Managers: Planning, Organizing, Controlling And Staffing

Introduction

The five functions of management are planning, leading, organising, controlling and staffing. These functions of management are used throughout the hospitality/tourism industry and are performed by managers at different levels. Management has been defined as the “art of getting things done through people.” (Follett, M. P.) Another definition of management is ''Management is a distinct process consisting of planning, organising, actuating and controlling; utilising in each both science and art, and followed in order to accomplish pre-determined objectives." (Terry, R. G.)

Planning

Planning involves defining the businesses goals, coming up with strategies to achieve those goals and implementing the plan.

Top Managers- Planning is

All managers should ideally be leaders.

Top Managers- use leadership to communicate with middle managers, business shareholders and the public. Top managers delegate work to middle managers who will carry out this work while the top managers deal with more significant tasks. Managers can use different types of leadership theories; such as behavioural theories, trait theories, or those styles of leadership identified by Kurt Lewin of the University of Iowa, i.e The Managerial Grid, Contingency theories of leadership, and The Giedler Model.

Middle Managers- use leadership to communicate with first line managers. Middle managers design and implement effective group work, monitor the group’s performance, diagnose and resolve group problems and implement reward systems. Middle managers take and execute plans approved by the top managers.

First Line Managers- use leadership to delegate tasks to employees. They guide and supervise employees on a day to day basis, and also supply middle managers with feedback regarding performance

Managers must determine the human resource needs of the firm for the future to ensure that they have enough suitably qualified staff to achieve the businesses goals. Staffing takes place in all levels of management.

Top Managers- are involved in employing all staff but will have a strong input in the hiring of middle managers. They set the expectations for the type of staff they need throughout the whole business to fit their business model.

Middle Managers- are involved in employing the first line managers but require the top manager’s approval. Middle managers conduct performance appraisals which are meetings where employees are assessed on how they are preforming in their job. Middle managers set goals for employees and monitor how well the tasks are performed. Employees may then be rewarded with promotions, bonuses and pay