Functions of
Managers
Managers
just don't go out and haphazardly perform their responsibilities. Good managers
discover how to master five basic functions: planning, organizing, staffing,
leading, and controlling.
- Planning: This step involves
mapping out exactly how to achieve a particular goal. Say, for example,
that the organization's goal is to improve company sales. The manager
first needs to decide which steps are necessary to accomplish that goal.
These steps may include increasing advertising, inventory, and sales staff.
These necessary steps are developed into a plan. When the plan is in
place, the manager can follow it to accomplish the goal of improving
company sales.
- Organizing: After a plan is in
place, a manager needs to organize her team and materials according to her
plan. Assigning work and granting authority are two important elements of
organizing.
- Staffing: After a manager
discerns his area's needs, he may decide to beef up his staffing by
recruiting, selecting, training, and developing employees. A manager in a
large organization often works with the company's human resources
department to accomplish this goal.
- Leading: A manager needs to do
more than just plan, organize, and staff her team to achieve a goal. She
must also lead. Leading involves motivating, communicating, guiding, and
encouraging. It requires the manager to coach, assist, and problem solve
with employees.
- Controlling: After the other
elements are in place, a manager's job is not finished. He needs to
continuously check results against goals and take any corrective actions
necessary to make sure that his area's plans remain on track.
All managers at all levels of every organization perform these
functions, but the amount of time a manager spends on each one depends on both
the level of management and the specific organization.
Roles performed by
managers
A manager wears many
hats. Not only is a manager a team leader, but he or she is also a planner,
organizer, cheerleader, coach, problem solver, and decision maker — all rolled
into one. And these are just a few of a manager's roles.
In addition, managers' schedules are usually jam‐packed. Whether they're busy with employee meetings, unexpected
problems, or strategy sessions, managers often find little spare time on their
calendars. (And that doesn't even include responding to e‐mail!)
Comments
Post a Comment