Different types of business managers include marketing, human resources, retail and facilities managers. All have their specific roles in managing people and getting employees to work toward a common goal. Business managers also have their specific styles. Some are more authoritative and just tell employees what to do. Other business managers are more consultative, asking for and valuing the opinions of their subordinates. Whatever the case, certain requirements are necessary to become a business manager.
Most business management professionals are required to have degrees, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Depending on their position, business managers take courses in management, economics, math, marketing research, human relations and interpersonal communication to better hone their skills in managing people. Essentially, business managers learn various management techniques in college through instruction, presentations and role-playing before they can get a business management position.
Business managers must have excellent communication skills. They need to communicate with all levels of people in an organization from hourly employees to the company CEO. Business managers must be able to provide clear instructions to subordinates on how to perform a specific task. In the same day, the business manager might need to discuss more technical issues with company engineers. Business management professionals must also be adept at communicating with outside vendors. For example, a marketing research manager will need to educate an agency on the company's products before the agency conducts customer surveys.
Business management requirements also include organizational skills. Business managers are usually assigned multiple projects. They need to know how to prioritize various tasks, assign them to specific individuals, assign a time frame for the tasks, and complete the project on or before the deadline. For example, a human resources manager may need to evaluate dozens of different health insurance programs, before finally selecting one and scheduling a meeting with employees. The human resources manager may share the task with her assistant, then have a secretary set up appointments with the health benefit companies that are invited to present their programs.
Business managers must be highly analytical. For example, a business manager may need to determine why production or labor costs are higher than expected. The manager may need to study the production process and make recommendations on how to eliminate waste. Additionally, the manager may determine that employee overtime is driving up labor costs. Business managers must constantly analyze problems and solve them.
- Degree Directory: What Are the Typical Educational Requirements for Becoming a Business Manager?
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Administrative Services Managers
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Advertising, Marketing, Promotions, Public Relations, and Sales Managers
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Sales Worker Supervisors
- Dun and Bradstreet: Three Effective Management Styles
- top manager with cellphone image by Alexey Klementiev from Fotolia.com