Print version Recommend this page Press release
45/ 2003
Bonn, 11.12.2003
'Strategic flexibility' - a vital tool for today's specialists and managers
These days, when it comes to handling a contract, company specialists and managers can no longer simply rely on their experience and expertise, or on routines that have stood them well for many years. Networks of business thinking and activity across the world are presenting them with an abundance of new or problematic situations and ever-changing demands that require quick recognition, analysis, classification and decision-making in order to complete a given task successfully. 'Strategic flexibility' is essential for coping with complex processes. Since company employees responsible for taking decisions have so far been lacking in this skill, the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) is currently offering a practical guideline on staff training designed to heighten awareness of the self-momentum of develop-ments and the wide range of effects resulting from employee activities, with its three-volume training pack, 'Strategic Flexibility'.
What competencies do people who act with strategic flexibility demonstrate when com-pleting complex tasks?
They are able, for example, to:
- Develop a system of objectives with clear overall, partial and interim goals
- Mentally formulate different action plans, taking into account critical factors and devel-oping alternatives
- Pursue several objectives simultaneously (e.g. dealing efficiently with the contract while at the same time creating a positive social climate and gaining new insights from the work)
- Take a broad view of situations requiring action and to analyse them from an overall perspective, without 'tweaking' at the details
- Carry out measures to an appropriate degree
- Put the right questions to the right people when they find themselves in 'stall situations', i.e. situations where they are unable to see the best way forward
- 'Manage' themselves; in other words, to be aware of their own emotions, such as anger or fear, and to channel them
- Keep a check on themselves, recognise their own mistakes and avoid repeating them in their subsequent behaviour
Company trainers given the task of teaching specialists and managers about these competen-cies will find the basic information and instructions contained in the BIBB 'Strategic Flexibil-ity' training pack of use.
Volume 1: Basic principles for the development of training programmes
Here, trainers are first presented with the theoretical concept. The terms 'strategy' and 'strate-gic flexibility' are explained in detail, together with the individual requirements necessary as a starting point. This is followed by ideas for training approaches supported by a theoretical framework, and for the development of computer-simulated planning games. The volume includes two reading lists to provide additional information on the subject for practitioners and specialists alike.
Volume 2: Recognising and dealing with complexity. Training for complex work-related situations where action is required
This volume tackles the issue of how complexity can be recognised and dealt with. An ac-companying CD-ROM presents four training units, which can be used to illustrate and clarify the volume topic.
- NARA computer simulation is used to experience and analyse complexity
- Individual and group-specific behaviour errors are discussed using the 'house building' ex-ercise
- The SCHOKOFIN computer simulation presents complex problems that have to be solved under time pressure
- The fourth unit offers tools for self-reflection, which should be the final stage of any learn-ing process
Volume 3: Analysing - modelling - deciding. Training for complex work-related situations where action is required
This offers further training units on a second CD-ROM. Participants learn about and practise making rational decisions in unclear situations, using sample scenarios from different areas of work. Computer-supported modelling methods are also given.
The publications by Guido Franke and Reinhard Selka are available as part of the AF ('Ausbilderförderung' - trainer support) BIBB series for training staff:
- Volume 1: 'Basic principles for the development of training programmes' (€ 19.80);
- Volume 2: 'Recognising and dealing with complexity'. Training for complex work-related situations where action is required' (€ 29.80);
- Volume 3: 'Analysing - modelling - deciding. Training for complex work-related situations where action is required' (€ 29.80; available from spring 2004).
The three volumes can be ordered at the above price from W. Bertelsmann Verlag on the Internet under http://www.af-bibb.de/. This website also contains a wide range of further relevant information and materials for vocational education and training and continuing training staff. For people with a visual impairment, parallel access is also available via a barrier-free version.
Publisher's address: W. Bertelsmann Verlag GmbH & Co. KG, Postfach 10 06 33, 33506 Bielefeld, Tel. 0521/911 01-11, Fax: 0521/911 01-19, Email: service@wbv.de
For information on AF ('Ausbilderförderung' - trainer support) at the BIBB, please contact: Anke Bahl, Tel. 0228-107-1407, Email: bahl@bibb.de
