Management Audit – Definition, Scope, Need, Advantages and Limitations

Management audit is a method of independent and systematic evaluation of the management activities at all levels of management to ascertain the functions, efficiency and achievement of the management (i.e. policies) as compared to standards set by the company. According to L. R. Howard, “Management audit is an investigation of business from the highest level downward in order to ascertain whether sound management prevails throughout, thus facilitating the most effective relationship with outside world and smooth running of internal organization.” As per Taylor and Perry; “Management auditing is a method to evaluate the efficiency of management at all levels throughout the organization, or more specifically, it comprises the investigation of a business by an independent body from the highest executive level downwards, in order to ascertain whether sound management prevails through and to report as to its efficiency or otherwise with recommendations to ensure its effectiveness where such is not the case.” Scope of Continue reading

Pricing Decisions in Industrial Marketing

Price still remains one of the most important elements determining  company market share and profitability. Generally, prices were set by buyers and  sellers negotiating with each other. Setting one price for all buyers is a relatively  modern idea. Price is the only element in the marketing mix that produces  revenue. Price is also one of the most flexible elements of the marketing mix.  At the same time, pricing and price competition are the number-one  problems faced by many marketing executives. Yet many companies do not  handle pricing well. The most common mistakes are these: Pricing is too cost  oriented; price is not revised often enough to capitalize on market changes; price  is set independent of the rest of the marketing mix rather than as an intrinsic  element of market-positioning strategy; and price is not varied enough for  different product items, market segments, and purchase occasions. Pricing Decisions in Industrial Marketing Continue reading

Cultural Diversity in the Workplace

Today’s workforce is truly mixture of different races, ages, genders, ethnic groups, religions and lifestyles. It is the job of the management of the organisation to fit together different pieces of mosaic in a harmonious, coordinated way and utilizing the abilities and talents of each employee to its maximum. If skilfully managed, diversity can bring a competitive advantage to an organisation. If not, however, the bottom line can be negatively affected and the work environment can become unwelcoming. Many organisations have recognized that the workforce is changing and they are working to create a work environment in which diversity and difference are valued and in which employees can work to their fullest. They are dealing with the problems that arise when people in the workplace communicate. Businesses must be aware of the impact of cultural diversity on important business factors especially communication and the degree of the effect of cultural Continue reading

Employee Involvement – Meaning and Importance

Employees, the strongest pillar of the organization are the most valuable asset that contributes significantly to its success and prosperity. The involvement of employees in the organizational operation not only motivates them but also enables them to contribute more effectively and efficiently. Further, employee involvement as a process involving participation, communication, decision making which leads to industrial democracy and employee motivation. Employee involvement is defined as a commitment of the employees towards the values of the organization and willingness to help each other to achieve the organizational goal. The results are not only to increase job satisfaction, or motivation but the increasing performance of that organization. In short, employee involvement is creating an environment where people have a continuous impact on decisions and actions that affect their jobs. Employee Involvement vs  Employee Participation   Employee involvement and employee participation are like two sides of a coin. Both are supplementary to Continue reading

Communication Effects of Advertising

The management should attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of the advertising campaign if the firm’s advertising goals are to be achieved and the ad effectiveness is to be increased. By regular evaluation of the advertising effectiveness, the short comings and the plus points would be revealed and the management would be able to improve the campaign by negating the shortcomings and retaining the favorable point. For this purpose, it is very necessary to know how advertising affects the buyer’s behaviors. But this is very difficult task because measurements are imperfect and imprecise. The effectiveness of advertising can be measured by the extent, it to which it achieves the objectives set for it. If it succeeds in attaining the objectives. Advertising can be said to be effective otherwise it will be a waste of money and time. In this sense, advertising can be recognized as a business activity like other activities. Continue reading

Competitor Analysis

Analyzing competitors is an integral part of strategic planning. Porter’s book, “Competitive Strategy,” gives various insights in Competitor Analysis. In identifying current and potential competitors, firms must consider several important variables: How do other firms define the scope of their market? How similar are the benefits offered by the products and services to those of other firms? How committed are other firms in the industry? What are the long-term intentions and goals of competitors? The goal of competitor analysis is to be able to predict a competitor’s probable future actions, especially those made in response to the actions of the focal business.  Competitor analysis has two primary activities, 1) obtaining information about important competitors, and 2) using that information to predict competitor behavior.  A competitor analysis should include the more important existing competitors as well as potential competitors such as those firms that might enter the industry.  Two complementary approaches Continue reading