Management Thought and Practice
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents
MANAGEMENT THOUGHT AND PRACTICE. 3
INFLUENCING TECHNIQUES IN THE PLANNING PROCESS. 5
Empowerment through involvement in decision making and valuing others through recognition. 5
Negotiating for support for a common goal. 6
The building of relationships through knowing others and building of communications. 6
Creating awareness in an organization through support from critical influencers. 6
Designing on favorable ways to present ideas aiming at a positive impact. 6
work supervision through threats reprimands as well as pressure. 6
Acting with assertiveness, not aggressiveness. 7
COMMUNICATION CHANNELS IN THE PLANNING PROCESS. 7
Broadcast media communication. 7
Mobile communication channels. 7
Electronic communication channels. 8
Importance of internal communication plan. 8
MANAGEMENT THOUGHT AND PRACTICE
Planning is the most critical managerial function that helps the manager to set goals. Settings objectives and establishing out methods by which the targets can be attained. During planning, employee motivation is necessary for that one can be able to understand one’s behavior, expectations, and attitude, thus satisfying self-esteem, psychological, physiological, and social safety. In every organization, planning is essential as it helps avoid doing jobs randomly hence improving the institutional performance standards.
Decision making plays a vital role in a management function. A manager needs to access relevant information to make decisions. Individuals or groups can make the decision; it involves creative thinking and feedback is required for any decision making.
Communication is a critical component that better relationships with a manger and also motivate employees. (Fox and McEdwan,2017)Job enrichment and performance appraisal include promotion, recognition, and appreciation, which is a significant psychological motivating factor among employees in workplaces since the right environment makes work more comfortable and efficient. Employees were given chances of making decisions, making them be motivated.
PLANNING
Planning in management identifies objectives or plans to be achieved by evaluating goals, missions, and resources to make the desired target. For example, they set the goal of achieving a 50% profit within a specified period. Managers in various institutions use different types of planning, which include strategic planning, tactical planning, operational planning, and contingency planning. Strategic planning involves an organization’s mission designed by top managers to achieve the goals of an organization. It requires certain levels of involvement for the achievement of strategically planned goals For example, a manager is trying to set out goals to increase his company’s productivity.
Tactical planning works hand in hand with strategic planning since tactical plans translate it into desired plans in that specific area. It is also essential in the responsibility and functioning of lower departments to achieve their goals. (Lapidus et al.,2016)For instance, a deputy manager in an organization may start testing out processes of increasing the company’s productivity within a short period.
Operational planning in institutions is based on specific procedures that occur and are used by low-level managers, but high-level managers direct tasks. A low-level manager performs duties such as stocking inventories, assigning responsibilities to employees, creating budgets, and advertisements for that particular product to increase the set goal, which is increasing productivity.
PURPOSES OF PLANNING
Planning is essential in that it provides better performance standards. For example, setting appropriate measures for the production of a certain amount of tea in two months and doubling its return within a year makes this goal easier if it is done as planned. Planning identifies a uniform decision-making procedure since each department knows its duties about the company’s specified purpose, thus improving decision making. It focuses on the values and achievement of an institution within a period, and the set objectives can be achieved. Planning helps in increasing competition strength between enterprises that have plans and those that do not have them by changing work methods, quality, tastes, fashion, and technology of various products. (Chan et al,2017)Planning is a significant factor in an individual’s creativeness. Managers become more creative and innovative during preparation as they need new ideas to achieve their set objectives.
Planning enables one to have control of various issues. It is achieved by one being able to identify and correct certain hindrances in set plans. It also reduces operational costs as it involves the best results and efficient charge. It is also essential in coordination among various departments assigned the project as they will work according to the set plans of the organization. it risks uncertainties such as a change in taste, weather conditions, technology, government rules and regulation, and fashion. ( Neis, Perreira and Maccari 2017, pg 480)Having a plan enables one to predict by forecasting what can happen in the future and use a different program in case of the occurrence of unexpected conditions. It provides determination in the institution’s objectives as all operations will be practiced according to the set plans. Minimizes the risk of an institution falling.
PROCESS OF PLANNING
Gathering information
Involves gathering information on problems, contexts, and opportunities in the external environment. If a business opportunity itis realized, then appropriate action can be taken. For example, if there is an outbreak of a disease in a particular place, a firm can establish a plan to evaluate the opportunity.
