SIR ALEX FERGUSON'S latest book, Leading, which reveals managerial techniques honed during his decades in football, was among the items gifted to this cocktail bar chain's sales managers at their inaugural conference in September. The event was part of the launch of Revolution Bars Group's new career development plan for staff, which should see 70% of management vacancies filled internally. The Ashton-under-Lyne-based group, which employs 2,113 people, floated on the stock market in 2015 and plans to add five new bars a year to the current 58. The job is good for personal growth (an 82% positive score) and employees are completely clear about what is expected of them (81%). The training is also of great benefit to them personally (79%, seventh). Opportunities for career development include the 12-month internal trainee assistant manager programme, which has a yearly intake of up to 120. More than half of all the firm's managers have been through it. Many senior bosses started out as glass collectors and bartenders. While staff, two-thirds of whom are on zero-hours contracts, feel exhausted most days when they get home (27% positive, the lowest score) they have plenty of fun (89%, fifth) and believe they can make a valuable contribution to the organisation's success (86%). The group's managers, meanwhile, talk honestly and openly (83%) and help staff fulfil their potential (74%). www.revolution-bars.co.uk
