SAC 1B Flashcards
(28 cards)
Management Styles:
The different ways in which a manager can manage the business. Management styles are made up of different combinations of management skills.
Autocratic
A management style whereby the leader dictates policies, procedures, decides the objective and directs all activities. This is referred to as centralised authority. Communication is one way: Manager → Employee(s)
Persuasive
A management style whereby the manager will try and persuade the employees that the decision that they’ve made is the best way to do things. The manager still maintains authority, and communication is one way: Manager → Employee(s)
Consultative
A management style whereby the manager will discuss issues with staff before they come to a final decision on their own. A consultative manager recognises the importance of having good relationships with their employees. Communication is two ways.
Participative
A management style whereby the manager shares the decision making process with employees, but the manager still takes responsibility for the decision. Communication is two ways.
Laissez-faire
A management style whereby employees are totally responsible for the decision making process and the operations of the business. This management style has been described as very chaotic due to the fact that everyone must get an equal say in all decisions.
Management Skills:
Management skills refer to the common sets of skills that all managers need in order to be effective. Six of the main management skills are; communication, delegation, decision making, planning, leadership and interpersonal.
Communication
Communication is the sending and receiving of information between people. A manager needs to have good communication skills in order to be able to tell employees what they need to do.
Delegation
Delegation is the transfer of authority and responsibility from a manager to an employee to carry out specific activities. Despite the transfer of authority, the manager still maintains responsibility for the outcome of the task(s).
Decision making
Decision making is deciding to use choose one alternative over another to achieve business objectives. Decision making can be centralised, with the manager, or decentralised, with the employees.
Planning
Planning involves the prior thinking that goes into considering how a task is performed, and the best way to achieve the business objectives. Planning is generally done by a manager, however, a manager may decide to consult employees beforehand or, if the manager is using a participative or laissez-faire style, planning may be done by the employees.
Leadership
Leadership involves guiding a business towards its objectives. Leadership involves establishing a clear vision, sharing that vision with others, and coordinating stakeholders as well as balancing their interests.
Interpersonal
Interpersonal is the skill people use to interact with each other properly and appropriately. In the context of a business, the term refers to the ability of employees and managers to get along well with each other, and to build positive relationships with each other. This enables the members of the business to develop trust, which helps the business function.
Corporate Culture:
Corporate culture refers to the shared values and beliefs of the people within a business. There are two different types of corporate culture, being official corporate culture and real corporate culture
Official corporate culture
Official corporate culture refers to what the owners and managers want the businesses culture to look like. The official corporate culture can be seen in the businesses written policies, slogans and business objectives.
Real corporate culture
Real corporate culture is the actual shared values and beliefs of the people within the business. Real corporate culture can be seen in the ways in which the managers and employees interact with each other within the work place.
Elements of Corporate Culture:
The elements of corporate culture refer to the things within a business that could be used to indicate the businesses type of culture. Some of these elements are: core values, rituals & celebrations, communication, heroes and physical environment.
Core values
These are what the business values the most and will not change even when the business changes. They provide directions of the way the business operates.
Rituals & celebrations
Rituals are things that occur on a regular basis within the business. For example, regular social gatherings or awards to celebrate high achieving employees.
Communication
How management communicates with subordinates and how employees communicate with each other. This gives insight into whether or not their is tension between people within the business and allows you to see if the business will be a good place to work.
Heroes
Those who the employees of the business can look up to due to the way that they demonstrate the values of the business. For example, the founder of the business or the employees of the month.
Physical environment
The place in the which the employees work. Businesses that value teamwork (such as Google) are more likely to have a more open workplace, where teams can easily meet and interact due to Google’s open layout.
Developing corporate culture:
For a business to develop its idea corporate culture is must work on it continually. Corporate culture can be developed by using different means, such as through communication, leading by example, recruitment & selection, training and reward & recognition.
Communicate
Communication the desired values and behaviours of the business to the employees. This allows employees to be aware of the expectations placed upon them.
