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What is a manager?

I am a student of Polotsk State University. I study at the Faculty of Economy and Finance. The Faculty has 4 departments: the department of economics, the department of management, the department of accounting, control and analysis of economic activities, the department of finance and credit. I study at the department of management. It was opened in 1992. I think that my profession is very important nowadays. I’ll try to do my best to become a good specialist.

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A number of different terms are often used instead of the term “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.

So, who do we call a “manager”?

In its broad meaning the term “managers” applies to the people who are responsible for making and carrying out decisions within a certain system. A personnel manager directly supervises people in an organization. Financial manager is a person who is responsible for finance. Sales manager is responsible for selling of goods.

Almost everything a manager does involves decision-making. When a problem exists a manager has to make a decision to solve it. In decision-making there is always some uncertainty and risk.

Management is a variety of specific activities. Management is a function of planning, organizing, coordinating, directing and controlling. Any managerial system, at any managerial level, is characterized in terms of these general functions.

Managing is a responsible and hard job. There is a lot to be done and relatively little time to do it. In all types of organizations managerial efficiency depends on manager's direct personal relationships, hard work on a variety of activities and preference for active tasks.

The characteristics of management often vary according to national culture, which can determine how managers are trained, how they lead people and how they approach to their jobs.

The amount of responsibility of any individual in a company depends on the position that he or she occupies in its hierarchy. Managers, for example, are responsible for leading the people directly under them, who are called subordinates. To do this successfully, they must use their authority, which is the right to take decisions and give orders. Managers often delegate authority. This means that employees at lower levels in the company hierarchy can use their initiative, that is make decisions without asking their manager.

The first-year students of our faculty study high mathematics, philosophy, economics, the history of Belarus, economic theory, foreign languages, informatics, etc. Study is meaningless without practical training at enterprises, firms, companies. During practical training students learn to do things themselves.

So our students have all the opportunities to become highly educated specialists.

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Answer the questions:

                  1. What terms are used for “manager”?

                  1. What is a manager?

                  1. What is manager’s role in an organization?

                  1. What is a manager responsible for?

                  1. Why is managing a hard job?

                  1. What means to delegate authority?

III. Comprehension and Word Study

1. Translate into English:

принимать и выполнять решения; предпочтение активным видам деятельности; быть компетентным; прибыльные организации; быть ответственным; решать проблему; непосредственные личные отношения; занимать должность; управлять подчиненными; распределять обязанности; отдавать приказы.

2. Translate into Russian:

profit-making organizations; to carry out decisions; managerial level; direct personal relationships; preference for active task; variety of activities; subordinate; to give orders; general functions; decision – making

3. Complete the sentences:

                  1. The term “manager” is used frequently in … .

                  1. In its broad meaning the term “managers” applies to … .

                  1. Management is a function of … .

                  1. In all types of organizations managerial efficiency depends on … .

                  1. The characteristics of management often vary according to … .

                  1. Managers are responsible for leading … .

                  1. Managers often delegate authority which means that … .