BUSINESS PRINCIPLES (SEC 701)

Professor: Bernie Cabling

Critical Thinking Activity 2

Question:
1. Would you like to work for a large firm or a small business? Private or
public? In an office or out in the field? Give your reasons for each
answer.
INTRODUCTION
Choice of where to work after graduation as a construction project management is a very crucial
decision every student must be intentional about, because it will be defined how far they go in
the construction industry.
Question 1: Would you like to work for a large firm or a small business?
Small Firm
Small companies offer a pathway for self-development due to the responsibilities and tasks will
be committed to the manager because a small firm have limited people working with them will
encourage multitask. Also, there will be a close relationship with the board of directors which
will provide a huge experience for the fresh manager. It also provides an avenue to grow with
the organization because every large firm today start small.

Explanation of each reason for working with small Firms.

1. Responsibility: In small businesses, create an avenue to make significant impact on the
company's success and be given more responsibilities early in your career.
2. Flexibility: Small businesses tend to be more flexible and agile, which can lead to a less
hierarchical and bureaucratic work environment.
3. Learning Opportunities: You may have a broader range of tasks and learn various
aspects of the business because it may involve in performing multiply task.
4. Closer Relationships: Smaller teams often foster closer relationships with colleagues and
management, leading to a more personal and collaborative work environment which
build self-confident and capacity to relate with top management.
5. Entrepreneurial Experience: Working for a small business can provide insights into
entrepreneurship and business management, which can be valuable if you have
ambitions to start your own business one day and understudy the risk involve to starting
up a business.

Question 2: Would you like to work for a Private or Public company?

Private Corporation
The private sector typically offers more competitive salaries, potential for rapid career
advancement, diversity and a focus on profit and innovation. However, the work can be
demanding, and job security may vary depending on the industry and company performance.
But it will create a platform for self-development and an experience.
Question 3, Would you like to work in an office or out in the field?
Work out in the field as a manager.
Working in the field provides an avenue for the front-line manager to gain technical skills and
experience that can enhance their leadership and decision-making abilities for self-
development. Front line manager is expected to possess about 50% technical skills, 30% human
relations skills, and 20% conceptual skills.

Here is the explanation of each skills required by Front Line Manager.

1. Technical skills involve the ability to perform tasks or the process of leading the work of
a team to achieve all project goals within the given constraints. This is the most
important skill of every construction manager and being on the field would create an
avenue to learn and practice the skills.
2. Human relations skills involve communication and motivation; they enable managers to
work through and with people. It provides avenue to development ability to
development teamwork with effective communication.
3. Conceptual skills involve the ability to picture the organization as a whole and the
relationships among its various parts. Conceptual skills are needed in planning,
organizing, controlling, systems development, problem analysis, decision making,
coordinating, and delegating. These skills are mostly exhibit by Top managerial team but
the front-line manager also need to development in it.
 Reference

Team, G. (2023). Employee Benefits in Canada’s Public and Private Sectors | Global People
Strategist. Global People Strategist. https://www.globalpeoplestrategist.com/employee-
benefits-in-canadas-public-and-private-sectors/

Nickels, W., McHugh, J., McHugh, S., Cossa, R., and Stevens, J. (2022). Understanding Canadian
Business (11th ed.). Canada: McGraw-Hill Ryerson.