What is a manager?

A number of different terms are used for “manager”, including “director”, “administrator” and “president”. The term “manager” is used more frequently in profit-making organizations, while the others are used more widely in government and non-profit organizations such as universities, hospitals and social work agencies.

What, then, is a manager?

When used collectively the term “management” refers to those people who are responsible for making and carrying out decisions within the system.

An individual manager is a person who directly supervises people in an organization.

Some basic characteristics seem to apply to manager in all types of organizations; they include hard work on a variety of activities, preference for active tasks, direct personal relationships.

Almost everything a manager does involves decision. The reason for making a decision is that a problem exists. In decision-making there is always some uncertainty and risk.

Managing is a hard job. There is a lot to be done and relatively little time to do it. The engineer can finish a design on a particular day, and the lawyer can win or loose a case at a certain time. But the manager’s job is like “An Old Man River” – it just keeps going.

IV семестр Making an appointment

Victor Pavlov is a representative of a Russian company which is interested in buying Japanese equipment. The company has done business with Japanese firms before.

Victor has just come to Tokyo. He wants to make an appointment with his Japanese counterpart. Victor is learning Japanese, but he is afraid it will be difficult for him to speak Japanese on the phone. He knows that his counterpart's secretary speaks fluent Eng­lish, so the whole conversation is in English

Pavlov: Good morning! Is that Mr Fukuda's office?

Secretary: Good morning. Yes. What can I do for you?

P. Victor Pavlov from Moscow here. Can I speak to Mr Fukuda, please?

S. I'm sorry, not just now, Mr Fukuda's in conference.

P. Oh, is he? When will he be free?

S. In an hour and a half, I think. Will you leave a message?

P. No, I'll call back later.

Two hours later Pavlov calls back and makes an appointment with

Fukuda for eleven o'clock the next day. Next morning Pavlov and

Fukuda meet at the appointed time for talks. Here's the end of the

talks:

P. I think we'll order ten of these machines now, and we'll probably buy

some more in the near future.

F. I'm sure you won't have any trouble with them. It's really a first

class model.

P. Could I see the machine in operation while I'm here?

F. Certainly! We can arrange a visit to a factory where they have just

installed some. You'll be able to ask the engineers any questions

you like. When would you like to go?

P. The sooner the better. How long do you think it'll take you to make

the arrangements?

F. It won't take me long. I'll just have to let them know and fix the

time. Will the day after tomorrow be too late for you?

P. Oh. no! I'm only going home in five days, so it'll suit me perfectly.

Shall I give you a call tomorrow?

F. Yes, please. I think I'll be able to give you a definite answer towards the end of the day, and the day after tomorrow I'll call for you at your hotel and take you to the factory.

P. Splendid! Thank you very much! I'll give you a ring tomorrow afternoon, then.