Interview a practicing manager. Apple is a leading software and hardware company. Its latest innovations like the iPhone series have led to world-wide use of smart phones and mobile applications. Sofia, a sales manager for Apple sat down and answered a few questions on her duties and difficulties with her position. She is a 35-year-old mother of two with four years in the company. She has worked with her store for all those four years and have led them to a strong sales rank within the company.

For question one, she stated she is a sales manager for the company, Apple. She helps in developing the respective territory's Apple business through building a robust, influential, and collective business relationship with the reseller's management and sales team. Another facet of her job at Apple is training the reseller's store team members on how to sell Apple hardware, software, and accessories. Updating her knowledge on Apple-branded and related 3rd party products and expressing said knowledge to aid in Apple-based solutions in formal as well as informal settings to her, is also a must. Maintaining the store staff's motivation to keep maintaining merchandising and visual standards at optimal level according to Apple and reseller standards and reporting and analyzing and trends, goals, and business results are also significant aspects of her employment.

Her answer to the second question focused on the topic of subordinates. Sofia's subordinates expect her to maintain a constant level of professionalism. She stated she needs to be early or on time and always there to help them. "This especially rings true for new employees," she states. "They need extra time to become accustomed to the way things work in...

If communication is lacking at any given point during the workday, possible errors on the sales floor, in merchandising, in inventory, or customer service could exist. Meetings, and daily goals help keep it all structured.
Sofia's response to question three relates her constant stresses to inadequate performance or behavior by subordinates and lack of breaks during the work day. She is always on and alert to keep things from becoming too chaotic. Apple is a demanding company and requires its employees to be at the top of their game at all times. For question four she states what she dislikes about her job. She dislikes the constant surge in customers. The high levels of traffic keep the store dirty every day and make her stay late at times. Although sales numbers/goals are met fairly easily, many customers come in to complain of faulty hardware/software and must be attended to immediately for most lack patience.

Question five had Sofia state her love of being around people. She truly enjoys helping others and being there for the people who need her. She also expressed the kind of person she is, who loves to stay busy. Herjob offers her plenty to do and never a dull moment. Question six Sofia answers truthfully and said: "I believe top-performing managers constantly strive for more. They urge their subordinates and most of all themselves to do more, be better. They truly care for the customers, the business, and their co-workers/subordinates. That plays a vital role in continuing to do your best in your job."

For question seven, Sofia explained the need for…