This document, which was developed on the basis of recent research and testimony of small business owners, managers and employees, and training providers, is a basic practical manual for those owners and managers of British small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who want to initiate or improve staff training and development activities. The following are among the topics discussed in the first nine sections: the changing workplace; employers and training (training differentials between part-time and full-time workers, male and female workers, and small and larger firms); obstacles to providing training; the business case for training (benefits of work force training); technical and key (basic) skill needs; training approaches and strategies (appropriate forms of training, key workers as coaches or mentors, recognition of on-the-job training, time constraints, open and distance learning, women-only training, Investors in People, employee development schemes, training costs, collaborative arrangements, accreditation of training, evaluation of training); ways of motivating employees to participate in training; examples of good practice; and sources of help and advice for SMEs and their workers. Numerous examples from case studies are also included. Section 10 lists 67 useful publications and multimedia products and 110 useful addresses. Eighteen charts are included. (MN)