subject: Importance Of Management [print this page] Every human being has several needs and desires. But no individual can satisfy all his wants alone. Therefore people work together to meet their mutual needs which they cannot fulfill individually.Moreover,man is a social being as he likes to live together with other people. It is by working and living together in organized groups and institutions that people satisfy their economic and social needs. As a result there are several types of groups like family,school,government,army,a business firm, a cricket team e.t.c.Such formal groups can achieve their goals effectively only when the efforts of the people working in these groups are properly coordinated and controlled. The task of getting results through others by coordinating their efforts is known as management. Just as mind coordinates and regulates all the activities of a person, management coordinates and regulates the activities of various members of an organization.
MANAGEMENT AS AN ACTIVITY
Managing is an activity just like playing,studying,teaching,etc.As an activity management has been defined as the art of getting things done through the efforts of other people. A manager is the person who accomplishes objectives by directing the efforts of others. As an activity, management means whatever managers do to achieve the objectives of the group.
Managers generally perform the following activities
Interpersonal activities Management involves achieving goals through other people.Therefore,a manager has to interact with his subordinates, his superiors and with people outside the organization. He must maintain cordial relations with others.Interpersonal activities consist of attending social functions,motivating subordinates,maintaining contacts with client ,and the like.
Decisional activities A manager has to take several types of decisions like initiating new projects,allocating resources and bargaining with outsiders. For example, the factory manager decides the quantity and quality of a product to be manufactured. A managers decisions serves as the basis for the actions of his subordinates.
Informative activities In order to maintain relations and to take decisions, a manager must regularly communicate with people inside and outside the organization. He receives and gives information concerning tasks, situations and persons.
