The management arena in Australia
Globalisation
Managing in Australia
Management and Leadership Framework
Salaries
What opportunities are available to graduates?
Globalisation
All areas of our lives have effectively been globalised. Borders and boundaries are less relevant. Time zones and time lapses no longer apply. Managers can and do work anywhere at anytime. A quick review on your emails will verify this.
Theory and practice fortunately intersect and inform each other. Case studies are written about good leaders and managers developing new and innovative management practices in their workplaces. Current and aspiring managers read and implement real life good practice and the world of management is changed and informed. Management theory and practice evolves to meet the challenges and opportunities that face real managers, real situations dealing with an increasingly fast paced complex global business environment.
Managing in Australia
One definition of a manager is a person who plans, leads, organises, delegates, controls, evaluates and budgets in order to achieve an outcome. Managers are an occupational group and are found in all industries, and at all levels of organisations. At the last census over 1.2 million people identified themselves as managers. According to a recent ABS census there has been a 35% increase in the number of managers over the last decade. Currently, one in five workers identify themselves as a manager in the workforce.
The primary focus of a company is financial performance. Over the next 10 years we can expect to see this change and the focus to settle on individuals as employees — human capital, intellectual capital and the talent market. Typically, 85% of an organisation's value may be represented on a balance sheet in the form of intangible capital — its people.
Management and Leadership Framework
The Australian Institute of Management (AIM) has developed a Management and Leadership Framework that defines the dimensions and capabilities required to be an effective manager and leader.
The Framework's key dimensions are:
- Personal effectiveness: this relates to your individual performance — the ability to manage yourself, apply your knowledge, communicate effectively and build relationships.
- Lead and manage people: this relates to the various aspects of people management — the ability to successfully lead and develop the capabilities of others, while at the same time promote innovation and manage change.
- Manage the business: this relates to the skills a successful manager requires to manage the business — the ability to optimise resources, recognise growth opportunities, develop a vision for the future and successfully plan and implement strategies to achieve growth.
The AIM Framework assists you to evaluate your skills and identify gaps and areas you would like to target to gain experience. It assists with planning your future development and training career aspirations.
Salaries
It is difficult to estimate management salaries as the category is so broad and salaries depend largely on competencies, industries and experience. Here are a few management areas and salary expectations:
|
Area of management |
Min |
Max |
Average |
|
Engineering |
$50,000 |
$200,000 |
$118,300 |
|
IT and Telecommunications |
$50,000 |
$200,000 |
$113,700 |
|
Marketing |
$50,000 |
$190,000 |
$97,600 |
|
Media and advertising |
$40,000 |
$200,000 |
$94,900 |
|
Retail / Dept. management |
$32,000 |
$95,000 |
$45,200 |
|
Sales |
$35,000 |
$280,000 |
$84,800 |
What opportunities are available to graduates?
Graduate trainee programs are an excellent entry point for a career as a manager and leader. Browse the organisation profiles on this website for a range of graduate programs. Once you have taken the first step on the pathway be assured that currently, over 70% of employees in Australia believe that their organisations are delivering effective career management programs.
Climb the ranks and skill up
Be prepared to work your way up through an organisation. Pursue every professional development opportunity that presents itself, and gain as many broader management skills as possible. Maximise opportunities to network with people who might be able to help fast track your career.
Skill up and climb the ranks
Consider a course in management. Many courses will significantly improve your employment prospects and may act as a potential foot in the door.
Australian industry is facing a severe skills shortage in the coming years. largely as a result of an ageing industry workforce and a decline in the rates of apprentices in training. However, when it comes to managers you only need to apply for a position to realise that you are one of many. Considering that your career might extend half a century, the more skills you have the more marketable you are.
Visit www.aim.com.au for more information on management in Australia.
|
Helen Fitzpatrick is the General Manager - Consulting at the Australian Institute of Management (AIM) Victoria and Tasmania. She has over 20 years experience working with business and government. Helen has held senior education and training roles across all sectors of education and in industry training. She has managed teams that designed and implemented major national projects for the Federal Government and corporate clients across numerous industry sectors. |