Case 1.3: Tom Coronado
1. Based on the case description, is Tom a staff
manager, a functional manager, or a general
manager? Explain your answers.
ONE POSSIBLE
ANSWER
ANOTHER
POSSIBLE
ANSWER
Tom is a staff manager because he
is in charge of payroll which does
not directly contribute to production.
Tom is a functional manager
because he works in one specific
area—payroll.
2. Is this description of Tom Coronado’s
work day consistent with the ideas on
managerial work advanced in Chapter
1? Why or why not?
ANSWER
Yes—he works long hours, his day is
hectic, he is constantly interrupted,
he works with many media, and
accomplishes tasks through other
people.
3. Which of the essential managerial skills,
roles, and functions is Tom using? Give
examples from the case description.
Managerial skills
Technical—he understand the payroll, he answers
questions about the mistakes in the payroll
Human—he answered the phone, went to a meeting, dealt
with employees upset for the payroll mistakes, he will
speak at a an outside association
Conceptual—understood and fixed the payroll problems,
implemented a new payroll system
Managerial roles
Interpersonal—talking and communicating
with people
Informational—understanding the problems
with the payroll and gathering data
Decisional—problem solving the issues with
payroll
Managerial functions
Planning—implementing a new payroll
system
Organizing—working in the personnel
department making sure that people are paid
Leading—helping people
Controlling—fixing the payroll problems