Essential Skills for Effective Business Management
Qualities of an Effective Manager
To be an effective manager, you need to possess several key attributes:
- Be an expert: Know your field very well.
- Listen to others: Understand opinions, as strong communication helps the team grow.
- Plan ahead: Anticipate issues to avoid problems and make better decisions.
- Enjoy working with others: Create a positive and collaborative work environment.
- Judge people’s abilities: Assess skills correctly to delegate tasks effectively.
- Make good presentations: Share ideas and motivate the team effectively.
Seven Essential Managerial Actions
- Respond promptly to employees’ concerns.
- Listen to all suggestions from staff.
- Deal with problems quickly.
- Believe in their employees’ abilities.
- Delegate to a deputy as often as possible.
- Communicate with colleagues clearly.
- Invest in regular training courses for employees.
My Professional Career Vision
After graduating, I plan to look for a job in a company that values innovation and teamwork. I will start as a trainee or assistant to gain experience and understand how business decisions are made. In a few years, I would like to become a project manager and lead my own team. I will focus on learning how to manage people and improve productivity. I also plan to study something related to sustainability, as companies need to be more responsible. In the long term, I intend to open my own consulting business to help other companies grow.
Mastering Reported Speech (Indirect Style)
Tense and Modal Verb Shifts
| Direct Speech (Tense/Modal) | Indirect Speech (Shifted Tense/Modal) |
|---|---|
| am/is/are → was/were | Example: “I’m happy.” → He said he was happy. |
| do/does → did | Example: “I work.” → He said he worked. |
| have/has → had | Example: “I have done it.” → He said he had done it. |
| will → would | Example: “I’ll go.” → He said he would go. |
| can → could | Example: “I can help.” → He said he could help. |
| may → might | Example: “I may come.” → He said he might come. |
| must → had to | Example: “I must study.” → He said he had to study. |
Pronoun and Time/Place Adverb Changes
| Direct Word | Changes to… |
|---|---|
| I | he / she |
| my | his / her |
| we | they |
| our | their |
| today | that day |
| tomorrow | the next day |
| yesterday | the day before |
| now | then |
| here | there |
| this | that |
Reported Speech Summary: Four Key Structures
1. Statements (Afirmaciones)
- Direct: “I’m tired.” → Indirect: He said he was tired.
- Direct: “We’ll travel tomorrow.” → Indirect: She said they would travel the next day.
2. WH-Questions (Qué, Dónde, Cuándo…)
- Direct: “Where do you live?” → Indirect: He asked where I lived.
- Direct: “Why are you late?” → Indirect: She asked why I was late.
3. Yes/No Questions
- Direct: “Do you like coffee?” → Indirect: She asked if I liked coffee.
- Direct: “Can you help me?” → Indirect: He asked whether I could help him.
4. Commands and Requests (Órdenes y Peticiones)
- Direct: “Close the door!” → Indirect: He told me to close the door.
- Direct: “Don’t run!” → Indirect: She told me not to run.
Reported Speech in Business Scenarios
1. Reported Statements in a Business Report
Last week, the marketing director said that the company was going to expand its operations to Argentina the following year. He explained that this decision was part of the new strategic plan to increase international sales. The financial manager added that they would need to hire new staff for the regional office and that the recruitment process would start soon. He also said that the expansion would improve the company’s competitiveness in Latin America. Finally, the director mentioned that the team should stay focused on digital transformation to maintain customer loyalty.
2. Reported Questions from a Business Meeting
During the meeting, the CEO asked whether the new investment project had already been approved by the board. The finance analyst replied that it had been accepted the previous week. Then, the CEO wanted to know how the marketing department was planning to promote the new product. The manager explained that they were going to use social media campaigns and influencer partnerships. Later, the human resources director asked if additional staff would be needed for the launch, and the CEO said that they would hire two new sales representatives.
3. Reported Commands and Requests (Work/University)
Yesterday, our professor told us to prepare a report analyzing a real company’s financial performance. He said that we should include ratios, trends, and recommendations for improvement. Later, he advised us not to copy information from the internet but to use our own analysis. In the afternoon, my teammate asked me to help her organize the presentation slides. I told her not to worry because I would finish the graphs and email her the data. Finally, our group leader reminded us to submit the final report before Friday.
Defining My Future Leadership Style
1. My Future as a Manager: The Communicator
In the future, I plan to become a manager who listens to others and enjoys working with others. I will be an expert in marketing and data analysis, and I will always plan ahead to avoid mistakes. I believe I will deal with problems quickly and respond to employees’ concerns promptly. I will also communicate with colleagues clearly and delegate to a deputy whenever necessary. I will invest in regular training courses for employees because learning never stops. Finally, I shall make good presentations to motivate the team and share our goals for the company’s growth.
2. My Career Vision: The Trust Builder
After graduating, I will focus on developing leadership skills that help me manage people’s abilities effectively. I will listen to all suggestions from staff and believe in their abilities to make decisions. I will plan ahead and deal with problems quickly in a calm and professional way. As a future leader, I will enjoy working with others and create an environment of trust. I will also invest in regular training courses for employees so my team keeps improving. In the future, I am sure I will make good presentations that inspire people to give their best and reach company objectives together.
3. The Kind of Leader I Will Be: The Delegator
I think a good manager must be an expert, plan ahead, and listen to others carefully. When I lead a team, I will communicate with colleagues clearly and deal with problems quickly. I will delegate to a deputy as often as possible and judge people’s abilities fairly. I believe I will respond to employees’ concerns promptly and invest in regular training courses for employees to strengthen their skills. I will also make good presentations to share ideas and celebrate success. My goal is to enjoy working with others and build a strong, motivated, and confident team.