Human Resource Management; Caselet I
What do you think about Raghavan’s training program?
The system of training that was adopted by Raghvan is not the best when it comes to new trainee employees like Sanjay. While Sanjay’s educational background points to a reputable management training institute, his acquired skills do not match well with the requirements of Raghvan’s firm. It is a good move for Raghvan to compile a list of all its products for Sanjay. However, these products and the overall roles to be played do not align well with Sanjay’s goals and ambitions. The training program offered by Raghvan for recruits does not help Sanjay in his new role. It would have been better for Sanjay to be told of the responsibilities expected of him.
Additionally, further training would have been beneficial to him. It would have prepared him better for the duties expected of him. He was only given data and documents detailing what the Company sells, not how he would fit in the Company’s profile.
What method of training would have been best under the circumstances? Would you consider OJT, Simulation, or Experiential methods?
There are three major types of training for new employees: On the Job Training, Simulation, and Experiential training. The best method of training under these circumstances would be on the job training. Sanjay is a recruit under the trainee recruit’s programs. Thus it would be better for the Company to offer him on the job training skills before he entirely takes over his duties as a new employee in Raghvan’s Company. Under this type of training, Raghvan would also need to appoint an experienced trainee supervisor to oversee Sanjay’s training. On the job training helps new employees to settle in quickly, with the new recruits being able to learn the required skills for the particular job. Trainee employees like Sanjay would become familiar with the language, models, and associations involved in the post. On-the-job training would also be economical for the Company since no resources would be spent than simulation or experiential training.
Caselet 2.
Do Ms. Preeti’s problems seem to be the result of her lack of motivational immaturity or her lack of motivational attention to her people?
Ms. Preeti’s difficulties appear to be stemming from her absence of motivational maturity. Motivation is a critical element of good leadership and management. In the case of Ms. Preeti, she has just been promoted to front office management. As a manager, she has got several staff to manage. However, out of all the roles and responsibilities under her position, she seems to be loving one, carrying out reservations. Her love for this role seems to be hurting other dockets, which directly fall under her department, consequently affecting the employees in those departments. Her lack of motivational maturity is to blame. As ma manager, Ms. Preeti is supposed to ensure all the staff in her department are highly motivated. A drop in motivation at the workplace can be very contagious if the source of the issue is not traced. In this case, Ms. Preeti is not motivated to carry out other duties other than making reservations, her favorite. This, in turn, affects others.
Marketing Management; Caselet 1.
Do you agree on what Mr. Desai did to regulate control was correct?
Mr. Desai was correct to regulate the control of the Westside Business Computers and equipment Company. Effective management is of great essence in any given organization. In the case of the computer company, there had been issues relating to governance. As the Company’s president, Mr. Desau seemed to be more powerful since almost all decisions were to be approved by his office. However, after decentralizing various sections of the Company, performance went down. Regulation of the departments and how things were done was a vital move. Decentralization had transformed the departments into independent units, threatening the Company’s position and management. The managers lost the vision, and there were possibilities of power wrangles; that would mean severe consequences for the firm. Thus, retaining control was in the best interests of the Company, and not Mr. Desau. It is of the essence for organizations to establish proper management strategies and hierarchy that ensure the smooth running of the firms.
What would you have done under these circumstances?
As the president of Westside Business Computers and equipment Company, I would have to summon all the departmental heads for a briefing and try to channel the way forward for the Company. Effective leadership requires proper communication and sound decision making so as to make the best choices for the organization. All stakeholders need to be aware of the firm’s progress and challenges. In the meeting, I would seek clarifications on how best to get the firm back on track. Communicating to all the departmental heads about the ensuing challenges after decentralization would provide the basis for the discussion. Suggesting an executive body to help in top decision making processes would be required. This way, the perceived absolute power of the presidency would be controlled. A legally constituted top decision-making organ would have to be formed to help reorganize the Company’s divisions and structure.
Caselet 2.
As Mr. Sachin, what would you do now to resolve the problem of the false reports?
Even though the sales personnel had returned false information on prospective customers, it would not be prudent abandoning the entire project due to repercussions associated with it. Owing to the losses that would result from such a move, I would have to review the list of the furniture stores and clients then send out emails to those who would opt to receive them. Once this is done, I would then encourage them to sign up with Blue Ridge Furniture company. This would be achieved through the use of promotions and other advertising media such as newsletters. Once this is accomplished, I would then summon the Company’s sales agents to discuss the matter. Given the stakes at hand and the Company’s plans for the subsequent years, it would be essential to agree on how best to handle the indiscipline case without putting the Company’s operations in jeopardy. We would have to settle on a compensation mechanism with all the sales agents.
What could Mr. Sachin have done to prevent this problem?
Building trust among company employees is crucial. Additionally, having mechanisms to help prevent employee fraud and bad behavior is vital in any organization. Mr. Sachin has got two issues to handle; building trust among the prospective customers, and solving the misconduct issue displayed by the Company’s salespeople. The best way to build trust among potential customers is through constant communication through which the buyers can interact with the Company. For instance, Mr. Sachin can adopt an emailing mechanism in which he will be able to monitor communication and feedback flow between the prospective buyers, the Company’s salespersons, and his office. This way, he would oversee all the developments and activities being undertaken by the salespeople. As the salespeople communicate with the prospective buyers, Mr. Sachin would be able to follow the entire communication, intervening where necessary. This will also ensure honesty and accountability.
Organizational Behavior; Caselet 1
What should Ms. Priyanka do?
