Kimberly Foster

4-25-2016
BUS 1050
My Renaissance
The word renaissance generally means the humanistic revival of something
such as art, literature, or learning. In this class,Bus 1050I find myself having my
own renaissance. I began the course expecting to learn about how a business is ran,
balancing books, and employment management. However, the readings would get
me thinking much more than that. I began to think more critically and thoroughly
about the theoretical business aspect. There were many great reading assignments
that were given throughout the course from the textbook, and some stood out to me
much more than others. The four readings that stood out the most were Trade in
the Aztec Civilization, The Dependence Effect, General Principles of
Management from Division of Work to Espirit de Corps, and Not Enough Generals
Were Killed.
To start off, Trade in the Aztec Civilization was written by Richard Eells and
Clarence Walton in (1961). This reading outlined the principles of modern business
that were practice in the ancient times by the Aztecs. Some of the main principles
were monetary trade, markets, acquisition of wealth, and social responsibility. I
found that it all related to modern business for a number of different reasons.
Looking at the ways businesses were ran in the past, I find that we are able to learn
from their mistakes. We can apply much more to improve companies every day.
One main thing in this reading that shocked me, was how the Aztecs didnt
always do trade and market systems. So caught up in todays world, the past
cultures dont seem to be acknowledged as much as they should (by me anyways).

The Aztecs greatly expanded their social structure, and the beginning of business
was born among them. They had created their own political system with a form of
currency just like we do today. Living by the Aztec rule what is desirable, what is
right, they made deals where they were to look for the best of the person involved
and to look for what was proper. Doing this, they all worked together as a
community. Basically, the Aztecs didnt exactly have what we do today. They were
the ones who had to come up with the guild systems and trades all on their own to
benefit their society.
The second reading in the text book that had opened my mind to a number of
things was The Dependence Effect by J.K. Galbraith and written in (1958). I have
never really took the time to realize that wants create more wants. When one man
sees his neighbor with something it soon becomes his wish or his want. This idea is
very true and is a great aspect in what is expanding our technology departments. It
creates the need for production in companies. In addition, Galbraith also talks about
advertising and salesmen. They can create a desire that never even existed
beforehand. Understanding the difference between a need and a want, it has been
shown that wants are more profitable.
In the reading, the text explains, one mans consumption becomes another
mans wish. This pretty much shows that being able to create a desire and jealousy
from your product, continues to manifest. The Dependence Effect addresses how
societies real needs can be understood fairly well. It is a much safer bet to stay
close to the production of needs. Although, the existence of dependence on things
to help fulfill human desire will help keep the demand high for the things in life that
arent necessary.

Although the Aztecs history and Galbraiths writing had gotten me going, the
management sections of the textbook seems to be what will stick with me
throughout my future career. I am majoring in Civil Engineering and minoring in
Business. I plan to use my knowledge to become a project manager in my field. And
I feel like these last two readings have definitely helped me understand more of
what it means to be a true manager.
General Principles of Management from Division of Work to Espirit de Corps
was written by Henri Fayol in (1925). In the late 1800s and early 1900s, managers
had very few resources to draw from. It made it difficult for them to guide and
develop their own management practice. However, thanks to the early theorist,
Henri Fayol, we now have the tools necessary to lead and manage more effectively.
Fayol had created a long list of principles that we must live by in order for success:
Division of work, Authority, Discipline, Unity of Command, Unity of
Direction, Subordination of Individual Interests to the General Interest,
Remuneration, Centralization, Scalar Chain, Order, Equity, Stability of
Tenure of Personnel, Initiative, and Espirit de Corps.
I wanted to go into more depth with each of these principles.
However, I didnt want to bore my readers with too long of a
paper.
While these principles are not as widely used as they once were, it is very important
for one to understand how the foundation of administrative management theory
was developed to address the needs of the times. One thing that got me going was
how Fayol saw workers as humans with the elements required for getting the work
done. It is a whole organizational effort.

Addressing one principle, I cant help but agree with the reading where it
explains that an employee should receive orders from one superior authority (Unity
of Command). There needs to be only one boss over each person that gives orders
to avoid confusions and conflicts amongst the company. As soon as two superiors
attempt to be over the same employee or department, it makes itself felt, and the
disorder will then soon increase. In no case, is there adaption of an employee to be
duel commanded.
The last main reading that stood out to me throughout the course was Not
Enough Generals Were Killed! by Peter Drucker. This reading really spoke to me
because it explains the importance of being a leader. A manager cannot run a
business successfully without him making it possible for the workers to follow the
motivation and example he gives off. In the reading it shows the main differences
between different types of leaders. Leadership must be learned and can be
learned. It also says not enough generals were killed; which means that those
generals were not at all good leaders. It is the leaders responsibility to do the right
thing even if it means risking their own life. One cannot expect to lead without
doing.
The idea about the generals can be related to a manager in todays world. In
order for the workers and employees to stay motivated in their job, they need to be
managed by someone who is that same way. However, when the manager or boss
doesnt seem to be engaged in their career or work, it drags the ones under him
down.
Reading about management had gotten me thinking more about some of the
companies I have worked at. I have had some bosses who seem to abuse their

authority rather than making it easy for me to follow their leadership. The law of
one above another must be applied in the workforce in order for success and
greatness. In other words, the employee must have a good tie with the manager
over him, and the manager must have a good tie with the one above him, and so on
and so forth.
In conclusion, after going through this course and these readings, I feel like I
have a much better understanding of what critical thinking actually means. Running
a business isnt just money and profits, its understanding where you may be going
wrong. It is to find places where one can improve rather than working day to day
with no engagement. Overall, going through the text book was a big jump for my
ideas in business. It was not what I was expecting at all, and it only makes me wish
that I could read more.