Page 282 - Business Principles and Management

Chapter

Management Functions 11

and Decision Making

11.1 The Role and Work of Managers

11.2 Effective Supervision
11.3 Managing with Information

RE ALITY CHECK

Do I Want to be a Manager?

rik Berman has worked for Freeden Web Technologies for five years.
It was his first job since graduating from the local community college
Ewith a degree in computer network systems. He enjoys his work as a
network specialist, a position he has held for over two years now. The
company recognized his ability, and he has moved up rapidly from his
first job as networking assistant to his current position.
Erik is facing an important career decision. At the end of his last six-
month performance evaluation conference, his manager told him that the
supervisor who has responsibility for Erik’s work team and three other
teams would be promoted in three weeks. The manager wants Erik to
consider applying for the supervisor’s position.
The opportunity to move into a management position is exciting. The job
would provide a higher salary and status as a manager. At the same time,
Erik isn’t sure he has the skills or the interest in being a supervisor. It seems
to him that supervisors are constantly dealing with employee complaints or
with the concerns of their own bosses. He is used to working a lot of hours
when big projects have to be completed. However, he knows that the com-
pany’s supervisors work many extra hours each week to get all of their own
work done while solving the problems that seem to come up regularly.
Erik really enjoys his current work in network systems, and he knows
that he won’t do as much of that work as a supervisor. Yet, he isn’t sure if
he wants to do technical computer work for the rest of his career. He also
knows that he likes working with and helping to train the new employees
who are assigned to his work group. He really feels good when he sees them
performing well and being recognized for their excellent work. His biggest
concern, however, is that he really doesn’t know very much about the super-
visor’s job, and he’s concerned that he won’t succeed. He already knows he’s
a good network specialist. Freeden does not provide any specific training
for prospective supervisors, and Erik’s only preparation was a management
course he completed while attending the community college.

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