Developing a Promising Manager

Training and development are the second components of the human resource management system and are used to ensure that organizational members develop the skills and abilities that will enable them to perform their jobs effectively in the present and the future. Training and development are ongoing processes because changes in technology and the environment, as well as in an organization's goals and strategies, often require that organizational members learn new techniques, gain new knowledge, and develop new abilities.

In this activity, you will take on the role of Janel, a training and development manager, as she tries to decide on the most appropriate training program for a promising young manager at the hypothetical company, Acme International. Review the training and development section in the text before beginning this activity.

Read the case below and answer the questions that follow.

Janel is a training and development specialist at the hypothetical company, Acme International. Acme's organizational goals include continued international expansion and becoming the market leader in their industry for new products. Over the last week, Janel has had several discussions with the West Coast divisional manager about a promising employee, Dena.

Dena earned two bachelor's degrees from a prestigious university five years ago, one in Art and Design and the other in Psychology and Social Behavior. She worked for a marketing firm before joining the West Coast division of Acme International as an assistant manager two years ago. She has impressed her supervisors and moved up steadily in the division. She has shown strong aptitude for leadership and teamwork as well as being a regular contributor of innovative new product and marketing ideas. Although she grew up in New York and attended school in California, her experience with other countries and cultures has been limited to one semester studying in Spain.

The divisional manager initiated the discussions with Janel in order to start mapping out a development plan for Dena. Janel has been reviewing Dena's history and the various development possibilities provided by Acme. Janel's main goal is to prepare Dena to move up in the international product development division. A single developmental program will probably not be enough. What combination of programs will be most effective at filling the gaps in Janel's background and preparing her to manage an international development team?

Does Janel need to build a development program for Dena that will provide her with the education necessary to take on new responsibilities and more challenging positions?

Multiple Choice

Yes. Her bachelors degrees provide a good foundation, but shed probably benefit from an MBA.

Yes. Her bachelors degrees provide a good foundation, but shed probably benefit from another undergraduate degree in international management.

No. Her bachelors degrees provide more than enough formal education for direction in which shes headed.

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Denas variety of job experiences with Acme and other firms likely has provided her with

Multiple Choice

sufficient technical skill for her advancement with Acme.

a chance to broaden her horizons and see the big picture.

a background that will help her deal with ethical dilemmas.

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Dena mostly has worked in line positons. Should Janel rotate her through a staff position?

Multiple Choice

No. The career they envision for her is in line positions.

Yes. The career they envision for her is in staff positions.

Yes. The career they envision for her requires understanding of all aspects of the organization.

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If Dena is to be the manager of an international development team, the best thing Janel should try to get Dena is

Multiple Choice

lessons in a foreign language.

intensive cross-cultural training.

an overseas posting for a few years.

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Janel sets up a meeting with Dena, and says, Ive reviewed your history and qualifications. Based on this _____, I have designed a development plan for you.

Multiple Choice

needs assessment

performance review

background check

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Human Resource Management at Allstate

The human resource management function in organizations has changed greatly since the time when it was "just that office where they hire and fire people." High-performing organizations recognize the strategic importance of HRM. In the following video, you will see how HRM forms a central element in the success of Allstate.

The ______ is the part of the company that helps to recruit, hire, and appropriately compensate employees.

Multiple Choice

internal employment agency

HR top management team

human resource department

staffing department

external recruitment department

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The Good Work, Good Life, and Good Hands programs at Allstate are intended to

Multiple Choice

increase managerial responsibilities.

reduce costs throughout the organization.

attract and retain the best workers.

identify low-performing employees.

provide onsite child care for employees with children.

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Good Work Week at Allstate helps employees prepare for future challenges and responsibilities both at work and in their personal lives. This is an example of a(n) ______ program.

Multiple Choice

development

traditional classroom course

training

planning

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Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a method used by Allstate to recruit highly-qualified applicants?

Multiple Choice

Monster.com

social media

newspaper want ads

career fairs

employee referral

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Allstate frequently recruits from among its current employees. Which of the following is NOT a reason to use internal recruiting?

Multiple Choice

Managers already know the skill and knowledge level of the candidates.

It is less time consuming and expensive.

It increases employee morale.

Current employees already are familiar with the culture, goals, values, and work of the company.

It is illegal not to recruit from within the company.

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Allstate's 70/20/10 program suggests that Allstate feels ____ is the most valuable type of training.

Multiple Choice

classroom coursework

on-the-job training

mentoring

coaching

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Performance appraisal programs such as those at Allstate are used by managers to make decisions about

Multiple Choice

which recruiting sources provide the best talent.

raises and promotions.

the accuracy of job descriptions.

budget allocations for the following year.

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Please Answer If You are 100% sure....