UNIT 1 Managing a business

A. Name some of the things you have in mind when you hear the term
MANAGEMENT

MANAGEM ENT

B. Read the following text: When defining management, people have to approach the two meanings of the term. On the one hand management refers to the people who are in charge of a company or organization directors and managers who have the power and responsibility to make decisions and manage an enterprise. On the other hand, the term covers activities such as planning, organizing, leading, coordinating, controlling, staffing and motivating which are basic managerial functions. Managers who are considered successful perform these functions efficiently. In other words, management can be defined in the latter perspective as the organization and coordination of the activities of an enterprise in accordance with certain policies and in achievement of clearly defined objectives. One cannot conceive management without the world of business. Either that we consider one single manager in a company, such as sole trader, or a member of the

board consisting of tens of members, the status of a manager implies specific characteristics. An effective manager has to possess several skills according to his/her field of activity, position in the organizational structure and other variable factors. However, managers need to have some communication skills, human skills, administrative skills, computer skills, time-management skills, technical skills, and conceptual skills. In order to lead effectively managers have to be able to make good decisions. They have to analyze the options, balance the advantages and disadvantages, and use their personal judgment in order to select the best alternative. Decision-making abilities can be improved if a manager is willing to invest knowledge, effort, and time in this respect. In the end, this is what marks the difference between managers and those who implement the decisions. Therefore, after long discussions and analysis, the manager is the one expected to be saying: All right. This is what were going to do C. Answer the following questions: 1. Which are the two meanings of the term management? 2. How would you describe a manager? 3. Would you like to become a manager? Why? D. Match the key functions of management to their explanation 1. Planning 2. Organizing 3. Leading 4. Coordinating 5. Controlling 6. Staffing 7. Motivating a) Managers arrange a framework that links all workers, tasks, and resources together so that the goals to be achieved. The framework is called organizational chart and it shows the structure and the positions in the company/organization b) The higher level managers set the goals of a company and develop strategies for achieving them c) It implies making assignments, assisting workers to make sure the goals of the organization are being met. The managers interpret the organizational policies, empower and inform workers on their performance. d) Managers have to work on recruiting, selecting, training, evaluating and compensating employees e) The process of determining if the company's goals and objectives are being met. Managers set standards of performance for workers and then monitor and evaluate the subordinates activities to see that the standards are being met. f) The managers mobilize all possible means and human resources towards specific goals. They inspire all members of the organization to share the leaders goal and act accordingly with enthusiasm and loyalty for the managerial team. g) It is managers duty to treat workers equitably and fairly so that to increase their commitment, to apply appropriate rewards for work performance. Managers should turn the employers work into something meaningful and worthwhile for both sides. 1____, 2____, 3____, 4____, 5____, 6____, 7____

E. Choose the appropriate answers (several are valid) and explain your choice. 1. Communication skills imply that good managers have to:
a) do well both in oral and written communication b) be able to impose a point of view under any circumstances c) be able to orally explain processes and give direction to subordinates d) lie without any remorse e) conduct meetings and give talks to groups of people. f) be good listeners g) be good speakers h) be able to write reports, letters, memos, and e-mails i) master foreign languages j) write clearly and concisely and have good grammar and composition skills.

2. Managers prove to have good human skills when:

a) b) c) d) e) they understand different personality types and cultures they have education in this respect they accept diversity and learn how to cope with different people create hospitable environment for employees encourage competition and discrimination settle worker strikes promising increased wages avoid stereotyping people are more understanding with women give as many days off as the employer requires they show respect to those who are different

f)

g) h) i) j)

3. Administrative skills are relevant for a manager because he/she has to: a) understand the difference between public-private administration
b) c) d) e) f) g) h) i) j) establish and follow procedures process paperwork in an orderly way maintain order and supervise coordination see a problem coming and solve it in time and in an appropriate manner make sure the employees have the proper environment for working be able to adapt to unforeseen contexts and face the challenges be in constant contact to all employees supervise all human and financial resources in a company to keep the workplace clean and tidy

4. Computer skills are important because:

a) managers must use the computer day by day b) computers have simplified many of the tasks that are performed by managers c) storing information in electronic format is very efficient d) technology changes and managers must operate the latest versions of PC programs e) written communication is more efficient than the oral one f) handwriting may compromise a business g) computer aided work is more efficient and reliable h) managers may relax playing online games

i) using a computer means having money and this impresses business

partners

j) searching the internet provides almost unlimited access to information 5. A manager should have time-management skills because:
a) He/she has to do everything in a company b) his/her tasks have to be completed most efficiently c) the typical manager is a very busy person and (s)he has to cope with everything d) time is money e) when something unexpected occurs he/she must face the challenge in time f) meetings cannot last for hours g) priorities have to be respected in a daily schedule h) otherwise he/she might become a slave in his/her company i) punctuality and timing is important in the world of business j) he/she is not recommended to delegate activities

6. Technical skills are important for a manager because:

a) a manager must know everything b) technical skills are in fact computer skills c) he/she must know what he/she is asking from the employees to perform d) he/she should be able to provide assistance for the subordinates e) the one who is supervising accountants needs to know the accounting processes f) the leader has to be an example for the employees in any branch g) the workers have to learn how to perform a task from him/her h) he/she will be able to evaluate the work that is performed i) they prove he/she is a professional j) he/she can take over any employees job

7. Managers prove to have good conceptual skills when they:

a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) i) j) see the details as part of a whole can discriminate between relevant and irrelevant challenges understand the concepts they have to work with are creative and have a spirit of adventure dont focus on details but on the trends foresee the market changes know what they want and follow their goal stick to their ideas and impose them on others are able to define everything draw general conclusions from several detailed information

F. Fill in the chart representing the steps in decision making with the following
verbs: SELECT the best alternative, DEVELOP courses of action, EVALUATE the alternatives, RECOGNIZE a problem or opportunity, FOLLOW UP to see whether decision was effective, IMPLEMENT the decision. Arrange them in the right order.

G. Arrange the steps involved in the organizing process in the right order: a) Assigning the appropriate authority and responsibility to managers for each unit b) Setting up objectives c) Determining the specific activities, duties and tasks required to reach the objectives d) Providing the needed financial and physical resources e) Dividing the activities into operating units f) Selecting, training and developing qualified employees 1 ____, 2 ____, 3 ____, 4 ____, 5 ____, 6 ____