In this first unit, you will delve into the world of self-discovery through various self-assessment tools. You will complete tools within the course and also be required to find your own form of assessment. By discovering your temperament and disposition, you will be able to determine your strengths and weaknesses in various workplace settings. You will also learn about motivational theories and how they affect workplace productivity. You will learn how to analyze a business situation through the use of case studies.
This unit focuses on communication in the workplace. The first activity will focus on the communication process and the challenges it presents. You will learn how to become effective communicators in the workplace and in your personal lives. The second activity will have you engage in practical communication techniques that are used in the modern workplace.
In this unit, you will begin to examine and explore the four major functions of management by first assessing the importance and role of management within an organization. In Activity 1, you will explore the different levels of management in an organization and their roles and responsibilities. You will then travel throughout history to understand the different management theories and how they have evolved over the years. In Activity 2, you will be introduced to the management function of Leading by exploring leadership techniques in a variety of workplace situations. A focus will include delving into various leadership styles and theories that can be applied to real and authentic business and organizational settings.
In this unit, you will continue to examine and explore the four major functions of management. The focus will now turn to the Organizing function of management. In Activity 1, you will explore and analyse the different ways in which business can be organized - what is commonly referred to as organizational structures. You will also critically analyse current and existing organizational trends that have developed in regards to organizational structures. These will include the flattening of organizations, and decentralization. In Activity 2, you will be introduced to the human resources department - a critical element of the organizational function of management. The focus will be on understanding the human resource process. This includes examining the importance of and analyzing the various performance appraisal tools used in human resources, as well as examining workforce legal considerations.
In this unit, you will continue to examine and explore the four major functions of management. The focus will now turn to the Planning function of management. In Activity 1, you will explore the planning process and identify the benefits it provides organizations. You will also analyse the importance of creativity, and examine problem solving strategies to help with planning. In the next activity, you will explore time-management techniques, tools and strategies used in the planning process, and the use of short and long-term planning tools and strategies. You will continue to observe and examine why planning is an important function of management. Finally, in the last activity, your focus will be on strategic planning. You will be able to identify and explain the different levels of strategic planning, the types of strategic plans, and make use of managerial tools used to develop strategic plans. You will finish the unit with a clear understanding of corporate culture, and will analyse a company using a SWOT analysis.
A fourth, and very important function of management is Controlling. Controlling is a process of monitoring an organization’s performance and taking actions to ensure that the required objectives and goals are achieved. This is a small unit that contains just one activity. Your sole focus here is on this controlling process, types of control mechanisms used by organizations, and an exploration of the difference between internal and external control. You will also examine a way in which managers control employees through progressive discipline.
The focus of unit seven is on teams and teamwork. Organizational success is often created by how well all employees in the organization work together to reach common goals and objectives. In this way, teams and teamwork can make or break organizations. Managers must always make a concerted effort to ensure that teams function in a way that allow the organization to be as successful as possible. In the first activity, you will have the opportunity to explore the steps in team formation, and work as part of a team to accomplish a task. In the second activity, you will evaluate workplace conflict and stress, and identify methods for overcoming both within organizations.
In this unit, the focus will be on the notion of change and how successful organizations understand that change is inevitable and attempt to embrace it.
In Activity 1, you will explore how forces of change can better equip organizations for dealing with change and continue to be successful. You will learn that there are numerous reasons why people often resist change and you will also uncover strategies that managers use to facilitate acceptance for change.
In Activity 2, you will be introduced to alternative workplace settings and job arrangements to understand how work settings have and are, changing. You will also understand the nature of job design and uncover how these approaches have changed to reflect changes in society and the marketplace. You will also analyse the importance of maintaining positive relations between the individual employee and the greater organization.
In this small, but very important unit, you will explore organizational ethical issues and dilemmas, and begin to understand corporate social responsibility. You will work through situations where organizations have to make ethical decisions on both large broad scales, and smaller workplace focusses, and hopefully do the right thing for stakeholders, and for society. You will examine different social responsibility strategies employed by managers and understand the differences between them.
Congratulations on all the fantastic learning you have completed throughout this course. Now, it is time to synthesis and consolidate your learning one last time. In this final activity, you will be connected to your learning in an individualized manner through a personal portfolio. The purpose of this last portfolio task is to demonstrate and highlight some of your learning from the course through reflection, observation, recording, presenting and organizing evidence of that learning.
