James West is the Department Head of Production for Biotech

James West is the Department Head of Production for Biotech Germany. He has been with the company since 1974 when he came aboard at age 18 as a line worker. He has fashioned the department from his personal experience. He stresses numbers, quality control and meeting goals. He is proud of his success in meeting goals efficiently and with minimal cost to the company thereby maximizing profit. He is known as a strict taskmaster but not unreasonable.

Artemus Gordon, West’s assistant, is 29 years old and has been with Biotech for 4 years. Gordon has been concerned that West is not willing to move with the times. He sees the other production departments around the globe meeting goals efficiently but with lower employee turnover. These companies use new technology.

Germany now has a strict work law that requires that employees must be let go by 5 pm, and overtime is only permissible if the employee agrees. West makes employees work overtime to meet departmental goals and seldom asks the workers about his or her interest in overtime. Gordon also knows that new technology might make the work more efficient.

the role of the manager has changed from the 20^th century to the 21^st century, with the manager becoming more people-centric in the execution of tasks.

Look again at Artemus Gordon’s conflict with West. If Gordon could get West to change his way of management what five unique skills would he suggest to the successful manager of the 21st century.

Consider in your answer workplace dynamics of new organizations such as the change in organizational structure (flat, horizontal, virtual etc.) and employee expectations for the workplace environment.

Solution

Q1) Below are the five unique skills to the successful manager of the 21st century -

1. Technical skills related to the business of the firm - These are critical to guide the employees; it is important to possess the technical skills to monitor the work of employees, understand any deviations and guide them if required.

2. Problem solving and analytical skills - Any issues encountered need to be resolved for which the manager needs to possess problem solving and analytical skills.

3. Effective communication and negotiation skills - Communication and negotiation skills help the manager to effectively communicate the expectations to the employees to ensure all are on the same page.

4. Interpersonal relationship skills - Managers should possess interpersonal relationship skills to make employees feel that their concerns are being addressed.

5. Innovation and creativity related skills - To compete with the other firms, innovation and creativity are a must in developing new products or services and upgrading the existing ones.