Meeting Goals

• General managers typically answer to either the vice president or the chief operating officer of a company. Top executives create goals for the company and rely on the general manager to communicate these goals to his support staff. For example, if a company wanted to increase or decrease the production of a certain product, it would be the responsibility of the general manager to make sure that goal was met.
  
  

Requirements

• While there are no legal requirements to become a general manager, a college degree of some kind is often preferred. It is also possible to work your way up through a company's specific training program in order to become a general manager. Achieving success in lower managerial positions can accomplish this goal. Earning at least a bachelor's degree in business administration is not required, but oftentimes increases the chances of landing a general manager position.
  
  

Salary

• A general manager's salary is determined by the size and type of company or business she works for, as well as how many years of experience she has. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage of a general manager in 2008 was $91,570. In 2010, the annual earnings for a general manager with one year or less of experience ranged from $31,610 to $51,161. For a general manager with 20 years of experience or more, the average pay ranged from $56,343 to $102,497.
  
  

Policies and Hiring

• Ensuring that a company's procedures and polices are not only followed but also updated is another responsibility of the general manager. General managers, with the help of human resource managers, oversee the quality of the organizational training given to employees. Middle level managers, who assist in daily tasks, are screened, interviewed and hired by general managers. Depending on the size of the company, general managers may be required to travel in order to meet with other managers within the firm.
  
  

Finance and Communication

• Monitoring the performance and achievements of employees and acting as a liaison between upper management and staff are also the responsibility of a general manager. Understanding the financial tools and resources that are available to his company allows a general manager to create a plan that meets the requirements of a given project. Keeping an accurate record of the company's growth or decline along with participating in employee evaluations and feedback are all key elements to being a successful general manager.