Role of the Chairperson in Meeting

Duty 1. According to Rules:

It is the duty of the chairman to see that the proceedings are carried on strictly according to the rules.

Duty 2. The Meeting is in Order:

First of all, the chairman shall see that the meeting itself is in order and for that the following points have to be taken into consideration:

(a) That a proper notice has been sent to all the persons entitled to receive a notice.

(b) That only those persons who are entitled are present at the meeting.

(c) That his own appointment is in order.

(d) That the quorum of members is present.

(e) If there is want of quorum at the beginning and the quorum is not present within half an hour then the chairman is to see that the meeting is adjourned.

Duty 3. Within the Scope of the Meeting:

It is his duty to see that the participants do not raise discussions or suggestion of amendments or otherwise on any matter which is not within the scope of the meeting.

Duty 4. Agenda is Followed:

The chairman shall see that the busi­ness at a meeting is conducted in the order as given in the agenda. He may vary the order with the consent of the meeting. When he finds that some important item is placed at the bottom of the agenda which needs discussion on the day and within the presence of the largest number of participants, but much time has passed in taking up a few items at the top, he changes the order.

Duty 5. Maintenance of Order:

A major duty of the chairman is to see that perfect order and tranquility prevail at the meeting). Unless there is perfect order, the business of the meeting cannot be con­ducted smoothly and timely. The participants may cause disorder by making adverse remarks on one another, by personal talks while dis­cussion is going on, by disobeying the orders or rulings of the chairman, by violating the rules of the meeting, etc. The chairman has powers to take steps to maintain order, discipline and decorum at the meeting.

Duty 6. Discussion on Motions Only:

Further, the chairman shall also see that the participants do not discuss anything for which specific motion is not before the house.

Duty 7. Accurate Voting:

Another major duty of the chairman is to see that the sense of the house is properly ascertained. It means that voting is conducted perfectly and the results are declared accor­dingly. In case a special resolution is necessary, he shall see that the difference of votes is correct. He has to ask the secretary to arrange poll when it is demanded. In counting votes the chairman takes the help of the secretary as well as of the ‘tellers” appointed by him.

Duty 8. Opportunity to Speak:

The chairman shall see that every participant gets reasonable opportunity to speak. Generally, he does not allow one individual to speak more than once on the same topic unless he is compelled to explain something what he has already said. The chairman must see that persons belonging to the minority group, if any, and whatever small number they may have, are given oppor­tunities to place their views.

Duty 9. Other Duties:

The chairman has some other formal duties.

For example:

(a) If he is elected a pro tem chairman, his duty is to vacate when, the fixed chairman arrives.

(b) He shall not be partial in his behaviour and shall exercise his casting vote, if any, very selectively.

(c) He shall lend patient hearing to every-body, whether the views expressed are liked or disliked by him.

(d) He has to see that the business of the meeting be completed within the shortest possible time.

(e) He shall comply with the requests of the participants for adjourning the meeting.

(f) He has to give satisfactory replies to the questions raised by members on his speech, if any.

(g) He shall exercise his powers reasonably.

Duty 10. Minutes are Kept:

It is the duty of the chairman to con­firm the minutes, by putting his signature, prepared by the secretary after the meeting is over. Similarly, the chairman shall see that the secretary takes necessary notes at a meeting so that minutes can be subsequently prepared. The chairman himself puts down notes on the detailed agenda sheet for the purpose.

Non-compliance with Duties:

If a chairman does not comply with his duties then the participants as a whole or in part may stage a walk-out as a mark of protest. This we often find in an Assembly or in Parliament. If he is a temporary chairman, elected at the meeting, he may be removed by the participants.

Role of the Participants in the Meeting

The participants of a meeting other than the chairperson attend the meeting not just complete the quorum. They have also some responsibilities and can make some positive contribution there. The members can play important roles in making the meeting and its proceedings worthwhile. The followings are the important points to the followed by the participants in meeting.

Taking preparation for the meeting: Whoever is the participant of the meeting must take necessary preparation before attending the meeting. In taking preparation the following points should be

Considered:

  1. Do homework:

Once the purpose of a meet is known, the attendee has to visualize his/her role and gather information and inputs for use in the meet to make it productive. He/she may consult other members to allocate roles.

  1. Be punctual:

We in India have to specially stress the need to be on time. Our trains, buses and airplanes will run on time when we learn to be punctual for routine meets.

  1. Participate actively:

A member should listen carefully (so that he may be able to summaries what is being said). He should plan what to speak and say it concisely and precisely.

  1. PREP formula:

He should be rational and forceful. PREP means:

  • State your Position
  • Reason it out
  • Give Examples
  • Restate your Position
  1. Showcase your talent:

A meet is an opportunity to showcase one’s talent and get credit for giving useful ideas.

  1. Take initiative:

There may be occasions when a member may propose a motion or second a motion when it sounds right. This requires quickness. Francis Bacon says, “Conference makes a ready man.”

  1. Follow rules:

He should speak when permitted to. He should avoid cross-talk.

  1. Take responsibility:

When tasks are being assigned, a member should come forward to take up suitable responsibilities. If a task is assigned to him/her, then a willing acceptance is also a sign of dynamism.

  1. Disagree agreeably:

All differences should be expressed with courtesy and a friendly feeling.

  1. Help to steer the meet:

If the meeting is going off the track, he/she may remind the chairman to keep it on course.

  1. Stay related to previous discussion:

Any contribution to the meeting must be made in the context of the previous discussion. An idea that is already proposed need not be repeated, but one can amend it or improve it.

  1. Be involved:

The member should, in his higher self-interest, be involved in collectivism. A good participant becomes a good leader just as a good soldier makes a good general.

Effective use of OHP in Presentation, Effective use of Transparencies

An overhead projector (OHP), like a film or slide projector, uses light to project an enlarged image on a screen, allowing the view of a small document or picture to be shared with a large audience.

You may consider overhead projectors to be yesterday’s technology, but when you know you’ll be making a presentation in a facility that relies on them, you can set up an effective set of projection materials that work just as well as digitally projected output. Instead of carrying your presentation on a thumb drive or CD, plan on toting along a box of transparencies, as well as a few extras tools to add depth to your talk.

