First Drucker Reading Club Beijing

2009-2-25

Drucker Reading Club Kicks-off in Beijing—Management by Objectives

The First Drucker Reading Club on Management by Objectives was held successfully on March 26th, 2008. More than 30 clients who are enthusiastic about Drucker’s management theory participated in warm discussions.

Guided by Mr. Yu Junjiang, the senior lecturer of Peter F. Drucker Academy, participants worked to solve out the perplexities of management by objectives in practice. Mr. Yu started from the practice of the three main-stream management systems, and analyzed the evolution of the application of management by objectives in China. Then, surrounding the practical problems in the application of management by objectives in enterprises, he posed a series of questions. Combining clients’ questions and perplexities, he analyzed that the purpose of management by objectives is to realize self-control and self-management, which lifts the management by objectives as an ordinary application tool to the level of management philosophy and special orientation. “What the business enterprise needs is a principle of management that will give full scope to individual strength and responsibility, and at the same time give common direction of vision and effort, establish team work, and harmonize the goals of the individuals with the commonweal. The only principle that can do this is management by objectives and self-control.”

   Mr. Yu said, “What’s the function of an enterprise? According to Drucker, “The purpose of an organization is to enable ordinary human beings to do extraordinary things.” What’s the responsibility of a manager? It’s to make the advantages of staffing productivity. What kind of atmosphere and in which way can make it true? How could the innovation be made best use of? That’s self-control. This is the most lasting management method. Any physical stimulating is temporary. Seen from human essence, the self-satisfaction and self-achievement are the most lasting stimulation, especially for the intellectuals.” Mr. Yu also talked about the scope of application of management by objectives and the key elements to think about in the practice. Finally, Mr. Yu pointed out, “The responsibility of a manager is to create such an atmosphere for executives of objectives to participate in the setting of objectives.”

The participants believe that every enterprise has its own characteristics and culture, and agree with what Drucker said “What the business enterprise needs is a principle of management that will give full scope to individual strength and responsibility, and at the same time give common direction of vision and effort, establish team work, and harmonize the goals of the individuals with the commonweal.  The only principle that can do this is management by objectives and self-control.” Drucker’s philosophy serves as a beacon, showing us the direction to go ahead.