Note:
Thursday 5th , 12th, 19th & 26th March 2026
Category:
Management Development
This programme equips SME managers with the core skills required to manage people, performance, and day-to-day operations effectively. It focuses on the practical realities of managing in small businesses, where managers are often balancing people management with operational and commercial responsibilities.
It also helps participants adopt structured work habits, prioritise effectively, and reduce overwhelm and inefficiency in daily business operations.
The programme emphasises clear expectations, consistent management habits, effective communication, and practical tools that managers can apply immediately in their own teams. It is grounded in psychology, Lean thinking, coaching, and extensive experience working with Irish SMEs.
Duration: 4 half-days 9:30am – 12:30pm (Thursdays 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th March)
Audience: New and developing managers, supervisors, and SME owner-managers
Trainer: Jigsaw Better Business
Key Modules
Time Management Tools Introducing the Time Matrix, calendar blocking, Pomodoro techniques, and weekly planning templates.
Prioritisation & Delegation Applying the 4D framework to focus on high-value tasks and reduce low-value, reactive work.
Foundations of Effective People Management Clarifying the role of the manager, setting expectations, and building strong management habits, including structured 1:1s, goal setting, and performance tracking.
Performance Management & Feedback Developing the skills to give timely, constructive feedback, handle underperformance, provide effective praise, and hold effective performance conversations using practical frameworks.
Managing Operations & Continuous Improvement Introducing Lean and practical improvement tools to help managers identify bottlenecks, improve workflows, and run effective team retrospectives.
Additional Learning Outcomes
- Greater confidence in managing people and performance
- Clear, consistent management routines that reduce firefighting
- Improved communication, accountability, and follow-through
- Stronger team ownership and problem-solving
- Increasing team-wide consistency and accountability
- Practical tools to support productivity, efficiency, and profitability
- A personal management action plan tailored to the SME context
Support Materials for Participants
To reinforce learning, participants receive pre-course, in-session, and post-course materials, including:
- Pre-course reflection
- Delegation scripts, conflict scripts, performance feedback guides
- Coaching and management templates
- Time planning templates, KPI guidelines, process mapping sheets
- Curated micro-learning videos and articles
- Access to a tailored eLearning resource hub (Trainer Central)
These materials help participants apply the learning in real business scenarios and sustain change over time.
Why This Training Works
Designed for real SMEs Examples, case studies, and exercises reflect the reality of micro and small business life, not corporate environments.
Focused on behaviour change Participants learn tools, practise them during the workshop, and receive support to continue implementation afterwards.
Builds capability over time Delivered as a modular programme to support habit-building, reflection, and sustained improvement.
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