General Management

Question 1

Describe the difference in GM styles in public vs private sector

Answer 1

Private: GM concerned more about making profit

Public: not profit oriented, focuses on providing services to country. Gov owned

Question 2

Discuss the different management levels

Answer 2

Top: strategic decisions
- long term planning for the business

Middle: tactical
- middle term planning, focused on executing tasks given from top management

Lower: operational
- short term planning, focused on actually performing plan

Question 3

List the elements of GM

Answer 3

Co ordination 
Communication 
Delegation
Decision making
Discipline 
Motivation

Question 4

What is a GM?

Answer 4

The POLC of resources in order to achieve objectives

• GM must balance FOP and keep balance of micro and marco factors

Question 5

Name the planning process

Answer 5

1. Understand the problem
2. Get all info
3. Analyze info
4. Action plan
5. Contingency plan
6. Implement plan
7. Follow up

Question 6

Name the complications of the planning process (3)

Answer 6

• unforeseen issues
• if plan is too prescriptive, workers will oppose
• human error

Question 7

Name the planning policy

Answer 7

• flexible and adaptable

- endorsed by senior management

Question 8

Requirements of a plan

Answer 8

• Effective communication between managers
• plans made on diff levels on the hierarchy must be put in place of priorities
• must be accurate and objectives set up

Question 9

What is organization?

Answer 9

Combine all FOP in a way that business objectives are are met

Question 10

What are the concepts or organization?

Answer 10

• Delegation
• range or control (no. Of workers supervised by managers)
• authority: right given to someone to complete a task
• responsibility: duty
• accountability: explain actions taken

Question 11

Explain the difference between the different organization structures

Answer 11

Line structure vs line and staff

Line has only one person giving orders to one direct subordinate. Line and staff has an advisor that is a link of communication between the different levels

Question 12

What is leading?

Answer 12

Guiding workers to achieve business goals as well as meeting their own personal goals

Question 13

Name the aspects of leading

Answer 13

• activation; get people going
• directing: giving instructions to staff
• guiding: show workers how they can use their abilities to achieve objectives
• leading: influencing workers to be motivated and achieve objectives
• leadership styles

Question 14

What is control?

Answer 14

Comparing actual results with standards set during planning

Question 15

What is the importance of control?

Answer 15

• make sure heading in eighth direction
• departments running smoothly together
• make sure workers motivated
• implement by regular inspections and financial statements analysis

Question 16

What is co-ordination?

Answer 16

Top management task which combines activities of departments to make sure they are working cohesively

• ensure synergy between work schedules

Question 17

What is communication?

Answer 17

Transfer of business objectives information from top management to workers

• in order for this to be successful, good relationships have to be made

Question 18

What is delegation?

Answer 18

Transfer of authority to subordinates

• relieves workload off managers and increases distribution of labour

Question 19

Explain the decision making progress

Answer 19

• Ensure all info is collected

- level of management determines seriousness of decision

Question 20

Explain the principles of discipline

Answer 20

• ensure all employees know what is regarded as misconduct
• offenders should be treated in a constant manner
• not only deal with disputes but improve future
• 1st time offenders: verbal warning
• 2nd offense: written warning, if 1st offense is serious then also
• very serious offense: dismissal

Question 21

What is motivation?

Answer 21

Workers encouraged to work to the best of their abilities