Management Executive Summary (Essay Sample)

MANAGEMENT
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Executive Summary
This report offers comprehensive information on the four major managerial functions that business organizations utilize. The report makes use of this information to provide an example of Virgin Airlines and the success it has managed to achieve through the years. Started in 1986, the airline has become one of the most successful in the world. The report highlights this success by offering a four-step managerial process that is responsible for guaranteeing the airline success throughout the years. The conclusion reiterates the main points of the paper that provides details on the four major managerial functions, planning, organizing, leading and controlling.
Introduction
Virgin Airlines makes use of the four major managerial functions to help in achieving its goals and objectives. These functions resonate across all types of business because they reflect on the main processes and operations of an enterprise. A systematic approach to the management of resources and planning for the future is always important in ensuring the success of the organization. Thus, this essay offers comprehensive information on the techniques that Virgin Airlines makes use of in its business activities to ensure profitability and expansion into new markets.
The report offers an exploration of the procedures that the management of the organization follows in its operations. The process of management begins with the planning process that mainly involves preparation and laying out the objectives of the firm. Therefore, organization is necessary because the manager needs to understand the utilization of resources. The organization then offers leadership to the employees to ensure that they remain in line with the objectives of the enterprise. Lastly, there is a need to enforce control measures that will ensure the objectives of the organization do not go off track in the course of its operations.
Analysis
Planning
The first, crucial managerial function is planning. This is the process of preparing a road map that will guide the organization towards achieving its set objectives. The utilization of the plan in Virgin Airlines is evident as the major operations of the firm focuses on providing a good flight experience for its passengers. Planning is necessary at the organization because there are numerous resources that need proper coordination to guarantee success (Schumpeter 2004, 90). Further, the expansion of the business operations of the airline from Europe to North America and other parts of the world makes planning a critical activity.
The business’ mission is utilized in the process of planning because it aligns the employees towards success. Virgin Airlines states that its mission is ‘to embrace the human spirit and let it fly.’ This means that the management of the organization plans for the best flight experience while offering top-notch leisure and entertainment services. In order to achieve this, prior planning is necessary because it allows the airlines to select the best available services to enforce in its wide range of products. The focus of the employee changes from that of their ordinary work to a plight for the best flight experience (Sapru 2008, 27).
At a functional level, there is planning in the training and preparation of the employees working for the airlines. The planning activities mainly go into the training exercises of the organization where employees are familiarized with the key values of the organization (Conaty & Ram 2011, 38). The unique training experiences in addition to the emphasis on customer experience provide success to the planning procedures of Virgin Airlines. The mission of the organization provides a conducive environment that allows the management to come up with the most appropriate plans for guaranteeing success in the market.
Organizing
The process of planning leads up to the organization activities of the firm. This is mainly because of the resources that are necessary for the operations of the main activities of the organization (Petersen & Carpenter 2011, 83). The planning process is in line with the mission of the organization that revolves around providing the best flight experience for the customers. This is an important concept for Virgin Airlines because it sets them apart from other competitors operating within the same industry. Therefore, organizing becomes a priority to scaling down on confusion and to ensure there are adequate resources to achieve the organization’s mission.
The training procedures, mission statement, and other planning procedures lead up to the need for organization. The activities required to carry out the plan include analyzing the competitors in the industry, maximizing on new markets and offering customers irresistible discounts. The management of Virgin Airlines organizes these activities in relation to the objectives of the firm as a whole. The efforts of the employees must be in line with the expectations of the airlines at the end of the financial period. Thus, the planning exercise allows for the appropriate organization of resources to guarantee that the firm moves in a single direction towards success (Wells 2004, 10).
The process of organizing involves a number of systematic activities within Virgin Airlines to guarantee success. Firstly, the management determines the employees that will engage in the different operations in the organization. There will be the need to organize the staff who will be handling different sets of duties; these include staff members who will have direct contact with passengers such as the stewards and stewardesses and those who will be working out of the offices, such as financial controllers. Secondly, there will be a need to organize the main tasks of the airline.
The division of labor synonymously relates to the division of resources for achieving the tasks. The planning process contributes greatly to the organization of tasks because the management already understands the main operations necessary for success. Other organizational activities in Virgin Airlines are the grouping of tasks and establishing a chain of command. The tasks that make use of the same resources or are geared towards a similar goal are grouped together to guarantee the effectiveness of the employees (Wright 2011, 37). Similarly, establishing a chain of command allows for the further entrenchment of the business objectives and operations to run smoothly as a result of the organization of resources.
Leading
There are a number of strategies that a manager can rely on to lead their employees towards achieving the set goals. First, the managers working in Virgin Airlines direct the activities of the employees and emphasize the scope of operations. Directing is a critical leadership function that provides direction to the rest of the employees and enables them to move concurrently towards the achievement of the firm’s objectives (Wood 2004, 38). Secondly, the managers also motivate their employees in their duties as a critical leadership function at Virgin Airlines. There are numerous strategies that are utilized at the firm to ensure the employees maintain their focus and passion for their work (Hansen 2005, 56).
These include salary bumps, privileges such as company cars, entertainment allowances, and promotions to top-tier positions. Motivation works very well in helping the employee retain passion for working with the organization because they develop a closer attachment to the firm. Thirdly, the managers at Virgin Airlines lead their employees through activities such as conflict resolution. This is an essential activity in any enterprise because conflicts have the propensity of disrupting the operations of the airline. The managers have to ensure that they are capable of getting down to the root of any problem affecting the employees of the firm. This ensures that the employees have a conducive working environment where conflict does not dominate their main responsibilities (Lin 2011, 44).
Lastly, establishing communication lines among the employees and the teams are also a crucial leadership function. The communication lines allow for the spread of information and ideas that help to coordinate the operations of the firm. The communication lines are also pivotal in communicating any changes to the objectives of the firm. This will be relevant to the employees to ensure that they maintain the high standards of the airline (Hemant 2011, 49).
Controlling
The functional manager at Virgin Airlines also needs to enforce a number of control measures to monitor the progress of the plan. The review process is critical because it shows the progress that the organization is making. This allows the manager to make any alterations that will benefit the firm and enable it to achieve its objectives in a faster and easier way. The review process at Virgin Airlines is excellent as it enables the management of the firm to make any changes to the main objectives. These changes are usually critical, especially if the organization wants to maintain a steady rate of business in comparison to the competitors in the industry (Bell 2012, 19).
The controlling process mainly involves monitoring the performance of the organization. This means that the functional managers will identify the manner in which...