Question

THE SCENARIO

I am a team leader who works in a warehouse where, we conduct monthly inventory counts. The monthly counts are done by a quick visual check and then matching the numbers to what is showing in the inventory management computer system. Once a year we shut production down for a day and do a full, manual inventory count. We then compare it to the numbers showing the inventory system. If the numbers are off by more than 5%, we are required to determine why there is a difference and submit a report to the supervisor who then submits the report to the operations manager. If the numbers are under the 5% variance, we all receive a letter of appreciation from the company’s president with our next pay stub. It is also posted on our employee bulletin board and included in the company newsletter.

I have been with the company for 2 years; first as a warehouse employee and then was promoted to team lead six months ago. As team lead it is my job to ensure that all employees take the inventory management seriously by entering materials into the management system when it arrives and then removing it when we use the material during production operations. We use a scanner for this as all the raw materials have a UPC scan code on them. But we onl3

scanners as they are very expensive.It is quite stressful as not all the staff follow the inventory count rules. During my first year the inventory count was correct but the second year it was not. Our numbers showed a variance under 5% but when the purchasing manager put in a production run for a customer order that was due to be delivered in one week; it was found that we were short two of the required materials by more than 15% each. This caused a lot of problems as he then had to order the raw materials from the suppliers who couldn’t get it to us for another 2 weeks. The customer then was told they

wouldn’t get their order until 3 weeks. It ended up that they pulled their order. The senior

management team was very upset and let us know about it. Our manager was told to write us up about this and put a warning letter in our employee files. He told us he didn’t want to do that and gave me 2 days to find out why it happened so the correct person(s) could be written up. I believe it is because a couple of the employees are lazy. I know that they take shortcuts. When I catch them lazing around, I tell them to get back to work and do their job properly or they will be docked pay. This warning seems to get them to do what they are supposed to but not for long. I have also heard from other employees that these 2 guys are constantly complaining about the job and management, including me. I yelled at these 2 guys and told them I was going to tell Ahmad, the manager it was their fault due to their bad attitude and laziness. I also told them they would be written up and would lose a day’s pay. One guy told me to GO AWAY and walked off the job.

He didn’t come back. The other guy said it wasn’t his fault and then gave me a list of reasons

why it wasn’t his fault. Looking back, I know I shouldn’t have lost my temper and yelled like that, but I am so stressed out with this issue. I haven’t been sleeping well and am having some difficulty concentrating. I am afraid that I will lose my job if I don’t get this solved. I am thinking maybe I should quit before I get fired.  I don’t want my Record of Employment (ROE) to show I was fired.

END OF SCENARIO

Your Instructions:

Recognize and effectively use your managerial skills to resolve workplace issues.  You are required to analyze and identify the underlying cause of the issue/behaviour and the skills you will utilize to resolve the problem(s) in the above case scenario. You will include a minimum of 5 managerial skills/concepts in your assignment e.g. communication (including listening), time and stress management, recognition, definition and resolution of the problem, motivating others, goal setting, self-awareness, power, conflict management, etc. You choose and apply the five; please note two forms/types of a concept i.e. directive vs non-directive counselling count as one, not two concepts. You are required to answer not only what is occurring and where it happens but also why and then your suggestions for how you would deal with the issue(s)and why you made that particular choice i.e. identify expected behaviour change, organizational impact, personal outcome. You are analyzing and resolving this from the perspective of a manager.

NEED TO DISCUSS PROBLEM AND UNDERLYING ISSUE AND IDENTIFICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF 5 MANAGERIAL CONCEPT.( GOOD AMOUNT OF WORDS AND NOT FROM INTERNET) THANK YOU

Answer 1

5 Major Managerial concepts are:

1. Communication: Managerial communication is a very important concept in order to maintain the workplace. It is done in two ways, top-down otherwise known as downward communication where information comes from the upper management and goes down to the subordinates.

It is important in an organization for-

• listening to the problem- A manager should listen to the issues to the team carefully and help them accordingly. there should be a clear route of communication between team to avoid misunderstandings.
• information sharing,
• feedback,
• influencing the team members- Information can be used to outline how people will act
• problem-solving- help the managers and employees on issues will find solutions to problems and easily develop consensus.
• assisting in decision making-To make the right decisions a manager needs to get all the information necessary to decide.
• facilitating change- will show the difficulties in the changes implemented and what corrective measures must be taken.
• development of managerial skills- when communication facts, ideas, feelings, opinions the manager becomes more knowledgeable about the ongoing at work and the behavior of his staff,

2. Time and stress management- Some of the most important time management skills include:

• Organization:  help you maintain a clear picture of what you need to complete and when.
• Prioritization: Assessing each of your responsibilities for priority.you might prioritize your tasks starting with the most time-sensitive, or a combination of both.
• Goal-Setting: Goal setting is important to accomplish and prioritize the work.
• Delegation: Only completing work that will help you and your company accomplish goals.
• Stress Management: You might do this by including small breaks throughout your day, or by rewarding yourself in small ways as you accomplish tasks.

In this case, the stress could have been less if the manager could have a discussion with the team and given breaks to them so that they can stay in healthy environment and have good mental health.

3. Motivation: Motivation may be defined as the planned managerial process, to stimulate the team to work to there best of abilities.

• motivating is personal and internal feeling- It is a psychological phenomenon which helps employees to work better.
• continuous process- A human need to be motivated at all times.
• It provides higher efficiency
• better image of management
• helps better in facilitating change

In the current case, if the manager would have talked to team members, would have understood and motivated them to give there best efforts, they could have completed the task on time.

4. Conflict Management: It is a concept for limiting the negative aspects of conflict while increasing the positive aspects of the conflict. Properly managed conflict can improve group outcomes.

• Be aware of the conflict
• Take a considered and rational approach to conflict
• Investigate the situation
• Decide how to tackle the conflict
• Let everyone have their say
• Identify options and agree on a way forward
• Implement what has been agreed
• Evaluate how things are going
• Consider preventative strategies for the future

In the current case, the manager showed his anger, lost my temper and yelled at two employees which made the situation worse. The employees were constantly complaining about the job and management, the manager as an aware one should have tackled the situation differently and had heard their problem and discussed it with the team. There might some better opinions from there side and their conflict towards management could have been solved and employees would have been retained.

5. Recognition: The employees should be given time to time recognition for there work including the manager. Employee rewards and recognition system is not just a positive thing to do with people but communicating it effectively is an efficient tool in encouraging them to create and bring business for you. A combination of monetary and non-monetary rewards can work wonders and drive employees to perform well continuously.

In current case, the employees would have been given recognition, they would have been motivated and worked better.