Management Thoughts

Ancient Period

Lessons from Greek Military Management

Greece , also known as Hellas. Thus, this period o Greeck civilization is sometimes called as Hellenistic Age or Hellenic Civilization. Greek civilization started from 776 B.C. The military might of Greek developed by the Pisistratus (540-528 B.C.). The Greek city states were war states of which Sparta was the first. So, from the military expeditions and organization of the Greek, we learn many principles, strategies, rules and functions of management that are quite modern.

Learning from Cyrus- a military leader and a ruler of Greece.

Cyrus (400 B.C.) learned from his father that i) make plan in night for the next day, and in day for the next night. ii) make yourself a contriver of stratagem, that is, make plan, in a clever and elaborate way to deceive or to counter the opponent. Cyrus also practiced the specificity of work assignment. He said that it is foolish to give order in the manner like let somebody go for water; or let somebody cleave the wood. So, he named every one when he gives his order.

Cyrus Continues

Cyrus also believes in clarity of orders/ instructions. He addressed each of his men by name and gave instructions in clear voice and with specificity so that it would not be misunderstood. He also recognized the need for order, placement and uniformity of actions to get effective performance from his men. He was the first practitioner on record of motion study to teach each soldier the best way of doing action, layout so that each army knows his positon and dimension, and materials handling to army gets his bag of instruments and materials in one baggage and in order.

Cyrus Continues

Cyrus recognised the need for team work, coordination and unity of purpose in his army organisation to achieve goals effectively. He used division of work as he divides his army on the basis of diversity of work, established the unity of direction or command by putting one group of army under one command, and order so that there shall be place for everyone and every thing and man and materials have been made available at right places. He also emphasized on human relations to get success in military management. He also recognized that managing an army and managing an empire is in most respect the same.

Lessons from Alexander the Great (Period of reign 336-323 B.C.)

Alexander the Great uses staff in his war machine very effectively. He maintained a group of officers under his command and each was entrusted with a specific function. This men acted as an informal council of the Alexander the Great. The staff was responsible for making plans, putting them in writing , and coordinating the subordinates in their activities. He developed an information network to monitor the activities of military officers to control carelessness, jealous, betrayal, selfishness or revolt.

Lessons from Alexander the Great (Period of reign 336-323 B.C.)

He uses decentralization of authority with a coordination and reporting system with those generals who are posted to administer the conquered nations.

Roman Civilisation Begins in 750 B.C.

Roman civilization belongs to the Hellenistic civilization. It is descendent of Greek legacy. Roman military organisation actually built up the Roman Empire. Lessons from Empire Organisation Early government was autocratic under a King who exercised centralized power. But he was elected by the people not hereditarily. But there was a Council of Elders constituted with heads of the clans and important issues were discussed and decided into that council. This exhibited a participative management and staff authority. There was a Popular Assembly known as Comitia Curiata, which discussed things that were placed but could not make any legistation.

Roman Civilisation Begins in 750 B.C.

Romans established Senate to decide public issues. Roman government made a little decentralization of authority by recognizing local autonomy to meet local peculiarities. It formed well designed communication network and administrative system to maintain control, loyalty and taxes collection with geographically dispersed empires. Diocletian (284 -305A.D.) became emperor and initiated further delegation of authority.

Roman Civilisation Begins in 750 B.C.

He divided the empire into 101 provinces that are regrouped into 13 dioceses which further regrouped into 4 major geographical divisions. This is excellent structuring of organisation that used the concept of span of control. He appointed three assistant to rule three divisions. One known as Augustus and others known as Caesar. He appointed Vicarii to rule the dioceses and governors to rule the provinces with civil authority but no military which was directly under the emperor.

Roman Civilisation Begins in 750 B.C.

This graduated /hierarchical system of authority was taken to strengthen and solidity the central control- the imperial authority. It was difficult to defy or overthrow the central authority by the provincial or other rulers. This administrative style is still in force in our governments too. Roman army followed the Rule of Ten as hierarchical division of forces with different number of soldiers, and horses. 10 horse soldiers constitute a cavalry unit known as Decuriones. A Turma has 3 Decuriones. 10 Turmae constitute a Legion. Centurions led 100 soldiers and 10 Cohorts made a Legion.

Roman Civilisation Begins in 750 B.C.

Lessons from Roman Farm Management Cato (234 149 B.C.) has given the following instructions to manage a farm: The owner of the firm should inspect his field to know the work progress, the methods applied, left over jobs on regular basis. This is monitoring and concurrent control. The owner should summon the overseer and call for a report on the progress of the work and the explanation about why the job has not been done on right time. This implies reporting as control measure.

Roman Civilisation Begins in 750 B.C.

The owner should call attention of the overseer to the plan of work and should compare it with the results obtained not withstanding the arguments of overseer for not completing the tasks assigned in the last visit. This is modern controlling. The owner should analyse the reasons with the overseer and find out ways to complete the job left undone. The owner should give new orders to completed the neglected jobs. The order should be clear and thoroughly understood by the overseer.

Roman Civilisation Begins in 750 B.C.

The owner should check cash account, supplies, price and stock to undertake new actions. The owner should give overseer in writing a work plan for the year. Catos lists of duties for a overseer contains that he should1. maintain discipline. 2. respect the rights of others and steadfastly uphold his own.

Roman Civilisation Begins in 750 B.C.

3. settle all quarrels among the hands and should administer punishment to guilty persons. 4. show appreciation of courtesy to encourage others to practice it. 5. keep the hands busy. 6. give heed to those whom the master has recommended to him and maintain relations with tow or three other farms so that he can exchange things needed in an emergency. 7. go over his accounts with his master frequently. 8. pay the highest compliments to the team masters who keep their cattle in the best condition.

Roman Civilisation Begins in 750 B.C.

9. plan all the work in ample time for if one thing is done late everything will be late. Lessons of Varro (116-28 B.C.) who worked on selection and placement of farm hands and said that1. select farm personnel who are best fit with heavy work and have aptitude for agriculture. 2. take work test and past experience of the hand before selection. 3. the foreman should have some education, a good disposition and economical habits and be older than hands to have respect from hands.

Roman Civilisation Begins in 750 B.C.

4.the foreman should be very experienced in agricultural work so that workers may appreciate him for greater knowledge and skill that entitled the foreman to command. 5. the foreman should never use whip to enforce discipline but with words. 6. the foreman should be married for marriage makes a man more steady and attach to the place. 7. foreman should work cheerfully if rewards are given.