On “Management”

By Adel J. Helou


Over the past number of years, the words "Manage", and "Management" found a place in our every-day layman's language. We, the ordinary people, used to think that these words would remain limited in use to the vocabulary of the elite, that is to say, the big enterprises’ owners and managers. Nonetheless, these words did not stay there, and actually migrated into our vocabulary, as you have noticed. There are good reasons for that to happen.

One reason is Education; which exposed more people to these words from an early age; during their school and college years. The Media is another reason; newspapers, magazines, radio, cinema, television and - lately - the internet have helped popularize these words by using them frequently in their respective domains. One more reason for these words to be so frequently used, is that people noticed, understood and appreciated the fact that the words "manage" and "management" describe well the activities they undertake to attain their objectives in both; their everyday life and work.

The verb "to manage" implies in its meaning the following nuances; "to be able", "to do", "to complete" and "to get things done". So, the definition of the word "Management" may be stated as "the ability to get the specified and required activities and tasks done and completed". This definition - as simple as it seems - when analyzed, indicates that there would be an "objective" for any specific activity or task. It also indicates there would be "resources", including "tools" and "skills", available to complete such activity or task. One more element that would come to mind as this definition is analyzed. That element is the "stakeholders/people" that would benefit from the successful completion of the activity or task in question.

Now, let us rewrite the definition of "Management". It may be written as: "Management is the ability to get specified and required activities and tasks done and completed through the use of all resources available, or resources that can be made available, to reach the required objective, so as to meet all the goals of the enterprise as well as all the stakeholders' aspirations, in the most economical way possible". Consequently, a "Manager" is "the person who is able to get things done through the proper and economic use of all available resources such as; people [including his/her-self], skills, tools and instruments, materials and machines, to meet the objective(s) of the enterprise – no matter how big or small it may be, and also to meet the objective(s) of all its stakeholders".
Well, "Management" is not just a word that people use. "Management" is not a definition that people formulate and memorize. "Management" is an important concept, a critical function and a useful activity that people undertook - and still undertake - to improve the conditions in which they had – and still have - to exist, survive and continue living. Since the dawn of history and the human race has been engaged in management. It is through the concept and function of Management and its adequate application and implementation that our race was able to survive the elements and conditions that faced him throughout the ages. Identifying a need (clothes, dwellings) and formulating a goal, or an objective (make a gown, build a cabin), is part of management. Deciding on a path of action to reach a goal is part of management.

The above shows how critical, important and paramount in its value, management was to the peoples of the world. It still is, and will remain to be so, to ensure survival and progress. Therefore, every person should acquire, maintain and develop Management knowledge and Managerial skills to be able to improve on the existing living conditions of that person, and consequently, the rest of the human community.






Adel J Helou: is a Business and Life Management Coach. He has more than 15 years of experience in production and operations management. The Author has international professional experience in the Middle East markets. He holds a B.Sc. degree in Chemistry and Physics and an M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering. Mr. Helou has pages on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram: facebook.com/AdelJosephHelouManagementCoach/
linkedin.com/in/adeljosephheloumanagementcoach/
Instagram.com/adel.helou
twitter.com/helou_adel
Read about his Management Coaching and the articles he writes, by visiting the electronic magazine (E-Zine): optimanage.com.
The E-Zine has a fb page: facebook.com/optimanagedotcom/.
A.J. Helou can be contacted by e-mail: a.j.helou@optimanage.com (e-mail)