Deck 6: Understanding the Management Process

Question 1

What are the most important skills needed by a successful manager in today's business world?

Answer 1

Answer not provided.

Question 2

Describe the style of the democratic leader.

Answer 2

Answer not provided.

Question 3

Centrum Springs, Inc.
Riley has worked for Centrum Springs, Inc., for many years and has now been given the opportunity to advance in the company.His manager is retiring and hopes that Riley will take over for him.However, even though Riley is an experienced employee, there are many things that he still needs to learn.Riley has trained many new employees, but he has never held a management position.Riley needs to have a general understanding of what it takes to be a manager.
There are many problems in Riley's department.There are no secondary plans to fall back on in case the initial plan fails.Riley also will need to learn how to direct people in such a way that makes them want to do more than the absolute minimum they have to.Riley feels that this is a great opportunity, and he is anxious to learn everything to be a great manager.He knows that if he performs well in this position, he will have the opportunity to move up the corporate ladder.
Refer to Centrum Springs, Inc.When Riley learns all that it takes to be a manager, he will be involved in

A) marketing, planning, hiring, and training.
B) controlling, organizing, planning, and leading.
C) leading, motivating, hiring, and firing.
D) planning, controlling, leading, and motivating.
E) leading, motivating, training, and organizing.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Discuss the potential benefits of a successful total quality management program.

Question 5

Which of the three leadership styles described in the textbook is the most effective? Support your position.

Question 6

Centrum Springs, Inc.
Riley has worked for Centrum Springs, Inc., for many years and has now been given the opportunity to advance in the company.His manager is retiring and hopes that Riley will take over for him.However, even though Riley is an experienced employee, there are many things that he still needs to learn.Riley has trained many new employees, but he has never held a management position.Riley needs to have a general understanding of what it takes to be a manager.
There are many problems in Riley's department.There are no secondary plans to fall back on in case the initial plan fails.Riley also will need to learn how to direct people in such a way that makes them want to do more than the absolute minimum they have to.Riley feels that this is a great opportunity, and he is anxious to learn everything to be a great manager.He knows that if he performs well in this position, he will have the opportunity to move up the corporate ladder.
Refer to Centrum Springs, Inc.The different resources available to all managers include all of the following except _____.

A) material
B) competitors
C) financial
D) human
E) information

Question 7

Why would technical skills be important to lower-level managers?

Question 8

Describe what you believe to be some of the challenges of being a manager.

Question 9

What are two components that are crucial to the effectiveness of a total quality management program?

Question 10

In what ways does leading differ from motivating?

Question 11

Dazzle Magazine
Rosalea recently switched careers.Previously, she was a college professor, but she felt she needed more real-world experience to help her business students more fully.She became a manager at Dazzle Magazine, where she was in charge of the layout.Always open to new ways of doing things, Rosalea let her staff implement their ideas at times.Rosalea learned firsthand the different roles she had to play as a manager.
It always got stressful when the publication deadline neared.At one point, there was a major mix-up in the layouts for the front cover.Rosalea was not sure of the correct layout because she had allowed one of her employees, Joseph, to modify and run with his idea on this matter.However, she could not ask for Joseph's help with the covers because he happened to be out of town at the time.Rosalea quickly looked over the layouts but felt that they still needed some work.
She decided to ask the design manager for her help.The design manager did not feel comfortable making a decision on the issue, so she did not give Rosalea an answer.Rosalea then went to an employee within her department for advice.That employee suggested some ideas, but Rosalea was still not satisfied.Finally, Rosalea called one of her top graduate students with whom she had kept in contact and asked her if she could offer some ideas.The graduate student quickly came to the magazine's office and helped Rosalea decide on the alternative that should be implemented.Rosalea greatly appreciated the assistance and the suggestion.The final cover design went to press, and that issue of the magazine was successful.This helped Rosalea realize that considering the big picture was good, but equally important were the little details.
Refer to Dazzle Magazine.Based on how Rosalea performed, how would her leadership style best be described?

