Question Two

Knowledge Skills Abilities and other characteristics (KSAOs)

ALL-FOR-ALL TRANSPORT SERVICES operates in a very competitive and dynamic

environment that is quite complex and seems to be always changing and requires organisations to
rely on its KSAOs. The individuals working in the organisation are the human capital and form
an essential component of the organisation’s success. KSAOs is an abbreviation that stands for
Knowledge, Skills and abilities, and other characteristics. They are the attributes that are used as
the basis for the selection of employees, performance appraisal, and career development. KSAOs
helps the organisation to analyze the potential of existing employees to identify the areas that
need training and development.

Knowledge is information acquired through education and training and refers to the cognitive
ability to process and retain information. It is concerned with understanding the theories and
concepts relating to a particular subject. Skills also refer to the application of knowledge and
developing proficiency through practice and training or hands-on experience thus skills are the
application of knowledge. Ability is the innate traits or talents that one brings to a task or
situation.

The result of the ONET Online database confirms a positive correlation with ALL FOR ALL
TRANSPORT SERVICES management’s KSAOs. It indicates that the managers have the right
skills and competencies on the work activities, context and tasks. However, it was highlighted
that the managers lack; technological skills, communication skills, teamwork, and coordinating
skills.

For instance, the finance manager lacks skills in recent accounting software needed to operate
efficiently and effectively. Despite ALL FOR ALL TRANSPORT SERVICES laid down
structures and procedures, it was however noted that some of the functional managers like the
operations and sales & marketing lack strong teamwork, and coordinating skills.

As ALL FOR ALL TRANSPORT SERVICES aims to become the benchmark for responsible
business, we will make sure that the highlighted lacking KSAOs of our managers are being
addressed amicably to enable them contribute to the achievement of the organization’s objectives
and goals.
The following strategies have been employed by management of ALL FOR ALL
TRANSPORT SERVICES to help all the managers to acquire the relevant KSAOs to ensure
the smooth take off and success of the organization.

The CEO will undergo an organizational and management training to help him work
systematically and maintain quality since the business has long term goals. He will also undergo
a budget and saving cost training to help the business maximize its profit and have firm
awareness of any financial issues and accountabilities. This will also help him execute result-
based actions.

The Finance Manager will undergo a software training on tax preparation. Example, the ITapS
software introduced by GRA to make the payment and filing of taxes simpler, faster and more
convenient and improve record keeping. The Finance Manager will also undergo a QuickBooks
accounting software training which will enhance recording, analyzing and reporting of financial
transactions. This will also aid multiple users work on the same accounting data at a time like the
cashiers and also save time with automation. For instance, creating an invoice for each sale,
tracking transactions and creating respective journal entries and sending late payment reminders
to our clients.

Last but not the least, a leadership workshop on teamwork, communication and coordination will
be organized for all the functional managers to equip them with the required teamwork,
communication and coordinating skills needed to accomplish the organizational goals and
objectives.

To ensure that ALL FOR ALL TRANSPORT SERVICES managers always have the required
KSAOs in order to perform well, the management will analyze the requirement of each job and
tasks to know the potential of the staff and whether they have the KSAOs required to achieve the
objectives of the organisation. The requirement should be aligned with the objectives of the
organisation (mission and vision). The managers will ensure that their values and qualifications
are aligned with the vision and mission of the organisation.

In addition, the company will provide opportunities for staff to grow and develop in their
professions and careers. In so doing, the company should encourage the employees to undertake
further training, participate in workshops, and other courses to improve the KSAOs of the
individuals in the organisation.