Name: John Tjoe Min Kiong
Age: 55
Designation: Company Director
Company Name: Homestate Logistics Services Pte Ltd
Company description
Provides logistical services such as storage, local home and office move and overseas shipment.
Job description
I personally oversee the management of my company with the help of my senior employees who are also supervisors.
- Meet up with potential clients
- Do a survey of their homes or office
- Estimate the cost of the move
- Give quotations
- Finding new contacts for future business opportunities
- Provide logistical services for local and overseas home or office moves
- Storage and warehousing
- Oversee the daily operations and ensure that work flow is smooth
- Arrange transport
- Planning of daily schedule of employees
- Prepare documents for shipment
Qn: What is your management style?
Ans: I manage in all sorts of ways. I figure out the most effective ways to complete a job, make sure that there is no conflict with my staff, that they work well together. Make sure I work well with my staff, make sure the flow of communication is kept undisrupted so that my employees receive clear instructions. This also minimizes miscommunication. Make sure there is no favoritism. I also must make sure the rules and regulations are set firmly in place. Ensure that the welfare of my employees are not compromised and making sure they have a good working environment. My employees must also be able to work under stress. Sometimes we have a limited time period to complete a job and they have to do it fast and do a good job at the same time. Make sure my employees feel passionate about the job and that we (John and employees) have the same goals, which is to do a good job and ensure customer satisfaction as well as loyalty.
Conclusion: John takes on all styles of management from Scientific management, Administrative management and Human Relations management. He applies different managerial styles to different situations. For example, in determining the most effective way to coordinate tasks, he undertakes Scientific management. In identifying the needs of his employees and their welfare, he applies the Human Relations School of management. In ensuring the unity of command, he applies administrative management.
Being able to apply the different managerial styles enables John to be an effective manager and ensure the smooth running of his company.
Qn: What are some of the difficulties you face as a manager?
Ans: Well, a manager will always face difficulties, whether it’s with the operations of the job and if it runs smoothly or the employees. You have to always think on your feet and be able to work under pressure. Staying calm is also very important. Sometimes, if you’re stressed and it shows, your employees will also be stressed out and their work performance might suffer.
Certain difficulties John faces as a manager are:
- High overheads- warehouse and office rental, transportation
- Finding loyal staff
- Unable to arrange consignments on time
- Ensure that the clients receive goods in good proper conditions
- Shortage of manpower
- Irresponsible staff
- Undedicated staff
- Minimum staff
- High overturn in staff
- Breakages
- Quality of work of employees
- Cash flow problems due to late payment form clients
- Loss of business due to the slow economy
- Flow of finances
- To ensure customer satisfaction
Qn: How do you overcome these difficulties?
Ans: Like I said earlier, managers have to always think on their feet and be able to work under pressure and stay calm. A positive attitude must always be maintained. Perseverance is also key when overcoming difficulties.
- Proper staff training
- Proper planning of consignment
- Find cheaper warehouse and office space
- Ensure clients pay on time
- Avoid breakages by through proper packaging and transport with utmost care
- Employ loyal, trustworthy and dedicated workers
- Have reserve funds in case of emergencies
Qn: What makes a good manager
Ans: In order to be a good manager you have to consider your own style of managing, your staff and your customers. Also a good manager has to have perseverance, passion, a vision for the company and must also be able to adapt well to change.
Style of management
I have to be adaptable to change and use methods that work best for the situation on hand. Also my staff has to have respect for me as a manger and this is done through good managing. I understand that in my line of work, my staff play a very big part in whether or not the company is a success and so their welfare is of utmost importance.
Staff
- Staff Welfare
- Provide good and safe working environments
- Provide medical benefits
- CPF contribution
- Giving bonuses or profit sharing
Clients
- Provide service with a smile
- Good service to clients- ensure their shipment arrives on time and in good and proper condition
- Provide continued after sales service
- Reinforce the company’s belief in customer focus and customer satisfaction
- Maintain good rapport clientele to ensure continued support
