Bateman M5e: IM: Chapter 1 Managing Effectively in a Changing World

########## 10. What are your strengths and weaknesses as you contemplate your career? How do they correlate to the skills and behaviors identified in the chapter?

Students should be able to list at least three or four major strengths and weaknesses vis-à-vis their future careers and the instructor might then ask them to evaluate these strengths and weaknesses specifically against the four managerial functions-planning, organizing, leading, and control.

11. Devise a plan for developing yourself and making yourself attractive to potential employers. How would you go about improving your managerial skills?

The instructor can help the student through this exercise by giving a personal example: showing how he or she has used each of the eight pieces of advice to better position his or her career and other interests. The recommended method of improving managerial skills is through education and personal experiences. Recognizing the skills is important to seek retraining and recognizing the skills required to be an effective manager. Technical or problem solving skills is developing the product knowledge and the ability to listen, observe, and diagnose problem/opportunities. Conceptual and decision skills pertain to the ability to identify and resolve problems for the benefit of the organization and its members. Interpersonal and communication skills are people skills; the ability to lead, motivate, and communicate effectively with others.

12. Consider the managers and companies discussed in the chapter. Have they been in the news lately, and what is the latest? If their image, performance, or fortunes have gone up or down, what has changed to affect how they fared?

Many of the organizations listed in the chapter will have suffered setbacks or improved their status by the time the students read the text. Setbacks are typically caused by changes in market conditions, mismanagement, or unwise use of resources (for example, overexpansion.) Improvements can be tied to the four drivers of competitive advantage - innovation, speed, quality, and cost, as well as customer service and effective management.

- 13. Who are Business Week 's most recent 'Best and Worst Managers' and why were they selected?

Students' answers will vary according to year.

- 14. Look at the bar chart in the text's section 2.1 Top Managers Strategize and Lead . By a show of hands, how many of you would say that you relate positively to your current (or previous) boss? Why or why not? What could your boss do to improve the way he or she relates to you?

Students will likely mention suggested imrpvements in managers' communication styles, whether it be increased interaction with one's supervisor, more two -way communication, and more regular feedback or praise for employee performance.

- 15. While frontline managers have direct managerial control over their employees, team leaders do not have direct control over team members. What strategies can team leaders use to direct team members to achieve organizational objectives?

Students' answers may vary but will likely focus on specific suggestions team leaders related to accountability, improving team cohesiveness, and ensuring team members share the same perceptions of the teams goals and objectives.

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