Setting goals
it is the critical step in planning, and these objectives can be long-term or short-term. There is the establishment of both organizational and individuals’ objectives. For example, if a company wants to produce a particular drug to curb the disease, goals like a hundred cartons of medicines should be delivered within a month. iStarc tet al,2017)Such purposes are set according to specificity in that the identified aspects can be measured, measurable in that it can be quantified, achievable, rewarded in that there must be a possible outcome in the set target and timely in that a specified period for the achievement of the plan should be stated.
The decision on how to achieve the goal
may involve the structure, location, finances, and business process of the firm, which must be uniform in various departments. It is made by evaluating internal and external factors that might influence the firm. External factors may be political or social surroundings, competition from other firms, and government policies, and technology changes. Internal factors include the availability of resources and the quality of management.
Implementing plans
It is the use of the laid plan by using procedures, policies, budgets, rules, and standards so that the firm can function appropriately. This implementation tests accuracy of assumptions and methods. For example, it is implementing a plan of producing more drugs within months and doubling its profit.
Monitoring progress
It enables one to monitor the plan’s effectiveness and is done in all stages of planning levels. The tools used can be data collection using questionnaires, reporting, and well-designed impact strategy. It might involve monitoring if the plan of producing more drugs within a specified time was achieved by using the appropriate statistical method.
How programmed and non-programmed decision making affects the manager decision making:
Programmed decision making that a manager can make using repeatedly using a set of rules. These decision making is easy and reasonably not complex to estimate the high degree of accuracy. An example is when a supply chain manager wants to order new raw materials, the critical thing that will guide his decision is the existing stock and the length of time for delivery. The manager usually makes a mental short cut to help them make a decision.
A non-programmed decision is usually related to a complicated situation. It required much more mental processing because it is unstructured, and it is not well defined. Managers need to exercise judgment and creative thinking to arrive at the right decision. An example is the adoption of new technology that will help grow the rate of production. A manager will need to decide if the new technology will be better at achieving the job than the existing technology. Non-programmed decision making will have to take a more systemic approach.
INFLUENCING TECHNIQUES IN THE PLANNING PROCESS
A company requires proper management and planning with the help of influencing techniques in the process of planning. Managers can be used by managers in the influencing of their co-workers in the building of their organization. Furthermore, for a well-planned operation to run smoothly, various techniques must be applied at each episode to achieve a common goal. Managers can use the following methods in any workplace.
Empowerment through involvement in decision making and valuing others through recognition.
Empowering is the act of getting solicit advice from others as well as allowing others input to the process. A manager can also recognize other successes publicly as a way of empowerment. Managers should always avoid insecurity by knowing the success of their staff members. Staff members have long-term payoff if they are fulfilled and grateful to their managers. Managers will always have long-term benefits because of having employees who are good at decision-making.
However, this strategy has some drawbacks. (Das,2017)It cannot be applied in situations where the staff members have little experience in contributing.
Interpersonal awareness through the identification of other concerns and addressing ideas from others.
The managers must have trust with their staff for them to work well. Raising an issue in any organization might take a long period since it is hard to speak up in a group compared to an individual. This technique works well in urgent situations or in situations that cannot be quickly addressed.
Negotiating for support for a common goal.
In any business or political relationship, negotiations grease any agreement. Resentment can always result in case someone feels unsatisfied.
The building of relationships through knowing others and construction of communications.
The focus has to be taken upon building high-value relationships as well as recognition of valuable contacts. Mutual benefit in any planning process is aided by high-value connections which help in the association. Building interest in others takes a long-term in time investment.
Creating awareness in an organization through support from key influencers
In any organization, decisions are mainly effected by people other than those in the management. Most people buy an idea that has been used severally. (Nahayo and Joseph, 2017)For any organization managers to succeed, they must collaborate with the staff of various departmental areas in their organizations to make the best decisions. The team plays a vital role in decision-making.
Setting a vision and working towards achieving it through ideas supporting the organizations’ goals.
The manager must always develop ideas that bring a clear image of the bigger picture. The staff will still work as per the leadership in any organization. Managers are expected to teach their team on working towards achieving their set goals.
