Managing

The study of management applies to both your professional and personal life. Even if you are not interested in being a manager, you still need management skills to succeed in today’s workplace. Today, employers want to hire employees who can participate in managing the firm, and they are training nonmanagers to perform management functions. The study of management also helps you to communicate with and interact with people every day, make personal plans and decisions, set goals, and prioritize.

A manager is responsible for achieving organizational objectives through efficient and effective utilization of resources. A few terms is this definition should be explained. Efficient refers to doing things right; to maximize the utilization of resources. Effective refers to doing the right thing in order to attain the objective, or the degree to which a manager achieves objectives.

The four management functions include:
Planning
Planning is typically the starting point in the management process. Planning is the process of setting objectives and determining in advance exactly how the objectives will be met.


OrganizingThe manager must also design and develop an organizational system to implement the plans. Organizing is the process of delegating and coordinating tasks and resources to achieve objectives. Staffing is the process of selecting, training, and evaluating employees; Bonnie has full responsibility for staffing her store.

Leading
Leading is the process of influencing employees to work toward achieving objectives.

Controlling
Controlling is the process of establishing and implementing mechanisms to ensure that objectives are achieved.

Reference:
1. Lussier, R. N. (2006). Management Fundamentals, (3rd ed.). Thomson.
2. Robbins, S.P. & Coulter, M. (2005). Management, (8th ed.). Pearson-Prentice Hall-New Jersey.
3. Schermerhorn, J. R. (2005). Management, (8th ed.). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.