Management Skills and Career Development Plan (MGT301)

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The Developing Manager
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Table of Contents
Introduction....................................................................................................................................4
Task 1............................................................................................................................................5
Introduction...............................................................................................................................5
Main Discussion........................................................................................................................5
Conclusion................................................................................................................................9
Task 2..........................................................................................................................................10
A. Assess your own management skills and performance using the format provided by the
tutor and analyse your own strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. [AC 2.1 & 2.2]
................................................................................................................................................10
B. Set and prioritise objectives and targets to develop your own potentials [AC 2.3].............11
Task 3..........................................................................................................................................13
Introduction.............................................................................................................................13
Main Discussion......................................................................................................................13
Conclusion..............................................................................................................................15
Task 4..........................................................................................................................................16
A. Explain how your own managerial and personal skills will support career development and
set the agenda for future. [AC 4.1]..........................................................................................16
B. Review career and personal development needs, current performance and future needs to
produce a development plan with career goals and objectives. [AC 4.2]...............................17
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................19
Reference List..............................................................................................................................20
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Introduction
Every business organisation requires a set of executive employees who would ensure that the
business moves ahead in the correct direction and the staffs operate efficiently to achieve the
long-term and short-term goals of an organisation. In this assignment, Costsaver is the chosen
organisation to understand the management styles and leadership characteristics of the senior
managers of the organisation. It is followed by a self-assessment for the position of a manager.
It will analyse the managerial decisions that will be adopted in future in order to lead and
motivate a team. Finally, a career development plan has been made to understand the
managerial and personal skills.
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Task 1
Executive summary
This segment compares the various management styles that can be adopted by organisations.
It discusses the characteristics of senior managers and analyses the communication process
adopted in Costsaver. It further evaluates the organisational culture of the organisation and the
process of change adopted by the company.
Introduction
In this segment of the report, various management styles and leadership characteristics have
been discussed. It also analyses the communication process adopted by Costsaver. The
organisational culture and process of change is also evaluated in the organisation.
Main Discussion
A. Compare the different management styles that you may have observed and discuss
the leadership characteristics of the senior managers [AC 1.1 & 1.2]
A variety of management styles are adopted by different business organisations to ensure
effective management of the business operations for the development of the business. Some of
the management styles are compared below:
Autocratic
Management
Democratic
Management
Persuasive
Management
Type of
management
The manager tells the
employees what they
have to do and if they
are unable to comply
with the instructions
then they face
consequences or
punishments
(Kossek and
Lautsch, 2012)
In this management
style, the manager
considers the
opinions and
viewpoint of the
employees to develop
a collaborative
process for effective
management.
The manager
persuades the
employees about their
decisions and goes
on to explain the
reasons for the
implementation of the
changes without
considering the
viewpoint or opinions
of the employees.
Motivation factor Fear of consequence Active participation of This management
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or punishment forces
the employees to
perform the allocated
tasks.
the employees and
giving significant
importance to their
perspectives
encourages the
employees to
contribute to the
development of the
business.
style does not
motivate the
employees as they
are convinced about
the righteousness of
the decisions made
by the company
(Montes et al.,
2012).
Drawbacks or
advantage
It makes the
employees fearful of
the management
which can lead to
more mistakes.
It encourages the
employees to put
forward their
perspective and take
active participation in
business matters of
the company.
It demotivate the
employees as it
adopts a one-way
communication and
forces the decisions
of the management
on the employees.
Table 1: Difference between management styles
(Source: created by the learner)
Managers should possess leadership characteristics, as it will facilitate the manager to lead the
employees successfully in order to achieve the predetermined targets and objectives that will
help in the development of the company. Some of these characteristics are discussed below:
Attitude of learning: The managers should have an attitude of learning new things. They
should not be inflexible to change and adopt changes that will help the organisation in
developing and improving business operations.
Resolve conflicts: The manager should always try to resolve any kind of conflict among the
employees as well as between the customers and management of the company. It will ensure
that the business operations are performed uninterruptedly and improve the brand name of the
company respectively (Saeed et al., 2014).
Open to new perspectives: The manager should not be limited to viewing matters from a fixed
perspective as it will limit the possibilities. The manager should adopt the habit of viewing
matters from different lens in order to make better decisions for the organisation.
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Decisive: The manager should be able to take decisions whenever required. Correct decisions
will help the business move ahead while wrong decisions will restrict the scope of the company
(Chemers, 2014).
