Analysis of Modern Enterprises - Case Study Example

Part Review of Gene One Scenario Gene One is a fast advancing biotechnology company that had recently discovered revolutionary gene technology to eradicate diseases in tomatoes and potatoes. The leadership initiatives of its CEO and other core team members have made it into $400 million Company from the $ 2 million initial investment in a short span of eight years. The company has ambitious growth plan of 40% per annum through innovative research imperatives designed towards development of new products based on breakthrough technology to meet the changing preferences of the people. The organization needs huge investment to meet the challenges of it growth plans and has decided to go public with its IPO in the next three years. The corporate finance strategy is highly complex and therefore, the organizational leadership needs to come up with strategic plans to meet the external and internal challenges of the company while introducing the major challenges in it corporate strategy. The scenario is therefore, primarily, encompasses various meeting of its core members to identify major areas that need to be addressed so as to develop strategies and plans for its intended expansion. The various interactions between the members and collective brainstorming has identified three major areas: market development and necessity of brand building; focused research; effective conflict resolution when new changes are introduced; efficient team building; and effective financial strategy that meets the requirement of Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The highly interactive sessions of the core team has been able to put across a vision of dynamic team that is capable of meeting all the challenges of its expansion strategy through creative inputs and effective implementation techniques, developed through collective vision and participatory approach. The strategic leadership of its Chief Executive Officer, Don Ruiz are extremely relevant in the contemporary times when the strategy needs to be not only dynamic to encompass the changing paradigms of the times but essential in the contemporary environment of competitive business. (316) Part 2 (a) Synopsis of case study of Apple computers ‘Apple computers’ was founded in 1978 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. By the end of 1980, it had established a niche market in the field of computers by selling more than 100,000 apple computers. The entry of IBM computers in 1981, dramatically changed the market leadership of the Apple computers as IBM computers were relatively low cost with an open operating system which was easy to clone. Under the leadership of John Scully, Apple Inc. initial success turned into dismal failure due to the fact that even in the highly volatile business environment of rapid computerization in 1990s, the company stubbornly refused to redefine its business strategy and continued to produce high-end computers for segmented market. The wider ramifications of the problems and the emerging new challenges, in the form of new opportunities and threats were not considered vital factors for the sustainable development of the organization over time. The initial confidence of the workforce, when the company had gone public was greatly shaken when its market share drastically came down to 3%. The re-entry of Steve Jobs in 1997 greatly facilitated the huge transformation of the fortunes of the company. The rapidly falling revenues and decreasing market had seriously impacted the survival of the survival of the company at stake. The confidence of the workforce was reinstated with the leadership initiatives of Steve Job. He promoted participatory approach to achieve common goals. Innovative ideas and new business strategies were incorporated in the organizational visions so as to gain competitive leverage over their rivals. Indeed, the shared vision promoted better understanding among the employees and provided impetus for improved performance and easy changeover. Job proved that empirical relationship of leaders and the emerging changes are critical for a given situation and demands a better informed leader who is capable of taking initiative and is also able to inculcate confidence in his people to move forward. By 2006, it had regained its position in the market and made significant inroads into new areas of digital audio players, mobile pones and retailing. Job showed exemplary leadership initiatives in widening its business vision and strategic goals to maintain competitive advantage. He encouraged collective vision of the organization and provided the necessary impetus to the employees to strive towards it. (377) (b) Synopsis of case study of General Motors and leadership challenges in facing crisis of energy and depression Founded in 1908, GM is one of the largest automobile manufacturers of the world, with presence in more than 35 countries. The company has maintained its leadership position in the global business environment by adapting to the changing equations of global business environment. The company has been innovative in its approach to tackle the wide ranging implications of the changing technology and rapid globalization process through well defined and identified strategic goals and visions. But the recent recessive trends in the American economy have adversely affected General Motors. It has seriously shaken the confidence level of the workforce and the management. The leadership initiatives by the company have overcome the doubts by promoting a united vision amongst its employees. The managerial leadership has encouraged creativity and innovative practices that have given a unique perspective to participatory approach of management and employees. It has also facilitated adaptability to changing equations, which occur due to rapidly changing environment of emerging business processes that recognize the wide scope of emerging opportunities through effective communication and collective decision making. Through the evolving process of entrepreneurial creativity, it has been able to assess the challenges faced by the company in meeting all its aims and objectives within the framework of its principle and professional and organizational ideologies. It has not only preached but also practiced its ideologies and principles in its area of work by efficiently using technology by making efforts to manufacture ergonomically designed fuel efficient automobiles. At the same time, it various measures are taken to safeguard its workers in its workplace. The company promoted personal and professional development through regular training and workshops that were designed to meet the challenges of the changing technologies and management processes. Indeed, the hallmark of the company’s success in managing its people has been the organizational leadership that has encouraged independent thought and actions with good analytical and rational approach towards issues and people thus facilitating and building relationships based on mutual trust and confidence. This has, in turn has become the reason that changes are accepted with equanimity. (343) Total words - 1036 Reference Gene One. General Motors Corp. Available from: [June 12, 2009]. Yoffie, David and Slind, Michael. (May, 2007). The Apple Computers, 2006. Harvard Business Review. Read More