In this section we will explore the most ubiquitous activity in all of business – management.

Management occurs in every organization, whether it consist of 1 or 1 million members.

So what is management?

Business management concerns the identification, coordination, and integration of resources, including individuals, processes, machines, materials, and capital toward the value-producing goals of an organization.

In it’s simplest form, management involves planning operation, organizing activities and resource, inspiring or motiving others, and monitoring and controlling the results of business activities.

Perhaps the best way to explain management is to identify those who undertake the above-referenced functions – managers.

What is a Manager?

A manager is an individual within an organization who is in charge of coordinating the efforts of individuals or the allocation of resources. As such, a manager is one who undertakes management activities.

This simple definition does a poor job of explaining what is a manager. This is particularly true given the fact that management occurs throughout the organization at various levels.

What are the types of Manager?

The position of manager originated from the structural view of an organization as a pyramid.

Individuals at the base of the pyramid perform that tasks that create or deliver value to the customer or client. Individuals overseeing the activities of these workers were known as front-line managers.

Moving up the pyramid, these front-line managers reported information and received direction from middle managers. In turn, the middle-managers reported information and received instructions from top-level management or executives.

Let’s provide a bit more detail on each type of manager.

What is a Top Manager?

Top-level Managers are the senior executives or board of directors. They are responsible for developing the organizations mission, vision, and corporate-level strategy. These managers then pass this information down in the organization for execution.

What is a Middle Manager?

Middle Managers are responsible for overseeing the functional activities of front-line managers. They focus primarily on translating the companies strategic plans into actionable items for the front-line managers to carry out.

They also have the responsibility of collecting information and reporting up to the top managers. This information is used by the top managers for decision making.

What is a Front-Line Manager?

A front-line manager controls a specific function or task directly related to the products or services that the organization delivers.

The three-tiered view of management does not fully explain the types or roles of managers in the modern business organization. This is particularly true within organizations (such as flat structural organizations) that lack the traditional reporting and hierarchical structure.

That is, the delineation between worker and manager is far less obvious. Managers can be found at all levels of the organization. They may or may not manage people; rather, they may simply manage resources.

While the definition of a manager is somewhat less certain in today’s organization, there remain numerous characteristics of what it means to be a manager.

Characteristics of Business Management

Management is thought to have several primary characteristics, as follow:

• Universal – Management is present within all business organizations.
• Goal-Oriented – Management concerns the accomplishment of objectives and the pursuit of goals.
• Continuous Process – Manage is a continual process. As long as the organization is in operation, management processes will take place.
• Multi-Dimensional – Management is not a singular task or function. It is unique to the industry, company, position, etc. It requires the coordination of various resources with unique functions within the organization.
• Group Based – Organizations are made up of people. These individuals naturally have individual motivations, beliefs, and expectations that must be aligned with the objectives and goals of the organization. This allows the individuals to work together as cohesive groups making up the organization.
• Dynamic – The business environment is ever-changing. Organizations must adapt to this environment to stay competitive and relevant. Managers are charged with recognizing and carrying out the necessary change.
• Intangible – Management is an activity rather than a physical being. It is what drives the organization towards its productive mission.

These are broad characteristics that help to understand the nature of the responsibilities and environment that a manager encounters.

Expanding further on these characteristics, there are numerous sub-categories of manager that provide even further understanding of the function and context of management.

Other types of managers might include:

What is a Functional Manager?

Functional managers oversee the activities carried out in any functional area or division of the company. For example, a marketing manager may oversee the activities of all or a group of marketers within the company.

What is a Team Manager?

A team manager supervises a team within the organization. The manager may be a front-line or functional manager. Also, the manager may coordinate the activities of a cross-functional team (from various functional areas within the organization) that has members from various levels within the organization. As such, the team manager may not fall neatly within a traditional organizational plan.

What is a Project Manager?

A project manager is responsible for a specific project (or multiple projects) within the organization. These projects may take place at any level of the organization (front-line, middle, or top). Project managers are very common in specific industries.

What is a General Manager?

A general manager is generally responsible for an identifiable business unit. The role of the general manager may span middle and front-line management roles and incorporate various organizational functions. It could also incorporate numerous teams and projects within the business unit.

In summary, the concept of what it means to be a manager is as diverse as the many characteristics that make up the position. In our management material, we dig deep into the function, roles, and practice of business management.