Organization Structure and Its Five Different Forms - FedEx - Case Study Example

MANAGEMENT QUESTIONS Name: Course Instructor’s name Institution Date MANAGEMENT QUESTIONS B1: Application of managerial roles High school Managers are the drivers of any business or organization. These are the individuals task with the role of ensuring that performance who are under them carry out their required tasks and objectives effectively. In the High school perspective the manager is a principle in this course of managing he has to incorporate the four functions of management which include; planning, organizing directing and controlling. In planning the principles is involved in creation of the school timetable and the terms schedule. This entails allocation of a number of classes to the teachers, scheduling for the co-curricular activities and other activities within the academic term. In his managerial role the principle is also tasked with the duty of organization. In this case it the principle’s duty to organize the number of student to be accommodated in different classes. He also has the duty organize the number of teachers per subject the same applies to the staffs within the school. Being the manager the principle gives directives on his juniors they may be teachers or the subordinate staff on how to carry out a different takes or tasking them different jobs. The other managerial function of the principle in the school is controlling. This entails making delicate decision within the school or controlling the schools budget through approval of proposed project or declining them. B2: Organization structure and its five different forms Organizational structure is the framework in which the roles within an organization are hierarchically arranged. This explains how an organization is formed and the way in which it functions. This breaks down the mandate of various significant positions of individuals within the organization and the authority the poses. Some of the different forms of the organization structure include; planning, organizing, staffing, directing and controlling. Planning; this is the fundamental part of management. This is strategizing the future action and decision within the organizational structure. Planning in this case is coming up with a strategy of what to do, when to do it and how to do it. In this case a company like Sony can start planning on forming an alliance with Samsung due to the saturation of the technological gadget manufacturing industry. This alliance will help it remain afloat in the industry as the reputable business as it was earlier known. Organizing is the other form of organizational structure. This is the joining of available resources within an organization and focusing them towards the organizations goals. In this case Starbucks is a coffee company that has a global reputation due to the stiff competition in this industry Starbucks focuses on quick and effective service delivery to give it a competitive edge. Therefore in order to focus on this goal it has organized its staffing strategically through provision of training and employing enough staffs in every store to provide timed services to customers. The other organizational structure function is staffing. This is of manning the organization structure however it also emphasizes on putting the right person on the job. Prosecur is a multinational security company that is globally widely spread. Despite the fact that the company has embraced technology it has a total of 450,000 staffs. This has enabled it to consolidate technology and staffing which is attributed to its success. Directing is the other managerial function. Directing is the drive for an organization production or service provision. This entails allocation of different roles to the organization’s staff. However direction in this case is direct management of individuals within an organization’s staff through influencing, guiding, supervising and motivating. Wal-Mart is a globally recognized chain store despite of its success over the years in has faced a lot of competition in its industry. It therefore took up the responsibility of embracing directing as a one of its fundamental for in its business structure. In this strategy it focused on improving its staffs skills, knowledge and ability through influencing their role within the company which will give them more confidence. The company also set out to guiding, supervising and motivation in order to tap on the potential of its staff. Six months after taking up this role the company noted that sales had increased due to improved customer care which is attributed to its course towards directing. Controlling is the other form of organizational structure. This is measuring an accomplishment with a set target and making of various deviations indoor to ensure that this target is met. FedEx is a shipping company that is spread globally. Despite it having quite a large pool of staff the company has taken up erasures to focus on each worker through setting of individual targets and job group targets. After the end of every financial year the company reviews these set goals to see if they were met or not. For the individuals who have hit their target the company motivates them. This strategy has been attributed to be the major factor for the business success over the years. B3: The three types of leadership The three globally recognized types of leadership include democratic, autocratic and laissez-faire. Autocratic leadership style is one where there’s limited stamp of authority by the leaders. This type of leadership is often characterized by leaders who are collective decision makers. However there is a blend of, active participation,accountability, delegation of tasks and responsibilities and accountability in this type of leadership. Autocratic style of leadership can be describes as relic which is also characterized by domineering authorities. On the other hand in this type of leadership leaders often distant themselves from the other subjects who they serve. In is also commonly known for the unilateral decision making. Laissez-faire type of leadership is one that is characterized by absence of an authoritative figure. Therefore the critical decision-making is left for the group members. This type of leadership is built on the basis of self-monitoring. The type of leadership style I would prefer to use myself is democratic. This is because it is a fair system of leadership where everyone is treated fairly therefore opportunities are provided on a fair meas. This specific type of leadership would also endure employee satisfaction and also give them the feeling of appreciation. However the type of leadership I would prefer my boss to take up is the authoritative type of leadership. This is because