Over 90% of UK managers have never been exposed to the fundamental principles and practices of how to lead, manage and grow a business, according to Chester based Sewells Training and Consultancy. "In fact, managers and owners are probably the least trained people in any organisation," said spokesman Philip Gwynne. This is one of the findings of in-depth research carried out during the past two years in the retail sector. Management workloads are increasing, yet the training needed to meet current trading challenges is less readily available and harder to make time for. Attitude can make or break anything someone learns, too, says Gwynne. "They can have all the skills, abilities and experience in the world, but these will be of no use if they are applied with the wrong attitude. Without raising levels of awareness ­ preferably across company ­ customers will not see any change in service levels." Developing the right way of relating to customers is more important to a salesperson's long-term success than raw product knowledge, which the customer will expect and often need ­ but not necessarily on the spot. "It is only when the right aptitudes are combined with the right attitude that you can make a winner," explains Gywnne. "Based on what hard pressed grocery managers have been saying, we have developed the Working Knowledge series of development courses to provide what professionals with what they really want ­ training that works." Sewells has developed development programmes such as TLC. This is a step-by-step approach to allow sales teams to create situations in which sales teams can gain sales, customer loyalty and freely given referrals. "As managers, are we the masters of change in our businesses? The Businesses Going Ballistic programme shows delegates how to inspire people into producing outstanding performance through tried, tested and trusted learning techniques that refine and improve job skills and job satisfaction," says Gwynne. To increase personal and corporate growth, Working Miracles allows managers to take control of all the situations and circumstances in their corporate and personal lives. "Can you imagine what a difference it makes to have the skills, techniques and knowledge to literally work miracles with people, performance and productivity?" asks Gwynne. "And you can start with yourself!" {{PEOPLE MOVES }}