Management

1. What is management?

Management is a process that is used to accomplish organizational goals; that is, a process that is used to achieve what an organization wants to achieve. An organization could be a business, a school, a city or any governmental entity. Managers are the people to whom this management task is assigned. The role of manager is comprehensive and often very complex. The four key functions of management are: 1) planning, 2) organizing, 3) directing, and 4) controlling. These four key functions of management are applied throughout an organization regardless of whether it is a business, a government agency, a school, or any other commercial enterprise.

2. Is management science or art?

Some would define management as an art, while others would define it as a science. Whether management is an art or a science isn't what is most important. The most important thing is to achieve the goals, which an organization wants to achieve. To be an effective manager, it is necessary to possess many skills. Not all managers have all the skills that would make them the most effective manager. As technology advances and grows, the skills that are needed by managers are constantly changing. Generally, however, managers need to have communication skills, human skills, computer skills, time-management skills, and technical skills.

Communication skills fall into the broad categories of oral and written skills, both of which managers use in many different ways. It is necessary for a manager to orally explain processes and give directions to workers. It is also necessary for managers to give verbal praise to workers. Managers are also expected to conduct meetings and give talks to groups of people. The important part of the oral communication process is listening. Managers are expected to listen to their supervisors and to their workers. A manager who doesn't listen is not a good communicator. Managers are also expected to write reports, letters and memos. All of these must be written in such a way that the recipient can understand what is being said. Good writing requires good grammar and composition skills.

Human skills. Relating to other people is vital in order to be a good manager. The manager must understand different personality types and cultures be able to supervise these workers. Human skills cannot be learned in a classroom; they are best learned by working with people. Computer skills. It is necessary for managers to have computer skills in order to keep up with rapid technology changes. Many of the processes that occur in offices, manufacturing plants and other work environments depend on computers. Although computers can cause headaches, at the same time they have simplified many of the tasks that are performed in the workplace.

Time-management skills The typical manager is a very busy person, so it is important that time be managed effectively. A manager's time is often interrupted by telephone calls, problems with workers and other seemingly uncontrollable factors. It is up to the manager to learn how to manage time so that work can be completed most efficiently. Manager must be willing to prioritize activities, delegate, deal with interruptions and organize work. Technical skills are more closely related to the tasks that are performed by workers. A manager must know what the workers who are being supervised are doing on their jobs. For example, a manager who is supervising accountants' needs to know the accounting processes; a manager who supervises the construction of a home must know the sequence of operations and how to perform them. So, it is possible to say that management is both an art and a science.