This series of tracks looks at social work practice around the world and compares attitudes and management techniques within the social work field. Material is taken from The Open University Course K315 Critical social work practice.

Are you responsible for supporting sport and physical activity coaches to become inspirational and excellent in their practice? This course is designed for coach developers, educators, mentors and tutors who support coaches to improve. You will explore how people learn, what are the skills and qualities of an effective coach of coaches, as well appreciate how to ask powerful questions and listen actively. You will consider the processes associated with resolving difficult situations where differences of opinion arise, how to measure success and provide constructive feedback. By the end of this course you should feel more confident in your ability to support colleagues and help them to become even better at what they do.

Self-limiting beliefs can often creep into our thoughts and lower our self-regard (respect and acceptance for ourselves, despite any shortcomings). However, even in challenging times, it is possible to consciously change how we think about ourselves, reframing unhelpful beliefs and building more confidence to achieve goals and positively move forward in life.

Have you thought about how you give feedback? Giving feedback in a more structured way using the AID (Action, Impact, Desired outcome) model may help for both highlighting positive behaviour, and challenging behaviour that needs developmental action.

Do you have an internal or external locus of control? How does this affect your wellbeing or work? How can you take control of it? This article explores...

Discover these free Business and Finance courses on OpenLearn.

The way forests around the world are managed is undergoing radical change. In the UK, local communities are buying forested land, to preserve forests for the greater benefit of society. In the developing world, forestry commissions are actively empowering villagers to engage in forest management and conservation. The video tracks on this album use case studies in the UK and in India to illustrate ways in which forest management is changing, and how such changes can be implemented. To complete the album, Open University academic Giles Mohan explains why the case studies were selected and unpicks some of the issues that emerge. This material is taken from The Open University course TU870 Capacities for managing development.

How should you address the President of a French Company? Should you reward workers in Turkey by giving them envelopes full of money? Why are so many good international managers coming out of Eastern Europe? Few enterprises nowadays remain untouched by global influences. Few managers can expect to go through their professional lives without the need to interact with people from other cultures; as a result it has become essential to understand the culture and social and economic institutions of other countries in order to maintain and run a successful business. This series looks at three different perspectives on managing across different national contexts as we hear from experienced international managers and from academics around the world about managing globally.
This material forms part of the Open University course B848 Leadership and management in intercultural contexts

How do retailers decide where to locate new stores? Why do consumers behave in a particular manner? How does a frozen pea get from harvest to a supermarket freezer? How do independent and online businesses compete with high street chains? These are just some of the many questions answered throughout this collection of video material that looks in depth at the dynamic and innovative retail industry, and what the future might have in store for retailers and businesses alike. Store operations, globalisation, ethics, supply chains and retail environments are some other areas which are explored, while industry experts discuss the influence and power of the internet as a marketing and distribution tool.

This material forms part of The Open University course B122 An introduction to retail management and marketing.