this type of leadership ensures close supervision and follow-up of employees therefore ensuring that the employee’s full potential is maximized. This type of leadership also does not give room to clumsiness within the work therefore ensuring that all the assigned tasks to an employee are completed; in the long end improving the company’s productivity. B4: Comparison of transactional-leadership style and transformational-leadership style Transactional leadership style is one that focuses on maintenance of a smooth flow in a company’s operations. It is commonly referred by the term” keeping the ship afloat” This style of leadership embraces the use of incentives and disciplinary powers in order for it to be successfully implemented. Transformation leadership style on the other hand focuses on motivation and team building. This type of leadership is fundamental for the development of a business or organization. As a manager I would prefer transformational style of leadership due to its focus on small details that are crucial for the business as opposed to the transactional leadership style which is quite ambiguous. In this case this type of leadership would address negative competition which might threaten the company’s teamwork and unity in the long end. B5: Steps of problem solving In solving the negative team work problem I would focus on understanding what exactly the company’s workers are competing for and why. This would be through a questionnaire or observation of the employee’s attitude towards each other. I will then explain the importance of teamwork and group them with a common goal in order to prevent competition. I would also be critical in motivating them and treating them equally in order not to create a perception that some might be favored over others. On the other hand I will also embrace teambuilding activities within the organization. Application of the six step problem solving internet addiction challenges In my course to use the six step problem solving procedure in solving the problem of the internet being a significant time waster I am bound to come across some problems. One major challenge that I will face is identification of the problem. In this case the problem is quite ambiguous therefore it is difficult for one to refine his research to get the root cause of this problem since it is caused by a number of factors. Similarly the generated solutions are not100 per cent correct due to the fact that the problem is too ambiguous and determined by various factors. In order to solve the problem of inability to identify the cause of the problem I will carry out a detailed study and observation where I will study the factors contributing to me getting into these site. In this study I will study my current activities before and after visiting the internet and other social media site and the time spent in the different sites. Since both problems are interrelating the similar procedure used in solving the first challenge will also be applied in solving the second problem. B6: virtual team Virtual teams are used mostly where individuals don’t share the same working space nor operate from the same location. Organizations rely heavily on virtual teams more so when doing businesses internationally. If I was to work in a virtual team I will encounter communication problems which will translate to trust issues and poor results. Due to cultural diversity I may encounter problems of dealing with other employees thus affecting team work. Geographical differences like the sandwich plant in India means I have to adjust if I have to succeed in a virtual team How to overcome these challenges a) Developing good communication skills: by developing effective skills I will be able to communicate with my fellow employees in the company. b) Encouraging teamwork and team building: understanding the benefits of teamwork will enable me overcome these challenges for better result delivery B7: Draft on rules and regulation for a group and its members GROUP RULES AND REGULATIONS Punctuality should be observed during group meetings Assigned assignment should be completed before the group meeting During the group discussion meeting silence, concentration and full participation should be observed. There is no leaving the group meeting before it ends without a reasonable reason. The group leader is mandated the authority to control the group activities; they should therefore be respected No eating or taking of snacks will be allowed during the group meetings B8: Identification of at least five segmentation characteristics Measurability (demographic category) these are consumers who fall into a particular target market. In this case the age bracket, gender location and preference Accessible (behavioral category) this is a market segment which should be easily accessible for the potential buyer. Accessibility in this case is both geographically and economically. Profitable (psychographic) this means that the products market should have the required opportunities that make it worth to pursue. In this case the company can be able to enjoy the economies of scale provided in the market. Market Responsiveness (behavioral) this means that the consumers of this product should respond to the product sale with ease. Therefore the product has to be essential for it to command such a response. Satisfactory (behavioral) this is a market segmentation determined by the potential buyers feelings towards a product or service. B9: Brief report explaining long-term marketing alternatives Marketing is a crucial factor that determines the sales made in a company. Therefore a company should come up with an effective a detailed strategy to enhance its marketing. On the other hand marketing is also used to promote a company’s reputation which will also guarantee an increase in sales in the long-term. In my marketing I will focus in four fundamental areas which include; positioning, market research, market strategy and budget. Position: In this strategy I will focus on the perception of my brand in the market. In this case I will come up with compelling branding and marketing messages Cleary advertising my product and the need they serve to the potential buyers. For the target market I will research on how to attract them through using target based branding. Market research will form the backbone of my marketing strategy this will helping me note the present niche in my market and how best to sell my products. Market research will also help me with some improvement on my marketing and adjustment to my product in order to fit the market needs. A market strategy will help me understand how to attract potential buyers. It will also enable me to maximize on the different mode of advertising presented in my market. Budget will