A) autocratic
B) laissez-faire
C) democratic
D) authoritarian
E) strict

Question 12

Centrum Springs, Inc.
Riley has worked for Centrum Springs, Inc., for many years and has now been given the opportunity to advance in the company.His manager is retiring and hopes that Riley will take over for him.However, even though Riley is an experienced employee, there are many things that he still needs to learn.Riley has trained many new employees, but he has never held a management position.Riley needs to have a general understanding of what it takes to be a manager.
There are many problems in Riley's department.There are no secondary plans to fall back on in case the initial plan fails.Riley also will need to learn how to direct people in such a way that makes them want to do more than the absolute minimum they have to.Riley feels that this is a great opportunity, and he is anxious to learn everything to be a great manager.He knows that if he performs well in this position, he will have the opportunity to move up the corporate ladder.
Refer to Centrum Springs, Inc.Riley's usual duties represent which of these areas?

A) financial management
B) operations management
C) marketing management
D) human resources management
E) administrative management

Question 13

Centrum Springs, Inc.
Riley has worked for Centrum Springs, Inc., for many years and has now been given the opportunity to advance in the company.His manager is retiring and hopes that Riley will take over for him.However, even though Riley is an experienced employee, there are many things that he still needs to learn.Riley has trained many new employees, but he has never held a management position.Riley needs to have a general understanding of what it takes to be a manager.
There are many problems in Riley's department.There are no secondary plans to fall back on in case the initial plan fails.Riley also will need to learn how to direct people in such a way that makes them want to do more than the absolute minimum they have to.Riley feels that this is a great opportunity, and he is anxious to learn everything to be a great manager.He knows that if he performs well in this position, he will have the opportunity to move up the corporate ladder.
Refer to Centrum Springs, Inc.If Riley were to take this first step up the corporate ladder, he would be classified as a _____.

A) top manager
B) strategic manager
C) tactical manager
D) first-line manager
E) general manager

Question 14

What does a manager manage?

Question 15

Identify and describe each of the major steps in the managerial decision-making process.

Question 16

How would a manager decide which of several alternative solutions to choose as a course of action for the firm?

Question 17

Dazzle Magazine
Rosalea recently switched careers.Previously, she was a college professor, but she felt she needed more real-world experience to help her business students more fully.She became a manager at Dazzle Magazine, where she was in charge of the layout.Always open to new ways of doing things, Rosalea let her staff implement their ideas at times.Rosalea learned firsthand the different roles she had to play as a manager.
It always got stressful when the publication deadline neared.At one point, there was a major mix-up in the layouts for the front cover.Rosalea was not sure of the correct layout because she had allowed one of her employees, Joseph, to modify and run with his idea on this matter.However, she could not ask for Joseph's help with the covers because he happened to be out of town at the time.Rosalea quickly looked over the layouts but felt that they still needed some work.
She decided to ask the design manager for her help.The design manager did not feel comfortable making a decision on the issue, so she did not give Rosalea an answer.Rosalea then went to an employee within her department for advice.That employee suggested some ideas, but Rosalea was still not satisfied.Finally, Rosalea called one of her top graduate students with whom she had kept in contact and asked her if she could offer some ideas.The graduate student quickly came to the magazine's office and helped Rosalea decide on the alternative that should be implemented.Rosalea greatly appreciated the assistance and the suggestion.The final cover design went to press, and that issue of the magazine was successful.This helped Rosalea realize that considering the big picture was good, but equally important were the little details.
Refer to Dazzle Magazine.What type of manager was Rosalea at Dazzle Magazine?

A) laissez-faire
B) formal
C) authoritarian
D) official
E) democratic

Question 18

How does the organization's mission differ from its strategic planning?

Question 19

Centrum Springs, Inc.
Riley has worked for Centrum Springs, Inc., for many years and has now been given the opportunity to advance in the company.His manager is retiring and hopes that Riley will take over for him.However, even though Riley is an experienced employee, there are many things that he still needs to learn.Riley has trained many new employees, but he has never held a management position.Riley needs to have a general understanding of what it takes to be a manager.
There are many problems in Riley's department.There are no secondary plans to fall back on in case the initial plan fails.Riley also will need to learn how to direct people in such a way that makes them want to do more than the absolute minimum they have to.Riley feels that this is a great opportunity, and he is anxious to learn everything to be a great manager.He knows that if he performs well in this position, he will have the opportunity to move up the corporate ladder.
Refer to Centrum Springs, Inc.In the department where Riley works, what types of plans are lacking?

