In the late 20th century there was a great increase in management ideas and concepts. Some of these efforts - such as Total Quality Management and reengineering - seemed to have run their course. The permanent value of the new thinking underlying them, however, should not be denied. The 21st century versions of these movements should actually be welcomed and practiced.

Others trends - such as learning and diversity - progressed to the point where "second generation" (learning organization) or "new" (diversity) versions appeared. In the early 21st century, it was even easy to see the development of a "third wave" in these well-established concepts.

Just as the 21st century has seen new types of organizations and new ways of doing business arise, so, too, will there be new management trends, ideas, and techniques. While running after every trendy idea is hardly a recommendable strategy, the wise manager will learn, study, and apply the best current thinking.

At the start of the 21st century, the following ideas and trends regarding management are coming to the forefront. As you review, think about changes occurring in your company and how it impacts your role as a leader.

MANAGEMENT TODAY

Management is for everyone. As educational levels rise and information technology accelerates, the distinction between "managers" and "workers" will fade away and management knowledge will be everyone's responsibility.

Management is for learners. As information becomes the chief product of every business and as knowledge continues to explode, everyone will be a learner and the manager's foremost task will be to promote learning.

Management is based on communicating. As techniques for planning, strategizing, decision-making, and problem solving become the common province of everyone in the organization, the need for improving communication will be paramount and managers will be increasingly using dialogue and other communication tools.

Management is about change. As technology and information re-shape all our lives, change management will be "business as usual" and managers will be change agents who guide everyone to find and embrace the best new practices.

Management is broad based. As boundaries disappear within organizations and in the world at large, the scope of management will grow and managers will become organizational development experts, diversity experts, facilitation experts, consultation experts - and much, more.

One thing for certain is that everything is subject to change. Today the only constant is change. Change is going to happen regardless and will impact you to make decisions to provide the foundation for change. Your role as a "change agent" is to be the conduit between the company and your associates in order to make change happen effectively and achieve Win/Win/Win results.

• Your company wins by seeing increased performance, productivity and profitability.
• Your associates win by feeling a sense of security and wanting to improve and participating in the rewards of success.
• You, as the manager, win by fulfilling your goals and feeling the personal satisfaction of achieving success through the management of your people.

Contact the George S. May International Company to find out more about how your business can benefit from the latest management concepts.

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