MANAGEMENT SKILLS : THE IDEA OF "DOING THINGS RIGHT" AND "DOING THE RIGHT THINGS"

MANAGEMENT SKILLS : THE IDEA OF “DOING THINGS RIGHT” (EFFICIENCY) AND “DOING THE RIGHT THINGS”(EFFECTIVENESS)

          Management is the systematic study of the work activities in the assigned unit or department with the main goal to competently and productively deliver the assigned functions and designations in the organization. Likewise, it is to administer, supervise and direct the subordinates along the idea of “ doing things right” ( efficiency) and “ doing the right things” (effectiveness) on the assigned tasks.

         The management efficiency is high when there is a reduction of organizational resources. The smooth operation of the management activities may further improve the productivity which means higher ROI or profitability level. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the management to strive hard to reduce waste which is done in the proper use of management resource with the least financial cost or per capita expenses in the production of the goods and services of the organization. It also considers the least cost with quality outputs in order to reduce wastage of the financial resources of the organization.

         The other related variables in the management of the organizational resources are the manpower resources and managers’ decisions in doing the collective task that might affect all the variables in the organization. Let us take the manpower resources that might lead to the organizational waste which is critical in the completion of tasks along the time frame and duration of work, tangible outputs, and other human factors. These are very critical when managers and supervisors handled the collective activities of the employees or labourers as it may lead to organizational waste once poor judgement and management by the employees concern on such as number of personnel staff; specialised work and division of labor; human relations and even compensation. We have to consider in “doing things right” for the management of manpower resources that might affect the organizational productivity.

           This is the reason that management needs to coordinate properly on the work activities to achieve better organizational results. Likewise, the management must have the conceptual, human and technical skills in doing the job. It also provides the properly delineated job descriptions and functions; assigned department for the technical and specialized task. The supervisor needs the human relations and technical skills to do things right in the organization.

           Let us review the different skills in needed by the management that will reduce the waste of organizational resource and sustain the organizational productivity:

1.Top Management needs the conceptual skills along the general goals, policies and direction of the organizations. It provides the navigational blueprint to achieve the organizational goals. The top management usually deals with the organizational policies and guidelines; strategic direction and organizational values as affected by the utilization of the financial, manpower and other resources. Specifically, the Board of Trustees, Chief Executive Officers, Presidents and Managers are directly responsible to oversee the whole gamut of organizational operation to sustain productivity at all levels.

2.Middle Management relies so much on the human skills at all levels. It is now directing and supervising the personnel employees to achieve the organizational goals as conceptualize by the top management. The human skills are important to strive the high level of effectiveness. Once the human skills are not properly handled in may result to apathy; labor turn out; lack of initiative; high level of distrust, connivance and conspiracy; and other collective grievance that usually lead to increase waste and lower the productivity of the organization.

3. Lower-Level of Management needs the technical skills as it provides supports in the specialized work and division of labor. The technical work of employees needs to be directed and assisted by someone who is highly specialized to do the task.

          It has been observed that the three management skills are important to achieve the organizational goals. The conceptual skill is needed to visualize the strategic management thrusts, the overall organizational directions, articulation of administrative guidelines and the paradigm shift of management activities. The human skill which the management would use proper motivation, human relations and HRD program to push through and cooperate their contribution to sustain the organizational productivity. While the technical skill is needed to innovate, sustain and transform the organizational inputs into the desired outcomes that may result to quality and excellence in the produced products or services.

           The study of management has something to do on all these functional tasks and skills as it strives for the efficiency and effectiveness in the organization. These are some suggested things to work on in the study of management on “ doing things right” and “doing the right things”

DOING THINGS RIGHT

         It is the responsibility of the management to provide the desire organizational outcome based on the performance in delivering the smooth operation of the work activities in the organization. The utilization of quantitative analysis and checking performance is the usual management tool:

1. The quantitative results of the performance evaluation by the employees based on MBO, action plans, performance reports in the department.

2. The functional tasks, job analysis and job descriptions output as to the contribution of the department and the organization.

3. The financial expenses as compared with the organizational output of individuals.

4. The management tools and techniques to evaluate individual and departmental performance.

DOING THE RIGHT THINGS

It is also the responsibility of the management to balance what is being demanded by the organization particularly the employees needs. The management must see to it about the application of motivation and human relations in the work place .These are the main driven force to cultivate the desire of higher organizational productivity.

1. The motivational and human relations approach of the personnel employees and subordinates

2. The financial incentives and favourable promotion programs for the employees

3. The management strives to achieve the organizational values and culture

4. The management practice on “quality and excellence” in human relation.

              Remember that management relies so much about the idea of ROI, PROFITABILITY, PRODUCTIVITY and EXCELLENCE in the organization. This is the reason why management must think ways to smoothly operate the work activities to ensure EFFICIENCY on the idea of “doing things right” and “ doing the right things’ for EFFECTIVENESS.