A) operational
B) tactical
C) strategic
D) technical
E) contingency

Question 20

Dazzle Magazine
Rosalea recently switched careers.Previously, she was a college professor, but she felt she needed more real-world experience to help her business students more fully.She became a manager at Dazzle Magazine, where she was in charge of the layout.Always open to new ways of doing things, Rosalea let her staff implement their ideas at times.Rosalea learned firsthand the different roles she had to play as a manager.
It always got stressful when the publication deadline neared.At one point, there was a major mix-up in the layouts for the front cover.Rosalea was not sure of the correct layout because she had allowed one of her employees, Joseph, to modify and run with his idea on this matter.However, she could not ask for Joseph's help with the covers because he happened to be out of town at the time.Rosalea quickly looked over the layouts but felt that they still needed some work.
She decided to ask the design manager for her help.The design manager did not feel comfortable making a decision on the issue, so she did not give Rosalea an answer.Rosalea then went to an employee within her department for advice.That employee suggested some ideas, but Rosalea was still not satisfied.Finally, Rosalea called one of her top graduate students with whom she had kept in contact and asked her if she could offer some ideas.The graduate student quickly came to the magazine's office and helped Rosalea decide on the alternative that should be implemented.Rosalea greatly appreciated the assistance and the suggestion.The final cover design went to press, and that issue of the magazine was successful.This helped Rosalea realize that considering the big picture was good, but equally important were the little details.
Refer to Dazzle Magazine.As a manager, Rosalea would have played all of the following roles except which one?

A) conceptual
B) interpersonal
C) informational
D) decisional
E) negotiator

Question 21

Lawyers, accountants, and engineers are ____ resources of Microsoft.

A) informational
B) non-revenue-producing
C) material
D) human
E) financial

Question 22

Specific statements detailing what the organization intends to accomplish over a short period of time are called _____.

A) planning statements
B) strategies
C) control statements
D) objectives
E) goals

Question 23

Jessica is hired to keep the books and pay the bills for a small company.She provides a(n) ____ resource for the firm.

A) financial
B) informational
C) human
D) capital
E) material

Question 24

At Silver Paper's company meeting in August, the owner states that the company will increase its sales of Christmas cards by 50 percent over last year's sales.This statement is called a(n) _____.

A) goal
B) mission
C) strategy
D) objective
E) tactical plan

Question 25

Ted Thompson is responsible for two departments that continually set conflicting goals.Ted must get involved in ____ to achieve some sort of balance between those goals.

A) optimization
B) maximization
C) planning
D) controlling
E) organizing

Question 26

Revenues, proceeds from stock sales, and loans from banks are ____ resources for Sears.

A) financial
B) material
C) informational
D) monetary
E) human

Question 27

Management can achieve its goals by coordinating what four types of resources?

A) financial, material, organizational, and operational
B) informational, human, controllable, and tangible
C) tangible, intangible, human, and financial
D) human, material, financial, and intangible
E) material, informational, human, and financial

Question 28

Planning, organizing, leading/motivating, and controlling make up the

A) four organizational goals every firm wants to achieve.
B) step-by-step management procedure.
C) four basic functions in the management process.
D) process of coordinating people and other resources to achieve the goals of the organization.
E) steps taken to achieve an organization's operational plans.

Question 29

IBM's principal reason for existing is to earn a profit for its shareholders.The means by which IBM does this is through the manufacture of computers.These two statements describe, respectively, IBM's _____.