In the overhead projector, the source of the image is a page-sized sheet of transparent plastic film (also known as ‘foils’) with the image to be projected either printed or hand-written/drawn. These are placed on the glass platen of the projector, which has a light source below it and a projecting mirror and lens assembly above it (hence, ‘overhead’). They were widely used in education and business before the advent of video projectors.

Use in education

Overhead projectors were widely used in education and business before the advent of computer-based projection.

The overhead projector facilitates an easy low-cost interactive environment for educators. Teaching materials can be pre-printed on plastic sheets, upon which the educator can directly write using a non-permanent, washable color marking pen. This saves time, since the transparency can be pre-printed and used repetitively, rather than having materials written manually before each class.

The overhead is typically placed at a comfortable writing height for the educator and allows the educator to face the class, facilitating better communication between the students and teacher. The enlarging features of the projector allow the educator to write in a comfortable small script in a natural writing position rather than writing in an overly large script on a blackboard and having to constantly hold their arm out in midair to write on the blackboard.

When the transparency sheet is full of written or drawn material, it can simply be replaced with a new, fresh sheet with more pre-printed material, again saving class time vs a blackboard that would need to be erased and teaching materials rewritten by the educator. Following the class period, the transparencies are easily restored to their original unused state by washing off with soap and water.

Page Size

When you design a presentation for an overhead projector, you’ll want to set up your working document to match the size of the medium on which you’ll print it out. Regardless of whether you’re targeting a networked colour copier, laser or inkjet printer, the transparency film you buy comes in one size: 8.5 inches by 11 inches. Although you won’t want to crowd each sheet of film with more content than you can project legibly, you also don’t want to work on a document that doesn’t match your output dimensions.

Page Coverage

Especially if you plan to attach your transparencies to cardboard frames for easier handling, leave generous margins around your content to enhance its effectiveness when you project it. Just as you’d set up PowerPoint slides following the 7×7 rule no more than seven lines of type, each with no more than seven words add type sparingly to each page you prepare for overhead projection. Avoid simply summarizing your talk in a series of unedited bullet-point pages that add nothing to your message.

Blanks and Writing Tools

Because overhead transparencies accept hand-written annotations in grease pencil, you can plan ahead for those portions of your talk in which you ask your audience for comments. Adding blank sheets of film to your stack of printouts enables you to ask questions and record the replies. If you bring extra blanks with you, you can accommodate long sets of suggestions without resorting to too-small handwriting to write down all the input. Bring spare grease pencils so you don’t have to stop if your point wears down, as well as a paper towel to use as an eraser.

Paper Copies

To give yourself a convenient reference to what you’re projecting, print your entire set of overheads once on transparency film and again on plain bond paper. If you store your overheads in a box, you can interleave the paper copies with the transparencies. When you want to check what you’re about to project, or refer back to a previous transparency, you can look at your paper printouts instead of fumbling through a stack of plastic sheets in a darkened room. The paper copies also help protect your transparencies from static cling.

Advantages

Whether you prepare support materials for in-house or client presentations in Microsoft PowerPoint or pull together the equivalent of PowerPoint slides from a variety of applications, you want a projector solution that fits your budget and accommodates your needs. Overhead projectors may lack the high-tech appeal of LCD-based digital projectors, but they offer advantages that may make their time-tested design a good fit for your office.

Simple Technology

An overhead projector relies on a bright lamp that sends an image through a lens-and-mirror assembly onto a screen. With the exception of the fan that cools the lamp, these devices contain no moving parts. If you want to project movies and sound, an overhead projector won’t meet your needs, but it also doesn’t require cables and software troubleshooting, or force you to reboot a misbehaving computer to complete a presentation. Compared to computer-connected LCD projectors, overhead projectors provide uncomplicated service based on reliable low-tech components, and don’t require you to learn new technologies or skills.

Equipment Costs

Overhead projectors carry a price tag that can run from 10 percent to 50 percent of the cost of their LCD-based cousins. Both device types use specialized lamps, but the price differential continues when you evaluate their parts head-to-head. In some cases, you can buy a new overhead projector for the cost of an LCD projector lamp. If you present materials that don’t require computer projection of A/V content, an overhead projector will save you money, both when you buy it and over its functional life.

Transparencies

Transparency film may cost more than regular office paper, but it’s available at virtually any office-supply store, local or on the Web. If you prefer to purchase environmentally friendly materials, look for transparencies with recycled content. Regardless of whether you use a laser or inkjet printer, or direct your output to a networked colour copier, you’ll find a film product formulated for your device. You can prepare your transparencies well in advance of your presentation and reuse them each time you give the same talk. If parts of your message change, replace the outdated transparencies with new ones.

Annotations

Because overhead projectors display anything you print onto sheets of clear plastic material, their transparencies make it easy to annotate your presentation pages with comments you elicit from your audience or points of emphasis related to your data. With an inexpensive wax or grease pencil, you can write or draw on your transparencies during your talk and wipe the notes away with a tissue or paper towel. Overhead projectors can’t display anything through opaque materials, so you can cover parts of a transparency with a piece of cardboard and reveal your talking points one at a time, focusing audience attention.

Advantages of overhead transparencies

  • Transparencies are easy to make. Simply prepare your visual aid on paper and then copy it on a copier. But instead of copying onto blank paper, copy onto a transparency. This way you can make transparencies quickly, revise them quickly, and revise them often. You can also make them yourself, without waiting for a professional staff to produce them for you. This convenience often translates into whether people update their presentations or let them go stale.
  • They’re cheap. They cost only pennies a copy.
  • They ‘re portable. For most presentations, you can easily fit your transparencies in your briefcase with room to spare. This is no small matter if you travel often. If you use cardboard frames around your transparencies, you increase the bulk somewhat, but they’re still quite portable.
  • They let you be flexible. You can rearrange your presentation on the fly with the audience staring at you to meet new needs. For example, occasionally someone needs an answer now for something you planned to cover later. No problem: just reach for the appropriate transparency and press ahead.
  • You can write on them. Sometimes you don’t want the audience to see a static visual aid (like a ready-made equation); instead, you want to create it, step by step, as the audience watches. With a transparency, you can do that easily. Some pens are designed for that purpose. An added advantage is that you can easily erase your writing later with a damp paper towel (if you’re like me, however, you may walk around for a day or so with red or green or blue fingers).
  • You can see what’s next. Since most speakers handle their own transparencies, they can glance at the label on the next one and see what the next topic is. That’s a really important advantage; otherwise, part of your mind is constantly trying to remember what’s next. Sneak glances are no problem with overheads.
  • They can look extremely professional. Color printers and copiers can enhance your message by drawing attention to key features and providing a visually interesting (yet still unobtrusive) background. You can also reproduce colorful photographs on a transparency and have good resolution.
  • They can be informal if necessary. For an impromptu meeting with colleagues, you can simply hand print or hand draw your transparencies.

