What do general managers do?
General managers and top executives plan, organize, direct, control, and coordinate the operations of an organization and its major departments or programs. Although they have a wide range of titles such as chief executive officer, president, executive vice president, owner, partner--- all formulate policies and direct the operations of businesses and corporations. The nature of high level executives'''' responsibilities depends upon the size of the organization. In large organizations, their duties are highly specialized. In smaller organizations, such as independent retail stores or small manufacturers, a partner, owner, or general manager is often also responsible for purchasing, hiring, training, quality control, and day-to-day supervisory duties.
What degree options are available in general managment?
Undergraduates can earn a bachelor¹s degree in management or take courses in management as part of a business degree. MBA students can choose a concentration in management, and some schools offer master¹s degrees and PhDs in general management.
What's the difference between a Master of General Management and an MBA with a general management concentration?
While both an MBA with a focus on management and a Master of General Management degree will prepare you to assume managerial positions within the business world, the MBA degree will provide you with more general skills that are transferable to other areas. The master''''s in management will provide you with greater management expertise, but will provide you with fewer transferable skills. The MBA degree''''s broad curriculum also helps managers integrate the different functions within a company.
What will I study?
Students in MBA programs with a management concentration will most likely study everything from marketing, international economics, entrepreneurship, information systems, microeconomics, finance, in addition to managerial accounting, human resources management, leadership, statistics and management science.
What skills are necessary to work in the field of general management?
Managers with strong leadership qualities and the ability to improve the efficiency or competitive position of an organization are most successful. An analytical mind able to quickly assess large amounts of information and data is very important, as is the ability to consider and evaluate the interrelationships of numerous factors. General managers and top executives must also be able to communicate clearly and persuasively. Other qualities critical for managerial success include leadership, self-confidence, motivation, decisiveness, flexibility, sound business judgment, and determination.
What is a typical career path for an General Management-MBA graduate?
General managers often have experience in a particular field, such as accounting or engineering and are promoted to general management positions as their skills progress. Many general manager and top executive positions are filled by promoting experienced, lower level managers when an opening occurs, and many are promoted from within the organization. Advancement may be accelerated by participating in company training programs that focus on company policy and operations.
General managers may advance to top executive positions, such as executive vice president, in their own firm or they may take a corresponding position in another firm. They may even advance to peak corporate positions such as chief operating officer or chief executive officer. Chief executive officers often become members of the board of directors of one or more firms, typically as a director of their own firm and often as chair of its board of directors. Some top executives establish their own firms or become independent consultants.
What's the overall career outlook for general management?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, projected employment growth of top executives varies by industry, however, keen competition is expected for top executive positions because the prestige and high pay attract a large number of qualified applicants. Many openings occur each year as executives transfer to other positions, start their own businesses, or retire. Salaries vary substantially by type and level of responsibilities and by industry. According to a salary survey done by Executive Compensation Reports, a division of Harcourt Brace & Company, the median salary for CEOs of public companies from the fiscal year 1998 Fortune 500 list was approximately $800,000. Three quarters of CEOs in the nonprofit sector made under $100,000 in 1998, according to a survey by Abbott, Langer, & Associates.