Answer Writing – Management Functions and Managerial Roles

❓ Q.1) The management of Vrinda Ltd. strongly believes that the members of an organization should work towards fulfilling the common organizational goals. This requires teamwork and integration of efforts of all individuals, departments, and specialists. This is because all individuals and departments depend on each other for information and resources to perform their respective activities. Managers need to reconcile differences in approach, timing, and effort or interest. At the same time, it should enable all its members to grow and develop. Thus, there is a need to harmonize individual goals and organizational goals.

1. Identify the concept of management discussed above:

✅ Coordination

2. State any three features of the concept identified in (1):

Coordination integrates group efforts by unifying diverse interests.

Coordination ensures unity of action by acting as a binding force between different departments.

Coordination is a continuous process as it begins at the planning stage and continues till the controlling stage.

3. Identify and explain the characteristics of management that are reflected from the above para:

Management is a group activity: An organization is a group of different individuals who work together with team spirit and coordination to achieve the goals of the organization.

Management is goal-oriented: It harmonizes individual goals with organizational goals.

Management is an integrative process: It reconciles differences in approach, timing, and effort to ensure smooth workflow.

❓ Q.2) Sanjana is the branch manager of ABC Handicrafts Pvt. Ltd. The company’s objective is to promote the sales of Indian handloom and handicraft products. It sells fabrics, furnishings, readymade, and household items that are made out of traditional Indian fabrics. Sanjana decides the quantities, variety, color, and texture of all the mentioned items and then allocates resources for their purchase from different suppliers. She appoints a team of designers and craftspeople in the company, who developed some prints for bed covers in bright colors on silk. Although they looked very impressive, they were more expensive than they had planned to sell. The average consumer could not afford to buy it, praising their efforts Sanjana suggested that they should keep the silk bed covers for special occasions like Diwali and Christmas and offer the cotton bed covers regularly to keep costs under control.

Identify the functions of management that Sanjana performs by quoting the lines from the above paragraph:

1. Planning:

Definition: Planning is the function of determining in advance what is to be done and when it is to be done. This involves setting objectives, targets, and formulating an action plan to achieve them effectively and efficiently.

Quoted Line: "Sanjana decides quantities, variety, color, and texture of all the above items."

2. Organizing:

Definition: Organizing is the management function of assigning duties, grouping tasks, establishing reporting relationships, and allocating resources required to carry out a specific plan.

Quoted Line: "…allocates resources for their purchase from different suppliers."

3. Staffing:

Definition: Staffing means finding the right people for the right job. It involves activities such as recruitment, selection, placement, and training of personnel.

Quoted Line: "She appoints a team of designers and craftspeople in the company."

4. Directing:

Definition: Directing involves leading, influencing, and motivating employees to perform tasks effectively. It includes motivation, leadership, communication, and supervision.

Quoted Line: "Praising their efforts, Sanjana suggested that they should keep the silk bed covers for special occasions like Diwali and Christmas."

5. Controlling:

Definition: Controlling is the management function of monitoring organizational performance toward achieving goals. It involves setting standards, measuring performance, comparing with standards, and taking corrective action for deviations.

Quoted Lines:

"…offer the cotton bed covers regularly to keep costs under control."

"…They were more expensive than they had planned to sell."