Activity 4

Introductory Activities

Activity 4: Using Models For Analysis

1. Being managed in a work-based/employment situation

One of the pleasant work experiences I had whilst being managed was a result of several different factors, each of which, had a significant part in shaping my experience. From a wider perspective, the parent company had just launched a successful share offering in the stock market, a manifestation of the strong economic growth, robust financial markets and substantial liquidity present at that time. This, in turn, provided the bank with a strong financial base and significant capital to deploy.

As for the team, the buoyant economic conditions provided us with a broad range of financing opportunities as governments and corporates directed substantial investments in the development of energy and infrastructure projects whilst there was also a hive of activity in mergers and acquisitions, with investment funds aggressively bidding for businesses.

Against this background, combined with the broad range of competencies and experience within the team, the strong support and guidance received from management and the overall positive approach, the team was able to successfully grow the business and exceed targets.

Looking at my personal experience of being managed in this environment was positive, with a feeling that I was given clear objectives, the tools with which to deliver on these objectives and the autonomy to develop my own business. Overall, the positive market and organizational context also provided a feeling of a secure environment where people were busy and less likely to feel threatened thus fostering cooperation and team spirit. This was reinforced by the management approach I experienced.

This experience was in contrast to the experience of managing in the work place profiled, in that not only was my manager very experienced in the sector, engaged in the day to day management of the team and incentivized by the...