guide my financing towards marketing my products. This will ensure that I do not overspend all my funds in marketing forgetting other crucial sectors in my business. B10: Summary on product promotion Promotion is a strategy of increasing product sales through attracting more buyers with the incentive of a sales promotion to the potential buyers. My target group is comprised of teenagers and young adults or those in their early twenties. This is because these are the individuals in the society who have been using these products consistently; therefore they will be requiring my product. The best way to reach my market would be through social media and television marketing. This is because these modes of marketing will be easily seen by my target group. Some product features that I would emphasize would be portability, durability and good specs. My product differs from the competitors because it is the newest product in the market with better performance ability like good sound system and ability to store power for a longer period. The element that I would use in my promotion mix would include an iPod cover, earphones and a power bank charger. My decision to include these products in my promotion mix is because these are complementally products for the iPod therefore in one way or another, these buyers will need them. Through this promotion mix I will be helping them from incurring further expenses for these products. B11: Product life cycle of Xbox Like any product the Xbox product life cycle is comprised of 4 stages. Introduction stage– this was when Xbox was first introduced in the market. At this stage this product did not do quite well since its popularity was quite low. Therefore, Microsoft would have invested more in marketing by ensuring it conducts more aggressive marketing during the product’s launch. Growth stage- This is the stage where the products popularity started to grow which also resulted to growth in sales. In effort to maximize these profits Microsoft would have capitalised on the growing popularity of the product and carried out product promotion mix. Maturity stage- in this stage the product generally recorded stagnation in both popularity and sales. This is blamed on Microsoft ingressiveness in marketing in its previous stage which resulted to stiff competition from Play stations. Decline stage – this is the stage where the product currently is. Here the product popularity is increasingly declining and Microsoft seems unwilling to continue advertising. This decline is blamed on the fact that consumers have switched to other products, play stations which have better features and are relatively cheaper. B12: Importance of accounting information in an organization Accounting information is used by majority of organization’s department and employees. Some of the individuals to whom accounting information is critically beneficial are the management, accountants, risk managers and financial managers. These employees of the organization use accounting information in estimation of budgets, projection of viable projects, analysing the company performance and estimation of the organization future performance. In case these employees were not provided with accounting information it would be increasingly difficult to estimate the organization performance and also make some important decision concerning the company. This might also lead to organization failure due to lack of a gauge which it can use in estimating whether it is in line with its set goals. B13: Accounting for start-up funding SOURCES OF FUNDS AMOUNT OBTAINED MATURITY ANNUAL INTEREST RATE SECURITY FOR LOAN Loan from Barclays Bank $100,000 4 years 16% Apartment along district 9 Avenue Investment from Magnate Venture capitalist $300,000 Although the business viable life 12% NA Borrowing from parents $50,000 NA NA NA Personal savings $50,000 NA NA NA TOTAL $500,000 B14: Factors to consider while choosing a funding source While looking for a funding source for any start up one should asses some factors which will determine where they will seek the funding from. In his case I had various places in mind where I would have easily gotten financial injection for my business stat up however I concentrated on the funds source that had a relatively longer payback period. I considered this factor due to the huge risks that come up along with startups. Therefore source with relatively longer payback will provide my start up with the opportunity of getting back to my feet in case is failed in its early months of existence.The other factor I considered while choosing my sources of finding is reasonable financial source. I knew that taking up funds for a startup was a huge risk therefore I had to choose a funding source that I would be able to approach and renegotiate terms incase my business failed (SPAHR, W, BADER, L., BOGEN, J. I., & DAMERON, K.1932). This specific reason is what drove to agree the banks funding. Lastly my decision to agree to be funded by a venture capitalist were driven by the factor that a venture capitalist would be a huge benefit for my start up since he would guide me in decision making and also prove handy in the connections they had. B15: Application of roles of financial managers This is definitely an ethical problem since Caesars are going through confidential documents of individuals without their consent. This is therefore an infringement to these individuals privacy. On the other hand this action by Caesars is also an ethical issue due to biased marketing. In this case Caesars carry out their marketing targeting individuals from a particular financial position this can therefore be claimed to be exploitation of these individuals. Gambling is not allowed by the law therefore I think it is wrong to encourage individuals to gamble since these is indirect exploitation of these individuals. Choosing to gamble or not should be a person’s decision which should not be stirred by anyone else. In this case encouraging someone to gamble is therefore wrong. B16: Security concern in online purchases I am always concerned when I buy things online this is due to the perception that buying good which I have not touched or seen physically might make me venerable to poor quality sale or sale of counterfeit goods. Some of the significant risks that concern me are being corned. With the recent increase in cyber-crime I fear that I might make an online purchase but later on end up not receiving my goods. The other risk I fear is that I might purchase an online good then later on I am delivered for lesser quality goods. Companies have introduced a return back policy to ensure that the clients get exactly what they ordered online. Reference Faculty of business,Canberra University. Foundations of business, 1st ed. Read More