Disadvantages of using overhead transparencies

  • The projector may not be very good. Because overhead transparencies are the most popular visual aid, the equipment takes a beating. You’ll often find projectors that don’t focus well, have dim bulbs, or have no bulbs at all. That’s why I carry my own projector for local presentations. When I travel, I insist in advance on a good projector. Then, when I arrive at the place for my presentation, I go immediately to the projector and try it out. If it’s not good, I try to get another one.
  • The bulb can burn out. Many of today’s projectors have a spare bulb built in, but sometimes the spare is burned out, too. Presenters who have a bulb burn out switch to the spare and go on. They usually forget to tell the visual aids people that the overhead is now down to only one good bulb. If that one burns out, you’re left with none.

Many speakers consider the overhead transparency their first choice of visual aid unless they have a good reason not to use it. But there are many good reasons to use other visual aids, either separately or in conjunction with overhead transparencies.

Presentation

A presentation is the process of communicating a topic to an audience. It is typically a demonstration, introduction, lecture, or speech meant to inform, persuade, inspire, motivate, or to build good will or to present a new idea or product. The term can also be used for a formal or ritualized introduction or offering, as with the presentation of a debutante. Presentations in certain formats are also known as keynote address.

Context

Ask yourself the following questions to develop a full understanding of the context of the presentation.

  • When and where will you deliver your presentation?

There is a world of difference between a small room with natural light and an informal setting, and a huge lecture room, lit with stage lights. The two require quite different presentations, and different techniques.

  • Will it be in a setting you are familiar with, or somewhere new?

If somewhere new, it would be worth trying to visit it in advance, or at least arriving early, to familiarise yourself with the room.

  • Will the presentation be within a formal or less formal setting?

A work setting will, more or less by definition, be more formal, but there are also various degrees of formality within that.

  • Will the presentation be to a small group or a large crowd?
  • Are you already familiar with the audience?

With a new audience, you will have to build rapport quickly and effectively, to get them on your side.

  • What equipment and technology will be available to you, and what will you be expected to use?

In particular, you will need to ask about microphones and whether you will be expected to stand in one place, or move around.

  • Check how you will be ‘billed’ to give you clues as to what information needs to be included in your presentation.

All these aspects will change the presentation. For more on this, see our page on Deciding the Presentation Method.

Visuals

A presentation program is often used to generate the presentation content, some of which also allow presentations to be developed collaboratively, e.g. using the Internet by geographically disparate collaborators. Presentation viewers can be used to combine content from different sources into one presentation. Some of the popular presentation products used across the globe are offered by Apple, Google and Microsoft.

Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Slides are effective tool to develop slides, though Google Slides allows groups to work together using Google Drive to update each account as it is edited. Content such as text, images, links, and effects are added into each of the presentation programs to deliver useful, consolidated information to a group.

A presentation can also be used as a broad term that encompasses other ‘speaking engagements’ such as making a speech at a wedding, or getting a point across in a video conference.

To be effective, step-by-step preparation and the method and means of presenting the information should be carefully considered.

A presentation requires you to get a message across to the listeners and will often contain a ‘persuasive’ element. It may, for example, be a talk about the positive work of your organisation, what you could offer an employer, or why you should receive additional funding for a project.

Audience

The audience receives the presenter’s messages.

However, this reception will be filtered through and affected by such things as the listener’s own experience, knowledge and personal sense of values.

Message

The message or messages are delivered by the presenter to the audience.

The message is delivered not just by the spoken word (verbal communication) but can be augmented by techniques such as voice projection, body language, gestures, eye contact (non-verbal communication), and visual aids.

The message will also be affected by the audience’s expectations. For example, if you have been billed as speaking on one particular topic, and you choose to speak on another, the audience is unlikely to take your message on board even if you present very well. They will judge your presentation a failure, because you have not met their expectations.

Method

Presentations are usually delivered direct to an audience.  However, there may be occasions where they are delivered from a distance over the Internet using video conferencing systems, such as Skype.

It is also important to remember that if your talk is recorded and posted on the internet, then people may be able to access it for several years. This will mean that your contemporaneous references should be kept to a minimum.

Reaction

The audience’s reaction and therefore the success of the presentation will largely depend upon whether you, as presenter, effectively communicated your message, and whether it met their expectations.

As a presenter, you don’t control the audience’s expectations. What you can do is find out what they have been told about you by the conference organisers, and what they are expecting to hear. Only if you know that can you be confident of delivering something that will meet expectations.

Impediments

Many factors can influence the effectiveness of how your message is communicated to the audience.

For example, background noise or other distractions, an overly warm or cool room, or the time of day and state of audience alertness can all influence your audience’s level of concentration.

As presenter, you have to be prepared to cope with any such problems and try to keep your audience focussed on your message. 

Principles of effective Presentation

Perception: Stop trying to be a great “public” speaker.

People want to listen to someone who is interesting, relaxed, and comfortable. In the routine conversations we have every day, we have no problem being ourselves. Yet too often, when we stand up to give a speech, something changes. We focus on the “public” at the expense of the “speaking.” To become effective at public speaking, you must do just the opposite: focus on the speaking and let go of the “public.”

Think of it as a conversation between you and the audience. If you can carry on a relaxed conversation with one or two people, you can give a great speech. Whether your audience consists of two people or two thousand and whether you’re talking about the latest medical breakthrough or what you did today at work, be yourself; talk directly to people and make a connection with them.

Discipline: Practice makes perfectly good.

Your goal is not to be a perfect public speaker. There is no such thing. Your goal is to be an effective public speaker. Like anything else in life, it takes practice to improve those public speaking skills. We too often take communication for granted because we speak to people everyday. But when your prosperity is directly linked to how well you perform in front a group, you need to give the task the same attention as if you were a professional athlete. Remember, even world champion athletes practice every day.

Description: Make it personal.