B. Evaluate the communication process within the chosen organisation [AC 1.3]
Communication is essential for business organisations to ensure that the business operations
are conducted in a successful manner. Costsaver also uses communication process that
comprises of formal, informal, written and verbal mode of communication. The company
communicates verbally with their customers as well as employees to provide them necessary
information. It will ensure that the employees do not commit any mistake in the business
operations. Written communication is employed when they have to maintain record of the
communication for future purpose as well as provide information to all the employees at the
same time (Barnlund, 2017). Formal or informal mode of communication depends on purpose of
communication. The company generally communicates in a formal manner with their customers,
clients, suppliers etc. Communication with the employees can be formal or informal depending
on the message that the management wants to transmit. The management communicates in a
formal manner when making decisions for the organisation while communication becomes
informal when the management provides feedback to the employees to allow them to improve
their performance.
C. Analyse organisational culture as well as the process of change that is currently
taking place in your organisation. [AC 1.3].
The organisational culture of a company has the ability to influence the activities of the
employees. Positive and stable culture will improve the efficiency of the employees but negative
and changing culture can make restrict the activities of the employees resulting in deteriorated
performance of the employees (Alvesson, 2012). Costsaver maintains a hierarchy culture in
their organisation to maintain s structured and formalised work environment. The company has
developed laws and policies that should be followed by every employee of the organisation. It
allows the company to maintain coordination among the employees and improve their efficiency.
It facilitates stable business with smooth execution of activities in order to attain the desired
results.
Costsaver has witnessed many changes in their organisation and mode of conducting
business. The company follows a structured process for the planning as well as the
implementation of change so that the company can enjoy maximum benefit from the change.
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The company has initiated the change of sustainable development in which the company adopt
measures to reduce carbon offsetting to become more responsible for the environment. The
company also informs their customers about carbon offsetting in order to offset their carbon
footprints for the tours they have experienced or will experience in future. The company has
joined hands with TreadRight Foundations in order to make the change effective and ensure
they are implemented successfully (Costsavertour.com, 2019).
Conclusion
The manager of an organisation should adopt appropriate managerial style and possess certain
skills to ensure effective business management of the organisation. It also discusses the
communication process and organisational culture of Costsaver. The change adopted in the
company for sustainable development has also been evaluated.
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Task 2
A. Assess your own management skills and performance using the format provided by
the tutor and analyse your own strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. [AC
2.1 & 2.2]
Every manager should possess certain skills and traits that will allow them to conduct business
operations efficiently and help the organisation achieve their targets. A manager not only takes
care of the development of the business, but also has to ensure that the employees function
effectively. Certain skills are discussed below which should be possessed by managers:
Communicative skills: Every manager should have good communication skills so that they are
able to communicate and transmit correct information to the employees as well as the clients of
the organisation (Cardy and Leonard, 2014). It will help the manager in getting the business
operations done in an appropriate manner. Communication will also help the manager in
motivating their employees. My communication skills are weak and it can prevent me
transmitting clear messages to the employees and motivate them.
Planning: Managers should planning skills as the business operations and the growth of the
company depends on the plans made by the manager for achieving different targets. My
planning skills act as a threat to my career as I am unable to develop successful plans. Often
times my plans backfires and if I am working for Costsaver then ineffective planning will result
in losses and harm the brand reputation of the company.
Management: Just planning of business operations will not result in the development of the
company, effectively management is equally important. The manager has to manage the
employees as well as the various business operations conducted within the organisation as well
as with the customers and clients. My job as a manager in Costsaver will provide me an
opportunity to portray my management skills in order to conduct the different business
operations successfully.
Knowledgeable: Managers should have knowledge about various aspects of the business, as it
will help in successful management of the business. The manager should have information and
knowledge about the suppliers, raw materials, resources so that there is no deficit of resources
and the activities are not interrupted (Aguinis, 2013). This skill is my strength as I have
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knowledge about the neighbouring areas, suppliers and resources that will allow me to conduct
business operations successfully.
B. Set and prioritise objectives and targets to develop your own potentials [AC 2.3]
Before commencing the job, I need to acquire and improve certain skills to ensure that I m able
to perform my tasks successfully and without making any mistakes. I will have to improve my
planning skills by making demo plans for the organisation and evaluating the outcome of the
plan. I will also have to discuss the plan with other knowledgeable managers to understand their
perspective about my planning skills. It will highlight my mistake and allow me to improve my
understanding and practise. Effective planning skills will allow me to prioritise the objectives as
well as the tasks that need to be performed first to ensure that the customers are served in a
better manner.
My communication skills are also my weakness that may create problems during my work
experience. I need to improve my communication and set the target of improving my
communication so that the message is transmitted effectively and the business operations are
conducted uninterruptedly. I will improve my communication skills going through the basics of
non-verbal communication, mastering time and practising it in everyday conversations to
improve my skill.
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Task 3
Executive Summary
This part of the study idenfies theories that can be adopted to motivate and lead the employees
of Costsaver. It further discusses the managerial decision that supports the organisational
goals and objectives with justification.
