Functions of the Manager

Regardless of the type of the industry, the functions involved in an organization, or the organizational level at which one functions; every manager has to perform certain basic managerial functions such as planning, organizing, staffing, leading and controlling.

· Planning is the process of setting goals, and charting the best way of action for achieving the goals. This function also includes, considering the various steps to be taken to encourage the necessary levels of change and innovation.

· Organizing is the process of allocating and arranging work, authority and resources, to the members of the organization so that they can successfully execute the plans.

· Staffing consists of recruiting, training and developing people, who form part of the organized efforts to contribute towards organizational growth.

· Leading involves directing, influencing and motivating employees to perform essential tasks. This function involves display of leadership qualities, different leadership styles, different influencing powers, with excellent abilities of communication and motivation.

· Controlling is the process of devising various checks to ensure that planned performance is actually achieved. It involves ensuring that actual activities confirm to the planned activities. Monitoring the financial statements, checking the cash registers to avoid overdraft etc., form part of this process.

The Essentials of control activities are:

· Setting performance standards

· Determining the yard-stick for measuring performance

· Measuring the actual performance

· Comparing actuals with the standard

· Taking corrective actions, if actuals do not match with standards

The Levels of Management

Management can be classified into three levels. They are top management, middle management and supervisory or first-level management. The number of managerial jobs in an organization varies with the level of management.

· Top management sets the goals of the organization, evaluates the overall performance of various departments involved in selection of key personnel and consults subordinate managers on subjects or problems of general scope.

· Middle level management is responsible for developing departmental goals and initiate actions that are required to achieve organizational objectives.

· Supervisory management takes charge of day-to-day operations at the floor level and is involved in preparing detailed short-range plans.

Managerial Skills

· A manager's job is varied and complex. Managers need certain skills, to help them in performing various functions associated with their job. These skills can be categorizedTechnical skills These skills include the knowledge of and proficiency in activities involving methods, processes and procedures. This includes the abilities of a manager in using the knowledge, tools, and techniques of a specific discipline or field such as accounting, engineering, manufacturing etc. Examples of such skills also include the preparation of financial statements, the ability to develop a new code for the computer program.

These skills are needed for the first line managers, since they are responsible for delivering the actual performance. First line managers also spend a considerable amount of their time in training their subordinates.

· Human or interpersonal skills of a manager, includes his/her ability to understand other people and interact effectively with them. Examples of such skills include leading, motivating and communicating, with subordinates, peers and outsiders. Possession of these skills is essential for managers, working in all levels. The human skills are also important in creation of an environment in which people feel secure and free to express their opinions.

· Conceptual skills This refers to the ability to think and conceptualize abstract situations. These abilities are required for making complex decisions. Such skills are inclusive of the diagnostic skill, which enables an understanding of the `cause-effect' relationship. Further, it helps to see the situation as a whole, as well as in parts. (i.e., individually). These skills are essential for the top management as they have to understand how the various parts of the organization relate to one another and associate the organization with the external environment.

· Design skills enable a manager to handle and solve any kind of unforeseen problems, that may crop up in the organization. Top management should posses design skills, in plenty. It is basically their job to handle/tackle any unforeseen consequences that may occur in the organization. Such problems could arise due to internal factors or external factors and/or both.

In the above skills consideration, I like to tell something about my manager he is friendly and having said above qualities though he was having management master degree in his hand. As per my view he is born intellectual qualities,

i.e planning, organizing,staffing, leading and controlling is inbound in his blood,

He is the right person to get some more steps which is leading to top level managent,

and strong enough to handle any type of critical situation.

He is hero of my knowledge and his name is Mr.Nataraj.