Fixer Television Series - Essay Example

? THE FIXER The Fixer Introduction The Fixer is a U.S television series that details business decisions of key characters. It is necessary to illustrate some of the main business problems and solutions that have been taken by key characters in different episodes of the series. Apparently, Alex Polizzi pays visits to businesses run by family members. In many of these businesses, the rivalry, tension and strained relationship among the members of the same family distort the business practices, and make it difficult to make profits, as well as contribute to personal progress and satisfaction. This article will examine each of the actions taken by Alex Polizzi in different scenes that she visited. It has two seasons, each having six episodes. Season 1 Episode 1 In this episode, Alex Polizzi, an entrepreneur from the Courtyard Bridalwear, single handedly starts a campaign aimed at saving struggling families in the face of the prevailing tricky financial situations. Her first mission was on a Kettering based bridalwear business located in North Hamptonshire. A mother and her two daughters who are engaged in squabbles apparently run this business. Although, the business owner, Anne Preece has decided to remortgage her house to ensure that the business remains succeeds, a decline in profits is still evident. Besides, the business is obsolete, overstocked and seemingly weary. Furthermore, the frequent arguments by the daughters only help to worsen the situation. In order to save this situation, Alex must employ strategic business ideas in his endeavors to make the women reconsider their feelings towards each other in the hope of turning the fortunes of the business. Apparently, conflicts form part of family businesses meaning that business managers must find appropriate strategies for dealing with them. Alex Polizzi indicates that an amicable relationship between the mother and her two daughters needs the development of formal management structures that would integrate standard practices and policies for managing their business. This would ensure that each person in the business has her duties and roles discretely defined. As a result, it would be simple to avoid cases of conflicts mainly caused by overlap of duties. Season 1 Episode 2 In this episode, Alex Polizzi focuses her attention to a family bakery owned by the Eades in Padstow Cornwall. This business enterprise is at the receiving end of low tourists visitations and holyday makers due to the winter situations that seem to affect business activities, as well as proceeds. Although, the business is owned as a family, Elaine makes all the decisions of the business without the regard of her children, Luisa and Greg, who are both directors of the business. Subsequently, the business massively suffers from constant recriminations and arguments that slow its progression. It takes the intervention of Alex to instill business ideologies to Elaine’s husband and give him direction of running a business. Alex vehemently states that decision making at all levels should be an involving affair that requires participation of important stakeholders. This supposes that the mother and all her daughters must take part in the decision-making agenda. This would ensure that the decisions that are reached upon are all encompassing. An additional way of resolving such issues and ensuring that the business remains on course is ensuring that the members of the family who are involved in executing operations of the business are entitled to standard salaries. This will help minimize the rivalry in families when issues that pertain to finances arise. Season 1 Episode 3 In this episode, Alex Polizzi’s expertise comes in handy when she is called upon to help a furniture business located in Yeadon, West Yorkshire. Although the business has been in existence for more than three decades, it is now losing its customers at a very fast rate owing to its obsolete state. The Kettley’s Furniture Business also experiences communication breakdowns from its owners, John and David, who are apparently father and son. As a result, the business finds it hard to move forward. Alex advices the owners to focus on direct transmission of information while addressing while the obsolete nature of affairs through innovation, and acknowledgement of new trends in the market. Season 1 Episode 4 In this episode, Alex turns her attention to Guidebridge MOT, where a family is running a car repair garage. She finds out that a mother and Jan Lord jointly run the business though the business does not generate the required proceeds. Some of the things that ail the business, as Alex soon found out include poor customer skills, a messy workplace and a troublesome son. The family’s youngest son not only receives special attention in the business, but also consumes a lot of business time messing around rather than working. Alex has a mandate to make things turn around for the better for this family and its business. Alex states that the issues that concern the son could have dramatic and significant effects on the business. However, as a business co-owner, such issues require urgent redress through appropriate channels. While doing so, care must be taken to ensure that other employees do not feel de-motivated by such actions. Additionally, the mother and Jan Lord must always ensure that they put more efforts in ensuring that customers get the best services offer. In a case where businesses lack the capacity to offer such services, it would be convenient for it to outsource the services of qualified and competent personnel to handle and take care of their business. Season 1 Episode 5 This happens at the Props & Frocks business where Alex is determined to overturn the fortunes of an otherwise faltering business enterprise. Apparently, the once dressing booming business was based in Essex. Alex discovers that the business actually has a myriad of problems. Despite the fact that the business owner, Adele, prides of too much stocked-filled shops, outhouses and garages, and her workaholic nature, she does not trust anyone. Additionally, her mother does not allow customers to touch the business’ goods either. This situation calls on Alex to come up with a business plan that will let Adele to allow her children to get more involved in running the affairs of the business besides opening new opportunities in the business for her staff. Other items in her itinerary include preparing for the Halloween launch that she utilizes to highlight fundamental business ideologies. Season 1 Episode 6 This episode happens at Denver Mill where a