Page 290 - Business Principles and Management

Chapter 11 • Management Functions and Decision Making

ENCOURAGE EMPLOYEES TO DO THEIR BEST WORK How em-
ployees feel about their jobs affects their performance.
If they are unsure about what they are doing or if the
work environment is one of constant conflict, employ-
ees will not be able to perform well. Supervisors need
to create a pleasant atmosphere in which employees
can enjoy their work and do a good job. Employees
want to feel accepted and comfortable. They want to
know that they can get help if they have problems.
They want others to realize that what they do is im-
portant and that they will be recognized for good work.

USE RESOURCES EFFICIENTLY Companies won’t operate long PHOTO: © GETTY IMAGES/PHOTODISC.
if they are unable to make a profit. An important part
of earning a profit is controlling the costs of the busi-
ness. Because supervisors are responsible for the day-
to-day activities of a business, they have a great deal of
control over whether a company makes a profit or a
loss. Good supervisors continually look for ways to
operate more efficiently and to use resources more effectively. They seek advice Supervisors are sometimes
from employees and make suggestions to managers on how activities can be called the most important
improved and costs can be controlled. managers in a business.
Do you agree or disagree
with that statement? Why?
CHECKPOINT
List the responsibilities that are common to all supervisors.

Managing Day-to-Day Activities

Supervisors are essential to a business, because they are responsible for the work
of employees in the business. Each employee gets direction from a supervisor, and
the supervisor is responsible for the work of each employee. Supervisors must be
able to manage their own work effectively as well as the work of the employees for
whom they are responsible. Supervisors are responsible for planning, organizing,
implementing, and controlling the daily work of their units. Several management
activities are important for day-to-day management. Those activities and some com-
mon tools used to complete those activities are shown in Figure 11-2 (see p. 278).

SCHEDULING WORK

Supervisors complete daily planning through the use of work schedules. Work
schedules identify the tasks to be done, employees assigned to the work, and the
time frame for completion of each task. Supervisors may be responsible for both
full-time and part-time employees. The business may operate 7 days a week and
24 hours a day. Supervisors will have to decide what days of the week employees
will work and which projects each person will complete. If they schedule too few
people, the work will not get done. If they schedule too many employees, costs
will increase. Projects may be assigned to individuals or to groups. The people

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