A) strategy
B) mission
C) policy
D) tactical plan
E) control process

Question 30

Dazzle Magazine
Rosalea recently switched careers.Previously, she was a college professor, but she felt she needed more real-world experience to help her business students more fully.She became a manager at Dazzle Magazine, where she was in charge of the layout.Always open to new ways of doing things, Rosalea let her staff implement their ideas at times.Rosalea learned firsthand the different roles she had to play as a manager.
It always got stressful when the publication deadline neared.At one point, there was a major mix-up in the layouts for the front cover.Rosalea was not sure of the correct layout because she had allowed one of her employees, Joseph, to modify and run with his idea on this matter.However, she could not ask for Joseph's help with the covers because he happened to be out of town at the time.Rosalea quickly looked over the layouts but felt that they still needed some work.
She decided to ask the design manager for her help.The design manager did not feel comfortable making a decision on the issue, so she did not give Rosalea an answer.Rosalea then went to an employee within her department for advice.That employee suggested some ideas, but Rosalea was still not satisfied.Finally, Rosalea called one of her top graduate students with whom she had kept in contact and asked her if she could offer some ideas.The graduate student quickly came to the magazine's office and helped Rosalea decide on the alternative that should be implemented.Rosalea greatly appreciated the assistance and the suggestion.The final cover design went to press, and that issue of the magazine was successful.This helped Rosalea realize that considering the big picture was good, but equally important were the little details.
Refer to Dazzle Magazine.The graduate student's assistance represents which step of the decision-making process?

A) evaluate solution
B) generate many alternatives
C) identify problem and opportunity
D) select alternative
E) implement solution

Question 31

Coordinating people and the other resources of an organization to achieve the goals of the organization is the process of ______.

A) management
B) planning
C) organizing
D) directing
E) leading

Question 32

As an upper-level manager for IBM, Rodney is one of many people responsible for allocating organizational resources in order to achieve the key goals of the company.Specifically, Rodney is in charge of collecting and analyzing data on consumer preferences in personal computer design and technology and is thus responsible for what general type of resources?

A) material
B) human
C) informational
D) financial
E) system

Question 33

An organization's most important resource is its ____ resources.

A) material
B) human
C) financial
D) information
E) technical

Question 34

____ resources are used to meet obligations to investors and creditors.

A) Tangible
B) Intangible
C) Material
D) Financial
E) Human

Question 35

If on January 1, 2000, Microsoft stated that by 2010 it wants to have a 75 percent share of the U.S.software market, it is stating a(n) _____.

A) goal
B) objective
C) plan
D) strategy
E) task

Question 36

Dazzle Magazine
Rosalea recently switched careers.Previously, she was a college professor, but she felt she needed more real-world experience to help her business students more fully.She became a manager at Dazzle Magazine, where she was in charge of the layout.Always open to new ways of doing things, Rosalea let her staff implement their ideas at times.Rosalea learned firsthand the different roles she had to play as a manager.
It always got stressful when the publication deadline neared.At one point, there was a major mix-up in the layouts for the front cover.Rosalea was not sure of the correct layout because she had allowed one of her employees, Joseph, to modify and run with his idea on this matter.However, she could not ask for Joseph's help with the covers because he happened to be out of town at the time.Rosalea quickly looked over the layouts but felt that they still needed some work.
She decided to ask the design manager for her help.The design manager did not feel comfortable making a decision on the issue, so she did not give Rosalea an answer.Rosalea then went to an employee within her department for advice.That employee suggested some ideas, but Rosalea was still not satisfied.Finally, Rosalea called one of her top graduate students with whom she had kept in contact and asked her if she could offer some ideas.The graduate student quickly came to the magazine's office and helped Rosalea decide on the alternative that should be implemented.Rosalea greatly appreciated the assistance and the suggestion.The final cover design went to press, and that issue of the magazine was successful.This helped Rosalea realize that considering the big picture was good, but equally important were the little details.
Refer to Dazzle Magazine.Now that Rosalea has real-world experience, she understands more than ever that certain personal skills are needed for any manager's success.These skills include all of the following except

A) oral communication skills.
B) written communication skills.
C) computer skills.
D) corporate behavior skills.
E) critical-thinking skills.

Question 37

An outline of the actions an organization intends to take to accomplish its goals and objectives is called its _____.

A) policy
B) plan
C) organization function
D) mission
E) control function

Question 38

Airplanes, crates, and trucks represent ____ resources for Federal Express.

A) revenue-producing
B) material
C) human
D) financial
E) informational

Question 39

____ is called the first management function because all other management functions depend on it.

A) Leading
B) Organizing
C) Controlling
D) Planning
E) Motivating

Question 40

A certain chicken company decides that it will become the market leader in the poultry business in five years with a 40 percent share of the market.This statement would be classified as a(n) _____.

