Senior management does not focus on the day-to-day activities of a business. Instead, people in these positions work with others in senior management, as well as middle management, to oversee the operation of the business. This level of management spends an equal amount of time on all five functions of management. Typical duties of senior management include: • developing major goals and broad policies • preparing strategic plans • controlling and coordinating the activities of all departments • providing guidance, motivation, and direction and • taking responsibility for the performance of the entire business. This level of management consists of people with a high level of expertise and experience. These professionals often have worked their way through lower-level management positions to achieve promotions to higher levels. They may be individuals who spent their entire careers with a company or were recruited from another organization. Middle Management Middle management is the level of management between the senior level and supervisory level. This level of management spends a great amount of time in one division of a specified area of operations for an organization. Examples of middle-management titles are general manager and sales manager. Middle management reports to senior management and spends much of its time implementing the vision of the organization. People in middle management do not supervise day-to-day activities, but lead the organization and work with supervisory managers who report to them. Typical duties of middle management include: • executing plans developed by senior management • conveying policies of senior management to supervisory management • participating in hiring and training supervisory management • evaluating the performance of supervisory management • inspiring and leading supervisory management and • managing activities of assigned divisions. Middle managers are professionals who are generally promoted from a supervisory level. These managers exhibit an ability to manage and possess the technical knowledge necessary to perform the job. Supervisory Management Supervisory management is the level of individuals who coordinate and supervise the activities and duties of employees. It is also known as first-line management. They focus on monitoring and directing employees. Examples of supervisory- management titles include supervisor and shift manager. They report to middle management. Levels of Management President, Vice President, CEO, Board of Directors General Manager, Department Director, Division Manager Department Manager, Supervisor, Team Leader Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Figure 1-3 The management pyramid ranks the three levels of management in an organization. Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 1 Management 9