The position that managers provide in planning, organizing, leading and controlling is an essential responsibility in any business. A manager must organize these functions in order to reach company goals and
maintain a competitive advantage. Putting these plans into action requires forming groups as underlings must be directed to complete the plan, and the plan’s development must be directed by control. In order for these practices to succeed in an operational manner, an understanding must be reached concerning the basics in which these practices are in relationship to the business structure. (Bateman, Snell, 2007).
The Four Management Functions:
Planning
Planning is the first tool of the four functions in the management process. The difference between a successful and unsuccessful manager lies within the planning procedure. Planning is the logical thinking through goals and making the decision as to what needs to be accomplished in order to reach the organizations’ objectives. Managers use this process to plan for the future, like a blueprint to foresee problems, decide on the actions to evade difficult issues and to beat the competition. (Bateman, Snell, 2007). Planning is the first step in management and is essential as it facilitates control, valuable in decision making and in the avoidance of business ruin.
Wyeth has a global vision to lead the way to better health. Employees at Wyeth are committed to excellence and through Wyeth’ s clearly written Mission and Vision Statement, Wyeth must live by its values which clarify the company’s objectives and goals. Quality in the results that are achieved and how the results are reached doing what is right, respect for others, value those that lead and take pride in all they do, and the value of teamwork to reach common goals. The continuous use of a plan is imperative as Wyeth has divisions throughout the world. Planning allows Wyeth to be at the top of the pharmaceutical industry and a healthcare leader.
Organizing
In order to reach the objective outlined in the planning process, structuring the work of the organization is a vital concern. Organization is a matter of appointing individuals to assignments or responsibilities that blend together to develop one purpose, to accomplish the goals. These goals will be reached in accordance with the company’s values and procedures. A manager must know their subordinates and what they are capable of in order to organize the most valuable resources a company has, its employees. (Bateman, Snell, 2007). This is achieved through management staffing the work division, setting up the training for the employees, acquiring resources, and organizing the work group into a productive team. The manager must then go over the plans with the team, break the assignments into units that one person can complete, link related jobs together in an understandable well-organized style and appoint the jobs to individuals. (Allen, G., 1998).
Organization is strong at Wyeth with the ability to be flexible, except change and search for new products, Wyeth’ s leadership provides needed direction for staff to achieve personal success that leads to organizational success. Managers at Wyeth are responsible for keeping communication lines open between departments to eliminate any issues from forming. Wyeth would not be a healthcare leader if there was little or no organization.
Leading
Organizational success is determined by the quality of leadership that is exhibited. “A leader can be a manager, but a manager is not necessarily a leader,” says Gemmy Allen (1998). Leadership is the power of persuasion of one person over others to inspire actions towards achieving the goals of the company. Those in the leadership role must be able to influence/motivate workers to an elevated goal and direct themselves to the duties or responsibilities assigned during the planning process. (Allen, G., 1998). Leadership involves the interpersonal characteristic of a manager’s position that includes communication and close contact with team members. (Bateman, Snell, 2007).
Managers at Wyeth are there to motivate workers to fulfill the goals of the company and out-perform their competitors. They as leaders have day to day contact with workers using open communication and are able to give direction individually as well as within teams, departments and divisions. Management is there to inspire subordinates to ‘step up to the plate’ and find innovative means to solve department problems. Authorizing staff to have the capability to deal with situations is a significant part of leading. (Allen, G., 1998).
Controlling
The process that guarantees plans are being implemented properly is the controlling process. Gemmy Allen stated that ‘Controlling is the final link in the functional chain of management activities and brings the functions of management cycle full circle.’ This allows for the performance standard within the group to be set and communicated. Control allows for ease of delegating tasks to team members and as managers may be held accountable for the performance of subordinates, they may be wise to extend timely feedback of employee accomplishments. (Allen, G., 1998).
Department meetings are daily at Wyeth. Meetings are used to review the daily schedule, prevent problems and to ascertain when problems do exist in order to address and solve those that occur as quickly and as efficiently as possible. Control is the process through which standards for performance of people and processes are set, communicated, and applied. (Allen, G., 1998). Controls are placed on Wyeth employees by requiring the completion of daily responsibilities and adherence to Wyeth’s SOP’s and guidelines, by possibly taking disciplinary action when necessary. Managers and supervisors are given work performance evaluations that are a form of control as it connects performance assessments to rewards and corrective actions. Evaluating employees is a continual process that takes place regularly within the company. (Allen, G., 1998).
Importance of Management Planning
The four functions of management planning, organizing, leading and controlling, assume a great worth in the success of any business every day. (Bateman, Snell, 2007). In all organizations, each employee’s individual contribution to the success of the company is of enormous importance as the company’s goals would not be met and success would not be reached. Even with room for improvement, Wyeth has the appropriate functions of management in position to be a long-term success.
References
Bateman, T. S. & Snell, S. (2007). Management: Leading and Collaborating in a Competitive World (7th ed., pp. 16 -18). McGraw – Hill.
Bateman, T.S. & Snell, S. (2004). Management: The New Competitive Landscape, (6th ed., pp.13). McGraw – Hill
Allen, G. (1998). In Supervision. Retrieved May 27, 2007, from https://ollie.dcccd.edu/mgmt1374/contents.html