Chapter 1: Why Are Managers Important?

• A manager is An individual who works with and

through other people by coordinating their work

activities in order to accomplish organizational goals

• Organizations need their managerial skills and

abilities more than ever in these uncertain, complex, and chaotic times.

• Managerial skills and abilities are critical in getting things done.

• The quality of the employee/supervisor relationship

is the most important variable in productivity and loyalty.

Classifying Managers

• First-line Managers – Individuals who manage the work of non- managerial employees.

• Middle Managers – Individuals who manage the work of first- line managers.

•Top Managers – Individuals who are responsible for making

organization-wide decisions and establishing plans and goals that

affect the entire organization.

First Line Managers

• First-line managers are the lowest level of

management and manage the work of

nonmanagerial individuals who are directly

involved with the production or creation of the

organization’s products. First-line managers are

often called supervisors or even shift managers,

district managers, department managers, or office managers.

• First line managers are also known as supervisors or shift managers.

Middle managers

• Middle managers are found between the

lowest and top levels of the organization.

These managers manage the work of first-line

managers and may have titles such as

department head, project leader, store

manager, or division manager.

Top managers

• Top managers are responsible for making

organization-wide decisions and establishing

the plans and goals that affect the entire

organization. These individuals typically have

titles such as executive vice president,

president, managing director, chief operating

officer, or chief executive officer.

A key to success in management and in your career is knowing how to be an effective decision-maker.

The Decision-Making Process

• Step 1: Identify a Problem

– Problem – an obstacle that makes it difficult to

achieve a desired goal or purpose.

– Effectively identifying problems is not easy.

– Every decision starts with a problem, a

discrepancy between an existing and a desired

condition.

– Example – Amanda is a sales manager whose reps

need new laptops.

• Step 2: Identify Decision Criteria

– Decision criteria are factors that are

important (relevant) to resolving the

problem.

– Example – Amanda decides that memory and

storage capabilities, display quality, battery

life, warranty, and carrying weight are the

relevant criteria in her decision.