organization A group of people working together in structured and coordinated fashion to achieve a set of goals

management A set of activities (including planning and decision making, organizing, leading, and controlling) directed at an organization's resources (human, financial, physical, and information), with the aim of achieving organizational goals in an efficient and effective manner

efficient Using resources wisely and in a cost-effective way

effective Making the right decisions and successfully implementing them

manager Someone whose primary responsibility is to carry out management process

planning Setting an organization's goals and deciding how best to achieve them

decision making Part of the planning process that involves selecting a course of action from a set of alternatives

organizing Grouping activities and resources in a logical fashion

leading The set of processes used to get members of the organization to work together to further the interests of the organization

controlling Monitoring organizational progress toward goal attainment

levels of management The differentiation of managers into three basic categories--top, middle, and first-line

areas of management Managers can be differentiated into marketing, financial, operating, human resource, administration, and other areas

interpersonal roles The roles of figurehead, leader, and liaison, which involve dealing with other people

informational roles The roles of monitor, disseminator, and spokesperson, which involve the processing of information

decisional roles The roles of entrepreneur, disturbance handler, resource allocator, and negotiator, which primarily relate to making decisions

technical skills The skills necessary to accomplish or understand tasks relevant to the organization

interpersonal skills The ability to communicate with, understand, and motivate both individuals and groups

conceptual skills The manager's ability to think in the abstract

diagnostic skills The manager's ability to visualize the most appropriate response to a situation

communication skills The manager's abilities to both effectively convey ideas and information to others and to effectively receive ideas and information from others

decision making skills the manager's ability to correctly recognize and define problems and opportunities and to then select an appropriate course of action to solve problems and capitalize on opportunities

time management skills the manager's ability to prioritize work, to work efficiently, and to delegate appropriately