The Functions of Management

• Planning is the ongoing process
of developing the business mission and objectives and determining how they will be accomplished. Planning includes both the broadest view of the
organization, e.g., its mission, and the narrowest, e.g., a tactic
for accomplishing a specific goal.
• Organizing is establishing the internal organizational structure
of the organization. The focus is on division, coordination, and control of tasks and the flow of information within the organization. It is in this function that managers distribute
authority to job holders.
• Staffing is filling and keeping filled with qualified people all
positions in the business. Recruiting, hiring, training,
evaluating and compensating are the specific activities included in the function. In the family business, staffing includes all
paid and unpaid positions held by family members including the
owner/operators.
• Directing is influencing people's
behavior through motivation, communication, group dynamics, leadership and discipline. The purpose of directing is to channel the behavior of all
personnel to accomplish the
organization's mission and objectives while simultaneously helping them accomplish their own career objectives.
• Controlling is a four-step process of establishing performance standards based on the firm's objectives, measuring and reporting actual performance, comparing the two, and taking corrective or preventive action as necessary.
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Fundamentals of Management : Introduction [BBA 2305]