Management Activities: Planning & Organizing
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Questions and Answers

What is the first step in the planning process for a business?

The first step is to analyze the situation.

What does SWOT analysis stand for in the context of business planning?

SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.

A goal to increase product range from 2 to 10 products would be considered what type of goal?

This would be considered a long-term goal.

What is the purpose of a mission statement for a business?

<p>A mission statement summarizes 'who we are, what we do, and what direction are we heading in'.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of plan typically covers a period of five years or more?

<p>A strategic plan typically covers five years or more.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the time frame of tactical plans in the planning process?

<p>Tactical plans typically cover a period of one or two years.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does operational planning focus on?

<p>Operational planning focuses on the day-to-day activities of the business.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are contingency plans designed to address in a business?

<p>Contingency plans are designed to cope with emergencies or unexpected events.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary aim of quality control in a business?

<p>To ensure that products meet or surpass customer expectations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name two methods a business might use to control the quality of its products.

<p>Inspection and sampling.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What's the purpose of a 'quality circle' in a company?

<p>To discuss quality problems and find solutions as a team.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name one quality standard a business might aim to achieve.

<p>Q Mark or ISO 9001.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main role of a credit controller in a business?

<p>To manage credit given to debtors and minimize bad debts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

List two responsibilities of someone in the role of Credit Controller.

<p>Check customers’ credit history and set credit limits.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name three advantages of having control systems in a business.

<p>Helps achieve objectives, reduces costs, and improves cash flow.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Besides reducing bad debts, how else does credit control help a business financially?

<p>It helps to improve the business cash flow.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the acronym SMART stand for in relation to effective planning?

<p>Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for plans to be agreed upon by all staff in a business?

<p>Agreement ensures that everyone is aligned and committed to achieving the goals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of having review meetings in management?

<p>To ensure the plan is on schedule and all aspects are being executed correctly.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does a narrow span of control affect communication within an organization?

<p>It makes clear communication more difficult due to the increased layers of management.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'delayering' in an organizational context?

<p>Delayering refers to reducing the number of levels in an organizational structure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the disadvantages of a wide span of control?

<p>Increased workload for supervisors and less chance of promotion for subordinates.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is establishing a clear chain of command important in an organization?

<p>It defines authority levels and clarifies who manages whom within the organization.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What key factors should be considered when setting realistic goals in business planning?

<p>The availability of resources and the feasibility of achieving the goals within the set timeframe.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Management Activities: Planning, Organizing & Controlling

  • Planning involves setting specific goals and objectives and outlining strategies to achieve them.
  • Planning steps include: analyzing the situation, setting an objective, drafting a plan, and implementing & reviewing the plan.
  • SWOT Analysis assesses Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.
    • Strengths and Weaknesses are internal factors of the firm.
    • Opportunities and Threats are external factors.
  • Setting an Objective:
    • Goals can be short-term (e.g., hiring an employee) or long-term (e.g., expanding product lines).
    • A mission statement summarizes a firm's purpose, activities, and direction.
  • Drafting a Plan:
    • A strategic plan is a long-term plan (5 years or more).
    • A tactical plan breaks down strategic plans into shorter, manageable steps.
    • Tactical plans are short-term plans outlining targets for weeks or months.
    • Operational plans cover day-to-day activities, like scheduling staff or production.
    • Contingency plans address emergencies or unexpected events.

Management Activities: Organizing

  • Organizing involves bringing people and resources together effectively to implement plans.
  • Chain of Command: Determines the authority levels within a business (e.g., CEO to employees).
  • Organizational Structure: Defines the chain of command and the different levels of authority within a business.
  • Span of Control: Refers to the number of subordinates reporting to a manager.
    • Wide span of control means a manager supervises many subordinates.
    • Narrow span of control means a manager supervises fewer subordinates.
  • Functional Organizational Structure: Divides a business into departments (e.g., marketing, production).
  • Matrix Organizational Structure: Teams are made up of staff from different departments for projects.

Management Activities: Controlling

  • Controlling measures deviations from business plans and acts to correct them.
  • Key areas of control include: finances, stock, quality, and credit.
  • Financial Control: Monitoring short-term liquidity (paying bills).
  • Stock Control: Maintaining sufficient stock levels to meet demand without excessive inventory costs.
  • Quality Control: Ensuring products meet standards. Inspection and sampling can be used. Quality problems are identified through different means (quality circles).
  • Credit Control: Monitoring credit sales and ensuring timely payment from customers to minimize bad debts.

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Description

Explore the core principles of management activities including planning, organizing, and controlling. The quiz covers essential concepts such as goal setting, SWOT analysis, and the different types of plans used in management. Test your understanding of effective management strategies and practices.

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