BOH4M: Part 1 - What is an organization?
An organization is a group of people who work together toward common goals.
The common goal or purpose that people within an organization work toward is called a mission.
People within an organization should also have a vision or an idea in their mind about how the organization should
operate. This is referred to as the vision of an organization. It is the ideal image of the organization when it is
running efficiently.
Organizations operate under a set of values as well. These values make up the protocol individuals in the business
use to carry out everyday activities. The values of a business make up its personality or culture.
Business organizations set a series of strategic goals to guide them as they work toward their mission. These goals
are set so they can be accomplished in the foreseeable future.
Strategies are then devised to give an organization direction in reaching and meeting their strategic goals.
Example of Mission Statements
“Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful.”
“Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the
1980s with the Macintosh. Today Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS
X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its
iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary
iPhone.”
Ben & Jerry’s Product Mission
To make, distribute and sell the finest quality all natural ice cream and euphoric concoctions with a
continued commitment to incorporating wholesome, natural ingredients and promoting business
practices that respect the Earth and the Environment.
Organizations can also be thought of as a system which is a made up of a group of sub-systems or departments. All
of these sub-systems or departments have their own way of doing things and they are all highly integrated or
connected together, but each sub-system hopefully, is working together to achieve the whole organization's goals
and mission.
Each department or sub-system in an organization determines who is responsible for what tasks. Job descriptions
are laid out for every individual in each department. Those individuals are responsible to complete the required
tasks to help the organization achieve its goals. This is called the division of labour.
Every organization has a mission or a purpose. A mission statement usually identifies:
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the customers/clients the organization serves;
the products/services the organization provides; and
the underlying philosophy or values of the organization.
Locate the mission or vision statement for several organizations. In many cases, you can find a mission
statement on an organization’s website. Include your school board, school, charities, and businesses.
Hint: Type the name of the organization + mission statement in the search box on a search engine such as
Google.
Organization Mission/Vision
WCDSB
St. Benedict
Values/Goals/Other
URL
BOH4M: Part 2 – Self-Assessments
Access the student companion website:
http://ca.wiley.com/WileyCDA/Section/id-405891.html
Do the first two self-assessments:
1. 21st Manager
2. Emotional Intelligence
What did you learn about yourself?
BOH4M: Part 3 – Management Career
Step 1: Find an advertisement for a management position using an on line search engine. For example:
www.workopolis.com, www.monster.com, www.kwjobshop.ca, www.careerjet.ca,
http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/Intro-eng.aspx
Be very sure that the advertisement you secure is for the actual hiring company. Avoid the ads of a
“headhunter”, as they are hired by client companies to find people to fill various positions.
Step 2: Save a copy of the advertisement and copy and paste the URL
Step 3: Analyse the information in the advertisement that you have found by answering the prompts below
and organizing your answers.
a)
Identify the organization and provide some brief information about them such as: what it is
that they do; the size and scope of the organization; main headquarters’ location; some of
their goals, values, or vision for the future that may be part of their mission statement;
recognizable brands, logos or captions, where possible.
b)
Identify the specific management title/position being advertised and provide some brief
information about that position such as: duties and responsibilities; attributes, qualities and
skill sets being sought in the suitable applicant.
c)
Classify the management position as top level, middle level or lower level and support your
opinion.
Step 4: What skills do you currently have that may make you a potential candidate for this position.
What particularly interests you or concerns you about your ability to perform in this role?
What would have to do between now and when you think you would be in a position to apply for
this particular job?