Functions of Planning and Organization - Essay Example

? Functions of Planning and Organization Task: Outline I. Introduction II. Vision, Goals and Objectives of the Plan III. SwotAnalysis Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats IV. Strategies Product Restructuring Establishment of a Strong Workforce Franchising and Alliances V. Conclusion VI. References Functions of Planning and Organization Introduction Planning and organization are crucial components that define the success of any organization. Planning develops a scheme for achieving the objectives while deciding on the appropriate means of executing the plan (Rialp & Rialp, 2006). As such, planning entails the design of a firm’s activities to respond accordingly to its goals and objectives. However, organizing involves selecting the suitable structure that promotes the implementation of the designed scheme (Hiles, 2011). Therefore, this piece incorporates the concepts of planning and organizing in developing a plan for promoting Macdonald’s. The paper starts by exploring the vision, goals and objectives of developing such a strategy for Macdonald. The paper first examines the state of the company by performing a SWOT analysis. Subsequently, there is a critical assessment of the appropriate strategies, which aim at highlighting the company’s strengths while addressing its weakness. An informed conclusion of the strategies that can promote company’s activities follows. Vision, Goals and Objectives of the Plan This plan’s sole vision is making MacDonald Inc a force in the world’s fast food trade in future. The goals of the plan include boosting the company’s profits, establishing competitive attributes and addressing the company’s threat and weaknesses effectively. The main objective of plan is developing a comprehensive scheme, which centers on the company’s strengths while countering its weaknesses hence providing an approach that will enable the company to adjust to the dynamic market. The auxiliary objectives include conducting a Swot analysis in the company to propagate knowledge about its market status. Swot Analysis The Company Background Macdonald is a multinational company that significantly controls the world’s fast food supply. Since the date of establishment, the company has recorded incredible growth. Presently, it runs outlets in more than 118 countries. However, the organization is currently facing stiff competitions that are straining it growth. Strengths Strong command powers The company has a reputable market for its products as evident in the extensive supply networks. This is witnessed in most parts of the world; thus, generating massive sales. Fiscal stability The Company has a large business capital and is currently experiencing a period of financial harmony. Indeed, company’s sales are comparatively performing well in the market and returns are appealing. Adaptability to market fluctuations The company can adjust rapidly to the market changes since its large capital can allow a adoption of products diversification models (Kleindl, 2007). Weaknesses The company trades in dynamic products since the food industry provides assorted tastes and preferences that keep changing depending on the availability. Additionally, the company engages in expensive promotion campaigns, which are unproductive; hence, wasting funds. Opportunities Macdonald has the opportunity to venture into emerging food markets especially the provision of organic foods. As such, the company ought to shift its focus from fast foods, which are increasingly shunned. Threats The emergence of new companies poses threats to Macdonald’s especially when they are small. This is because they require less capital hence their number continues to grow. Notably, the culture of distributing packaged foods though retail chains like supermarket is becoming popular in the market. Strategies Product Restructuring Marketing strategies are plans aimed at capturing the market to increase awareness and purchase of the company’s products. McDonalds can engage in innovative marketing strategies based on intelligent business dynamics of societal changes and the business environment. This may involve a radical shift from the traditional template designs to the adoption of more attractive and personified products that attract specific group of clientele. The innovations should include the creation of new dishes to suit the preferences of the many minority groups migrating into the United States such as the Africans, the Hispanics and people of Asian backgrounds (Malcolm, 2007). The marketing strategy should aim understanding their clients’ preferences when developing new products. This involves excellent research and offering a variety of products. New ideas should adapt to the value system, language and lifestyle of the target consumers. For instance, the world knows Macdonald for its hamburgers, beef burgers and pork burgers. However, some communities are barred by their religious faiths not to eat either pork or beef. Therefore, the company must respond to these sensitivities and come up with chicken, fish and lamb burgers to fit a wide-ranging clientele. McDonalds has already adopted new dishes for the vegetarians that include the McVeggie burgers. Indeed, the marketing approach that involves the market segmentation strategy with age group specific parameter is ideal with the main target groups being care children, the youth and the young urban family unit. Establishment of a Strong Workforce The company should build a team that promotes skills such as, innovation, flexibility and customer focus. The management team should not only focus on delivering sales but also in protecting its long-term sales and reputation. This involves the maintenance of a management team that is adaptive to current changes in the market. Open communication and adoption of new ideas is vital towards the growth and maintenance of the company’s gains. The leadership of McDonalds should adapt strategies to reward achievement in order to create an open and more competitive employee accomplishment potential (Malcolm, 2007). Franchising and Alliances Franchising is essential in connecting successful growth with a stronger party that poses business acumen, ideas and capital to take the brand to another level. By developing a refined supplier network and distribution system, the company is able to achieve consistent product availability, product quality and taste across wide geographical locations. The company owns 15% of the total number of restaurants, while the remaining 85% is controlled by franchises (Malcolm 2007). To promote efficiency, Macdonald should adopt a comprehensive template of thoroughly training and monitoring all its franchises to ensure that they maintain the Quality, Service and Value offered by the company worldwide. This strategy offers a no loser situation as both the franchiser and franchisee benefit from the arrangement. This method requires less investment capital while maintaining a strong control over product branding and methodology Additionally, the company needs to establish beneficial alliances with local companies that have convenience advantages to enjoy the benefit of joint ventures. This will enable the company in establishing dominance regions hence augmenting its market control. Conclusion Macdonald’s present market state is appealing. Importantly, the company has substantial strengths that if capitalized on can promote the organization’s performance considerably. Adoption of the product restructuring, strong Human Resource (HR) and establishment of franchise and alliances strategies can promote the organization’s performance. References Hiles, A. (2011). The definitive handbook of business continuity management. Chichester, West Sussex, U.K: John Wiley & Sons. Kleindl, B. (2007). International marketing. Mason, Ohio: Thomson Higher Education. Malcolm, McDonald. (2007). Malcom McDonald on marketing planning: Understanding marketing plans and strategy. New York (NY): Kogan page. Rialp, A., & Rialp, J. (2006). International marketing research: Opportunities and challenges in the 21st century. Amsterdam [u.a.: Elsevier/JAI. Thomas, L (2011). Generational wealth: business & investing guide to building an empire.GW Macromedia Group, LLC Read More