American companies may find the solution to their performance related

Question

American companies may find the solution to their performance related problems in their own backyard. A recently conducted independent study shows that in the business world, social and political skills have become the real key to getting ahead in organisations, skills that successful managers use to their advantage. The study found out that successful managers, those who get promoted relatively quickly vis-à-vis effective managers, perform day to day activities that are more or less dissimilar to the ones conducted by effective managers or those who have satisfied, committed subordinates, in addition to high performing units. Accordingly, it comes as no surprise that networking, which consists of socializing or politicking and interacting with others, was one activity that, out of the core four activities among the plethora of activities performed by managers, topped the list for successful managers but was ranked the lowest in the list of activities performed by the effective ones. Indeed the findings of the study do not negate the reality that there are managers who strike a balance between the activities performed by both types of managers and hence are successful and effective at the same time, but the meagre percentage such managers formed of the study’s sample, barely ten percent, affirms the general divide between successful and effective managers.

These findings clearly belie the traditional assumption typically suggested by formal personnel policies that promotions are based purely on performance. In effect, the study’s implications affirm the cynical, yet what now seems real, view that people who are not necessarily the most accomplishing in terms of performing well in the other three key activity areas, namely communication, traditional management, and human resource management, are being promoted to the top level. Therefore, American companies looking to improve their performance and productivity need to ensure that formal rewards, especially promotions, are tied to performance. This way companies will be promoting a work-culture that turns effective managers in to successful managers and gives the currently successful managers a chance to effectively focus on productivity and not just on socializing and politicking.   1 
 1. Each of the following can be inferred from the passage EXCEPT

A. Managers in general perform some activities that are more important than others.

B. Successful managers are inherently good at networking whereas effective managers are not.

C. Some managers do not fit exclusively in one of the two categories.

D. Some company policies are inconsistent with the actual workings of the company.

E. American companies looking to enhance their performance must look within their set-up for scope of improvement. 
 2 
 2. The author is primarily concerned with

A. discussing a trend and its implications

B. criticising some companies for an unfair practice followed by them

C. evaluating a situation and warning against its possible implications

D. describing the findings of a study

E. uncovering the gap between the perception and the reality of a situation 
 3 
 3. Which of the following is mentioned in the passage?

A. Socializing and politicking are activities not worthy of a manager's time.

B. The study's findings shed light on many unstated assumptions that are part of some of the policies followed by American companies.

C. Out of the four core activities, it is communication in which effective managers perform the best.

D. There is a gap between what appraisal related policies suggest and what the actual case is.

E. American companies looking to improve their performance and productivity need to ensure that the most effective managers are also promoted once in a while.
 4 
 4. Which of the following most aptly describes the function of the second paragraph?

A. To criticize the false picture companies portray with respect to appraisals

B. To close the gap between perception and reality

C. To take forward the discussion on the strict measures American companies need to take

D. To discuss the implications of a study

E. To motivate a kind of managers to become successful

Nikhil · Accepted Answer

1. Each of the following can be inferred from the passage EXCEPT

A. Managers in general perform some activities that are more important than others.

Incorrect : Can be Inferred

The author distinctly mentions in the first paragraph that there are four main (core) activities that managers perform from a plethora of activities.

B. Successful managers are inherently good at networking whereas effective managers are not.

Correct : No information given

We don't have any information to conclude whether these managers naturally have the aptitude or lack of the same for networking. We are just told that successful managers indulge the most in networking and effective managers, the least.

C. Some managers do not fit exclusively in one of the two categories.

Incorrect : Can be Inferred

This information is given in the last sentence of the first paragraph. The author states:
Indeed the findings of the study do not negate the reality that there are managers who strike a balance between the activities performed by both types of managers and hence are successful and effective at the same time

D. Some company policies are inconsistent with the actual workings of the company.

Incorrect : Can be Inferred

This information can be derived from the first sentence of the last paragraph. The author states that:
These findings clearly belie the traditional assumption typically suggested by formal personnel policies that promotions are based purely on performance.

E. American companies looking to enhance their performance must look within their set-up for scope of improvement.

Incorrect : Can be Inferred

This statement is supported by the whole passage in general and especially by the first sentence and the second last sentence of the passage.

2. The author is primarily concerned with

A. discussing a trend and its implications

Correct

The author discusses the trend observed in American companies; the trend is that some managers (successful ones) not performing better than others (effective managers)on most of the four core activities are promoted relatively quickly. This trend is given to us in the form of the study findings.
The second paragraph talks about the implications of the findings/trend in terms of what they mean for the current situation in companies and how companies can use this information to institute measures enhancing their productivity and performance.

B. criticising some companies for an unfair practice followed by them

Incorrect : Partial Scope

Even though the author does use a slightly critical tone in the first two sentences of the last paragraph, they do not form sufficient content to make us believe that the main purpose of the author is to criticize the companies for promoting successful managers relatively quickly. Also, the use of the word "unfair" is not fully supported by the passage.

C. evaluating a situation and warning against its possible implications

Incorrect : Partial Scope

It is correct that the author evaluates the situation uncovered by the study's findings; however, he/she does not warn us against any possible implications. Whatever the implications are, they are current.

