1. What are the current and future challenges that work organisations face with regard to the ways in which they manage people?

2. The "credit crunch" is causing numerous companies to make cuts in their workforce numbers by laying off staff. Outline the elements of good management and legal practice in managing a workforce reduction.

3. What are the key contributions to effective human resource planning that Human Resource professional and line managers can and must make?

4. In a Management Today article (February 2007) it was claimed that in an organisation 10-15% of employees are likely to be outstanding performers, whereas another 5-10% of employees will be underperforming. These two groups are the groups that receive management time and attention, whereas those performing to "acceptable levels" are neglected.

a) What can organisations do to keep "acceptable performers" motivated and committed?

b) What can organisations do to recognise outstanding performers and support underperformers?

5. How far can the methods used in the UK for managing people be transferred across national and cultural boundaries?  Identify and discuss areas that a UK national manager will have to modify in their approach to managing employees in other parts of the world.