Introduction
This part of the assignment discusses the manner in which team members can be motivated
and guided in order to attain the predetermined goals and objectives of Costsaver. It also helps
in understanding the managerial decisions to support the goals and achievement.
Main Discussion
A. Lead and motivate a team to achieve an agreed goal or objective [AC 3.1]
Managers use different techniques to motivate their team so that the business operations are
conducted in an efficient manner. I would use motivational models such as Hertzberg Two
Factor theory and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to lead and motivate my team towards their
work (Herzberg, 2017). I will try to determine the motivator factors and the hygiene factors that
drive and restrict the employees of Costsaver from attaining the objective of increasing sales
volume of the company. I will focus on the hygiene factors and adopt measures to remove or
decrease their influence on the functioning of the employees while continuing to offer them
motivator factors to encourage them to improve their performance (Jerome, 2013).
Not every employee can be motivated by using a single theory as different people have different
priorities and preferences. I will also use Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need and evaluate the
pyramid of need and their order to priority (Lester, 2013). I will set targets for the employees and
if they achieve their target, I will help the employees in achieving their needs and priorities. I will
set certain rewards and benefits for the employees so that they are encourage and make efforts
to improve their performance. This will help in leading the team so that the overall team can
function effectively to achieve the set target of increasing the sales volume of the company. In
likewise manner, other objectives and goals will be attained by the combined efforts of the team.
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B. Justify the managerial decisions you may have made or you would make to support
the achievement of agreed goals and objectives and recommendations for improvements
[AC 3.2]
Managers have to take certain decisions for the organisation as well as the employees to
ensure that the business moves in the correct direction. However, the manager is also
answerable for their actions to the stakeholders of the company (Yusoff et al., 2013). The
managerial decisions that I would take when I work for Costsaver will be essential to motivate
the employees of the organisation. As discussed above, I would set rewards and benefits that
the employees will receive when they attain the targets set by the company. It will encourage
them to improve their performance and function in a better manner for the company. The
employees will increase their efforts in performing business operations if the company is taking
care of some of the needs of the employees.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Hertzberg’s Two Factor Theory will allow me to lead and
motivate the employees so that they improve their performance (Rudolph, 2016). Improvement
in the performance of the employees will ensure that the business operations are performed in a
better manner. It will provide better service to the customers and allow enriching the customer
experience. It will eventually result in improved brand image of Costsaver and increase
awareness about the company in the market. This will facilitate increase in the sales volume
and revenue of the company. Satisfying the employees is vital as they interact with the
customers directly and customer experiences have the potential to influence the brand image
and business operations of the company (Brown and Capozza, 2016).
Conclusion
Motivating the employees is required as it will allow them to improve their performance and
conduct the business operations in a better manner. Motivation theories such as Maslow’s
Hierarchy of Needs and Hertzberg’s Two Factor theory can be used to motivate employees
successfully.
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Task 4
A. Explain how your own managerial and personal skills will support career development
and set the agenda for future. [AC 4.1]
Every individual possess certain skills that facilitate in the completion of various tasks and
activities. The skills and traits honed by an individual should be improved and every person
should aim to acquire new skills and traits that will be help in improving their own potential
(Mujtaba, 2013). I possess certain managerial and personal skills that will help me in performing
business operations effectively and in a better manner. My knowledge about the various aspect
of the business operations of a manager will allow me to perform them in a better manner and
take appropriate decisions for the benefit of the organisation. My management skills will allow
me to show the higher authorities that I am capable of performing better. I have good decision-
making and conflict resolving skills that will be used in the everyday business operations.
The decisions and actions I will adopt for the completion of business activities will allow me to
handle the matter in an efficient manner and encourage me to take further measures to improve
my skills. The experience gained through these skills will help me move forward in my career
and set targets for future (Bhattacharya et al., 2013). I will also adopt measure to learn new
skills and improve my weak skills in order to bring to the fore my hidden potential as it will allow
me to perform my job in an improved manner. My work experience will enable me to set higher
agendas for future development in my career and I will work towards attainment of those targets
by using my skills and experience in order to ensure growth and development of my career.
B. Review career and personal development needs, current performance and future
needs to produce a development plan with career goals and objectives. [AC 4.2]
Development is required in every sphere of life in order to keep moving forward and achieving
new milestones. Development in personal life is equally important as professional development
as personal development can help in improving the professional performance of an individual.
People should determine the course of development for his or her career as well as their
personal skills as it would make them aware of their goals that they need to achieve
(Hildebrand, 2018). The rewards of attaining the goals will encourage them to take measures
and work hard to accomplish the targets. I need to improve certain skills and learn new ones to
ensure attainment of personal development targets that I have set for myself. I assess my
current performance from time to time to understand the progress and evaluate further
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