Chapter 1: Managers and You in the Workplace
After checking through a summary of quality reports, Mike finds that there is not a problem with the quality of yogurt from his production line. Mike feels confident that the vendors must be experiencing a problem that goes beyond the production floor. How should Mike respond?
Arrange a meeting with Jim to talk about this issue.
The task of organizing includes which activities?
Arranging and structuring work
At Mike's first meeting with other business unit managers, his boss, Jim, goes through the latest production data. Mike finds that over the last several months, vendors have complained about problems with some of the yogurt from his line. How should Mike respond to this news?
Before making a decision on what to do, Mike should verify these reports to get a better idea of this issue.
Mike knows that he will make a good business unit manager. His past management experience taught him that there is always a transition period when moving to a new position. Which of the following should Mike do to help himself adjust and gain confidence?
Begin reading his business production line's manuals for standard operating procedures, then check in with employees and other managers to ensure the procedures are efficient and consistent with the goals set out by Jim.
Which of the following is more essential to higher level managers than to lower level managers?
Conceptual skills
Which of these correctly identifies the five key skills listed in the Employability Skills Matrix that hiring managers believe are most important?
Critical thinking, communication, collaboration, knowledge application and analysis, and social responsibility
In Rob's position at Medco Pharmaceuticals, he is responsible for making organization-wide decisions and establishing organizational goals. Which of the following is most likely Rob's title at Medco?
Executive vice president
Mike looks at Betty's files and sees that she was using four different spreadsheets to record production line and employee information. Mike immediately recognizes he can save time entering data if he were to integrate the sheets and use the software to print an automated report. Mike has experience integrating spreadsheets and does not need any technical advice. Should Mike work on the spreadsheets, and if so, how should he do it? How should Mike proceed?
Get Betty's opinion on the value of integrating the spreadsheets. If she feels like it's a good idea, then make the change.
Which statement about studying management is most likely true?
Management is universally needed in all organizations.
Which of the following statements is most likely true about the work that managers do?
Managerial duties may be assigned to a team member who does not hold the title of manager.
How do manager responsibilities differ from non-managerial responsibilities?
Managers must coordinate and oversee the work of non-managerial employees.
Which of the following statements about managers within an organization is most likely true?
Managers play an important role in the success of nontraditional organizations such as political campaigns and music tours.
Which statement is true about the changing nature of management?
Managers realize that high-quality customer service is essential and that employees are an important part of that.
Although it is possible to differentiate between managers and non-managerial employees in many organizations, what has changed in the recent past to blur those lines?
Many traditionally non-managerial jobs have changed to include managerial activities.
Which of the following is most likely true about management?
Poor management usually involves being inefficient and ineffective.
Susan appears to be running the production line well and from talking with other employees, Mike finds that she is knowledgeable and well-respected. Mike is anxious to step into his new position as manager. What should he do to help establish himself in his new position?
Request a meeting with Betty, the previous manager, so that she can give Mike any guidance and information he can use in managing the production line.
Which of the following best describes the activities that managers exhibit when serving interpersonal roles?
Serving as a figurehead or liaison
After a few days of orientation and getting to meet with other managers and employees in the company, what should be Mike's first priority in the business unit?
Set up a meeting with employees in his production line.
Which of the following best describes the reason to study management even if your career plans are not to become a manager?
Studying management is important to maximizing efficiency, productivity, employee satisfaction, and personal success.
Which of the following is a true statement about the changing nature of modern management?
Taking risks, exploring new territories, and trying new methods are innovative tactics that management can use to be more successful in the marketplace.
Mike's first couple of weeks as a production manager have been frustrating. He feels that his employees know more than he does about the unit. Mike has also heard several comments referring to him as an "outsider" who doesn't have the management skills to run the unit. How should Mike respond to these comments?
Talk to Jim about his job performance so far and get his opinion on how he could improve on his decisions.
Mike decides that he needs to gather some much-needed information on how the line is working. For a manager in Mike's position, what type of information will be most useful to collect?
Technical information on how to run the line efficiently.
In an organization, what is the most important factor in employee productivity and loyalty?
The quality of the relationship between an employee and a direct supervisor
Which statement is most likely true concerning the official activities and roles of senior managers?
The roles of disseminator, negotiator, and liaison are most important for senior managers.
Which of the following best describes the controlling function identified by Henri Fayol?
To ensure goals are met and work is completed as it should be, managers monitor and evaluate performance. Actual performance is compared with the set goals.
What is considered the essence of a manager?
To oversee the work of other people so organizational goals can be accomplished
A manager's job performance is quantified by evaluating efficiency and effectiveness because ________.
effectiveness and efficiency go hand in hand, and a good manager accomplishes both
Management involves ensuring that work activities are completed by the people who are responsible for doing them. This goal is best facilitated by performing work in a way that is ________.
efficient and effective
In the changing workforce, ________ play(s) a big role in customer satisfaction.
employee attitudes and behaviors
To improve your political skills at work, you should ________.
gain control of organizational resources
The fact that managers are needed in all types and sizes of organizations, at all organizational levels and work areas, and in all global locations is known as ________.
the universality of management
Managers are a critical part of any successful organization because ________.
they use their skills and knowledge to move the organization forward towards established goals
Managers today understand that their primary focus should be on ________.
understanding and meeting customer needs