A) objective
B) mission
C) strategy
D) operational plan
E) goal

Question 41

Procter & Gamble purchased NIOXIN Research Labs, Inc., a leader in the scalp care part of the profession hair care category.NIOXIM offers a range of innovative products that are distributed in over 40 countries.This purchase was part of Procter & Gamble's overall ____ to focus on faster growing, high margin businesses.

A) policy
B) tactical plan
C) operational plan
D) strategy
E) standard operating procedures

Question 42

When the management of a large grocery store heard that Super Wal-Mart might be coming to town, they developed alternative courses of action they could take if their competitive landscape changed.What type of plan did they develop?

A) strategic
B) objective
C) contingency
D) tactical
E) operational

Question 43

A(n) ____ is a smaller-scale plan developed to implement a strategy.

A) strategy
B) goal
C) mission
D) tactical plan
E) objective

Question 44

The broadest set of plans developed as a guide for major policy setting and decision making is called a(n) _____.

A) management process
B) strategic plan
C) contingency plan
D) mission
E) objective

Question 45

A plan that outlines alternative courses of action is called a(n) ____ plan.

A) objective
B) tactical
C) strategic
D) contingency
E) operational

Question 46

It is important for a manager to understand the ____ of subordinates in order to encourage effective performance.

A) control needs
B) leadership skills
C) standards
D) financial needs
E) motivations

Question 47

A large computer company provides well-being seminars free to its employees and provides them with a fitness facility to encourage physical and mental health.The company hopes this will create a satisfying work environment.Which managerial function does this involve?

A) motivating
B) organizing
C) controlling
D) planning
E) compensating

Question 48

It is important for a manager to understand the ____ of subordinates in order to encourage effective performance.

A) control needs
B) leadership skills
C) standards
D) financial needs
E) motivations

Question 49

Which of the following items is not a part of planning?

A) strategy
B) tactical plan
C) objective plan
D) contingency plan
E) mission

Question 50

If Kmart states that it is going to spend $100 million in advertising in the upcoming year to help increase its market share, it is explaining part of its ____ plan.

A) tactical
B) operational
C) strategic
D) contingency
E) directional

Question 51

If Martin Jones, VP Finance, meets with Susan Sheridan, CEO, to discuss how much of the budget can be allotted to certain departments for next year's project plans, the two are engaging in _____.

A) stating objectives
B) contingency planning
C) strategic planning
D) tactical planning
E) financial planning

Question 52

A company like Motorola might establish a goal of reducing its inventory by 50 percent over the next year.To ensure that it reaches this goal, the company could monitor its progress on a quarterly or monthly basis.If the managers at Motorola discover that there is a danger of not achieving this goal, they can take corrective action to adjust for the deficiency.This is a description of the managers' ____ function.

A) controlling
B) directing
C) leading
D) organizing
E) planning

Question 53

Grouping resources and activities to efficiently and effectively accomplish a result is called _____.

A) planning
B) organizing
C) directing
D) controlling
E) goal setting

Question 54

The two managerial functions that compose the process of directing an organization are

A) planning and organizing.
B) goal setting and planning.
C) leading and organizing.
D) motivating and leading.
E) planning and leading.

Question 55

The process of influencing people to work toward a common goal is

A) motivating.
B) leading.
C) a sign of an autocratic leader.
D) a hands-off approach.
E) implementing.

Question 56

The process of evaluating and regulating ongoing activities to ensure that goals are achieved is known as _____.

A) organizing
B) leading
C) controlling
D) motivating
E) planning

Question 57

When JCPenney first decided to sell its merchandise online, the manager in charge of the process had to hire a technical staff to create the website, gather other resources necessary for the project, and ensure the site would be introduced in an effective and efficient manner.This is a description of the manager's ____ function.

A) planning
B) organizing
C) goal-setting
D) motivating
E) controlling

Question 58

The investment decisions of many traders on Wall Street in the early 2000s led to the downfall of several investment companies, demonstrating that employee goals were not aligned with company goals.This indicates a failure of which basic managerial function?

A) planning
B) organizing
C) leading
D) motivating
E) controlling

Question 59

A(n) ____ is a type of plan designed to implement tactical plans.