Whatever the topic, audiences respond best when the presenter can personalize their message. It’s a terrific way to get intimate with large audiences. Take the opportunity to put a face on the facts of your presentation. People like to hear about other people’s experiences—the triumphs, tragedies, and everyday humorous anecdotes that make up their lives. Telling stories will give you credibility, and help your listeners engage more often. Whenever possible, insert a personal-interest element in your public speaking. This technique will make your listeners warm up to you, but it will also do wonders at putting you at ease by helping you overcome any lingering nervousness.

  • The presentation ideas should be well adapted to your audience. Relate your presentation message/idea to the interests of the audience. A detailed audience analysis must be made before the presentation, i.e., an analysis of the needs, age, educational background, language, and culture of the target audience. Their body language instantly gives the speaker the required feedback.
  • A good presentation should be concise and should be focused on the topic. It should not move off-track.
  • A good presentation should have the potential to convey the required information.
  • The fear should be transformed into positive energy during the presentation. Be calm and relaxed while giving a presentation. Before beginning, wait and develop an eye contact with the audience. Focus on conveying your message well and use a positive body language.
  • To communicate the desired information, the speaker should use more of visual aids such as transparencies, diagrams, pictures, charts, etc. Each transparency/slide should contain limited and essential information only. No slide should be kept on for a longer time. Try facing the audience, rather than the screen. The speaker should not block the view. Turn on the room lights else the audience might fall asleep and loose interest. Organize all the visuals for making a logical and sound presentation.
  • A good presentation must be planned. The speaker must plan how to begin the presentation, what to speak in the middle of presentation and how to end the presentation without losing audience interests at any point of time.
  • Rehearse and practice the presentation. This will help the speaker to be more confident and self-assured. The more the speaker rehearses the better the presentation turns to be.
  • The speaker should encourage more questions from the audience. He should be honest enough to answer those questions. If any biased question is put forth by the audience, rearticulate it before answering.
  • Summarize the presentation at the end. Give final comments. Leave a positive impact upon the audience.
  • The speaker must have a presentable appearance while giving a presentation. The speaker should stand with feet far apart maintaining a good balance. He must use confident gestures. He must use short and simple words.
  • Try to gain and maintain audience interest by using positive quotes, humour, or remarkable fact.
  • The speaker must be affirmative and optimistic before giving presentation. He should ensure all tools and equipments to be used in presentation are working well.
  • The speaker must state the objectives of the presentation at beginning of the presentation.

Graicunas Theory of Span of Management

V.A. Graicunas a French management Consultant, made a study on superior-subordinate relationship, however, not based on empirical observations. He developed a mathematical formula to analyse this relationship. He suggested that the number of possible relationships increases with the number in the number of subordinates.

Graicemas has identified three specific kinds of superior-subordinate relationships in every organisation and leading to the question as to the number of subordinates which a superior can effectively manage.

  1. Direct Single Relationship:

This refers to relationships that are easily and clearly recognized by the individuals who are his immediate subordi­nates. They are equal to the number of subordinates supervised. For example, if A has three subordinates, there would be three direct single relationships. This has been identified as Number of direct relationships = n.

  1. Direct Group Relationships:

This means the group relationships between the superior and each possible combination of subordinates. A manager has occasions to consult, confer, advise, inform or discuss with every subordinate or any number of them or all of them in attendance. This type of relationship arises between the superior and his group of subordinates in all possible combinations.

Example: A manager having three subordinates would have three direct group relationships.

Formula = n (2n-1 -1) where n represents the number of subordinates.

  1. Cross Relationship:

Cross relationships are mutual relationships among subordinates necessary for working under the same superior. This result from the need of the subordinates of a common superior to consult with one another.

Resulting from the above analysis of the three kinds of relationships, Graicunas developed the following formula to give the total number of all the three kinds of relationships where n = number of subordinates.

n(2n/2 + n + 1)

The significance of Graicunas contribution is that he initiated the principle of restriction of the span of delegated authority on account of maximum limit to the potential burdens set up simply by innate limitations of the capacity of human mind. From this analysis he deduced a ‘reasonable span’ restricted to five or six subordinates. Thus he stimulated thinking on this aspect of organisation structure which, later on, became the subject of much discussion in management literature.

Criticism:s

(a) Mathematical precision of the formula is debatable. Relationships increase with the increase hi the number of subordinates but not in a precise formula.

(b) Graicunas has ignored the frequency of relationships and the strain they generate.

(c) He has left out certain possible relationships.

(d) He has failed to identify the factors which govern or determine the span of management.

Span of control refers to the number of subordinates an executive can supervise. The concept is the central theme of the classical theory. Proper span of control is considered necessary for effective co-ordination. The classical theory has advocated a narrow span than a large one because an executive must have intimate and direct contact with his subordinates. The ideal ratio may be 15 to 25 subordinates for the first level supervision and 5 to 8 subordinates in executive spans.

Concept of PODSCORB

POSDCORB is an acronym widely used in the field of management and public administration that reflects the classic view of organizational theory. It appeared most prominently in a 1937 paper by Luther Gulick (in a set edited by himself and Lyndall Urwick). However, he first presented the concept in 1935. Initially, POSDCORB was envisioned in an effort to develop public service professionals. In Gulick’s own words, the elements are as follows: Planning, Organizing, Staffing, Directing, Co-Ordinating, Reporting and Budgeting.

Gulick’s “Notes on the Theory of Organization” further defines the patterns of POSDCORB. That document explains how portions of an executive’s workload may be delegated, and that some of the elements can be organized as subdivisions of the executive depending on the size and complexity of the enterprise.

Under Organizing, Gulick emphasized the division and specialization of labor in a manner that would increase efficiency. Yet Gulick observed that there were limitations. Based on his practical experience, he carefully articulated the many factors.

Gulick described how the organization of workers could be done in four ways. According to him, these are related and may be multi-level. Specifically, they are:

By the purpose the workers are serving, such as furnishing water, providing education, or controlling crime. Gulick lists these in his organizational tables as vertical organizations.

  • By the process the workers are using, such as engineering, doctoring, lawyering, or statistics. Gulick lists these in his organizational tables as horizontal organizations.
  • By the clientele or material: the persons or things being dealt with, such as immigrants, veterans, forests, mines, or parks in government; or such as a department store’s furniture department, clothing department, hardware department, or shoe department in the private sector.
  • By the place where the workers do their work.

