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Lesson 445 min read

Organization & Management

Management Functions, Leadership Styles & Business Organization

Management Functions (POLC)

1. Planning

Setting goals and deciding how to achieve them.

  • Setting objectives
  • Developing strategies
  • Creating action plans
  • Allocating resources

Types: Strategic, Tactical, Operational

2. Organizing

Arranging resources and tasks to achieve goals.

  • Defining roles and responsibilities
  • Grouping activities (departmentalization)
  • Establishing authority relationships
  • Coordinating efforts

3. Leading

Motivating and directing people toward goals.

  • Communicating vision
  • Motivating employees
  • Building teams
  • Resolving conflicts

4. Controlling

Monitoring performance and taking corrective action.

  • Setting performance standards
  • Measuring actual performance
  • Comparing to standards
  • Taking corrective action

Leadership Styles

Autocratic Leadership

Leader makes decisions alone without input from subordinates.

Pros: Quick decisions, clear direction
Cons: Low morale, no creativity

Democratic Leadership

Leader involves team members in decision-making process.

Pros: High morale, creativity, buy-in
Cons: Slower decisions, conflicts

Laissez-Faire Leadership

Leader gives full freedom to subordinates with minimal supervision.

Pros: Autonomy, empowerment
Cons: Lack of direction, accountability

Transformational Leadership

Leader inspires and motivates to achieve extraordinary outcomes.

  • Idealized influence (role model)
  • Inspirational motivation
  • Intellectual stimulation
  • Individualized consideration

Organizational Structure

Functional Structure

Groups employees by specialized functions.

Departments: Marketing, Finance, HR, Operations, etc.

Best for: Small to medium businesses with limited product lines

Divisional Structure

Groups by product, geographic area, or customer type.

  • Product Division (e.g., Electronics, Appliances)
  • Geographic Division (e.g., Asia, Europe)
  • Customer Division (e.g., Retail, Enterprise)

Matrix Structure

Combines functional and divisional structures; dual reporting.

Challenge: Employees have two bosses

Key Concepts

  • Chain of Command: Line of authority from top to bottom
  • Span of Control: Number of subordinates a manager supervises
  • Centralization: Decision-making at top levels
  • Decentralization: Decision-making distributed to lower levels

Human Resource Management

HR Functions

  • Recruitment & Selection
  • Training & Development
  • Performance Management
  • Compensation & Benefits
  • Employee Relations
  • Compliance & Safety

Recruitment Process

  1. Job Analysis (define requirements)
  2. Sourcing (find candidates)
  3. Screening (review applications)
  4. Interviewing (assess fit)
  5. Selection (make offer)
  6. Onboarding (orientation)

Motivation Theories

  • Maslow's Hierarchy: Physiological → Safety → Social → Esteem → Self-actualization
  • Herzberg's Two-Factor: Hygiene factors (prevent dissatisfaction) vs. Motivators (create satisfaction)
  • McGregor's Theory X & Y: X (people avoid work) vs. Y (people are self-motivated)

Performance Appraisal Methods

  • Rating Scales: Numerical ratings on criteria
  • 360-Degree Feedback: Input from all directions
  • MBO: Management by Objectives
  • BARS: Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scales