Designing on favorable ways to present ideas aiming at a positive impact
This technique works best with the audience that is not well known to the presenter and therefore has risks in case applied by managers. Despite a presentation being believed to be of full impact, most of the audience do not gain from it.
Being persuasive
Logical persuasion entails persuading others through consistent data, experts or reasoning. This approach is practical specifically in comparing systematically, writing a formal proposal for a business, and real audience.
Getting work done through threats, reprimands as well as pressure.
This strategy might effectively work on unskilled workers. Knowledgeable staff is valued since they got great ideas and worked with minimal supervision.
Acting with assertiveness, not aggressiveness
Assertiveness makes one’s ideas noticeable, especially in a competition. Managers should present ideas with a high degree of confidence and not being overconfident as it indicates arrogance.
COMMUNICATION CHANNELS IN THE PLANNING PROCESS
Communication channels are communication means in any organization. The choice of a channel for communication depends on the task. Various consequences may result from an inappropriate selection of communication channels. Email is a channel that helps the manager provide effective formal notices and updates and allows the informal exchange of information. A manager can use a structured method such as letters for essential messages such as proposals, inquiries, and recommendations. (Damnjanovic et al,2016)This channel will support the interpretive theory.
Passing clarified messages, more influential communication channels are essential to enhance communication. Various communication channels are applied differently in multiple organizations, and these include:
Personal communication
It is the most effective communication channel that can e applied in any type of organization. The intentions of the message being passed depend on several factors. These include physical presentation, a tonal variation of the speaker, and facial expressions. This communication channel allows for clarification between the speaker and the message recipient. It also best communicates any type of message, including emotional and complex ones. This channel allows the speaker to verify the audiences’ understanding of the signal through follow-up questions.
A manager can hold presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint to convey information. Enable the manager to ensure that structural and functional theory is practiced such that social structures will be observed as real and practical
Broadcast media communication
The broadcast media channel entails television, radios, loudspeakers etc. this channel is sufficient for a massive audience. Customers could be notified of a new product in the market and business promotions to employ this channel. The communication channel passes visual or auditory message formats to the mass audience.
Mobile communication channels
This communication channel is employed when relaying complex or private information individually or to a small group of people. This channel has an added advantage where the recipient interacts and changes ideas with the speaker and reads the senders’ tonal variation. Organizations prefer this channel to face-to-face channels since it is less time consuming and effort. (Liu et al.2017)With the growing technology, an organization can send a mass of similar messages to several individuals privately and, hence, less costly.
Electronic communication channels
Social media platforms, email, internet, intranet, among others, are what entails this channel. The advantage of the circuit is that it can be used individually, to a group of people or on a massive audience. It is the most efficient communication method despite being less personal. This channel requires the information to be crafted in avoiding sarcasm unless otherwise.
Written communication
This channel is used in case the information being communicated does not require physical interactions. It is mostly applied when informing employees or a group of people. These are done through memos, organization policies, letters, manuals, and notices. The advantage of this channel is the follow-up that can be done electronically, or in case of questions, face-to-face communication is used.
Importance of internal communication plan
Proper communication in an organization requires a plan. Communication between the various departments in any organization and the management enhances its working. The procedure helps drive the organization’s goal by the articulation of its functions.
Communication is crucial in any work setting. Internal communication through employees is a roadmap for informing them about the organization’s’ goals hence achievement. A plan will demonstrate the importance of the discussion, strategies, implementation, and measure. An organization that plans its communication can channel meaningful conversations between its managers and staff members.
CONCLUSION
In the governance and management of any organization, strategic planning is a vital component. Planning decides on the critical decisions for the successful operation of an organization. A plan is equally essential in any organization, and managers need to take control to achieve their desired visions. Apart from internal and external factors, several other considerations, including legal issues and ethical issues, should always be taken into account by managers when drawing a plan.
The coordination between the managers and the employees have shown a promising future for any organization. Most leading organizations in the world have the best managers as leaders influencing the other staff members hence the organization’s success. (Neis et al,2017)Communication channels are a route of passing out information. Different types of communication channels a manager can web-based communication that allows different locations to hold interactive meetings.
REFERENCES
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