Introduction to Business Management
INBM02-5 23a
2025 EXAM PREP SUMMARY
, TOPIC 1: INTRODUCTION TO GENERAL MANAGEMENT
DEFINITION OF MANAGEMENT AND MANAGERS
Management:
The process of planning, organising, leading, and controlling an organisation’s resources to achieve its
goals.
Manager:
A person who coordinates employee activities to achieve the vision and goals of the organisation.
EFFICIENCY VS. EFFECTIVENESS
Term Meaning Focus Example
Efficiency Doing things right Max output, least input Limited staff hitting sales targets
Doing the right Activities aligned with Focusing on home loan sales when
Effectiveness
things goals required
⚠ An organisation can be efficient but still fail without effectiveness.
LEVELS OF MANAGEMENT
Level Role Focus Examples
Top Strategic Long-term goals, vision CEO, Board Chair
Implement strategy, short-term
Middle Tactical Regional/Branch Managers
goals
Daily tasks, supervise non-
First-line Operational Supervisors, Team Leaders
managers
Operational Report to first-line
Non-managers Perform tasks
Employees managers
5 MANAGEMENT TASKS
Task Key Questions Description
Planning What is the goal? How to reach it? Define goals, strategy, coordinate activities
Organising What, how, and who? Arrange resources to execute plan
Leading How to inspire action? Influence and motivate staff
Controlling Are we on track? Monitor progress, take corrective actions
Motivating What drives performance? Influence behaviour towards goals
FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF MANAGEMENT
Area Responsibility
Operations Turning inputs into goods/services
Logistics Transport, packaging, storage
Finance Manage money, budgeting, investments
HR (Human Resources) Hiring, training, staff development
Marketing Market analysis, sales, promotions
IT Technology systems, support
Public Relations Internal/external image of the org
Administration General oversight, coordination
Page 1 of 16
, MANAGERIAL SKILLS
Skill Type Description Level Used Most
Technical Job-specific know-how First-line managers
Human Interpersonal skills All levels
Conceptual Big-picture thinking Top management
MANAGERIAL ROLES
1. Interpersonal Roles
Role Description Example
Figurehead Symbolic duties Sign documents, host events
Leader Motivate and guide Training staff
Liaison Networking Meet external partners
2. Informational Roles
Role Description Example
Monitor Gather info Read reports
Disseminator Share info inside Team meetings
Spokesperson Share info outside Press conference
3. Decisional Roles
Role Description Example
Entrepreneur Drive innovation Launch new project
Disturbance Handler Solve crises Manage strikes
Resource Allocator Assign resources Budgeting
Negotiator Handle negotiations Union talks
TOPIC 2: PLANNING
DEFINITION:
Planning can be defined as involving those activities of management that determine the mission and
goals of an organisation, the ways in which these are to be accomplished, and the deployment of the
necessary resources to realise them.
IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING
Gives direction
→ Goals provide clarity and purpose
Promotes coordination
→ Aligns departments and resource use
Keeps businesses updated
→ Considers technological advances and external changes
Ensures cohesion
→ Integrates overlapping departments (e.g. marke9ng + produc9on)
Promotes stability
→ Planning enables control in a changing environment
Page 2 of 16
INBM02-5 23a
2025 EXAM PREP SUMMARY
, TOPIC 1: INTRODUCTION TO GENERAL MANAGEMENT
DEFINITION OF MANAGEMENT AND MANAGERS
Management:
The process of planning, organising, leading, and controlling an organisation’s resources to achieve its
goals.
Manager:
A person who coordinates employee activities to achieve the vision and goals of the organisation.
EFFICIENCY VS. EFFECTIVENESS
Term Meaning Focus Example
Efficiency Doing things right Max output, least input Limited staff hitting sales targets
Doing the right Activities aligned with Focusing on home loan sales when
Effectiveness
things goals required
⚠ An organisation can be efficient but still fail without effectiveness.
LEVELS OF MANAGEMENT
Level Role Focus Examples
Top Strategic Long-term goals, vision CEO, Board Chair
Implement strategy, short-term
Middle Tactical Regional/Branch Managers
goals
Daily tasks, supervise non-
First-line Operational Supervisors, Team Leaders
managers
Operational Report to first-line
Non-managers Perform tasks
Employees managers
5 MANAGEMENT TASKS
Task Key Questions Description
Planning What is the goal? How to reach it? Define goals, strategy, coordinate activities
Organising What, how, and who? Arrange resources to execute plan
Leading How to inspire action? Influence and motivate staff
Controlling Are we on track? Monitor progress, take corrective actions
Motivating What drives performance? Influence behaviour towards goals
FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF MANAGEMENT
Area Responsibility
Operations Turning inputs into goods/services
Logistics Transport, packaging, storage
Finance Manage money, budgeting, investments
HR (Human Resources) Hiring, training, staff development
Marketing Market analysis, sales, promotions
IT Technology systems, support
Public Relations Internal/external image of the org
Administration General oversight, coordination
Page 1 of 16
, MANAGERIAL SKILLS
Skill Type Description Level Used Most
Technical Job-specific know-how First-line managers
Human Interpersonal skills All levels
Conceptual Big-picture thinking Top management
MANAGERIAL ROLES
1. Interpersonal Roles
Role Description Example
Figurehead Symbolic duties Sign documents, host events
Leader Motivate and guide Training staff
Liaison Networking Meet external partners
2. Informational Roles
Role Description Example
Monitor Gather info Read reports
Disseminator Share info inside Team meetings
Spokesperson Share info outside Press conference
3. Decisional Roles
Role Description Example
Entrepreneur Drive innovation Launch new project
Disturbance Handler Solve crises Manage strikes
Resource Allocator Assign resources Budgeting
Negotiator Handle negotiations Union talks
TOPIC 2: PLANNING
DEFINITION:
Planning can be defined as involving those activities of management that determine the mission and
goals of an organisation, the ways in which these are to be accomplished, and the deployment of the
necessary resources to realise them.
IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING
Gives direction
→ Goals provide clarity and purpose
Promotes coordination
→ Aligns departments and resource use
Keeps businesses updated
→ Considers technological advances and external changes
Ensures cohesion
→ Integrates overlapping departments (e.g. marke9ng + produc9on)
Promotes stability
→ Planning enables control in a changing environment
Page 2 of 16
