Mgt 330 - Function of Management

Functions of Management

MGT 330

Week 1

The method of management is changing substantially. Therefore, managers must recognize the four functions of management. They are planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. The four functions of management are needed in a new business that is just starting (Bateman, Snell, 2007).

In today’s society, managers need to engage in planning (Buhler, 1998). The key is to conduct strategic planning. Planning is the goals to be achieved and deciding in advance the appropriate actions needed to achieve those goals (Bateman, Snell, 2007). Planning activities include analyzing current situations, anticipating the future, determining objectives, and determining the resources needed to achieve the organization’s goal. Planning will set the stage for action and major achievements (Bateman, Snell, 2007). Planning also consist of establishing business plans and telling others how to implement them. At my place of employment, planning is done by the top executives. They implement the plan and tell us how they want it to be done. Top executives try to plan exactly what the customers want in the organization. For example, if the customer does not want to wait a long time to be called to registration then it is a good idea for the managers to implement a plan to satisfy the customer.

Next, organizing is the second function of management. Organizing is assembling and coordinating the human, financial, physical, informational, and other resources needed to achieve goals (Bateman, Snell, 2007). Organizing includes attracting people to the organization, specifying job requirements, and creating conditions so that people and things work together to achieve success. Organizing also includes creating an organization chart by identifying business functions, establishing relationships, and having a personnel department that administer plans, programs, and paperwork (Bateman, Snell, 2007). For the future, managers will be using new forms of organizing and viewing their people as the most valuable resources. They will build organizations that are flexible and relate to the customer needs (Bateman, Snell, 2007). At my place of employment, organizing is done by the managers. They specify to the employees what the job responsibilities are. The human resource department organizes the paperwork and the plans for the organization. Not only managers organize, as an employee with the company, it is my responsibility to organize my desk and my paperwork.

The third function of management is leading. Leading is getting people to be high performers (Bateman, Snell, 2007). Leading includes motivating and communicating with employees individually and in groups. Leading involves close contact with people, helping to guide and inspire them toward achieving team and organizational goals (Bateman, Snell, 2007). Leading takes place in teams, departments, and divisions, and at the top of large organizations. In the future, managers must be good at getting people to contribute their ideas, and use their brain (Bateman, Snell, 2007). At my place of employment, leading is done by my director. She motivates the employees to be as accurate as possible with the registrations. She communicates with the employees on a regular basis by e-mail. She also motivates the employees to help each other