Using an organization of your choice, discuss how managers perform each of
the management functions and why managers are important to an
organization’s success.
BABM_1001
NOVEMBER 18, 2022
Candidate:
Word count: 1650
Submission Date: 18/11/2022
, The aim of this essay is to address the question in matter “are managers important
to an organization?”. A manager is expected to “add value to resources with the aid
of people and other resources” (Boddy, 2019). There are many different types of
organizational structures from a simple hierarchy to complex organizational
structures. “An organization is a deliberate arrangement of people brought together
to accomplish some specific purpose” (Boddy, 2019). For managers to be
successful, they need to display the managerial functions which are planning,
leading and acting, organizing and controlling. Efficiency will be discussed in relation
to business success. Efficiency is “the quality of being able to do a task successfully,
without wasting time or energy.” (Collins Dictionary) This was originally developed by
Henri Fayol and was primarily focussed on what type of management is good and
what manager roles contribute to this. Further in this essay the four management
functions will be thoroughly discussed to create a coherent understanding answering
the question in matter.
The chosen business for this essay is Amazon. Amazon is multinational e-commerce
organization which provide a range of products for customers with a unique selling point of
delivering the items to the customers doorstep in a limited time period. Amazon is fit for this
as they aim to meet a target of 97%-98% for tracked parcels (Dawson, 2016). As customer
satisfaction is highly valued, meeting this target is essential. They have key focus areas to
ensure that their management is effective and efficient. Amazon has a unique culture which
“helps relentlessly pursue the mission of being Earth’s most customer-centric company, best
employer, and safest place to work.” (Amazon, n.d., leadership principles). Further in this
essay, the management functions will be discussed and how these contribute to Amazon’s
success through managers.
Planning is the first management function which will be explored in this essay. Planning is
“setting out the overall direction of work” (Boye, 2022). This essentially covers the aspects of
business activities, scope and distribution/allocation of resources. Planning is an important
management function as it is the first step needed to develop a strategy for managers.
Amazon has multiple examples of planning throughout the workplace. The most recent
example is that Amazon has recently pushed for employees within call centers to work from
home. “Many people are resisting efforts to return to offices” (Soper, 2022) and therefore