The aim of venturing into a business is to make profits. In this case, all elements of a business plan should be aimed at creating a successful entrepreneurial venture. A business plan is a document that indicates a plan on how an investment is to be conducted. It includes among other elements; generation of ideas, financial and market analysis, strategic objectives, cash flows and profits and loss forecasts. Other elements that may be included in the business plan are a balance sheet projections, competitive strategies and scenario analysis. All these elements contained in a business plan give an understanding of the current and future expectations of the business. They identify the business and give a rationale of investing in the said business. In this case, these elements should be comprehensive and a faithful representative of the actual situation of the business venture. If well drawn, the elements of a business Continue reading
Principles of Management
Three Perspectives of Organizational Theory
Organizational theory is based on its three perspectives, which are the modern, symbolic-interpretive and the post-modern. The perspectives each have different approaches when it comes to the management of an organization. 1. Modern Perspective Modernists are objectivists who focus on reality of knowledge which is build based upon the conceptualization and the theorization. An Example would be that a company earns profits based on the CEO’s ability to make right decisions while investing the money of an organization. The results of the actions can be measured in profit and loss and can be directly measured. The data which modernists recognize are from the five senses, through what they see, heard, touch, smell and tasted. Modern Perspective builds a set of rules that can be used in organization so that all employees will be able to follow, perform and function, ensuring the entire process in the organization runs smoothly. Modernists do Continue reading
Comparison Between Leadership and Management
The concepts of leadership and management are an essential discussion in business. Each company or organization maintains people who are in charge and the approach they choose to take strongly depends on personality as well as education and training. The field of leadership research has offered competent theories to outline the dynamics of being in a position of power. As industry players expand and become more complex, company executives need to acquire critical skills and balance leadership styles with management approaches. Leadership is necessary for any organization to achieve its mission and vision. It is a process when an individual influences peers to work towards and achieve common objectives or outcomes. The concept of leadership can be developed into a focused, dynamic, and cooperative performance system. Interaction through dialogue and discussion can lead to influence and changes in organizational structure, operational procedures, key performance indicators, and the feedback process. Essentially, Continue reading
Critical Thinking in Business
Critical thinking is one of the most important skills required in making various decisions that pertain to business, management, relationships, and every other aspect of life. Many definitions have been ascribed to critical thinking by various scholars. Generally, critical thinking refers to the capacity to form thoughts clearly and logically. It encompasses the ability to undertake reflective and self-regulating thinking. Watson-Glaser defined critical thinking as a combination of attitudes, skills, and knowledge. It is purposeful, independent judgment, which brings about interpretation, analysis, assessment, and conclusion, in addition to rationalization of the abstract, evidential, practical, or background reflection at which that decision is based. Critical thinking is pegged on the assumptions that the quality thinking of an individual impacts on their quality of life and secondly, every individual can continually learn how to improve their quality of thinking. Critical thinking skills enable one to appreciate the rational connections involving ideas and Continue reading
Types of Management Control
Management Control Types There are three major types of management control over behavior in organizations. Each control has its own standards, its own monitoring system and its own system for corrective action when behavior does not meet standards. These three types of management controls are given below: Organizational Controls. The organizational controls refer to the formal rules and standard operating procedures that are communicated throughout the organization. Such controls are concerned with the total organization and may, therefore, be called administrative controls. The direction for organizational controls comes from the plans and purposes of the organization. In business organizations, this direction is often expressed in terms of market share, cost reduction, return on investment etc. These may be translated into specific performance measures such as sales quotation standard costs and budgets. Rewards for meeting standards, vary from a word of praise to salary increase and promotion. Social Controls. Social or Continue reading
3 Important Roles of Organizational Hierarchy
Hierarchy refers to a system of organization that respects the chain of command whereby each agency is under supervision of a higher office. In many organizations, a group of managers is always above other employees in terms of knowledge and experience and is placed at the top while others follow based on their experience and the understanding of the organizational functions. Hierarchy is mostly present in government and other governmental institutions whereby each unit has its own powers, authority, and levels of management. Based on the chain of command, an individual communicates or reports to the immediate supervisor or the authority above him. Hierarchy was adopted mainly because it allows information flow given the fact that a junior officer cannot surpass the authority above him or her to report to the senior manager, unless it is necessary. Hierarchy plays an important role in any organization because it benefits the company Continue reading