Being manager of any company the manager is responsible to manage all business activity including

planning, organizing, staffing , leading and controlling. In recent past, telecommunication companies
were striving for growth and they finally did this by adding more services for their customers A
professional manager is an expert, trained and experienced enough to adeptly manage any type of
organization be it a manufacturing house, a service organization, a hospital or a government agency.
Professional managers:
Are objective, focussed and performance oriented.
Help in meeting competitive challenges of business.
Are creative and dynamic.
Follow management practices based on world wide experiences and information.
Apply theories of management to solve emerging organizational problems.
Some Professional Manager Tasks
Providing direction to the firm: The first task, envisioning goals, is one of the tasks that should never be
delegated. This is the ability to define overarching goals that serve to unify people and focus energies. Its
about effectively declaring whats possible for the team to achieve and compelling them to accomplish more
than they ever thought possible.
Managing survival and growth: Ensuring survival of the firm is a critical task of a manager. The ...more

The best managerial quality is a combination of self actualizing and humanistic style , who leads from the
front , take the people along with him , take the blame of failure to himself , pass on the credit of success to
others . Be bold when they lose.

Bob Hoover , the greatest test pilot of the world , was on a test flight with a new defense Jet and suddenly
both the engines stopped working , He didnt lose his cool and crash landed with great expertise . He & his
copilot were not injured but jet had a bad damage .On enquiry , it was found that ordinary aviation fuel was
filled instead of jet fuel. The supervisor who was responsible for this mistake was summoned immediately by
the authority . Everybody knew it was his last day in the job. The man came trembling in front of Hoover with
the resignation letter in pocket . Hoover roared like a lion What you are doing here ? My next test flight is just
one hour due , go and fill my fuel tank. Do you feel that the man will ever do such m ...more

Answer
Question: Explain the tasks of a professional manager. Describe the tasks which are more challenging in
terms of survival and growth of the organization. Illustrate with the help of examples from an organization
you are acquainted with. Briefly describe the organization you are referring to.
Thank you for your question!
 
Let us assume the manager has the appropriate mix of Functional and Effectiveness Competencies and
has an experience level relative to the level of position to which he/she is assigned. Functional
Competencies are skills; Effectiveness Competencies are observable behaviors. We will use “his or he”
for he/she to simplify this answer. As you used “tasks” I will continue to do so.  Technically, tasks are
actions to take which support a strategy; the more appropriate term would be “duties and responsibilities”.

The organization would be a typical four or five level deep organization, levels being levels of
management.   However, most of this “stuff” applies even if it is a small business with just 10 people
reporting to a sole proprietor-manager. I counsel many small business managers and few have the
appropriate competency sets as they have not had the experience, which is gained working for a more
complex, multi-level business.

So as we examine professional managers “tasks”, we need to think in terms of the “master list” that
encompasses knowledge, duties and responsibilities. That list would include:  Competitors, Markets,
Products, Technology, and the many aspects of Leadership and Talent Management.  “Tasks” specific to
particular functions (engineering, marketing, information technology, finance, and so on) are not listed as
they vary greatly with the function.

These are all critical to survival and growth. These “tasks” are truly a list for success.
Managers tasks that need to be present and mastered:

·   Be articulate in oral and written communications and presentations skills; have professional presence.
These are key factors in a managers ability to influence the organization.
·   Hold self and others accountable to established objectives; objectives should link to the company
strategy.
·   Have an internal and external customer service attitude and mentality, across, up and down the
organization. Everyone is a customer in one way or another.
·   Understand “product technology and the “output” that is expected of his department, how the
department and employee assignments fit in the company strategy, and the competitive markets in which
the company plays. Output could be a physical product or service.
·   Have the ability to successfully interface with and influence other department managers and leaders,
horizontally and vertically in the organization.
·   Provide or make available suitable equipment and technology for employees to be productive. Simply
said, the correct “tools” for the work.
·   Drive a pay for performance compensation plan. Compensation needs to reward achievement, not
seniority, not personality.
·   Provide training and development and recognition for his people. Rewards are important and there are
many alternatives to just compensation. Long standing studies by a variety of consulting and research
firms show employee motivation is about 25% money and 75% other factors, e.g., career development,
coaching, etc.
·   Allow people enough space to do their jobs, encourage creativity and innovation.
·   Sponsor the promotion of deserving employees, develop and train employees, remove employees who
don’t fit (skills, behavior) to make space for new talent; dismissal of employees needs to be preceded by
“due process”.
·   Be skilled at maintaining a positive work culture, which fosters employee engagement. Engagement
means employees feel and act and work and understand that they have a stake in the business.
Engagement is far beyond employee involvement.
·   Make humor a part of the work environment.

That list of “stuff” applies to any functional manager.

I have held director and vice president HR positions for 25 years in two USD $9B corporations. I have
taught and observed management and leadership in many countries.  It is notable that based on
extensive observations, few managers have a complete set of these “tasks” (skills competencies) and few
are actually leaders.

I hope this helps… good luck to you.

Explain various tasks of a professional manager. Discuss the various survival and growth options which
have been adopted in the recent past in your organization or any organization you are acquainted with.
Describe the organization you are referring to.

Ans :-1) Discuss various tasks of a professional manager. Describe the survival and growth options
which your organization has adopted or any organization you are familiar with. Describe
the organization you are referring to.

CHECKLIST OF ROUTINE MANAGERIAL DUTIES

*Analyze, on a periodic basis, workload and personnel needs of an organizational unit.

*Recommend changes in the staff level of the work unit.

*Review documentation for new positions and positions that have been revised.

*Obtain approval to modify positions.

*Interview candidates for employment and make hiring decision or recommendations.

