Business Approach to Management PDF

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The essay aims at describing the role of a manager in building a successful enterprise. The main focus is on Apple Inc. An interview outcome from Apple manager revealed that a good organizational culture, good relationship between employees and the management, and inclusive decision making contribut...

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Running head: BUSINESS APPROACH TO MANAGEMENT

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Introduction The goal of every manager in the present business environment is to see success in every operation within the organization. The business environment is very competitive because new management strategies are innovated every day. Managers should be much alert to take advantage of every opportunity to win in the competitive environment. The interview conducted with the manager at Apple Inc. Revealed different business approaches to management used by the corporation to make it competitive and more profitable. The interview outcome revealed four major business management approaches used by Apple ascend to the top position in the telecommunications industry. The discussion below analyzes each of the four business approached to management as explained by the manager, their contributions to the success of the company and their limitations. Analysis of the interview Apple is a technology company dealing with the design, production, and selling of computer, music gadgets and phones. The company has a high brand-perception and is widely identified all over the world. The success of the company comes from the uniqueness of products, which are high in technology and meets customer demands. The manager highlighted the following approaches as the main drivers of the success of the company today and in the future. Presence of culture of respect between the management and employees One of the main features identified by the manager as the leading cause of growth and success of the company is the maintenance of the organization culture. Maintaining loyalty to the organization culture forms one of the most important business approaches to management. Apple staff demonstrates a lot of respect from one another irrespective of their position in the company.

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Low-level employees intermingle freely with their bosses without any fear, making it possible to make decisions and agree on issues likely to improve the organization. Additionally, Apple employs managers and employees with strong engineering backgrounds leading to no divisions between managers and employees (Male, 2010). Employees have the freedom to own and improve products Apple Corporation produces the best computers and mobile phones in the industry. Despite the high prices charged for their products, customers find themselves preferring these products to competitors. The main business approach to management making this possible is the ability of employees to own and improve products. The marketing team gathers information about customer needs and preferences and designs products specifically meant to meet such needs. Additionally, the manager claimed that employees do not have to seek permission from a manager to work on a problem, but they engage in looking for the solution to meet the customer expectations. The organization employee practices rationale decision-making approach where managers analyze different facts through proper review of available facts, relevant observations, and consideration of possible outcomes before making a final decision. Employees must choose the best alternative from different choices depending on the choice capable of solving the prevailing organizational problem (Eisenf7hr & Weber, 2010). Challenging employees to grow When asked what makes their employees very professional and demanded by other organizations, the manager replied that at Apple they always challenge their employees to move a step ahead. Managers give employees harder tasks to test their ability to solve complex problems and work under pressure. The approach allows the organization to complete projects on

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time and enter the market earlier than competitors. Additionally, the organization ensures every employee grows to become a manager by giving them appropriate leadership skills. Application of theories and theoretical frameworks A business approach to management at Apple takes the form of some management theories that are appropriate in all the organization situations dealing with different customers and employees. One of the theories used by the organization according to the manager is the Taylor theory of management. The theory asserts that managers should design valid approaches towards upcoming conditions related to marketing, technology, and leadership (Rohleder, 2010). Using Taylor’s theory, the organization manages to come up with unique innovations by using technology trends to predict future advances in the computer world. Additionally, the management at Apple used this theory to improve work efficiency by ensuring timely completion of tasks allocated to employees. On the other hand, the manager mentioned Max Weber’s theoretical approach as very essential in business approach to management. According to Max Weber Theory, managers should possess certain characteristics needed to lead effectively. These characteristics include a well-defined hierarchy, division of labor and specialization, setting rules and regulations for a company, good relationship between managers and employees, competence, and a good record. What contributes to their successful implementation? The manager was very confident when answering the question regarding the strategies used by the company to ensure all business approaches to management are achieved. Firstly, the manager claimed that good coordination made possible by an effective organization structure makes it possible to succeed in these approaches. Apple has the best organization structure the effective flow of commands from the top-level management to the junior-level management.

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Every manager has a duty of ensuring success in their departments by establishing strategies capable of improving productivity. For example, the manager in charge of marketing designs that marketing strategies to use and implements them without consulting the general manager. The freedom of choice makes it possible for managers to make decisions alone, but they also suffer consequences alone in case the strategy fails. Secondly, the manager claimed the human resources management plays an important role in ensuring the success of these business approaches. The human resource has many compensation incentives given to individual employees and managers depending on their performance. Apple opens new stores in different locations, managed by employees promoted from within the organization. Compensation benefits and incentives offered to employees allow them to work effectively and towards a certain goal, which leads to high productivity. Additionally, the human resource management takes managers through an extensive training program to equip them with all necessary knowledge and skills to deal with different situations in the business environment. Employees also undergo these training programs to teach them how to implement effectively strategies and deal with diverse clients from different parts of the world. Finally, the manager said the organization is very keen when it comes to planning a strategy and always has an appropriate alternative to choose. Managers make concrete decisions regarding the method to use, which can move the company ahead of its competitors. The most important incorporated by the company while developing a business approach is the marketing analysis. Marketing analysis entails having an idea of the current market, and understanding consumer needs. The effective market analysis is done through analyzing the current marketing situation. The existing marketing strategy; segmentation, targeting, and positioning; and value creation process must be considered before engaging in a new strategy.

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Limitations of the business approach to management Apple is ranked the best producer of computers and mobile phones in the world. Despite the abilities of the company management to successfully meet several business approaches, the organization faces some major challenges in the implementation of these approaches. The interview outcome revealed that some managers lack coordination and leadership skills expected of them despite efforts by the company to teach leadership programs. Lack of adequate skills makes it hard for the manager to lead other people because the company trains every employee to become a manager. Moreover, the manager complained of other leaders and employees acting as spies for competitors. The manager claimed of many instances where some managers were caught revealing vital company information to competitors in exchange for cash rewards, or employment opportunities. The presence of these situations limits the ability of the company to meet its business approach to management goals affectively. Finally, the manager described poor workplace relationship as the major cause of poor implementation of management approaches. As stated earlier, most people working at Apple engineer. From the interview, it was discovered that the impersonality emphasis leads to personal frustration about employees and other line managers while generating red tape to reinforce previously authorized decisions. Giving one person promotions triggers a lot of issues from colleagues and the company executive has difficulties trying to prove their choices. In most cases, experienced employees resign to go and become managers in other organizations just to reach the level of their colleagues. The manager also blamed the top company management on the lack of transparency when it comes to promotions and demotions creating tension between employees.

BUSINESS APPROACH TO MANAGEMENT References Eisenf7hr, F., & Weber, M. (2010). Rational decision making. Berlin: Springer. Male, B. (2010 Aug. 2). 8 Management Lessons I Learned Working At Apple. Retrieved 15th Oct. 2015 from http://www.businessinsider.com/management-lessons-i-learned-workingat-apple-2010-7# Rohleder, E. (2010). Taylor's Theory of Scientific Management and the Implications for Contemporary Management Practice. Munich: GRIN Verlag.

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