Gulick stresses how these modes of organization often cross, forming interrelated structures. Organizations like schools may include workers and professionals not in the field of education such as nurses. How they are combined or carefully aggregated into a school or a school system is of concern. But the early work of Gulick was not limited to small organizations. He started off his professional career at New York City’s Bureau of Municipal Research and advanced to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Committee on Administrative Management.

Under Coordination, Gulick notes that two methods can be used to achieve coordination of divided labor. The first is by organization, or placing workers under managers who coordinate their efforts. The second is by dominance of an idea, where a clear idea of what needs to be done is developed in each worker, and each worker fits their work to the needs of the whole. Gulick notes that these two ideas are not mutually exclusive, and that most enterprises function best when both are utilized.

Gulick notes that any manager will have a finite amount of time and energy, and discusses span of control under coordination. Drawing from the work of Henri Fayol, Gulick notes that the number of subordinates that can be handled under any single manager will depend on factors such as organizational stability and the specialization of the subordinates. Gulick stops short of giving a definite number of subordinates that any one manager can control, but authors such as Sir Ian Hamilton and Lyndall Urwick have settled on numbers between three and six. Span of control was later expanded upon and defended in depth by Lyndall Urwick in his 1956 piece The Manager’s Span of Control.

Under coordination, as well as organization, Gulick emphasizes the theory of unity of command: that each worker should only have one direct superior so as to avoid confusion and inefficiency.

Gulick discusses the concept of a holding company which may perform limited coordinating, planning, or budgeting functions. Subsidiary entities may carry out their work with autonomy, but as the holding company allows, based upon their authority and direction.

Steps of POSDCORB

This essentially refers to the various steps or stages involved in a typical administrative process. POSDCORB can be explained in detail below:

  1. Planning: This essentially refers to establishing a broad sketch of the work to be completed and the procedures incorporated to implement them.
  2. Organizing: Organizing involves formally classifying, defining and synchronizing the various sub-processes or subdivisions of the work to be done.
  3. Staffing: This involves recruiting and selecting the right candidates for the job and facilitating their orientation and training while maintaining a favorable work environment.
  4. Directing: This entails decision making and delegating structured instructions and orders to execute them.
  5. Coordinating: This basically refers to orchestrating and interlinking the various components of the work.
  6. Reporting: Reporting involves regularly updating the superior about the progress or the work related activities. The information dissemination can be through records or inspection.
  7. Budgeting: Budgeting involves all the activities that under Auditing, Accounting, Fiscal Planning and Control.

Importance of POSDCORB

Every business needs to have systematic framework in ensuring there is maximum output, minimum wastage and higher margins. POSDCORB is one such method in management where workforce and employees can be managed in a way which would be beneficial for a company. This concept helps organizations to break down the work into multiple processes and help in getting maximum value out to each employee. These steps and stages of POSDCORB help the HR team to deliver to the needs of a company.

Assumptions

POSDCORD focuses on two assumptions which are central to its administrative management framework, POSDCORB focuses especially in the area of Organisation and Coordination:

  1. Span of Control

The span of control is how many employees a single manager can effectively oversee. According to POSDCORB, the span of control for effective organization of duties and supervision of the same should be ideally three to six employees per manager.

  1. Unity of Command

For smooth functioning of the organization, POSDCORB prescribes that there has to be a unity of command down the hierarchical levels amongst the employees. This means a single employee must receive his commands from one and only one manager. Different reporting authorities sometimes may confuse the employee.

  1. The distinction between line and staff functions

POSDCORB recommends delineation between the ‘Line’ and ‘Staff’ functions in an organization. This means that there can be a holding company for carrying out higher order tasks such as planning, organizing, and budgeting; and the subsidiaries will execute these plans according to the mandate from the holding companies.

Criticisms:

POSDCORB has been a very effective and concrete theory in administration and management elucidating very clearly the roles and duties of any chief manager. However, POSDCORB has also been facing some criticising remarks on the following grounds:

Too simple a concept:

A major criticism against POSDCORB is that it is too simple a theory a mere list  of some of the duties of the higher managing authorities. Many of the functions listed in POSDCORB have already been delegated to various departmental managements under modern management practices.

Unity of command: A debatable principle:

The assumption of Unity of Command also seems out of context as it is a common occurrence to have more than one reporting authorities in today’s complex organizational systems. Many times, the critical insight received from more than one line managers enhances the performance of the employee.

Ignores the role of Leadership:

POSDCORB as a theory is overly fixated on a routine set of duties that are administrative and mechanical in nature. POSDCORB ignores the vital area where any chief manager can actually make the significant contribution to the organization. This area is Leadership skills. Being a visionary, the leader has the capability to think something different than routine managerial functions and led the organization towards uncharted territories successfully. POSDCORB doesn’t focus on leadership skills at all.

Managerial Grid Theory, Dimensions, Styles, Advantages, Challenges

Managerial Grid Theory was developed by Robert Blake and Jane Mouton in the early 1960s to analyze leadership styles based on two key dimensions: Concern for People and Concern for Production. This theory is also known as the Leadership Grid. The primary objective of the theory is to help managers understand their inherent style of leadership and provide a framework for improving it.

Blake and Mouton’s grid identifies five distinct leadership styles, placing them on a grid with concern for production on the X-axis and concern for people on the Y-axis. The concern for production refers to task orientation or the focus on achieving organizational goals, while concern for people refers to relationship orientation or how leaders interact with subordinates.

Key Dimensions of the Managerial Grid:

  • Concern for People (Y-axis):

This dimension reflects the degree to which a leader considers the well-being, personal needs, interests, and development of subordinates when making decisions. A high concern for people indicates a leader who prioritizes employee satisfaction and morale.

  • Concern for Production (X-axis):

This dimension indicates the extent to which a leader emphasizes productivity, efficiency, and goal attainment. A high concern for production signifies a results-oriented leader who focuses on achieving organizational objectives.

In 1999, the grid managerial seminar began using a new text, The Power to Change.

Five Leadership Styles:

Blake and Mouton proposed five key leadership styles based on different combinations of concern for people and concern for production:

  • Impoverished Management (1,1): Low Concern for People, Low Concern for Production

This style represents minimal effort by the manager, both in terms of task accomplishment and people management. Leaders who exhibit this style tend to avoid responsibility and have little commitment to achieving results or ensuring employee well-being. The result is low productivity and low morale.

