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Management Fundamentals

Michael Useem and Peter Cappelli

People are the most valuable asset of any business, but they are also the most unpredictable, and the most difficult asset to manage. And although managing people well is critical to the health of any organization, most managers don't get the training they need to make good management decisions. Now, award-winning authors and renowned management Professors Mike Useem and Peter Cappelli of the Wharton School have designed this course to introduce you to the key elements of managing people. Based on their popular course at Wharton, this course will teach you how to motivate individual performance and design reward systems, how to design jobs and organize work for high performance, how to make good and timely management decisions, and how to design and change your organization’s architecture. By the end of this course, you'll have developed the skills you need to start motivating, organizing, and rewarding people in your organization so that you can thrive as a business and as a social organization.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Motivation and Reward
In this module, you'll learn how motivation affects an individual's performance and how to use that motivation to drive performance. You'll explore how incentive systems are designed and how psychological concepts such as behavior modification, imitation, conformity, and compliance influence and shape these systems. You’ll also examine the current process of hiring employees using technology, tracking systems, and outsourcing. And you’ll learn how you can provide valuable feedback to your employees, and make performance appraisals productive. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to apply what you've learned to best motivate, hire, and evaluate your employees.
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Task, Jobs, and Systems of Work
This module is designed to teach you the difference between a task and a job. You'll learn how jobs are historically designed, and you'll explore some of the drawbacks related to past work systems. You'll also learn how job design has been influenced by engineering and psychology. Finally, you'll look at real-world examples from the GM and Toyota to compare their respective approaches. By the end of this module, you'll understand how jobs and systems of work have evolved to improve employee performance and productivity.
Making Good and Timely Management Decisions
In this module, you'll learn how to make good and timely management decisions. Through several real-world examples, you'll see how leaders create and build a decision-making mindset. You'll also learn how leaders can make costly decisions that affect their team or their entire company negatively. By the end of this module, you will be able to apply key concepts to make good and timely management decisions and build a higher performing team.
Designing and Changing the Organization's Architecture
This module was created to describe the influence of an organizations architecture on management and its team's performance. You'll explore how inequity fosters disparity among employees and can inhibit a company's success. You'll also look at two real-world examples of leaders who tackled problems within their organizational structures to effect change. By the end of this module, you will be able to identify key steps in which you can lead change within your organization.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Taught by Peter Cappelli and Michael Useem, esteemed authors and distinguished business school professors
Examines critical aspects of management, such as motivating individuals, structuring tasks, and making strategic decisions
Presents research-based concepts and frameworks to support management practices
Emphasizes the importance of designing and changing organizational architecture to enhance team performance
Offers a comprehensive understanding of management principles for various industries and organizational settings
Provides guidance on applying management techniques to real-world business scenarios

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Reviews summary

Engaging and applicable management fundamentals

Learners say that this course is an engaging and applicable introduction to management fundamentals. Key features include real-life examples, case studies, and insights from top professors. Learners praise these aspects of the course and recommend it to a wide range of people, including those with no prior management experience.
Covers a variety of relevant management topics.
"I really liked that in ​the Management Fundamentals course, in addition to theory, the professors also gave clear examples based on real cases."
"It would have been good if the course included a bibliography for further reading on the topics presented."
"I loved this course and enjoyed the learning experience. Also it would be better if related reading material was given (kind of suggested readings)."
Instructors present material clearly with helpful visuals.
"The professors were also very clear and I found the powerpoints very helpful."
"The lectures are not even soothing to learn but also the way it been delivered in detail with the content and examples and history."
"This course allows students to have very clear theorical orientations about management, cases & how to apply what theory says about it."
Provides applicable knowledge and skills for managing people.
"From my perspective, it would be a great-one if it talks about more tools and techniques those are used to managing HR."
"Learn the importance of people management for the growth and development of the organization and the staff."
"This course was super informative and validating to management styles. It is interesting to see the construct of an organization, whether good or bad, and see how things can be fixed in a way to make a company or team more productive."
Uses practical examples to illustrate concepts.
"The professors used real-life examples to prove their points, making the content very relatable."
"Amazing course! Excellent professors! Great examples and great presentation of them that gives a better understanding of the topic!"
"I really liked that in ​the Management Fundamentals course, in addition to theory, the professors also gave clear examples based on real cases."
Does not provide a bibliography for further reading.
"It would have been good if the course included a bibliography for further reading on the topics presented."
"I loved this course and enjoyed the learning experience. Also it would be better if related reading material was given (kind of suggested readings)."

Career center

Learners who complete Management Fundamentals will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Human Resources Manager
Human Resources (HR) Managers oversee all aspects of recruiting, hiring, training, and employee relations. If this is your career path, taking this course will be very advantageous. In this course, you will learn how to motivate individual performance and design reward systems. You will also learn how to hire employees using technology, tracking systems, and outsourcing. This course will prepare you to make good management decisions and lead your team to success. Additionally, this course can help you build a foundation for success as a Human Resources Manager.
Compensation and Benefits Manager
Compensation and Benefits Managers are responsible for developing and implementing compensation and benefits programs that attract and retain employees. They also stay up-to-date on legal requirements and best practices in the field. If this is your career path, Management Fundamentals can help you develop a strong foundation in the field. You will learn how to design and implement reward systems that motivate employees. You will also learn how to make good management decisions and lead your team to success.
Training and Development Manager
Training and Development Managers oversee all aspects of employee training and development.
Organization Development Manager
Organization Development Managers help organizations improve their performance and achieve their goals.
Human Resources Consultant
Human Resources Consultants provide guidance and support to organizations on all aspects of human resources management.
Chief People Officer
Chief People Officers (CPOs) are responsible for the overall people strategy of an organization.
Talent Acquisition Manager
Talent Acquisition Managers are responsible for attracting and hiring new employees.
Executive Recruiter
Executive Recruiters recruit and place executives in high-level positions.
Human Resources Generalist
Human Resources Generalists provide general support to human resources departments.
Industrial and Organizational Psychologist
Industrial and Organizational Psychologists apply psychological principles to improve workplace productivity and employee well-being.
Management Analyst
Management Analysts study and analyze organizations to improve their efficiency and effectiveness.
Business Process Analyst
Business Process Analysts study and analyze business processes to improve their efficiency and effectiveness.
Quality Control Analyst
Quality Control Analysts ensure that products and services meet quality standards.
Operations Research Analyst
Operations Research Analysts use mathematical and analytical techniques to solve business problems.
Systems Analyst
Systems Analysts design and implement computer systems and applications.

Reading list

We've selected ten books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Management Fundamentals.
Provides a practical guide to leading change. It covers topics such as creating a sense of urgency, building a guiding coalition, and overcoming resistance.
Provides a set of principles that Dalio has used to build a successful business and life. It covers topics such as goal setting, decision-making, and relationships.
Provides a framework for understanding why successful companies often fail to innovate. It covers topics such as disruption, technology adoption, and organizational culture.
Provides a practical guide to building a successful startup using the lean methodology. It covers topics such as customer development, hypothesis testing, and iteration.
This ancient Chinese military treatise provides valuable insights into strategy, leadership, and decision-making. It can be applied to a variety of contexts, including business management.
Provides a set of principles for personal and professional success. It covers topics such as self-awareness, goal setting, and interpersonal relationships.
Provides a comprehensive overview of emotional intelligence and its importance in personal and professional life. It covers topics such as self-awareness, self-regulation, and empathy.

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