Functions of Management

Functions of Management

In today's work environment the only thing managers can be sure of is change as companies retrench, right size, and explore other ways to remain an asset. Therefore components such as planning, organizing, leading, and controlling must remain in today's work environment.

Bateman and Snell (2007) states planning is specifying the goals to be achieved and deciding in advance the appropriate actions needed to achieve those goals. In my organization, planning is a daily task. Being a manager is both an art and a science. It is an art because many skills cannot be learned from a textbook. Therefore planning is a vital and crucial step in being a successful manager however, it is also the most important step that can be overlooked.

A top performing manager realizes that preparation is a crucial step towards staying above the other competition. Planning effectively allows a manager to be prepared and confident when communicating in meetings, and training sessions. Managers must also be able to plan for the unexpected. In my organization my daily tasks consist of planning for the current day as well as the future day.

Bateman and Snell (2007) states organizing is assembling and coordinating the human, financial, physical, information, and other resources needed to achieve goals. In my organization, organizing is activities which attract people to become a part of the firm. A well organized operation will lead to a more productive and goal-directed activity and structure. The organization process should result in an overall structure that permits interactions among individuals and departments needed to achieve company goals.

Boone and Kurtz (1999) states the organizing process should result in a well-defined structure so that employees know what expectations their jobs involve, to whom they report, and how their work contributes to the company's effort to meet its goals. As a company grows, its structure increases in complexity. With increased size comes specialization and growing numbers of employees. In my organization complexity is very prevalent; as employees continue to take participant calls each and every call requires specialty skills.

To assist employees understand how their work fits within the overall operation of the firm, some managers prepare an organization chart, which is a visual representation of a firm's structure that illustrates job positions and functions.

Bateman and Snell (2007) define leading as the management function that involves the manger's efforts to stimulate high performance by employees. Leading also includes motivating and communicating with employees, individually and in groups. In my organization leading