Management

Management: Theory, Practice, application MGT/330

Jason Thomas

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Successfully running a business or organization requires mastering the four primary functions of managing. The four functions of management are planning, organization, leading and controlling. I manage a flourishing online shoe store (www.myhoodjapan.com), and each of these functions is important to my stores success. This paper will define the functions, and will explain how each relates to my Organization.

The first function of management is planning. “Planning is systematically making decisions about the goals and activities that an individual, a group, a work unit, or overall organization will pursue.” (Bateman & Snell) In my organization, planning takes up the most time. Objectives must be laid out, potential products must be examined and the timing and type of marketing must all be planned out before we provide our product to our customers. This function should be first and foremost to all individuals involved in the organization. Poor planning will result in your organizations demise.

Organization is the function of assembling and coordinating human, financial, physical, informational and other resources needed to achieve goals. Without this function, my business would have folded in the first week. I have midlevel managers to gather together my employees, and discuss the plans for the week. Specific shoe styles must be displayed and organized in a certain order. Information must be disseminated to our marketing team so they know who we are targeting and what steps to take to increase our visibility and productivity. Organizing is not something just one person can do alone. For this function to work, it will take the entire team to pull together for us to triumphant.

Leading is the management function that involves the manager’s efforts to stimulate high performance by employees. There is a big difference between leading and managing. Each organization requires a balance of both. Too much of one will result in your organization failing to meet its goals. Managers tell people what to do, to reach the organizations goals. Leaders also tell people what to do, but they make the employee want to do what is necessary to achieve the goal. In my business, leadership is monumental in us making a profit. The people that work for me feel a part of a team. We do what we can to help motivate our workers and that in turn creates a higher performance rate. Each organization needs leaders to guide all in the direction and vision of the company. Leading is also not something that only one person should be good at. Successful