Equality and fairness among employees is a significant part of good relations and employee motivation in the workplace. When certain employees seem to be favored at the expense of others, then complaints rise, and employee motivation reduces. In the case of Happy Homes Furniture Company, Mr. Priyanka should consider practicing and promoting fairness in the workplace. Even though Mr. Ranjan is synonymous with excellent results in the sales department, this should not give room for him to be exempted from other duties. Alternatively, Ms. Priyanka can consider reviewing the roles, terms, and conditions of all the employees, then create a different role for Mr. Ranjan, specifically in the sales department. Once this is achieved, the Company can give Mr. Ranjan’s office more responsibilities, in a bid to find a balance between his roles and the roles played by the other employees. An explanation should also be given on the changes and the projected benefits for everyone and the Company in general.
What are the standards of performance? Should they be changed? If so, in what ways?
Performance standards are a combination of all the organizational establishments and guidelines which are useful in promoting good working practices, public health, and the overall well-being of all the employees. At Happy Home Furniture, equality among the staff should be among the standards of operation. All the employees, under these standards, are supposed to be treated equally. However, this seems not to be the case at Happy Homes Furniture. The Company needs to change the rules of performance. Every employee at the furniture shop should be offered same working rates, opportunities and rewards. If the firm needs to have Mr. Ranjan solely responsible for the overall salesperson role, then it should be through a consensus, with all the terms of the employees being revised to reflect and promote fairness. For instance, if the Company has to exempt him from other duties, it would be good for his privileges to be a review and balanced with the rest of the employees.
Caselet 2.
What is the principal problem with ANC’s existing organizational structure?
The presence of a weak organizational structure is the main problem being experienced at ANC. With a weak organizational structure, organizations are not run properly. There is a lack of communication, and management is also not effective. As a result of these problems, there is a likelihood of poor decision making in the organization. In the case of ANC, it seems that Mr. Ketan had the sole decision making responsibility. There appears to be no proper managerial hierarchy. For instance, as the firm expands and goes global, all the administrative responsibilities still lie with Mr. Ketan. He is overwhelmed by all these responsibilities. In such a situation, the person at the top management level may end up making the wrong decisions, with no room for discussion. Additionally, communication is a problem at the Company. There are no proper communication channels at the organization, only Mr. Ketan being left to communicate the changes and other developments.
How can the matrix form of organization assist Mr. Ketan?
Most organizations are usually set up in the usual traditional structure with distinct managerial lines. However, modern organizations have employed the matrix structural form. Under the matrix form, the administrative and reporting functions and within the organization are set up in the way of a grid. This type of structure will help Mr. Ketan since he will not have to overhaul the entire company hierarchy in trying to form a top managerial organ. The matrix form of organizational management ensures that companies have got a fully operational administrative organ composed of heads of different technical units without interfering with the overall corporate activities. In the case of ANC, Mr. Ketan will be able to consolidate the human resource at the organization to form an efficient decision making organ while still maintaining the technical capacity of an individual at the different departments within the organization. Under the matrix form, employees will have twin reporting associations, both to the functional executive as well as the product director.
Principles and Practice Management; Caselet 1.
Do you agree with Mr. Rajiv’s program? If it were you, how would you have done it differently?
I agree with Mr. Rajiv’s program because, from his point of view, he has lost control of the situation, especially with the unwillingness of his vice presidents to take responsibility for their actions. His first option of breaking the business into six segments would have led to more costs, including the cost of equipment and hiring of new personnel. This would likely end in a similar situation with the current state. However, if I were in his position, I would first seek advice from experienced business owners or other business management specialists before coming up with the decision that led to possible confusion of having to report to several managers. Most vice presidents may begin to take responsibility to avoid chaos with managers, or they can also opt to shift blame to their subjects from various departments. Mr. Rajiv still needs to ensure continuous adjustments until when he gets what is best for the organization.
Precisely what is your suggestion that may help to avoid any confusion in this organizational structure?
To avoid confusion with organizational structure, I would suggest embracing teamwork by all members of the Universal Food Products Company. The essence of teamwork is ensuring that no member of the organization shifts blames to the other. Additionally, this will give members equal opportunity to air the views and report any challenges that might result in business dilemmas, including issues with the quality of products. Teamwork will also empower members of lower ranks by challenging them with contradictory viewpoints that they have to find solutions without compromising the company brands or products. This will also provide opportunities for nurturing various employees before they take up responsibilities in the organization. In the modern era of living, consumers have become conscious. This means that manufacturers also prioritize consumer preferences in their production to ensure that they get full utility for their time and money. With proper mechanisms and teamwork, this is inevitable.
Caselet 2.
What are the different control examples illustrated in this situation?
Concurrent control is evident where Ms. Mansi decides to act on the management of the Arbor, which is an ongoing business venture. She does this to institute changes that will ensure a change in daily operations. The previous administration oversaw a law turnout of both customers and tenants. Upon buying the Arbor, she realizes the need for adjustments that will prove difficult for both tenants and customers to engage in practices that will deviate from her set of virtues and targets for the business operation. Having purchased the Arbor means the end of an era hence the start of a new era. From this point of view, feedback control is evident primarily when Ms. Mansi seeks advice from other experienced business partners, such as Mr. Das, to ask for ideas. Her decision to call all tenants to a meeting where she further notices that the majority are okay with the system emphasizes the approach.
What kind of control systems might be the most useful for retailers?
Retailers can significantly benefit from control systems such as human resources (HR), document control, marketing control, financial controls, and quality control systems. For example, human resource systems at the Arbor will ensure that all aspects related to hiring, including sales, marketing, or any other roles, have a positive impact on the motivation and culture of the entire Arbor environment. Marketing is among the essential systems in any organization because it ensures the sustainability of the brands and products by getting to a wider audience. Finance and accounting control systems help monitor the flow of cash in the business. For example, this will help Ms. Mansi keep track of the income from the Arbor, hence determining whether it is in line with her goals. However, an effective management control system is a necessity for ensuring a strict evaluation of performance for all the control systems established in business.