A general manager carries out various tasks related to the management of a company.
The etymology of manager takes us to the Latin word gerens , which refers to the one who directs. The term refers to the individual who is responsible for managing the administration of an entity .
General , meanwhile, is a concept with several uses. The first meaning mentioned in the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ) names what is common to various elements or to all the components of a whole .
The executive who fulfills a managerial role in a company is called general manager , in this way. Although their functions may vary, they generally carry out coordination tasks between the different areas, make decisions related to investments and expenses, and lead the company 's strategic planning .
General manager tasks
If we focus on the words that make up the notion, we can say that the general manager directs or leads the members of various departments or offices of a firm . Therefore, their daily work usually consists of ordering and coordinating processes, projects and actions that, together, constitute the operation of the company.
Typically, they are not in charge of administrative tasks directly, but instead supervise the corresponding sector to guarantee efficiency and analyze whether the objectives set are met. In this context, the general manager also assumes an important role linked to communication between the different parties.
The manager performs supervisory and coordination functions.
Required skills
A general manager must have certain capabilities and skills to fulfill his or her duties. Of course, you have to have leadership skills to give instructions and ensure harmony between areas.
Expressing yourself appropriately both in writing and orally is very important. The general manager has to be clear and precise to minimize friction and conflicts .
Having self -confidence and being empathetic are other essential issues for the general manager to successfully carry out his or her job . These qualities allow them to assume their responsibility accordingly and act as a team guide.
The general manager according to the size of the company
As we already indicated above, the role of the general manager is not precisely defined. The position can take on different nuances depending on the size of the company.
In a multinational company, the general manager usually has a specific role. On the other hand, in a small company, the general manager is likely to simultaneously develop many activities related to administration, merchandising , marketing and human resources, for example.
It cannot be ignored that there are executives or even businessmen who act as general managers without holding said position in a formal or official manner. Therefore, it can be argued that the position is sometimes implicit.
In larger companies, where the general manager has an established position in the internal organizational chart , these professionals usually receive a high salary . This makes many people aspire to this appointment since it guarantees them high incomes, in addition to a status that they can take advantage of in different ways and with multiple benefits in the most varied areas.