This document provides an introduction to general management. It discusses the role of management in business, explaining that management directs resources towards achieving organizational goals. Management is defined as the process followed by managers to accomplish business goals and objectives, involving planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. There are different levels and functional areas of management. Top management focuses on long-term planning, middle management executes plans, and lower management directs daily activities. Managers require different skills at each level, from conceptual and interpersonal skills at higher levels to more technical skills at lower levels. Managers also fulfill various roles from decision-making to maintaining interpersonal and information flows. The document instructs the reader to review the textbook chapters on these management topics

1. Business Management
BMNG5111
- With Kagiso Matlala
Learning unit 1:Introduction to General Management

2. “If you think education is expensive,
try ignorance.”
- Andy McIntyre

3. Learning Unit 6:
Introduction to General
Management

4. Learning Unit 1:Theme Breakdown
Theme 1: Management in business
Explain the role of management in business;
Describe the fundamental management
functions;
Explain the management process;
Discuss the different levels and functional
areas of management;
Describe the skills needed at different levels
of management;
Discuss the various roles of managers;

5. How to prepare for this Learning Unit:
• Read chapter 6 of your prescribed textbook [Page 196-218]
• Make notes of any areas where you require further explanation
• As you read chapter 6 consider the following questions:
• What does the term “management” mean?
• What do managers do all day?
• Why is management important?

6. 1.1The Role of Management
• An organisation has goals as well as resources such as people, financial resources and
physical resources. Management is indispensable in directing these resources towards
achievement of the goals. Management is indispensable for the following reasons:
• Management directs a business towards its goals
• Management sets and keeps the operations of the business on a balanced course
• Management keeps the organisation in equilibrium with its environment
• Management is necessary to reach the goals of the organisation at the highest possible
level of productivity.
Read section 6.2 “The role of management” on pp.197-201. Underline the important points
relating to the role of management and read the Woolworths case study.

7. 1.2 A Definition of Management
Management is defined as “the process followed by managers to accomplish a business goals and objectives” (Erasmus et
al, 2019, p.202).Thus, management is a process of activities carried out by managers. Management does four things:
• It decides what has to be done
• It decides how this should be done
• It orders that it be done
• It checks that its order has been carried out
The preferred terminology for these four acts activities is the names of the four fundamental tasks of management:
• Planning, Organising, Leading, and Control (POLC)
• These four tasks are performed in this logical order however, managers are likely to be engaged in several
management activities simultaneously.
• Read section 6.3 “A definition of management” on pp.202-205. Underline the key points related to explaining what
managers do, the process they follow and tasks they execute.

8. 1.3The Different Levels and Functional Areas
of Management in Businesses
• The management levels are broadly simplified into top, middle and lower
management.The number of levels in an organisation varies depending on its size.
• Top management is mainly concerned with long-term planning, monitoring the
environment and for the performance of the business a s a whole. The managing
director is an example of a top manager.
• Middle management is responsible for specific functional areas and executes the
policies, plans and strategies determined by top management. The marketing
manager is an example of middle management.

9. 1.3The Different Levels and Functional Areas
of Management in Businesses
• Lower management sometimes called supervisory management is
concerned with small sections of the organisation and direct the day to day
activities of employees. Examples include foreman or a sales manager for a
specific area.
• At the campus on which you are studying or for an organisation you know
well, identify managers at the different levels and list what you think they
are each responsible for.

10. 1.3.2The Functional Management Areas in a
Business Organisation
• Each business function has its own functional management that is
responsible for the performance of that particular function.Thus, the
financial manager or human resources manager plan, organise, lead and
control their relevant department.

11. 1.3.3The Function of General Management
• General management has a role to play in every organisation.This function
usually practiced by top management, integrates all the other functions.
• Read section 6.4 “The different levels and functional areas of management
in businesses” on pp.205-208 of your textbook. Underline the main ideas
and pay particular attention to figure 6.3 on p.206.

12. 1.4 Skills Needed at Different Managerial
Levels
• Figure 6.4 on p.208 of your textbook depicts the different skills needed at
the different levels of management.The three key skills required are:
• Conceptual skills- analysing, thinking and planning
• Interpersonal skills- dealing with people
• Technical skills- knowledge of a particular discipline

13. 1.5The Role of Managers
Mintzberg a respected writer on management, identified 10 different roles.These can
be placed into three broad groups namely:
• Decision-making role
• Interpersonal role
• Information role
These are illustrated in figure 6.5 on p.210 of your textbook.The role of managers will
be determined by the manager’s seniority in the business.
Read section 6.6 “The role of managers on pp.209-211 of your textbook. Underline
the main ideas relating to each role.
Ensure you understand the different skills required at the different levels of
management.

14. “Education is a progressive discovery of
our own ignorance.”
-Will Durant

15. ThankYou!