Example: A manager who only performs the bare minimum and avoids engaging with employees or improving processes.

  • Task Management (9,1): Low Concern for People, High Concern for Production

Also known as Authoritarian or Dictatorial Style, this approach emphasizes high productivity with little regard for employees’ needs or morale. Leaders using this style focus solely on achieving goals, often at the expense of employee satisfaction. While short-term results may be high, long-term morale and engagement suffer.

Example: A factory manager who prioritizes output without considering employee fatigue or motivation.

  • Country Club Management (1,9): High Concern for People, Low Concern for Production

This style focuses on creating a friendly and comfortable work environment, with little emphasis on task achievement. While employees may feel valued and satisfied, this approach often results in low productivity due to a lack of direction and control.

Example: A manager who emphasizes social gatherings and employee comfort but neglects deadlines and performance metrics.

  • Middle-of-the-Road Management (5,5): Moderate Concern for People, Moderate Concern for Production

This style represents a balance between concern for people and concern for production. Leaders using this style try to achieve acceptable performance levels while maintaining reasonable employee satisfaction. However, this compromise often leads to mediocre results in both areas.

Example: A manager who tries to please everyone and achieves moderate results without excelling in either productivity or employee engagement.

  • Team Management (9,9): High Concern for People, High Concern for Production

Considered the ideal leadership style, Team Management emphasizes both high productivity and high employee morale. Leaders adopting this style foster a collaborative environment, encourage participation, and focus on achieving high performance while ensuring employee well-being. This approach often results in high job satisfaction, innovation, and sustained productivity.

Example: A project manager who involves the team in decision-making, provides clear direction, and supports employee growth while meeting deadlines effectively.

Advantages of the Managerial Grid Theory:

  • Simple and Practical Framework:

The theory provides a straightforward way to analyze leadership styles by focusing on two key dimensions, making it easy for managers to understand and apply.

  • Diagnostic Tool for Self-Assessment:

Managers can use the grid to assess their current leadership style and identify areas for improvement.

  • Emphasizes Balance:

By highlighting the importance of balancing concern for people and production, the theory encourages a holistic approach to leadership.

  • Promotes Team-Oriented Leadership:

The Team Management style (9,9) is presented as the ideal, encouraging leaders to strive for both high productivity and employee satisfaction.

Criticism of the Managerial Grid Theory:

  • Over-Simplification of Leadership:

Critics argue that reducing leadership to two dimensions may oversimplify the complexities of real-world leadership, where multiple factors such as situational dynamics and organizational culture play crucial roles.

  • Ignores Situational Factors:

The theory assumes that the same leadership style is effective in all situations. However, contingency theories suggest that the best leadership style depends on specific situational variables.

  • Limited Emphasis on External Influences:

The theory focuses mainly on internal leadership behavior, without considering external factors such as market conditions, technological changes, and competitive pressures.

  • Ideal Style Not Always Practical:

While the Team Management style (9,9) is presented as ideal, it may not always be feasible in every organization due to resource constraints or other limitations.

Practical Implications for Managers:

Managers can use the Managerial Grid as a tool to reflect on their leadership style and make necessary adjustments. For example, a manager who realizes they have a high concern for production but a low concern for people (9,1) may work on developing better interpersonal relationships with their team. Similarly, those who prioritize people over production (1,9) can focus on improving task management skills.

Training programs based on the Managerial Grid can help managers develop a balanced approach to leadership, fostering both employee satisfaction and high performance. Additionally, organizations can use the grid to assess leadership effectiveness and implement targeted development initiatives.

Green Management – Meaning, Importance, Nature, Types, Green Management actions

Green Management refers to the incorporation of environmentally sustainable practices into business operations. It aims to minimize environmental impact while promoting ecological conservation. Organizations adopting green management contribute to sustainable development, ensuring resource availability for future generations.

Evolution:

  • Green Movement and Green Policies began in the late 1970’s when the first Green party was formed in Germany. The Term ‘Green’ is the English translation of the German word ‘Grun‘. Green politics advocated issues pertaining to Ecology, Environment, Feminism, Conservation and Peace.
  • It is believed that Green politics draws its inspirations from Mahatma Gandhi, Spinoza and Uexkull who advocated and urged personal responsibility to make the right moral choices is the pillar of the green politics ideology.

Importance of Green Business Management:

  • Cost Saving

Companies that focus on reducing energy consumption not only help the environment but also reduce their costs in the form of lower energy bills. Smaller businesses can also benefit from reduced energy costs by taking simple steps like switching off lights and fans when they are not required for usage.

  • Reduced Energy Use

Green Management often include measures to reduce energy use. To increase the efficiency of the building envelope it may use high efficiency windows and insulation in walls, ceilings and floors.

  • Healthier Workplace

Companies that promote a healthier workplace have a decrease in the number of sick days used by employees. This benefits the companies through increased productivity and less money paid out through medical benefits.

  • Reduced Waste

Green Management also seeks to reduce waste of energy, water and materials. During the construction phase, one goal should be to reduce the number of materials going to landfills. By collecting human waste at the source and running it to a semi-centralized bio-gas with other biological waste, liquid fertilizer can be produced.

  • Tax Credits

Tax Credits are available to companies that utilize environmentally friendly business practices such as switching to renewable energy source like solar power and using electric or hybrid automobiles and trucks as fleet vehicles.

  • Decreased Productivity

It is easier for the staff to toss paper plastic and other items into one trash can, then it is to sort the trash. If a company adds recycling to the office, company can see a slight decrease in worker productivity

  • Improved Public Image

Anytime companies can add a green initiative to the workplace. Companies can use the event to generate positive public relations. They can also include green initiatives on product packaging, advertisements and marketing materials to appeal to consumers who prefer green products.

  • Increased Capital Outflows

Some green conversions require an initial cash outflow that decreases the bottom-line performance while the investment is paying for itself. This can increase the company’s quarterly earnings on annual profits.

  • Increased Business Opportunities

Some Government agencies, Commercial businesses and non-profit institutions mandate that only businesses that meet specific green standards can bid on their contracts. Not all standards are government mandated with the office of the management and budget directing federal agencies to look for companies that meet voluntarily rather than Government standards when possible.

Nature of Green Management:

  • Nature-Based Knowledge and Technology

It involves emulating one’s own self in terms of growing their own food, harnessing their energy, constructing things, conducting business, healing themselves, processing information and designing their communities.

