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Matthew Tibble

Matthew Tibble is passionate about helping businesses succeed, & is the author of Business Planning Made Easy - a detailed business planning guide that will help you get what you want from your business.

Matthew Tibble has written 5 articles for SB Informer.

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MANAGEMENT - A CASE STUDY - Pt 1

Matthew Tibble

February 01, 2007

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Management - one of those elusive terms used to describe the controlling body in an organisation. Also used when referring to the Boss or the Powers That Be. But how did Management come to be, and what roles do or should managers play in the workplace? How do you know what management technique would best suit your business, and is there a way that you can assess yourself to see what current management style is adopted?

The answers to these questions can be found in our short series of articles, titled Management - A Case Study. We will explore the history of management techniques and the primary objectives of each method, as well as what roles managers play in business. At the end of the series, we will also be providing you a chance to assess yourself and see which of the techniques or methods best describe how you manage, or how you are being managed.

WHAT IS A MANAGER?

One who has charge of a corporation and control of its business, or of its branch establishments, divisions, or departments, and who is vested with a certain amount of discretion and independent judgment. A person chosen or appointed to manage, direct, or administer the affairs of another person or of a business, sports team, or the like. The designation of manager implies general power and permits reasonable inferences that the employee so designated is invested with the general conduct and control of the employer's business.

This management role can be divided into three distinct levels of management. Depending on the size of the organisation, some or all of these levels will exist.

Level 1 - Frontline Managers

Sometimes referred to as a supervisor or foreperson, this role is often the first level that workers will interact with. They are used as the conduit of information from the production level of the business through to the decision level of the business. Issues impacting on the immediate health and well-being of the workers can be acted upon by Frontline Managers, as well as relaying any requests or issues to managers at other levels as needed.

Level 2 - Intermediate Managers

This level has been dubbed 'Middle Management', and in the 1990's many people in these positions experienced extensive downsizing resulting in unemployment. Whilst this article series is not discussing the ins and outs of the downsizing that took place in this time, it does reflect how organisations viewed the role of middle managers. Initially, senior executives perceived that this level of management prevented change in the organisation, and slowed down the communication process. However, in the last few years this level of management has had a revival, with organisations now recognizing that Middle Managers play a vital role in communicating the needs of the organisation to lower levels of operation. Middle managers are now also seen as the key role to help organisation develop, by facilitating change in companies, and as an effective training ground for new level 3 managers.

Level 3 - Top Managers

Top Managers, the Executive Committee, refers to the level of management within a business that makes decisions at a strategic level. Generally speaking, the average age of managers at this level is of a more senior level as a direct result of experience and time in Industry. It is their role to oversee the performance of the business as a whole, report to the owners (be it a private business or a public company), and to be held accountable for the organisation's success or failure. Many level 3 managers create new business divisions and opportunities through forming strategic partnerships with other companies. Policy development, business expansion and business development fall within the responsibility of this level of management.

This article is one of three, and the remainder will also be available on this site, or by contacting BusinessPlanningMadeEasy.com directly using the links below.