*Orient new subordinates concerning policy and procedures, work rules, and performance expectation
levels. Review position responsibilities.

*Plan, delegate, communicate and control work assignments and special projects concerning
subordinates.

*Establish and maintain specific work goals and objectives or quantitative and qualitative work
standards
to be achieved by subordinates.

*Train, develop, and motivate subordinates to improve current performance and to prepare for higher-
level
jobs.

*Determine significant changes in responsibilities and major duties of subordinates by reviewing their
job
responsibilities on a regular basis.

*Evaluate the performance of subordinates. Document and discuss present and past

*performance with each direct report. Keep supervisor informed of results.

*Review salaries of subordinates and recommend changes according to policy and procedures.

*Recommend personnel actions such as promotions, performance awards, demotions, etc., according
to budget guidance and policy.

*Advise superiors and subordinates of developments that impact job duties. Ensure proper
communications.

*Maintain discipline, recommend and administer corrective action according to policy and procedures.

*Communicate and administer personnel programs in accordance with design and objectives.

*Maintain proper documentation on all subordinates.

*Direct the business activities of the company for the achievement of short and long term
business/policy objectives, increased profit, production activity, or market share.

*Establish the business's objectives, policies and programmes within the context of the overall
Corporate plan and, where appropriate, recommend standards and set targets (may include
manufacturing, sales, marketing, distribution and administration).

*Prepare, or arrange for the preparation of the business's budgets, reports and forecasts, and ensure
they are presented in a timely manner to the MANAGEMENT.

*Appraise the activities of the BUSINESS according to overall strategies and objectives, and monitor and
evaluate branch and division performance, the efficiency of staff, procedures and production costs.

*Co-ordinate subordinate staff to optimise the use of human and material resources to achieve goals.
Consult with subordinate staff and review recommendations and reports.
*Oversee the development and implementation of all BUSINESS activities including production,
distribution and sales, to protect the funds invested.

*Plan and review the BUSINESS operating costs particularly with regard to production, output, quality
and quantity, cost, time available, labour requirements, planned production programmes and control
activities, inventory levels, freight and advertising.

*Direct the preparation of marketing plans, key customer strategies and sales forecasts recommended
by subordinate managers and ensure adequate support is provided in all branches/areas.

*Control use of production plant facilities by planning maintenance, designating operating hours and
supply of parts and tools.

*Direct research into new and improved production methods and products, changes in selling policies,
and other areas necessary to ensure the continued growth of the business.

*Select, or approve the selection and training of senior staff. Establish lines of control and delegate
responsibilities to staff.

*Provide overall direction and management of the business, including personnel, technological
resources and assets. Maintain necessary contact with major suppliers, customers, industry associations
and government representatives to achieve the objectives of the business.

*Ensure all the business's activities comply with relevant Acts, legal demands and ethical standards.
=======================================================

The three parts are:

achieving the task
managing the team or group
managing individuals
***Your responsibilities as a manager for achieving the TASK are:
identify aims and vision for the group, purpose, and direction - define the activity (the task)
identify resources, people, processes, systems and tools (inc. financials, communications, IT)
create the plan to achieve the task - deliverables, measures, timescales, strategy and tactics
establish responsibilities, objectives, accountabilities and measures, by agreement and delegation
set standards, quality, time and reporting parameters
control and maintain activities against parameters
monitor and maintain overall performance against plan
report on progress towards the group's aim
review, re-assess, adjust plan, methods and targets as necessary

***Your responsibilities as a manager for theGroup / team are:

establish, agree and communicate standards of performance and behaviour
establish style, culture, approach of the group - soft skill elements
monitor and maintain discipline, ethics, integrity and focus on objectives
anticipate and resolve group conflict, struggles or disagreements
assess and change as necessary the balance and composition of the group
develop team-working, cooperation, morale and team-spirit
develop the collective maturity and capability of the group - progressively increase group freedom and
authority
encourage the team towards objectives and aims - motivate the group and provide a collective sense of
purpose
identify, develop and agree team- and project-leadership roles within group
enable, facilitate and ensure effective internal and external group communications
identify and meet group training needs
give feedback to the group on overall progress; consult with, and seek feedback and input from the
group

***Your responsibilities as a manager for each INDIVIDUAL are:

understand the team members as individuals - personality, skills, strengths, needs, aims and fears
assist and support individuals - plans, problems, challenges, highs and lows
identify and agree appropriate individual responsibilities and objectives
give recognition and praise to individuals - acknowledge effort and good work
where appropriate reward individuals with extra responsibility, advancement and status
===========================================================
Describe the organisation you are referring to

The organization, I am familiar with is a

-a large manufacturer/ marketer of safety products
-the products are used as [personal protection safety] [ industrial safety]
-the products are distributed through the distributors as well as sold directly
-the products are sold to various industries like mining/fireservices/defence/
as well as to various manufacturing companies.
-the company employs about 235 people.
-the company has the following functional departments
*marketing
*manufacturing
*sales
*finance/ administration
*human resource
*customer service
*distribution
*warehousing/ transportation
*TQM
=====================================================
various survival & growth options
A number of programs were put into
place, both with the intention of
-surviving the competition
-maintaining a growth of 20% a year for 5 years.
*Technical training for all company sales staff.
*Management development programs for middle managers.
*Pay for performance , with built-in incentives.
*Introduction to more innovative products.
*Training of the sales staff of the various channels.
*Improvements in customer coverage.
*Improvements in product ranging.
*Introduction ERP software for cost reduction/ efficiency improvements.
*Organization restructure to make the ''VALUE CHAIN'' more effective.
*Outsourcing some activities like warehousing etc.
*Introduction of e-commerce.
*Introduction of e-learning.
Mark