Business foundations SAC 1b

Question 1

What are management styles?

Answer 1

how a manager goes about accomplishing particular objectives

Question 2

Management styles: autocratic manager

Answer 2

• manager makes all the decisions and tells employees what tasks to perform
• communication is one way
• prefers to have full control
• no employee input or consultation
• centralised

Question 3

Management styles: autocratic manager pros and cons

Answer 3

pros

• decisions are made quickly, no need to consult
• clear communication to employees
• employees know exactly what needs to be done
• decisions are made by an experienced manager

cons

• no opportunity for employee input, low employee morale
• very task focused, lack of employee creativity
• smaller pool of ideas
• assumption being that the decision made is the correct one

Question 4

Management styles: autocratic manager best used

Answer 4

• time of business crisis with some being a significant factor
• when employees lack skills and knowledge

Question 5

Management styles: persuasive manager

Answer 5

• manager makes all decisions
• control is centralised
• no employee input
• one-way communication
• manager explains to the employees why the decision has been made
• more information is given about the decision, the what and why

Question 6

Management styles: persuasive manager pros and cons

Answer 6

pros

• decisions are made quickly when times an issue
• clear communication to employees
• decisions may be more accepted by employees as they are more informed
• persuading that the decision is right and the work employees do matters will motivate, yield productivity

cons

• small poll of ideas
• lack of room for employee creativity and innovation
• employees may not support reasons for decision
• no employee input which can lead to low moral and motivation

Question 7

Management styles: persuasive manager best used

Answer 7

• when employees lack skills and experience

- when time lacks

Question 8

Management styles: consultative manager

Answer 8

• seeks opinions and feedback from employees
• centralised as final decision making rests with manager
• medium level of staff participation
• two way communication is used
• manager listens to their views
• style is task orientated, focused on the end result

Question 9

Management styles: consultative manager pros and cons

Answer 9

pros

• larger pool of ideas
• increased motivation of employees as views are listed to

cons

• time consuming
• employees may feel undervalued if their idea is over looked
• some employees may not want to be consulted, may not take it seriously

Question 10

Management styles: consultative manager best used

Answer 10

• when manager has to solve complex issues
• when time isn’t urgent
• employees have experience

Question 11

Management styles: participative manager

Answer 11

• managers and employees join together
• decision making is decentralised, manager empowers employees to make decisions
• communication is two way
• high level of employee empowerment
• everyone takes ownership in final decision

Question 12

Management styles: participative manager pros and cons

Answer 12

pros

• employees can provide feedback and feel valued which will lead to higher moral, likely to be productive
• empowers employees to use their creativity
• encourages employees to stay with the business, improve employee retention and reduce staff turnover

cons

• can be time consuming
• potential for conflict about best and what decision
• some employees may not want to be involved, there for do not seriously contribute

Question 13

Management styles: participative manager best used

Answer 13

• when the issue directly impacts employees
• the employees are highly skilled and experienced
• when time isn’t urgent

Question 14

Management styles: laissez faire manager

Answer 14

• manager allows majority of decision making to be done by employees
• control is decentralised
• high level of employee empowerment
• communication is two way
• employees plan and develop their own decisions
• manager still has responsibility of approving decisions

Question 15

Management styles: laissez faire manager pros and cons

Answer 15

pros

• employee moral and motivation is improved
• improved communication
• encourages teamwork, creativity and innovation

cons

• employees not monitored, loss of management control
• misuse of business resources, waste/higher costs
• employees may abuse the privilege and be less productive

Question 16

Management styles: laissez faire manager best used

Answer 16

• where a high level of creativity is important
• employees are highly skilled and experienced
• more time is availiable

Question 17

What is a situational management approach

Answer 17

• selected by applying a range of variables to assist in selecting the most appropriate management style
• not a management style, its an approach
• managers alter their management style depending on the situation
• management style will greatly depend on areas such as:
  
  • manager preference
  • time
  • experience
  • nature of the task

Question 18

What are management skills?

Answer 18

competencies managers use to help them achieve required objectives

Question 19

Management skills: communication

Answer 19

• exchange/ transfer of information
• ability to listen to feedback/information
• managers will communicate both internally and externally
• can be verbal or non-verbal
• if communication is effective it must be two-way

Question 20

Management skills: delegating

Answer 20

• authority and responsibility is transferred from manager to an employee
• free up time for the manager
• manager remains accountable for employee work
• can help build trust
• improves skills and experience of employees

Question 21

Management skills: planning

Answer 21

• involves prior thinking that goes into considering how to best achieve a business objective
• fail to plan = plan to fail
• gives the business direction and reduces uncertainty
• three levels: strategic, tactical, operational
• planning can be used by:
  
  • set objectives
  • SWOT
  • find alternaties
  • implement
  • monitor

Question 22

Management skills: leading

Answer 22

• ability of a manager to influence, guide and motivate employees towards achieving business objectives
• leading motivates employees to work towards that direction
• good leadership leads to improved morale and achievement of objectives
• good leaders are:
  
  • has a clear vision
  • coordinating and balancing conflicting interests
  • encourage
  • provide support
  • lead by example
  • mentor

Question 23

Management skills: decision making

Answer 23

• ability to select the most appropriate course of action
• can be completed by the manager along or as a group
• can be straight forward to complex
• managers need to assess the risk associated with each decision
• common process:
  
  • identify problem/objective
  • gather information
  • develop alternatives
  • analyse alternatives
  • choose and implement
  • evaluate

Question 24

Management skills: interpersonal

Answer 24

• used by a manager to communicate/interact with others
• develop positive relationships
• generally refers to an employees ability to get along with others while getting their job done
• allows the manager to communicate accurately and honestly yet maintain strong relationships
• helps build strong culture where relationships are valued

Question 25

What is corporate culture?

Answer 25

• shared values, ideas, expectations and beliefs of individuals with in the business
• a business where employees share the same values creates a positive environment where employees spend more time together and collaborate more

Question 26

What can a companies corporate culture be identified from?

Answer 26

• the way people dress
• the language employees use
• how employees treat each other
• the slogans and logos used
• the companies policies
• the rituals and the way they celebrate events

Question 27

What is official corporate culture?

Answer 27

• what they business intend the culture to be
• values and beliefs the company is trying to convey to they public
• can be seen in official documents e.g. mission statement, stated values and policies

Question 28

What is real corporate culture?

Answer 28

• actual values and beliefs present in the company
• unwritten or informal rules and values that the people within the business have
• can be seen in areas such as overriding management style, way staff dress, how employees treat each other and the customers

Question 29

Strategies for developing corporate culture

Answer 29

• lead by example
• bring in customer service training
• establish social gathers and team bonding events
• establish policies to enforce the expected values
• reward employees who demonstrate the correct values
• training inline with desired culture