1. What does management look like today?
2. What reasons can you give to account for changes in management?
3. Describe the four functions of management?
4. Define each of these functions?
5. What’s the difference between goals and objectives?
6. What is a SWOT analysis?
7. What are the four types of planning and how they related to the organizations goals and objectives?
8. What are the steps involved in decision making?
9. What are the three levels of management in the corporate hierarchy?
10. What skills do managers need?
11. Are these skills important at all management levels?
12. What’s the difference between a manager and a leader?
13. Describe the various leadership styles
14. Which leadership style is the best?
15. What does empowerment mean?
16. What is knowledge management?
Data-Driven: Relying heavily on analytics, Management Information Systems (MIS), and the quantitative approach to make informed, objective decisions, especially in complex and unpredictable environments.
Globally Conscious: Operating with an awareness of international markets, cultural differences, and diverse supply chains.
Focused on Sustainability and Ethics: Integrating social responsibility, environmental concerns, and crisis management into strategic planning.
2. What reasons can you give to account for changes in management?
The changes in management practices are primarily driven by external environmental forces and technological advancements:
Technological Acceleration: The rapid pace of innovation (e.g., AI, automation, cloud computing) demands that organizations be agile and that managers adopt a quantitative approach to process data and make rapid decisions.
Globalization: Increased competition and interconnected markets require sophisticated strategies for managing diverse, geographically dispersed teams and navigating complex political/economic risks.
Shifting Workforce Demographics: Modern employees expect more than just a paycheck; they seek purpose, autonomy, and work-life balance. This necessitates a shift towards participative, humanistic, and transformational leadership styles.
Increased Complexity and Uncertainty: Market volatility, supply chain disruptions, and rapid strategic changes require management models focused on risk management, change management, and crisis management.
Rise of Knowledge Work: As jobs have moved from manufacturing to service and information, management focus has shifted from managing physical tasks (Scientific Management) to managing knowledge and creativity (Knowledge Management)
Sample Answer
What does management look like today?
Modern management is characterized by agility, decentralization, and a focus on human capital. It has shifted from the top-down, command-and-control structure of the past to a model that is:
Adaptable (Contingency Approach): Recognizing there is no one-size-fits-all management style; the best approach depends on the situation, context, and environment.
Team-Oriented & Empowering: Managers often act as coaches or facilitators rather than dictators, empowering self-managed teams and promoting total employee involvement.