D. describing the findings of a study

Incorrect : Partial Scope

This choice fails to capture the essence of the passage. The author doesn't just describe the findings of the study; he/she discusses them while discussing the implications of these findings.

E. uncovering the gap between the perception and the reality of a situation

Incorrect : Partial scope

The only place any perception is talked about is in the discussion of the formal personnel policies (first sentence- last para); however, the whole purpose of the passage is not to make the readers aware of the reality of the situation.

3. Which of the following is mentioned in the passage?

A. Socializing and politicking are activities not worthy of a manager's time.

Incorrect : Out of Scope

The author never comments on the worthiness of this activity. He/she suggests that other activities need to be focused on as well if companies are to improve on their performance.

B. The study's findings shed light on many unstated assumptions that are part of some of the policies followed by American companies.

Incorrect : Out of Scope

The author only talks about one assumption and not many. ( ref.: first sentence- last paragraph)

C. Out of the four core activities, it is communication in which effective managers perform the best.

Incorrect : Out of Scope

The author gives no information regarding the performance of effective managers in terms of their individual performance on the core activities- except that networking is something that features on the bottom of their activities.

D. There is a gap between what appraisal related policies suggest and what the actual case is.

Correct

This choice directly flows from the first sentence of the last paragraph. The author says:
These findings clearly belie the traditional assumption typically suggested by formal personnel policies that promotions are based purely on performance.

E. American companies looking to improve their performance and productivity need to ensure that the most effective managers are also promoted once in a while.

Incorrect : Out of Scope

The proposed solution is not effective managers getting a promotion once in a while but that of getting it relatively faster.

4. Which of the following most aptly describes the function of the second paragraph?

A. To criticize the false picture companies portray with respect to appraisals

Incorrect : Partial Scope

This covers only the scope of the first two sentences of the last paragraph. The author's suggestion mentioned in the last few sentences of the passage are not mentioned in this choice.

B. To close the gap between perception and reality

Incorrect : Partial scope

This choice too, like choice A, covers only the first two sentences of the last paragraph and not the whole scope of the paragraph.

C. To take forward the discussion on the strict measures American companies need to take

Incorrect : Out of Scope

The author does not tell us whether the measures to be taken by the company are strict or not.

D. To discuss the implications of a study

Correct

As mentioned in the explanation for the correct choice in the main idea question, this paragraph talks about the implications of the findings/trend in terms of what they mean for the current situation in companies and how companies can use this information to institute measures enhancing their productivity and performance.

E. To motivate a kind of managers to become successful

Incorrect : Irrelevant

The author proposes a solution to the companies looking to achieve a particular goal; it does not mean that he is directly addressing the effective managers here.

tarunanandani · Answer

American companies may find the solution to their performance related problems in their own backyard . A recently conducted independent study shows that in the business world, social and political skills have become the real key to getting ahead in organisations, skills that successful managers use to their advantage. The study found out that successful managers, those who get promoted relatively quickly vis-à-vis effective managers, perform day to day activities that are more or less dissimilar to the ones conducted by effective managers or those who have satisfied, committed subordinates, in addition to high performing units.  Accordingly, it comes as no surprise that networking, which consists of socializing or politicking and interacting with others, was one activity that, out of the core four activities among the plethora of activities performed by managers, topped the list for successful managers but was ranked the lowest in the list of activities performed by the effective ones . Indeed the findings of the study do not negate the reality  that there are managers who strike a balance between the activities performed by both types of managers  and hence are successful and effective at the same time, but the meager percentage such managers formed of the study’s sample, barely ten percent, affirms the general divide between successful and effective managers.

These findings clearly belie the traditional assumption typically suggested by formal personnel policies that promotions are based purely on performance .  In effect, the study’s implications affirm the cynical , yet what now seems real, view that people who are not necessarily the most accomplishing in terms of performing well in the other three key activity areas, namely communication, traditional management, and human resource management, are being promoted to the top level.  Therefore, American companies  looking to improve their performance and productivity need to ensure that formal rewards, especially promotions, are tied to performance. This way companies will be promoting a work-culture that turns effective managers in to successful managers and gives the currently successful managers a chance to effectively focus on productivity  and not just on socializing and politicking .

1. Each of the following can be inferred from the passage EXCEPT

A. Managers in general perform some activities that are more important than others.
-- Incorrect , reference text is in green color. Ranking of activities has been mentioned.
B. Successful managers are inherently good at networking whereas effective managers are not. 
-- Correct , the passage mentions that successful managers 'perform' activities such as networking more often than effective managers do but the passage never mentioned that the effective managers are not good at networking. The passage only talks about the ranking of activities in day-to-day life. So, this option can't be inferred from the passage.
C. Some managers do not fit exclusively in one of the two categories. 
-- Incorrect , this can be inferred from the passage, reference text is in green color.
D. Some company policies are inconsistent with the actual workings of the company. 
-- Incorrect , tricky one! But this option can be inferred from the first line of Para 2.
E. American companies looking to enhance their performance must look within their set-up for scope of improvement. 
-- Incorrect , this can be inferred from the first line of the passage and from the author's conclusion.