  • Products of Service to Products of Consumption

Products of Service are durable goods unlike products of consumption which have shorter life span. Products of Service are made of technical materials unlike products of Consumption which are made only of biodegradable materials.

  • Solar, Wind, Geothermal and Ocean Energy

These are used extensively without any negative effect on the earth.

  • Local-Based Organizations and Economies

This characteristic includes durable, beautify and health communities with locally owned and operated business and locally managed non-profit organizations, along with regional corporations and shareholders working together in partnerships and other collaborations.

  • Value Production

The triple value production establishes three simultaneous requirements of sustainable business activities as financial benefits for the company, natural world betterment, social advantages for the employees and members of the local community.

  • Continuous Improvement Process

The continuous process of monitoring, analysing, redesigning and implementing is used to intensify value production as conditions change and new opportunities emerge.

Types of Green Management:

1. Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM)

It includes repurchasing, recycling, reuse and substitute of material. This concept gains popularity because the customers are concerned with environment improvement which encourages the supplier to make environment friendly product.

Companies which adopted Green Supply Chain Management are British Telecom, Nike, Toyota and so on.

2. Green Marketing

It is the marketing of products that are presumed to be environmentally safe. Green Marketing incorporates a broad range of activities including product modification, changes to the production process, packaging changes.

Eg., Bank of America reduced Paper usage by 32%

3. Green Production

With this type of production, we could reduce all the harmful pollution to the environment and also reduce the cost from their starting step to finished product. Companies that follow Green Production are: Ikea – Using Solar & Wind Energy,

Nike Using recycled aluminum frames and underground energy storage

4. Green Research and Development

With only proper Research and Development the customer can provide a suitable product. Eg., Volkswagen Creating cars which are following environmental and safety standards to reduce carbon emissions.

5. Green Criminology

Criminology is referred to the study of Crime and Criminals whereas Green is related to environment issues. Some of the Green Crimes are Deforestation, Animal Trafficking, Cutting of Shark fins for trading.

6. Green Human Resource Management

It is based on Green Environment related to protection of environment. The term Human Resource refers to the contribution of Human resource policies and practices towards the broader corporate environmental agendas of protection, prevention and conservation of natural resources.

Green Management actions:

  • Sustainable Resource Use

Organizations should adopt strategies to reduce the consumption of natural resources such as water, energy, and raw materials. Implementing energy-efficient technologies, using renewable energy sources, and optimizing resource usage are critical to reducing the ecological footprint.

  • Waste Management

Proper waste management is a cornerstone of green management. Companies should emphasize the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Efficient waste segregation, recycling materials, and minimizing production waste help lower landfill contributions and environmental harm.

  • Eco-Friendly Product Design

Green management encourages the design of eco-friendly products that use sustainable materials, require less energy during production, and generate minimal waste. Adopting green packaging solutions, such as biodegradable or recyclable materials, further reduces environmental impact.

  • Pollution Reduction

Organizations should implement measures to minimize air, water, and soil pollution. This includes treating industrial effluents, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and adopting cleaner production technologies. Pollution reduction contributes to healthier ecosystems and communities.

  • Green Supply Chain Management

Businesses should encourage their supply chains to adopt sustainable practices. This includes sourcing materials ethically, working with environmentally conscious suppliers, and ensuring that transportation and logistics minimize emissions.

  • Employee Training and Engagement

Training employees in eco-friendly practices fosters a green culture within the organization. Encouraging employees to conserve energy, reduce paper use, and participate in sustainability programs creates a shared responsibility toward environmental conservation.

  • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiatives

Green management actions often align with CSR programs focused on environmental protection. Activities such as tree plantation drives, biodiversity conservation projects, and community awareness campaigns demonstrate a company’s commitment to sustainability.

  • Compliance with Environmental Regulations

Adhering to environmental laws and standards is essential for green management. Organizations should ensure compliance with local and international environmental regulations, avoiding penalties and enhancing their reputation as responsible entities.

Employee Provident Fund

The Employee Provident Funds, 1952 is a beneficial legislation enacted for the betterment of the future of industrial worker:

  1. On his retirement.
  2. For his dependents in case of death of employment.

This Act is enacted as a social security measure which falls under the ground of “retirement benefit”, the object of this Act is to inculcate, non-withdrawable financial benefit, the sum is payable normally on retirement or on the death of the employee. Administration of the scheme given under this act is done by the central board, state board, and regional committee, a chief executive committee appointed and constituted by the central government.

  • Central board -Section 5A
  • Executive committee – Section 5AA
  • State board – Section 5B
  • Regional committee

Boards under the Act

Constitution and position

Central board: Section 5

Central board: Central board is created by official gazette notification given by the Central government.

Functions

  1. Section 6 and Section 6C discussions how the central board should use their fund vested on them.
  2. Duty of the central board is to send an annual report to the Central government, of its work and activities.
  3. The central government will submit a report to the comptroller and Auditor General of India. Comments of Central board is laid down before parliament.

Constitution of the following a person as a member:

  • Chairman and a vice-chairman appointed by the central government
  • The central Provident fund commissioner, ex-official
  • Among Central government officials (not more than five-person)
  • A representative of states (not more than 50)
  • Representing the employer of the establishment (10 people)
  • Representing the employee of the establishment (10 people)

Executive committee: Section 5AA

State Board: section 5 B 

The central government, after consulting with any of the states constitute the state board in the following state, as provided for in the scheme. Constitution of the state board is done by the notification in the official gazette. Central government from time to time prescribes the duties to be performed by the state board and the powers exercised by the state government. The following scheme will provide the terms condition subject to which a member of state board is appointed, time place and procedure for conducting meetings etc. Every board of trustee constituted under this section is a Body Corporate, being a body corporate, it has perpetual succession, a common seal and right to sue or get sued in its name.

Regional committee 

Until state board is constituted, the Central Government may set up Regional Committee, which is under the control of Central Government, it works under the advice of the following person:

  1. Central board, when matters referred to it from time to time.
  2. All the matter regarding “administration of the Scheme”, such as the progress of recovery of PF, contribution and other charges, speedy disposal of prosecution, settlement of claims and sanctions of advances.

