Management skills

Question 1

Management skills

Answer 1

Management skills are the competencies that manages used to help them achieve required objectives

Question 2

Planning

Answer 2

Planning involves the prior thinking that goes into considering how best to achieve a business objective. This preparation ensures that they are able to implement actions and direction that allow the business to run as smoothly as possible.
There are three types of planning:
• Strategic planning: in long-term planning is conducted by senior management. Big picture planning looks at the planning (3 to 6 years)
• Tactical planning: is medium-term planning that is often conducted by middle management. There is a medium term goals (1 to 2 years) that help the business to achieve its strategic plan
• Operational planning: is short-term planning such as the data day or monthly operations of the business. This type of planning is conducted by lower management operational objectives should be in place to ensure the achievement of the medium term goal

Question 3

A manager can apply the skill of planning by

Answer 3

• Setting business objectives
• Outlining strategies that can achieve those objectives
• Searching for future information to identify alternative options
• Organising resources required to execute the strategies

Question 4

Decision making

Answer 4

Decision-making is a course of action purposely chosen from a set of alternatives to achieve business objectives. Some of these decisions can have a large financial impact on the business or affect hundreds of employees.

Question 5

A manager can apply the skill of decision-making by

Answer 5

o Considering relevant information
o Evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of each option
o Determining an appropriate choice that will achieve the businesses objectives

Question 6

Communicating

Answer 6

Communicating is the transfer of information from the sender to receiver. It is the managers ability to clearly exchange information with employees and relevant stakeholders.. Managers often need to be receptive to questions and information from employees.

Question 7

Managers can apply the skill of communicating by

Answer 7

o Conveying desired objectives to employees
o Sharing relevant business decisions to employees
o Provide constructive feedback to employees
o Listening to employees’ updates and ideas

Question 8

Delegation

Answer 8

Delegation is the transfer of authority and responsibility from a manager to an employee to carry out specific activities. A manager is unable to handle every task in the business as they are limited by time or their professional skills and experience. Furthermore, business objectives can be achieved in a shorter period of time or at a higher quality by spreading tasks across more people.

Question 9

Managers can apply the skill of delegating by

Answer 9

o Selecting an appropriate employee for a specific task
o Providing clear objectives for the employees to achieve
o Giving ownership of the task to the selected employee
o This way the manager has more free time to work on other projects
o Employees have more valued skills improved

Question 10

Interpersonal

Answer 10

Interpersonal is the skill used by a person to interact with others properly. It is the managers ability to interact positively with employees to create and maintain professional relationships. Employees may be more motivated to achieve the business objectives when their managers are relatable, supportive and make an effort to understand them individually.

Question 11

Managers can apply interpersonal skills by

Answer 11

o Praising and thanking employees
o Getting to know employees backgrounds and personalities
o Recognising individual employees motivation

Question 12

Leading

Answer 12

Leading involves guiding the business towards achieving its objectives. Leadership involves establishing a clear vision, sharing that vision with others, and coordinating and balancing the conflicting interest of stakeholders. Employees are more likely to be motivated towards completing work tasks when they understand that it contributes to a wider business vision. Employees can be inspired when a manager leads by examples, making them more likely to work towards the vision of the business.

Question 13

Managers can apply the skill of leading by

Answer 13

o Sharing the business vision with employees
o Creating a positive corporate culture that integrates the businesses philosophy
o Practising the behaviours they want their employees to adopt