A) strategy
B) mission
C) operational plan
D) contingency plan
E) management objective

Question 60

Harrington Golf Co.states that it will double its employee staff and decrease its advertising budget by 25 percent in order to keep up with its high customer demand.This is part of its ____ plan.

A) strategic
B) tactical
C) contingency
D) operational
E) long-term

Question 61

Managers who must be familiar with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regulations are ____ managers.

A) financial
B) operations
C) marketing
D) administrative
E) human resources

Question 62

Kelly is in charge of both accounting and investments and all of the employees involved with these functions at her firm.Kelly is a(n) ____ manager.

A) executive
B) financial
C) first-line
D) middle
E) operations

Question 63

Chris Gomez is a plant manager for National Manufacturing Company.With regard to levels of management, Chris is a(n) ____ manager.

A) first-line
B) middle
C) top
D) executive
E) functional

Question 64

American Airlines has established a goal of increasing its profits by 12 percent next year.To ensure that the goal is reached, management monitors profits on a monthly basis.After three months, if profits have not increased by 3 percent, management will take corrective action to get the company on track.By doing so, management is carrying out its ____ function(s).

A) planning
B) leading and motivating
C) goal-setting and planning
D) organizing
E) controlling

Question 65

A manager who has the ability to see the big picture of an organization and to understand how the various parts of the organization can fit together has ____ skills.

A) leadership
B) technical
C) interpersonal
D) conceptual
E) decisional

Question 66

Accounting and investments are areas within which management field of specialization?

A) administration
B) operations
C) marketing
D) finance
E) human resources

Question 67

Managers charged with managing the organization's human resources program are ____ managers.

A) human resources
B) general
C) administrative
D) operations
E) financial

Question 68

The manager of a McDonald's restaurant is an example of a(n) ____ manager.

A) top
B) operations
C) middle
D) first-line
E) administrative

Question 69

A manager with ____ skills has the ability to deal effectively with people inside and outside the organization.

A) functional
B) diagnostic
C) conceptual
D) interpersonal
E) technical

Question 70

Vince Martin has been described as a visionary.He has the ability to think in abstract terms.Vince has ____ skills.

A) technical
B) interpersonal
C) charisma
D) conceptual
E) people

Question 71

Common job titles associated with ____ management include president, vice president, and chief executive officer.

A) first-line
B) middle
C) top
D) executive
E) functional

Question 72

Scott is in charge of managing, selling, and distributing the company's products.Scott is a(n) ____ manager.

A) marketing
B) operations
C) human resources
D) administrative
E) financial

Question 73

A manager responsible for facilitating the exchange of products between an organization and its customers through distribution and advertising is known as a(n) ____ manager.

A) administrative
B) human resources
C) financial
D) operations
E) marketing

Question 74

A manager who coordinates the activities of operating employees is a(n) ____ manager.

A) first-line
B) middle
C) top
D) executive
E) functional

Question 75

Shane does not specialize in a particular function; instead, he provides overall guidance and leadership for the company.Shane is an administrative or ____ manager.

A) marketing
B) first-line
C) general
D) operations
E) human resources

Question 76

Managers who manage systems that convert resources into goods and services are known as ____ managers.

A) administrative
B) financial
C) marketing
D) operations
E) human resources

Question 77

The CEO's role at General Electric requires him to spend a great deal of time on planning.This indicates that he is a(n) ____ manager.

A) administrative
B) operations
C) top
D) middle
E) first-line

Question 78

Grant is a division manager for a large chemical company.He frequently works to implement the strategies set by the CEO and supervises the activities of the supervisors under him.Grant is a ____ manager.

A) top
B) middle
C) front-line
D) first-line
E) financial

Question 79

Michael Dell is the CEO of Dell, a large computer manufacturer.He started the company himself, building and selling computers during college.Although he does not frequently use these skills now, it is likely that he has good ____ skills.

A) conceptual
B) interpersonal
C) employee
D) administrative
E) technical

Question 80

Specific skills needed to accomplish specialized activities such as drafting and welding are known as ____ skills.

A) standard operating
B) tactical
C) interpersonal
D) conceptual
E) technical