Page 212 - Introduction to Business

186 PART 2 Managing Business Behavior

some areas may be stronger than others. Perhaps the four most important types of
skills today’s managers must have are technical, conceptual, human relations, and
international.

Technical Skills
technical skills Specific skills needed Technical skills are the specific skills needed to perform a specialized task. An
to perform a specialized task information manager at a major corporation must have an in-depth knowledge of
computers, information technology, and many other things in order to effectively
supervise and manage employees working in this area. Similarly, an accounting
manager for a major museum or other not-for-profit organization needs to have
technical knowledge regarding tax regulation of such not-for-profit entities. Tech-
nical skills are especially important for first-line managers supervising the work of
fellow professional employees, for example, an accounting manager managing the
work of other accountants.

Conceptual Skills
conceptual skills Abilities to think Conceptual skills refer to an individual’s ability to think broadly and abstractly, to
broadly and abstractly, to see the see the big picture. Skills of this kind are especially important for managers
big picture
involved in planning roles. Conceptual skills help people analyze organizational
threats and opportunities. It is very important for top managers to have strong con-
ceptual skills.

Human Relations Skills

human relations skills Abilities to get Human relations skills involve having the ability to get along and deal effectively
along and deal effectively with people with other people. Human relations skills are also known as interpersonal skills.
Managers are frequently called on to use these skills both inside and outside their
organization. Indeed, in recent years some observers have argued that the emo-
tional intelligence (EQ) involved in good human relations skills is perhaps even
more important to managerial success than traditional IQ conceptual thinking
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skills. If nothing else, it is clear that skills like being able to build friendships, trust
others, be adaptable, and so on, are valuable in all spheres of life. The story about
the development and success of the Sony Corporation in the Case in Point illus-
trates the role of human relations skills.

International Skills
Greater globalization, particularly in the world of business, has sharply increased
international skills Abilities to the need for managers to have skills in the international area. International skills
understand foreign cultures, markets, involve having the ability to understand foreign cultures and markets, speak foreign
politics, languages, and so on
languages, and live for extended periods of time in other parts of the world. As
companies like the Whirlpool Corporation continually expand operations in far-
away places like China, they need more and more managers who understand the
Chinese economy, speak Chinese, appreciate Chinese culture, and are willing to
live in China for at least a couple of years.

reality In your work experience to date, has it ever been important for you to
CH ECK have international skills?

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