Livonia Cadillac Engine Plant - Term Paper Example

insert name Bachelor of Business MIT 665804 Developing High Performance Teams Trimester 1, 2013. Assignment 1: Case Study Report Case Study: A PLANT WHERE TEAMWORK IS MORE THAN JUST TALK Performance expectation Culture & norms goals & objectives Workplace design and layout Learning resources Payment Time Incentives Equipment and tools Rewards Recognition Rules Requirement Measurement Roles & responsibilities Customer reactions Meetings/discussions Performance review The mind map A list of issues and theories identified from the mind map The motivational theory which can be achieved through payment based on skills, various incentives, rewards as well as recognition. There is information management whereby the employees and employers share information by holding meetings and discussions related to work issues aimed at improving performance. In work, there are rules and regulations, requirements and roles and responsibilities which assists in attaining the organizational objective via high performing team work. The performance feedback is conducted through performance review, measurements and customer reactions. Resources management- it is important in ensuring effective team performance through time management, putting in place appropriate workplace design and layout, equipment and tools, learning and overall resource management. Then there is directions which entails goals, objectives, norms, and culture and organization performance expectations. Review of the questions on the case study and draft of the report. 1. The extent of empowerment- the workers are highly empowered in realizing organizational goals and objectives. 2. Advantages associated with business team approach The decision making process involves everyone making them to feel a sense of belonging and recognition in the company thus empowered. Pay for knowledge make the work not only less boring but also increases productivity. It encourages learning of new skills from other team members an aspect that motivates to learn new skills. The workers are allowed to give suggestions on how to improve the company’s success. The division enables cooperation and coordination that improves productivity. There are no rules and regulations on dressing and how workers should relate with the supervisors, creating an aspect of equality. Work is spread evenly across all the team members. 3. What other measures of empowerment -Put in a culture that encourages collaboration -set up an SMART goal -Use feedback to ensure the team members are on track -Putting in place an effective conflict management tool -Effectively manage change in the organization 4. Disadvantages associated with business teams approach The approach can result into production of expensive workforce that cannot be maintained by the organization. It may be challenging when every worker attains the top status an aspect that may make them not to work harder resulting into low performance. Draft of the report Introduction Body -commitment -contribution -communication -Cooperation -Motivation -Resource management -Recommendations -Conclusions The report Introduction Business team approach has been employed by a number of organizations to ensure high performance and increase productivity. The case study is on Livonia Cadillac engine plant which is located in Michigan, USA. The plant had adapted business team approach for the purpose of organizing work and ensuring easier decision making. Commitment The workers at the Livonia are commitment towards attaining the values and objectives of the company an aspect that provides them with direction in their daily routines. It can be pointed out that the Livonia team members are in a position to understand how their work fits into the objectives of the organization. It is evident that team members are invited in making developing values that will ensure productivity. For instance, when the plant transferred its operations to Livonia western suburb, the management involved the local branch in planning the initiated change and even had the opportunity in choosing salaried employees who will be the team coordinators. Contribution Direct proportion on the contribution of the team members is the power of the effective team work that can contribute to high performance. It is evident that team members in the Livonia plant have strong technical skills as well as interpersonal skills in addition to having the will to learn new ones. For instance, in the plant, the production workers are in a position to learn all the jobs in one particular section an aspect that enables the management to be flexible in not assigning but also filling in for the absent workers. Therefore, production does not come to a standstill due to abseentism. Additionally, as a result of collaboration, the plant utilizes less labor per each engine while ensuring quality production. The company further collaborates in decision making through its numerous departments. So as to enhance balanced team participation, it is evident that the plant management has put into consideration, three key factors that influence contribution of each of the team members: confidence, empowerment and confidence. This makes the workers to feel part of not only the team but also the organization and therefore greatly support collegiality and solicit all their input. It is also evident that the confidence in the organization is breed based on reward strategies such as recognition of skills and payment based on skills. Workers are paid on the basis of their skills an aspect that make them to embrace learning as to improve their skills and attain high performance. For instance the workers not only make decisions when award arises but also rotate jobs and give suggestions on redesigning the flow of work within the organization. An employee named Andrew took the responsibility of analyzing jobs of two teams and discover how to new ways to make the job easier. The plant management recognized his suggestions were adapted without causing loss of production. He was then rewarded but the team members by being elected as ATC. Communication To a group to attain its full potential, communication/information sharing is a very important aspect. In this case, team members are in a position to share their thoughts, new ideas ask for help as well as risk making mistakes. The communication strategy adapted by the plant is open and thus the team members know and respect other members. Additionally, the team members are in a position to assess their work performance, accept positive criticism and address issues. For instance all the team members of the plant meet on a weekly basis to discuss issues on housekeeping and safety. Cooperation The management can facilitate cooperation in the organization by highlighting the contribution of each team member. This will ensure that the team members freely use creativity to come up with new ideas. Motivation Motivation is an important factor that encourages high performance in team business approach. Some of the motivation strategies employed by the organization include: pay based on skills, incentives, rewards and recognition. For instance Livonia allows its team members to contribute towards making organizational decisions. The decision making process make them feel a sense of belonging and recognition thus feel motivated and empowered in performing their work. Additionally, pay for knowledge make the work not only less boring but also increases productivity. The team members are further encouraged to learn new skills from team members an aspect that motivates to learn new skills. On work, there is further motivation in that roles and responsibilities are well defined and the there are no strict rules and regulations that will deter the workers from exercising their duties. This free atmosphere for working makes them feel appreciated an aspect that motivates them in ensuring high productivity. Resource management Important resources in the workplace include: workplace design and layout, equipment and tools, time, learning and other resources. The workplace design and layout is conducive for the workers. It is also evident that the team members have the required tools and equipment in carrying out their duties. Time is effectively managed by the workers and production is continuous even if some workers are absent. Learning is continuous. The management ensures that all the team members undergo continuous learning from other team members so as to perfect their skills. It is evident that the team members are motivated to learn because of pay is based on skills. Recommendations In order to enhance team communication, it is important for the management to provide skill training in areas such as responding, listening, meeting arrangement, consensus building, language use and consensus. In order to enhance, team performance, the management should encourage feedback via customer reviews, measurements and performance review. It is also important for the plant to put in place conflict management strategies. This is because diverse thinking also results into conflict. Therefore, the team members should be trained on ways of shifting from negative thinking to positive ones. Additionally, it is important for the organization to train the team members on how to manage change. It is important for the team members not only to respond to change but learn skills of initiating the same. In encouraging the teams to initiate change, the management should acknowledge any perceived risk and available necessary tools for innovation. Information and vision should also be provided to ensure that team members do not resist any form of change. Conclusion To ensure high performance among team members, it is important for the management to ensure that there is effective communication and reward strategies in place. Additionally, the team members should ensure collaboration, effective resource management and contribution among themselves. However change management and conflict management strategies are also essential in ensuring high team performance. References Bailey, J., Schermerhorn, J., Hunt, J. & Osborn, R. (1991). Managing Organisational Behaviour. Milton: Wiley. Read More