The film opens with a brief extract from a presentation by Sir John Harvey-Jones at a conference on management skills aimed at public sector workers. We then see how techniques from the private sector are being used by West Midlands police. After views of the police on the streets of Birmingham at night, views of cells (and some library pictures of a riot being tackled) there is an interview with David Knight, Assistant Chief Constable about the management skills required by the force. We then visit the police training centre where an inspectors course is underway in which officers are tasked with building a model crane from bits of stationery. Interviews with Superintendent David Thursfield and management consultant Francis Arnold. We then follow the officers on a visit to the JCB factory in Staffordshire where they tour the works and learn more about private sector management techniques. Back at the original conference there is an interview with David Sear, Director of Housing for Wrekin District Council before we move on to the next example which shows a group of Leicestershire teachers visiting the engineering firm of Davy Morris Ltd in Loughborough. Interview with Peter Harrisson managing director of Davy Morris who wants management training taught in schools. Interviews with teachers Linda Rudkin and Sandra Shaw-Pearce. Next inside Burleigh Community College in Loughborough we meet principal Keith Foreman walking through the college talking to pupils. We then see a management training session for staff including an interview with maths co-ordinator Nigel Fowler.
Production Secretary: Alison Heaton
Production Assistants: Sylvia Ellis; Chris Fewlass; Marilyn Ward
Graphic Design: Michael Shaw
Sound: Steve Phillips; Denis Fitch
Camera: John Varnish; Charles Pitt; Stephen Foote; Gerry Pinches; Jack Hazan
Film Editor: Kevin Lester
Associate Producer: Adam Perry
Producer: Malcolm Frazer
Director: Andrew Piddington
Production number 3453/88.