1. Read and translate the text "Management".

Text B.

Management

There are probably as many definitions of management as there are books on the subject. Many of the definitions are relatively concise and simplistic. For example, one early writer defined management as “Knowing exactly what you want people to do, and then seeing that they do it in the best and cheapest way.” However, management is a complex process – much more complex than that definition leads us to believe. Thus we need to develop a definition of management that captures the true nature of its complexities and challenges.

Management is perhaps best understood from the viewpoint of systems theory. Systems theory suggests that organizations utilize four basic kinds of inputs, or resources, from their environments: human, monetary, physical, and information. Human resources include managerial talent and labor. Financial resources are the capital used by the organization to finance both ongoing and long-term operations. Physical resources include raw materials, office and production facilities, and equipment. Information resources are usable data needed to make effective decisions.

The manager’s job involves combining and coordinating these various resources to achieve the organization’s goals. Management, then, can be defined as follows:

Management is a set of activities directed at an organization’s human, financial, physical, and information resources, with the aim of achieving organizational goals in an efficient and effective manner.

The last phrase in the definition is especially important because it highlights the basic purpose of management – to ensure that an organization’s goals are attained in an efficient and effective manner. By efficient, we mean using resources wisely and without unnecessary waste. For example, a firm like Honda that produces high-quality products at relatively low costs is efficient. By effective, we mean doing the right things. Honda also makes cars with the styling and craftsmanship that inspire consumer confidence. In general, successful management involves being both efficient and effective.

With this basic understanding of management, defining the term manager becomes relatively simple:

A manager is someone who plans and makes decisions, organizes, leads, and controls human, financial, physical, and information resources.

Today’s managers face a variety of interesting and challenging situations. And the situation faced by every manager is unique. For example, the average chief executive officer works 60 hours a week, has enormous demands placed on his or her time, and faces increased complexities posed by globalization, domestic competition, government regulation, and shareholder pressure. The task is further complicated by rapid change, unexpected disruptions, and both minor and major crises.

Vocabulary on the text.

achieve the goal= attain the goal – достигать цели

challenge, n – сложная задача, проблема

complexity, n – сложность, запутанность

concise, adj. – краткий, четкий

craftsmanship, n – мастерство

disruption, n – срыв

effective, adj – эффективный, результативный

efficient, adj – рациональный

enormous, adj – огромный

environment, n – условия, среда

face, v – сталкиваться (с необходимостью); наталкиваться (на трудности)

highlight, v – выдвигать на первый план

inspire confidence – внушать доверие

ongoing, adj – текущий

pose, v – ставить, предлагать (вопрос, задачу)

pressure, n – давление

right, adj – именно тот, который нужен; надлежащий

simplistic, adj – упрощенный

styling, n – художественное оформление

systems theory - теория систем

unique, adj – единственный в своем роде

waste, n – излишняя трата, потери

wisely, adv, - разумно