Influence, Power and Authority
Authority is one form of power. Often called "legitimate" power, authority is a formal part of any organization. It is allocated to individuals according to their position in the organization. Because each individual can only do so much personally, ...
Influence, Power and Authority
Power is the ability to influence the behavior of other people. Although it is often associated with dominance and aggression, power can also be used in very positive and productive ways. In some cases, it is based on formal position, but there are ...
Building Morale Case Study: Patagonia
Patagonia is a manufacturer of outdoor clothing. While the climate at some firms evolves without much thought or conscious planning, Patagonia's climate has been carefully molded to help employees realize their potential. Typical of the value Patago...
Break-Even Analysis and Audits
A break-even analysis allows managers to calculate at what point revenues will cover expenses, and to determine whether a specific project will generate enough income to cover both its fixed and variable costs. Most organizations are also subject to...
Budgets and Employee Morale
Financial controls affect every aspect of a company, including the behavior, attitudes and morale of employees. Often, most employees in an organization see the budget in very negative terms.
Conflict and Change Case Study: Mercy Hospital and Medical Center
Employees at most hospitals deal with conflict either by suffering in silence and allowing the conflict to fester, or complaining to superiors and expecting them to solve the problem. Mercy Hospital and Medical Center has instituted a system called ...
Controlling Case Study: Santa Anita Racetrack
The enormous amount of money that passes through the Santa Anita racetrack each day makes an effective controlling system extremely important. The flow of money is in large part tied to wagering, but there are other aspects of the racetrack operatio...
Conflict That's Positive
For companies that are aggressively pursuing opportunities in changing markets, conflict over different ideas can be a tremendous asset. While it would be absurd to argue that all or even most conflict is good, some forms of conflict, particularly t...
Creating a Positive Communications Climate
The importance of creating a communication climate based on openness, honesty and trust may seem obvious, but it is frequently overlooked.
Creating a Positive and Productive Work Environment
Virgin Airlines and Patagonia are two examples of companies whose leaders recognize the importance of creating a positive and productive work environment. At Virgin Airlines, founder Richard Branson emphasizes the tremendous value of the company's h...