family is operating a windmill in Norfolk. Even though, the family has a lot of passion about flour milling, they seem not to have a grasp on fundamental aspects that guide running a business of that nature. Furthermore, the business also suffers from frayed relationships amongst the family members. Apparently, the company runs several other businesses such as a gift shop, function room, rental cottages and teashop. Alex discovers that these businesses are too many for the company and makes it lose its focus. As an immediate and a first measure, she helps the company identify a specific area where they can maximize their money. Additionally, she arranges for a brand identity for the company, besides helping them restore their confidence that would enable them continue running the business in her absence. Season 2 Episode 1 Alex Polizzi continues with her mission of assisting many family firms that are undergoing domestic dramas and financial failures. She is determined to offer them appropriate guidance that will take them through the correct path. Her first stop is at a store found in East London that specializes in curtains and other fabrics. Apparently, three brothers are involved in running the business. However, the brothers and the store are inconstant time wraps that threatens to collapse their business. Alex takes it upon her to introduce the 21st century business lessons to them that entail a photo shoot and modern window dressing. However, they soon discover that the business premises are overrun with rats. Alex insists that the business has to create a friendly environment for the clientele, as well as workers. This calls for the adoption of an appropriate plan that will guide operations. Season 2 Episode 2 This episode takes place in Peachy Pics where a mother together with her three daughters is in constant pursuit for customers for paying rent and their portrait studio. This is not an easy task for them because they are involved in many struggles. However, Alex Polizzi helps them turn around their fortunes. First, he offers them a chance to work with a photographer who has a celebrity status meaning that the stature of their organization will grow through publicity. Additionally, she introduces this family business to commercial photography in a bid of broadening their customers. Season 2 Episode 3 Alex Polizzi, the entrepreneur offers her advices to David Holmes. Apparently, David Holmes runs a family funeral home that he established five years ago in Hampshire. He looks forward to pass on the business enterprise to his sons and struggles to make profits at the same time. Alex Polizzi calls on David to infuse ethical procedures with intention of improving his business strategies. Additionally, she advices him to restrategize with intention of assuming a new model that will revamp business operations. However, Alex Polizzi discovers that David Holmes and his office manager are not ready to embrace change. He insinuates that inability to embrace change makes it difficult for a business to succeed. Season 2 Episode 4 In this episode, Alex Polizzi goes to a shop for Pisces fish and chip that is run by a family concerned of its dwindling profits due to the reduction in trade for the lunchtime meals. Apparently, Kipper and Julia own the business and their daughter is the one who manages it. However, this couple experiences frequent wrangles in their relationship as witnessed by their frequent arguments. Alex approaches this family by encouraging them to hold discussions by restaurant chains that are successful within the industry. She also encourages them to meet the Britain's youngest Michelin-starred chefs in order to gain motivation and inspiration on moving the business forward. Season 2 Episode 5 The events of this episode occur in Martinis where Alex Polizzi visits an Essex hair and beauty salon that is struggling to make profits. Besides, the business is set for closure at the end of the sixth month if the situation does not improve. Furthermore, the owner of the business, Asti is always in constant conflict with the sister. Alex Polizzi dissects this situation by sending an undercover industry expert to study the business operations. She later learns that the services offered by the business are wanting. As a result, she resorts to sending leading stylists to train the owner and her employees on the latest and best beautification styles. This will keep them updated, as well as contribute to the success of the business. Indeed, Training is an essential component of a successful business. It always helps equip and update the employees and business managers with adequate expertise regarding the operations of the business.  Additionally, she arranges for a meeting with a leading entrepreneur, Richard Branson who offers them various business advices. There is a high hope that these efforts by Alex Polizzi would restore hope and passion besides turning the fortunes of the business that were once beyond repair. Season 2 Episode 6 The scenes of this episode take place at the Oak Garden Centre. Attributable to poor management of finances that has seen the proceeds of the business collapse, as well as recent weather state that has been unfavorable for business, Alex tries to boost operations. The business is struggling to succeed in the prevailing market conditions. The family son has made several attempts by using his personal credit allowances to re-launch the centre but little has come out of it. This could be attributed to the centre’s latest state of liquidation glare. Additionally, the son (called Ross) has had strained relationship with his father and this constantly threatens the business with a breakdown. In her efforts to assist this family re-invent their business, Alex Polizzi portends that the family should visit a successful and beautiful National Trust property for inspiration provision so that the centre can become an attractive destination for visitors. Additionally, she calls for retail expert to help the centre in transforming their site besides helping the family to overcome resentment problem that was an underlying issue.    Conclusion It is very clear from the Fixer television series that family feuds and tensions have detrimental effects on the progress of any business. As Alex Polizzi found out, there can be many forms of family strained relationships. This i requires specific approaches in resolving them. It is important for family members who are engaged in business operations to appoint members of the council to sit on the business executives to avoid any form of overlap of duties at any time.     Read More