What is a manager? That was the first question the group of line managers asked me. I just got hired by as a management trainee at a consumer goods company and was on my first month at its Manila manufacturing facility, going through orientation. I was required to undergo a qualification test with senior managersContinue reading “What is a Manager, Anyway?”
Tag Archives: management
Three Questions Every New Manager Should Ask
Every new manager should always ask three (3) questions about an operation he or she will be in charge of: What does the book say should be happening? What do the people say should be happening? What is really happening? Chances are each answer would be totally different from the others. What does the bookContinue reading “Three Questions Every New Manager Should Ask”
A Guide to City Zoning; an Example of Management Organising
I asked the water company engineer why his company was digging up the street in front of my family’s house for the second time in a few years. He answered my question with a frown and a sigh. “I have to install new pipes because of that new building,” he replied as he pointed atContinue reading “A Guide to City Zoning; an Example of Management Organising”
Burning Platforms and How to Prevent Them
A proprietor who sells electrical products was experiencing a dramatic drop in sales. He hires a consultant who comes from a large multinational corporation and asks him what can be done. The consultant suggests that the proprietor develop a vision, mission, objectives, and strategies (VMOS) for his business. The consultant conducts a team-building session withContinue reading “Burning Platforms and How to Prevent Them”
Building Track Records of Trust
My mechanic, Diony, recommended I change the power steering fluid of my car. I use automatic transmission fluid (ATF) for the power steering because another mechanic said it was okay. But when Diony checked my car the other day, he said I shouldn’t use ATF for power steering. ATF is for automatic transmissions; power steeringContinue reading “Building Track Records of Trust”
What Organising Really Means
There are four (4) basic functions to management: planning, organising, directing, and controlling. We can picture what planning, directing, and controlling are. They’re kind of straightforward and self-explanatory. Organising, however, is not. When we “organise,” what’s the first thing that comes to mind? We perhaps think of putting our stuff in order, like filing awayContinue reading “What Organising Really Means”
Management is Not Leading, and It Isn’t Staffing Either
First thing I was taught as a management trainee at a large multinational corporation in 1985 was that there are four (4) basic functions to managing. These are: Planning, Organising, Directing, Controlling. In 2021, when I search for “management functions” on the Internet, the results mostly are: Planning. Organising, Leading, Controlling, and Staffing. Leading hadContinue reading “Management is Not Leading, and It Isn’t Staffing Either”
A Letter to a Life Insurance Company
The following is a letter I want to send to a life insurance company regarding their service. Identities are anonymous to avoid complications. Dear Chief Executive Officer of Life Insurance Company, I received your letter dated August 25, 2020 which arrived February 16, 2021. Your letter stated that you did not receive payment for pastContinue reading “A Letter to a Life Insurance Company”
We Don’t Need Deep Science to Implement Change
While depositing Philippine coins at the bank one morning, I couldn’t figure out which was which. The 1-peso coin looked like the 5-peso coin which also looked like the 10-peso coin. Each coin was silver in colour and almost the same size. I also had older and much more different 5-peso and 10-peso coins toContinue reading “We Don’t Need Deep Science to Implement Change”
The Importance of Making Available What We Promise
I ordered a box of latex gloves from a 3rd party seller on a popular e-commerce website. The seller confirmed my order by email and after 24 hours, the order status on the website was that the box of gloves was being prepared for shipment. One week later, the order status said it was atContinue reading “The Importance of Making Available What We Promise”
