Buisness 5 Flashcards
Describe a chain of command
The number of people a message would pass through should a member of the company wish to contact another on a business family tree
Describe a span of control
The number of people DIRECTLY Below another in a business family tree. A CEO may only have 1
3 reasons why a business organisation chart is useful
Lays down rules of effective communication
Allows a business to decide whether to delayer or downsize
Shows who is exactly responsible for certain tasks
Describe tall and flat structures in a business organisation chart and adv. of each
Tall = many layers of organisation, span of control lower so more easily manageable, many opportunities for promotion & increased motivation
Flat = many layers of organisation, quicker communication & fewer mistakes, people at bottom know those at top so more inclined to share ideas
Describe 3 ways a business can be organised
Product divisons, regional divisons, functional areas e.g marketing
Describe centralised and decentralised decisions and advantages and disadvantages of each.
Centralise decisions are made by senior managers - increased control and standardisation
Decentralised decisions are delegated to regional employees - decisions give into branches let me know local customers better. But loss of control.
Why would a business downsize or delayer (three reasons)
Reduce costs,improve efficiency, improve communication.
Describe a hierarchy
A structure of different levels of authority in a business organisation, one on top of the other.
Describe layers in a business family tree
Layers are the number of stages of responsibility in a business family tree e.g the CEO on one layer the directors on another
Describe two advantages and disadvantages of a centralised business system. Decentralised are opposite.
As two advantages it gives better standardisation & Control. As two disadvantages it can decrease motivation and Business opportunities and ideas may be lost.
Describe advantages and disadvantages of verbal communication, 2 of each
Adv - easy get feedback to check message was understood, points can be emphasised with intonation and body language
Disadv - If received information is negative receiver may directly challenge authority, no permanent record of communication
What’s the difference between horizontal and vertical communication.
Horizontal communication is communication on the same levels of responsibility. Vertical communication is communication between different levels on the business organisational structure.
Give advantages and disadvantages of written communication, 2 of each.
Advantages that you can keep a record of the message, the receiver is a long time to understand and process complex information, the message can be sent to many people for efficiency, can avoid confrontation.
Disadvantages are that they send a colour immediately check if the message is received, and the quality of message depends on clarity of written communication.
Give advantages and disadvantages of using images for communication, two of each.
Advantages are that it is an engaging form of communication, and can have more impact and hold more information about particular thing such as a prototype
Disadvantages are that may not be able to hold as much details as a written piece. And may not be able to check the message has been immediately understood in certain contexts.
Describe Douglas McGregor Research
His research defines two theories theory X and theory Y.
The average theory X manager believes people must be pressurised to work and do not want responsibility, they believe that work is mainly influenced by external factors like pay schemes.
Theory Y manages find work is natural, and believe people need not be supervised and commit to Hard work. They believe motivation is an internal factor, and self actualisation is the greatest need.
