The Four Functions of Management
The functions of management are similar across diverse types of businesses. There are four functions of management namely; planning, organizing, leading and controlling. These functions help in achieving the visions and goals of management. They all work collectively to reach the goals set for management and none can function perfectly without the others. The proper functioning of these managerial tasks is the gauge for success in the management function.
Planning is the leading function of management. The manager has to establish the organization’s goals and formulate a way of achieving these goals. These goals are, in most cases, obtained from the organization’s vision and mission statement. Two major components of the planning function are setting objectives for achievement of the goals and monitoring the implementation of the set goals.
Organization of a business’s manpower and resources is the second task of a manager. It is the responsibility of the manager to know how much manpower is required to perform a task completely. It is also his task to ensure employees have the required resources to perform their duties competently. A manager’s supervisory ability is gauged against his ability to organize. An organized manager with an organized workplace command respect from his/her subordinates.
Leadership and management are not the same task. A manager ensures that jobs are finished on time and that protocols are followed. Managers command a following from the workers only because they hold a superior rank. On-the-other-hand, leaders give employees a motivating reason to follow them. Managers expect workers to accomplish their tasks whereas leaders guide the workers towards the realization the goals set for them.
Controlling basically entails monitoring of the organization’s performance to ensure objectives are met. The balance between productivity and cost should controlled by the manager. There are factors, both internal and external, that affect these functions of management. They include; globalization, technology, innovation, diversity and ethics.
In light of globalization, a manager has to plan on the expansion strategy and organize resources with consideration to the global market. Introduction of a new product to new international markets will require great strategizing and a great amount or resources organization. People in the new market may not be very interested in a new product thus the need to advertise. For instance a mobile phone company, such as Nokia, selling its products on the global market requires a great deal of planning an organizing of its resources to ensure smooth penetration into the new markets.
Globalization also affects the leading and controlling functions of management. The manager should have the ability to lead his team in acquiring new markets and motivate employees to labor for the achievement of the goal of expansion. He should also conduct follow-up to measure the outcome, benefits and effects of globalization on the company. An example is Nokia’s management being able to monitor its development an apply modification where necessary through effective control.
Innovation impacts on the functions of management in terms of coming up with creative ideas for new or better products and innovative marketing strategies. This would call for good planning to achieve this goal. It would also invoke proper organization of employees and allotment of resources to accommodate these new ideas. The management of Nokia should be able to lead its labor force in realizing this objective as well as monitor the outcome of this innovation and the brunt it bares on the company.
Technology affects the management function in that the managers have to plan for its development. In planning for technological development, management should then concentrate more on forecasting it trend and its effect on the company. They would then have to organize their workers and their resources in readiness to these technological changes. Management should then lead their workers in embracing the chance and further monitor its effects on the organization. For example the management of Nokia has developed their technology of cell phones to cope with the ever changing technology.
Diversity affects all the functions of management. In planning for achievement of objectives diversity creates more channels for reaching the desired end result. When organizing training for workers. Diversity in allocation of resources allows for better distribution of the same. During crisis the management seeks the diverse views of its labor force to help in crisis management. Some workers may be discharged in times of crisis. This makes leadership difficult since the remaining workers may lose the motivation they first had due to insecurity. Diversity in controlling allows Nokia to monitor the views and complains of its customers and thus lay ground for modification.
In relation to ethics, a company like Nokia is regarded as a highly ethical organization due to the safety and usability of its products. The management therefore has to lay plans to maintain this level of ethics. It then has to make sure its employees observe job ethics through organizing its workforce. The management of Nokia has to lead by example by first adhering to the ethical customs of the organization. Management should control the ethical level of the company.
In conclusion, Nokia and all other organizations should put into consideration the impacts of internal and external factors like globalization, innovation, technology, diversity and ethics on the functions of management. Therefore managers should be ready to tackle these effects whether in the planning, organizing, leading or controlling functions of their day-to-day decision making. The management function will be a success if these factors are carefully considered in the decision making process in a business.
References
Fisher-Lewis, L. (2008, December 02). External/Internal Factors. Retrieved May 17, 2012, from www.writework.com: http://www.writework.com/essay/external-internal-factors-2
Rothbauer-Wanish, H. (2009, April 29). Four Functions of Management. Retrieved May 17, 2012, from heather-rothbauer-wanish.suite101.com: http://heather-rothbauer-wanish.suite101.com/four-functions-of-management-a113463