2. The author is primarily concerned with

A. discussing a trend and its implications 
-- Correct , by POE. The author first discusses the situation of successful and effective managers, a common trend in a typical company and then through the implications of a study proposes a solution to promote managers based on their performance.
B. criticizing some companies for an unfair practice followed by them
-- Incorrect , too extreme. Fair and unfair has not been mentioned in the passage.
C. evaluating a situation and  warning  against its possible implications 
-- Incorrect , tricky one! implications of a study have been mentioned and a possible solution has been proposed to the companies for improvement. But no warning has been issued.
D. describing the findings of a study 
-- Incorrect , tempting one!. Implications of the study has also been discussed. Option A is better.
E. uncovering the gap between the perception and the reality of a situation 
-- Incorrect , too generic and only partially related to the passage.

3. Which of the following is mentioned in the passage?

A. Socializing and politicking are activities not worthy of a manager's time.
-- Incorrect , too extreme. The author asks for a balanced approach, reference text is in pink color.
B. The study's findings shed light on many unstated assumptions that are part of some of the policies followed by American companies.
-- Incorrect , tricky one! the study doesn't talk about the assumptions 'that are  part ' of some policies. In fact, the passage talks about the assumptions ' suggested ' by those policies i.e., what people assume on the basis of such policies.
C. Out of the four core activities, it is communication in which effective managers perform the best. 
-- Incorrect , not mentioned in the passage. Ranking of politicking is mentioned but not of the other core activities.
D. There is a gap between what appraisal related policies suggest and what the actual case is.
-- Correct , this can be inferred from the first line of Para 2, highlighted in pink color.
E. American companies looking to improve their performance and productivity need to ensure that the most effective managers are also promoted once in a while.
-- Incorrect , It is opposite to what the author concludes, if anything. The author wants companies to promote effective mangers more often so that they can become successful managers.

4. Which of the following most aptly describes the function of the second paragraph?

A. To criticize the false picture companies portray with respect to appraisals 
-- Incorrect , no criticism was made by the author.
B. To close the gap between perception and reality 
-- Incorrect , too generic answer.
C. To take forward the discussion on the strict measures American companies need to take
-- Incorrect , the author only proposes a methodology, strictness and further discussion has not been mentioned by the author.
D. To discuss the implications of a study 
-- Correct , Para 2 discusses the results of the study, reference text is highlighted in blue color and author derives a conclusion on the basis of it. 
E. To motivate a kind of managers to become successful
-- Incorrect , too specific. Also, the author proposes a solution for the company and doesn't actually motivates managers.

NCRanjan · Answer

The second question :-
The author is primarily concerned with :

I feel the answer should be D : describing the findings of a study

The passage has referred to findings throughout

A recently conducted independent study shows that in the business world, social and political skills have become the real key to getting ahead in organisations, skills that successful managers use to their advantage. The study found

Indeed the findings of the study do not negate the reality

These findings clearly belie the traditional assumption typically suggested by formal personnel policies

Can you please help and explain the answer

rahulkashyap · Answer

Explanation for question 1 please?

Posted from my mobile device

guptakashish02 · Answer

This passage was tough.
Need explanation for Q2 and Q4.

guptakashish02 · Answer

rahulkashyap 
As this is the inference question so it must be true according to the scope of the passage.

A. Managers in general perform  some activities  that are more important than others. -  Language is not extreme. Can be inferred

B. Successful managers are inherently good at networking whereas  effective managers are not.  -  Language is extreme. Comparison is not given in the passage. So this can't be inferred.

C.  Some managers  do not fit exclusively in one of the two categories. -  Can be inferred

D.  Some company  policies are inconsistent with the actual workings of the company. -  Can be inferred

E. American companies looking to enhance their performance  must look  within their set-up for scope of improvement. -  Language is extreme. But in 2nd para , this can be inferred

PM20 · Answer

In the second paragraph if read beyond "These findings clearly belie the traditional assumption typically suggested by formal personnel policies that promotions are based purely on performance.", the author talks about the implications of the study. The author also gives a conclusion which can be seen after the word "Therefore" (highlighter). Hence the author is discussing a trend and its implications - Choice A. Hope this helps

Anki2609 · Answer

Hey Workout,

This is not the explationation for this passage. I think you messed up the thread

Skywalker18 · Answer

Hi  workout ,
It seems that you have posted OEs for a different passage. Can you please post the correct ones?

Nikhil · Answer

Anki2609   Skywalker18

I have added the correct OE's.

faltan · Answer

I went to C for the 4th since it offers an action for the companies to leverage productivity in these words:
 Therefore, American companies looking to improve their performance and productivity need to ensure that formal rewards, especially promotions, are tied to performance. This way companies will be promoting a work-culture that turns effective managers in to successful managers and gives the currently successful managers a chance to effectively focus on productivity and not just on socializing and politicking.

SH160703 · Answer

not even a single answer s correct and yet took 8 minutes to read

American companies may find the solution to their performance related

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American companies may find the solution to their performance related

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