Management Functions and Decision Making

Business Principles and Management

Mr. Kretschmer

Moving Into Management

People think that they will do a better job than their current manager.

Employee can no longer do the work that they are currently doing.

What if the employee is unsuccessful? Select, Train, Promote

Nature of Management

Managers are responsible for the success or failure of a company.

The decisions a manager make determine what a company will do and how well it will perform.

Management Activities

There are a number of activities that all managers must perform no matter how small or large or the type of business that they work in.

Management = The process of accomplishing the goals of an organization through the effective use of people and other resources.

Management Activities

Operating any business is a complex process.

A manager must be prepared to complete the following activites:

Planning Organizing Implementing Controlling

Management and Non-Management Employees

Many employees complete work activities that could be considered management activities.

A manager completes all four management functions on a regular basis and has authority over other jobs and people.

Management and Non-Management Employees

Different levels of management depending on the company.

Supervisors

Mid-Managers

Executives

Supervision

Supervisors are critical to the success of a business.

Supervisors work directly with employees and are responsible for translating the company’s plan into action.

The Supervisors Job

Often promoted from the area where they work.

Often selected from the most experienced and most skilled workers.

Need to understand the work of both employees and management

The Supervisors Job

The effectiveness of a supervisor’s job is determined by three factors:

1. The quality of the work of the supervised employees

2. The efficient use of the company’s resources

3. The satisfaction of the supervisor’s employees

Responsibilities of Supervisors

In Spite of differences in every supervisors job, they all have common responsibilities.

Communicate the goals and directions of management to employees

Explain employee concerns and ideas to management

Evaluate and improve employee performance Encourage employees to do their best work Use Resources efficiently

Day-to-Day Management

Each employee gets direction from a supervisor, and the

supervisor is responsible for the work of each employee.

Common Tools Used by Supervisors: Work Schedules Memos and Reports Time Schedules Evaluation Checklists Quality Control Checklists

Improving Supervisory Skills

CLASS DEBATE:

“Supervisors are sometimes tempted to step in and do the work of employees but must rely on their employees to get the work done”.

Improving Supervisory Skills

How do supervisor’s improve their skills? Training Classes Streaming Videos Internet

Using Management Information

Managers must have a great deal of information available to make sound business decisions.

Management Information Systems

Computers help managers control business decisions

Managers can use MIS systems to reduce the amount on controlling activities

Computers help monitor standards that are established by the organization

Business Research

Managers need sufficient information before they can make sound business decisions

What are some topics that a business may research before making a good decision?

Decision Making

“It is important to the overall success of any business that the decisions be made as carefully as possible at every level of management.”

Problems and Decision Making

A problem is a difficult situation requiring a solution.

To find the best solution, managers should follow a systematic approach to solving problems.

Steps in Problem Solving

The four steps in problem solving:

1. Identify the problem

2. Determine possible solutions

3. Analyze the solutions

4. Select the best solution

Any Questions