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Over a third of small companies believe that their success is under threat from poor middle management, new research has suggested.
Management consultancy Hay Group said that underachieving middle managers are costing British business up to £220bn every year.
In its report, Hay Group said that around 38% of UK directors believe their organisation is in danger of being crippled by ineffective managers, and almost a half said that poor middle management represents a serious barrier to growth.
It said that that more than half felt that middle managers were not committed to achieving their company’s strategic goals, while 62% complained of their lack of management and leadership skills.
"Our research reveals an alarming performance gap at middle management level," said Giles Walker, senior consultant at Hay Group.
"British business leaders are struggling to compete in a challenging global economy because middle management lacks the skills to make business strategy happen."
However, the report also found that senior management may be partly to blame, as over two thirds admitted that their middle managers did not receive adequate training.
With appropriate training and development, these managers could be up to 30% more effective, it said.
"Unless UK companies take action to address the skills gap, this productivity erosion will only continue," added Walker.
Date:6 February 2007 |
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