4. Developing your team. Simple Solutions for Busy Managers.

1. Work on a project.
Managing or working on a project is a great way to get a job done and improve many professional skills.

2. On the job training.
Most of us probably learnt how to do our jobs as we went along. It's a great way to know how to do specific tasks through informal learning or trial & error. But it's too easy to leave a new person to get on with their job: how will you know they are doing well or struggling? Make sure you've both planned their training & monitor progress

3. Shadow a person
If you have someone who has never done a job before, can they watch a skilled person in action? This could be in your own team or even better in another team (maybe a customer's team). It's a great way to learn more about a related function (e.g. regulatory affairs or marketing) and they could bring back customer insight.

4. Use the web, listen to podcasts.

The web is full of great material to find out more & learn. But there is also a lot of poor quality material. Wikis are a fast, easy to use source for reference & referral. Podcasts can be a great way to learn new skills or consolidate existing skills whilst you're travelling or doing a mindless task. Search on iTunes store to find podcasts to download or listen to. Even if you don't have your own iPod, you can access podcasts through iTunes (if your IT department let you!) or sometimes access them direct over the web.

5. The 3 Rs: read, research & (W)rite.

If you're learning about a new therapeutic area, competitor product or company brand, a great way to test your learning is to write training materials or compose standard letters. It gives a purpose to your research and reading

6. Company tools
Your company may have wealth of training materials or e-learning tools on the company intranet or learning management systems. Ask around. For example, does your sales training department (or library) have access to videos/DVDs or online courses that you can use?

7. Coach & Mentor.

Becoming a coach or mentor is great development for the more experienced person. As a manager, you probably coach your own team or have an experienced team member who coaches new staff. But who coaches you? Do you have a mentor? They can give you a different perspective on problems, identify opportunities and help you smooth your way through your organisation.

8. Professional committee.

I bet you only use about 60% of your talents at work. The same probably applies for your team. Why don't you join the committee of your own professional organisation; PIPA (Pharmaceutical Information & Pharmacovigilance Association)? You'll network with people like you, help run the association and develop professional skills that will help you on the next step up the ladder. I make that 3 great benefits.

9. Volunteer.

Taking that idea one stage further, developing your skills is not just a 9-5 job. Volunteering to help out charities, patient associations, schools (e.g. as a governor) or youth organisations (such as cubs, brownies, scouts etc) is another great way to broaden your skills, meet people outside pharma and give back to society. Immensely rewarding. I improved my patience & listening skills so much through hearing 5 year-old children learning to read & helping out at a youth organisation (how to make topics interesting to 30 lively boys with borderline ADHD!).

10. Training courses.

For formalising training, learning from others outside the organisation (or team) and hearing a different perspective, training courses can be very effective. Budget friendly? Yes, you just need to make sure you pick the right course at the right time for the right price.