Appointment of central fund commissioner

  • The central government shall appoint Central provident fund commissioner, deputy provident commissioner and regional provident fund commissioner by discharging his duty they will assist central provident fund commissioner. 
  • Chief executive officer is appointed by the central provident fund commissioner. 
  • Central Board will appoint other officers, employees for the efficient administration of various schemes.

EPF Features

The employer is under a statutory obligation to deduct a specified percentage of the contribution from the employee’s salary for provident fund. The employer should also contribute such percentage for provident fund. An employee who gets more than 15,000 is eligible for getting the provident fund.

This Act contains nearly 20 sections and four schedules. Section 7E, F, G, H, M, N is omitted, section 20 is repealed.

Applicability of the Act – section 1 of this Act deals with the application of the Act. This is applicable to “every factory engaged in any industry specified in schedule I”. 

  1. Every establishment in which 20 or more are employed. 
  2. Any establishment notified by the central government. 
  3. Any class of such establishment employing 20 or more. This Act is applicable to home workers held in the case Mangalore Gandhi Beedi workers V. U.O.I and P.M.Patel V. U.O.I. 
  4. This Act is applied when the establishment satisfies the two tests, namely:
  • Whether there is an establishment is a ‘factory’?
  • Whether 20 or more person is employed which is held in the case Andhra University V. Regional Provident Fund Commissioner.

Some workers will not come under this Act. They are Casual, or temporary workers can’t be considered as employee held in the case Bikar cold storage co. Ltd. V. Regional PF Commissioner.

Non-applicability of the Act

The Act does not apply to the following things. Any establishment registered under the co-operative society Act, 1912. Any state-related co-operative society employed less than 50 people and working without the aid of power. From the date on which the establishment is set up, where the establishment as:

  • Only 50 or more persons, after the expiry of 3 years.
  • Only 20 or more, but less than 50 people before the expiry of 5 years, which is held in the case V.K. Bhatt V. A.C.B & T. Mfg. Co.

Central Government also has the power to exempt any class of establishment, on such condition mentioned in the notification:

  • On the ground of financial position.
  • Other circumstances of the case which is held in the case Mohammed Ali V. U.O.I.

Eligibility For getting EPF- Any person is eligible, who is employed:

  • For work of the establishment.
  • Through contractor.
  • Connection with work of establishment is eligible for the benefit of the Act.

This Act was constitutionally challenged on the ground that it is:

  • Discriminative in nature.
  • Article 14 is violated because it is applied only to a particular class of industry, but the Supreme Court said that it doesn’t violate article 14, it is certain, classification of a certain class of industry falls in reasonable classification which is valid.

Schemes under EPF

Employees provident fund scheme 1952

Section 5 gives wholly unrestricted unguided direction to the central government to frame a scheme, and it appears on the other hand that the Act is full of carefully laid down principles to guide the central government which is held in the case R.P.F. Commr. V. L.R.F Works, A.I.R 1962 Punj. 507

When they say that this scheme has retrospective effect, the employer cannot be asked to pay the employees contribution for the period antecedent to the notification applying the scheme because he has no right to deduct the same for the future wages payable to the employee. The payment of employee contribution by the employer with the corresponding right to deduct the same from the wages of the employees could be only for the current period during which the employer also has to pay his contribution, which is held in the case District exhibitors Assn.,Muzaffarnagar & others V. Union of India (1991) II LLJ 115 (SC).

They were re-employment by the petitioner on a temporary basis. It was held that the employer cannot be asked to pay a contribution in respect of re-employed employees on a temporary basis which is held in the case Bombay printers LTD. & Others V. Union of India and others (1992)I LLJ 816 (BOM).

The fund shall be administered by the central board constituted under section 5A of the Act. The scheme shall take effect either prospectively or retrospectively.

Employees deposit linked insurance scheme, 1976

The scheme Established the purpose of providing life insurance benefits to the employees. The benefit under the scheme is to provide the incentive to the members to save more in the Provident fund account. The benefit under this scheme is linked to the amount of accumulation in the Provident fund account of the member. All the members of the employee’s Provident Fund Scheme are covered as members of the employee’s deposit linked insurance scheme also.

Employee’s family pension scheme, 1995

For the benefit of providing family pension and life insurance benefit. Following benefit package is:

  • Pension for life to the member, on retirement and invalidation
  • To the member of the family upon the death of the members.
  • Facility for capital return ( corpus accretion) on an option formula basis
  • Commutation if pension up to 1/3 Rd of pension amount.
  • Retention of membership of the scheme till attaining the age of 68 

Retirement pension under the new scheme will be payable on fulfilling minimum 10 years eligible service and on attaining the age of 58 years.

UAN- Universal Account Number

Universal account number (UAN) is number given to an employee by the Ministry of Employment and Labour under the government of India, who is maintaining PF account. It used to know information or track information done by his employer regarding his provided fund (PF). When an employee joined in the new organisation, he was assigned with new PF account, after UAN came into existence, the member of the assemble (employee) all his PF account associated with multiple Ids of difference organization at one place. So through UAN, difficulties faced by the employee when he/she joins the new organization is overcome, with UAN they can track the activities if there are any payment issues.

Uses of UAN 

  • It is a unique number given to an employee, which is independent of employers.
  • UAN is used to link all the PF account when the employee is switching his company.
  • An employer can authenticate his employee by verifying this number and KYC documents.
  • EPF passbook can be verified by sending SMS EPFOHO UAN ENG TO 7738299899 from the mobile number which is registered under employee provident fund organization.
  • An employee can check his deposit done by his employer through online using UAN number, and you can also get a monthly update regarding your deposit done by the employer.

Transparency Through UAN

  • Through UAN employee can check the employer is depositing his PF amount periodically, by registering on EPF member Portal using his UAN.
  • The employee would be able to find out whether his employer is deducted or hold back his PF.

EPF Calculation and Example

Contribution for EPF is two parts, one is by the employee, and the other is by the employer.

Contribution by the employee is, including basic wage and dearness allowance is -12%.

Contribution on the part of the employer is-

  • 8.33% (for Employees Pension Scheme Account of Employee)
  • 3.67 % (for Employee Provident Fund Account of Employee)
  • 0.50% ( for Employees Deposit Linked Insurance Account of Employee) 
  • 0.50% ( is Employer has to pay an additional charge for an administrative account- minimum 500 rupees and if there is no contribution by the employer that month, an employer must pay rupees 75)
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