Text8 Managers and their Responsibilities

Management is the art of getting things done through other people. It includes the personnel who has the right to make decisions that influence a company’s affairs. Decision making is the most important responsibility of any manager. It can be divided into recognizing the problem, defining and analysing the problem, evaluating alternative solutions, with choosing the most favourable ones and implementing the approach chosen.

Managers must carefully diagnose situations; use their abilities and knowledge to weigh all facts. Managers can’t give “maybe” answers. They usually have to say yes or no and then defend their response. It’s very important to remember that successful management is a skill of choosing from the alternatives and it is based on three basic elements: leadership, motivation and communication.

The main functions of management are planning, organising, directing, controlling, staffing and innovating. All these functions are implemented at three levels of the organisational structure. They are top managers, middle managers and first-line managers. At the basic level of this pyramid there are operating employees.

Top managers are upper-level executives who guide and control the overall activities of the organisation. They are Presidents, Vice Presidents, Chief Executive Officers and Members of the Board.

Middle managers develop tactical plans, policies and coordinate the activities of first-line managers. They are department managers, plant managers, etc.

First-line managers are managers who coordinate and supervise the activities of operating employees. They are supervises, foremen, etc.

Operating employees are not managers. They are qualified and non-qualified persons working for the organisation.

An organisational structure can also be divided horizontally into areas of management. The most common areas are finance, operations, human resources and administration. Also it may include research and development or risk management. A financial manager is primarily responsible for the organisation’s financial resources. An operating manager creates and manages the system that converts resources into goods and services. A marketing manager is responsible for the exchange of products between the organisation and its customers. A human resources manager is in charge of the organisation’s human resources programmes. An administrative manager provides overall administrative leadership and coordinates the activities of specialized managers in all these areas.

Managers of every level and area of the organisation should have management skills because effective management is the key to business success.

Answer the questions:

1. What is management?

2. What is the most important responsibility of any manage?

3. What management functions can you name?

4. What are the main levels of management?

5. What is top management responsible for?

6. What are the duties of first-line managers?

7. Who are operating employees?

8. What are the most common areas of management?

9. What is a financial manager responsible for?

10. What is a marketing manager responsible for?