Functions of Management

In the world today life can be extremely overwhelming. The reason for this is with the implementation of technology many things have become extremely complicated and rushed. This holds true for the world of management as well. Managers have many more responsibilities and need to be constantly observing their team to prevent the slacking technology has offered. The four functions of management, planning, organizing, leading and controlling, when properly used can help to protect the company.

Planning is when a manager assesses what needs to be done, what is going well and what needs to be improved on. Planning is a process utilized by all managers, at all levels, because each manager must identify what is going well within their group and what is not working. In the article "a guide to successful management" the author states "A successful manager should be able to identify the key actions that the department is going to pursue."(solutionbox, 2008) This reinforces that fact that a successful manager must be able to identify what is necessary to be successful. In my organization planning is a highly important tool. I work in the financial services industry and the products are consistently changing, as well as the techniques for providing these products and services to the public. Managers in my organization meet once a week to keep on top of my varying industry and to make sure we remain competitive.

Organizing is very important when considering a successful manager. The reason for this is that organizing refers to a manager properly managing his/her time. This is highly important because a manager can easily be overwhelmed by the amount of work they have, between their own work, to issues with employees, a manager must properly manage his/her time to be successful. In my organization managers spend every morning setting up their day. By setting up their day I mean, they sit down and write to do lists. Without this being done, they would have no chance of getting everything done, especially with the amount of work they do with their employees. Managers in my organization have to go out and work with their employees on a daily basis; because of this many managers in my organization have no time to do their own work.

Leading is when a manager has to lead his/her employees. A manager must show his/her employees the proper way to work and the proper way to maintain a professional atmosphere or one conducive to that particular industry. In my organization managers must really lead by example. If they are not working hard then their employees can easily see that and will, in turn, slack as well. It makes an employee work harder when they see their manager working hard and the same holds true for the opposite. When a manager is not working hard it makes some employees feel ok about not working hard. I am in an organization where it is mostly commission based so without hard work, there is no money made.

Controlling is when a manager keeps track of his/her employees. Managers must maintain a professional and productive working environment so they must constantly be watching their employees