Mary Parker Follett was the first that define management as the art of getting things done through

people. According to henry fayol management is "To manage is to forecast and to plan, to organise, to command, to co-ordinate and to control." Hierarchical Levels of Management Many managers work in an organisation. However, these managers do not work at the same level. They work and operate at different positions. Hierarchy of these managerial positions is called Levels of Management. Most organizations have three management levels 1. Top management (usually the directors of the company-responsible for strategic management). The Top Level Management consists of the Board of Directors (BOD) and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The Chief Executive Officer is also called General Manager (GM) or Managing Director (MD) or President. The Board of Directors are the representatives of the Shareholders, i.e. they are selected by the Shareholders of the company. Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer is selected by the Board of Directors of an organisation. 2. Middle management (can be vice manager-responsible for operational management). The Top Level Management consists of the Board of Directors (BOD) and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The Chief Executive Officer is also called General Manager (GM) or Managing Director (MD) or President. The Board of Directors are the representatives of the Shareholders, i.e. they are selected by the Shareholders of the company. Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer is selected by the Board of Directors of an organisation. 3. Junior or lower management (they include supervisors, team leaders or, foreman etcresponsible for transaction control) The lower level management consists of the Foremen and the Supervisors. They are selected by the middle level management. It is also called Operative / Supervisory level or First Line of Management.