What are the fundamental problems facing Richard and his organization, as described in this scenario?

1. What are the fundamental problems facing Richard and his organization, as described in this scenario?

Richard faces various challenges that include different POS, which may make harmonization of data challenges. Another problem is the standardization of internet access, which may lead to different bandwidths. The different POS has different architectures for the database making harmonization of information problematics. This will be challenging for Richard in the compilation and dissemination of reports. The differences in spreadsheets, productivity software, and browsers may affect data collection from different systems.

1. If you were in Richard’s shoes, how might you go about addressing these challenges?

I would ensure that the technological infrastructure is shared. The difference in the technical support leads to challenges in the compilation and dissemination of reports. I would also ensure that all restaurants have a universal internet connection, database, worksheets, and spreadsheets. I would also ensure that POS database architecture is universal.

b.What would be your strategy, and why?

The best strategy for addressing these issues will be harmonizing technological infrastructure. That is using common worksheets and a shared database that will be based in the cloud. This will also make it possible for one to access it in the remote. For instance, using a browser such as Google chrome. All restaurants should use common systems, most preferably “Square Point of Sale.” The organization should also use common QuickBooks, which will assist in the generation of reports.

2. Before any action is taken, what managerial measurements must be implemented for the company’s five goals, and how should these be implemented?

Organizations have to enforce the following measurement strategies for evaluating goals. They include the graphic rating scale, which has been effective in the beverage and food industry. The concepts incorporate a list of roles, the expected standards, and the scale used in rating the employees. In most cases, the scale ranges from 1-5. The second management measurement is MBO, known as management by Objectives. Goals have already been identified, and the managers will periodically meet with Richard to evaluate the attainment of the objectives. The last measurement instrument is the forced ranking of employees. In this case, Richard’s achievements will be compared with those of other employees.

1. What procedural changes are required at each property and the regional and corporate offices?

At the property level, there needs to be changed in the compilation and dissemination of the reports. Instead of keying them manually, the restaurant auditors should include them in a spreadsheet. They should send the reports to the managers instead. At the regional level, where information should only be received from the restaurant managers, other changes include the compilation of data. Data should be not be keyed in at this level as it was previously done. This stage is a comparison report that should be generated and sent to the corporate office. At the corporate level, the general manager should compare the reports obtained from the regional officers.

1. How should these changes be introduced, and who should lead the change effort?

The restaurant managers should spearhead all actions as they are the leaders at the lowest managerial level who will bring substantial change. The changes will be communicated through different memos, which will be sent to different administrative levels. All workers will be trained on the new roles. A support structure will be formulated. A strategy will be used for measuring the effectiveness of the changes.

3. Would any of data required access restriction?

All data should be restricted from unauthorized access. Especially the data about the sales from the restaurants.

1. If so, who should have access, and to which data?

The restaurant managers, the auditors, and the corporate officers are the only persons who should access the data. These individuals should access information pertaining the sales reports.

4. Evaluate the technology applications portfolio and infrastructure for Richard’s company.

Richards’s technology application portfolio and infrastructure is worth the company, as it will assist in sharing critical information needed for the management of the organization. The POS system will improve the Guest Service Index and customer covers. Utilizing technology increases the revenue of the company due to the aspect of competitive advantage. Proper aligning the technological infrastructure.

1. What are the strengths and limitations?

The strengths in the technological portfolio are the utilization of technology in the management of the organization. Technology will assist in the compilation and dissemination of reports, thereby making management of the restaurants easier.

The limitation in the utilization of technology includes failure in any of the system leads to significant loss of data, thereby affecting the management process. The maintenance of the different technologies is also expensive, more so the databases and the worksheets platforms.

1. In what ways is technology being used effectively?

Technology is being used effectively in the processing and dissemination of data. Technology has also been used in running the POS system, which is needed by the restaurants in a different location. Technology is also being used in storing data that is the database.

1. Where is there room for improvement?

There is a need to improve on the prevailing database, as all data should be stored in a universal database. Similar worksheets, spreadsheets, and productivity software should be used. For security purposes, a common browser should be used most preferable google chrome.

1. What changes would you suggest and why?

I would suggest changes in the browsers used, and a common browser should be used in surfing, this will assist in managing the security elements. I would also suggest that all organizations should use a common database, most preferably the cloud servers. This will ensure that all data available to various levels and secure. Common POS systems and worksheets will make the generation of reports easier

5.If you were to design a balanced scorecard approach for measuring and monitoring performance and the overall health of the organization for Richard’s company, how would you go about it?

1. Where would you start?

I would start by identifying the non-financial and financial indicators in the company. They are related to mission and goal statements. The evaluation will be based on the different goals that Richard has to achieve.

b.What issues might you face, and how would you overcome them?

Among the challenges I would face include insufficient data for evaluation, some of the metrics would be poorly defined. Another problem would be on the changes in the goals due to adjustments made based on the nature of the market and the operation of the organization. To overcome these challenges, I would focus on the organization’s main goals, which include increased revenue. These are the vital few, which determine the success of organizations. I would also focus on customers and the growth of the organization.

1. What would your proposed balanced scorecard look like?

Therefore, the proposed scorecard would be based on customer satisfaction, increased revenue, and the organization’s growth. These are the Key Performance indicators that wil be critical in achieving the organization’s ultimate goal.