Business Administration

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

• Direct or coordinate an organization's financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.
• Confer with board members, organization officials, or staff members to discuss issues, coordinate activities, or resolve problems.
• Prepare budgets for approval, including those for funding or implementation of programs.

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

• Direct daily operations of department, analyzing workflow, establishing priorities, developing standards and setting deadlines.
• Meet with department heads, managers, supervisors, vendors, and others, to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.
• Review project plans to plan and coordinate project activity.

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.

• Manage the coordination and overall integration of technical activities in architecture or engineering projects.
• Direct, review, or approve project design changes.
• Consult or negotiate with clients to prepare project specifications.

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

• Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
• Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
• Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

• Establish and maintain relationships with individual or business customers or provide assistance with problems these customers may encounter.
• Oversee the flow of cash or financial instruments.
• Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of workers in branches, offices, or departments of establishments, such as branch banks, brokerage firms, risk and insurance departments, or credit departments.

Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.

• Serve as a link between management and employees by handling questions, interpreting and administering contracts and helping resolve work-related problems.
• Plan, direct, supervise, and coordinate work activities of subordinates and staff relating to employment, compensation, labor relations, and employee relations.
• Perform difficult staffing duties, including dealing with understaffing, refereeing disputes, firing employees, and administering disciplinary procedures.

Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities of an organization.

• Direct preparation and distribution of written and verbal information to inform employees of benefits, compensation, and personnel policies.
• Design, evaluate, and modify benefits policies to ensure that programs are current, competitive, and in compliance with legal requirements.
• Fulfill all reporting requirements of all relevant government rules and regulations, including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

• Oversee regional and local sales managers and their staffs.
• Resolve customer complaints regarding sales and service.
• Monitor customer preferences to determine focus of sales efforts.