.

[Job Title], [Company Name] [Location]
[Date M/Y- Date M/Y]

Achievements and responsibilities:

  • Brief role overview

  • Worked alongside [team] to produce [project]

  • Implemented [change] which resulted in [benefit]

  • Received an [award name] for [reason]

Hobbies and Interests

This section is not essential, but can be a good opportunity to reinforce your application, and show a future employer what motivates you outside of work.

Don’t just say that you ‘like to socialise’ be specific, and don’t be afraid to share your successes. If you can put a sales slant on this part of your CV too, even better.

I’ve completed a marathon for [charity]

I negotiated my away across [country] on a budget, working as I went

References

References are available upon request.

Download our full sales CV template.