Mix-Box: Want to Be More Successful - Need to Change - Case Study Example

Mix-Box: Want To Be More Successful? Need To Change! Registration Number Mix-Box: Want To Be More Successful? Need To Change! I. Introduction MIX-BOX is a famous accessories and cosmetics retail company in China. The company started its operations in 1999 by offering a diversity of beauty and fashion products to their customers. Since its a family business, they make most of their family members who dont have any professional management background be obliged for much important work. Such like Chief Financial Officer and Chief Marketing Officer, even Ken, the president of MIX-BOX often takes a part in the designing work just because he has the background of the art design to some extent (Gorrell & Hoover, 2009). Just like its name "Mix-Box", this company makes nepotism and work mixed. As a result, competitors like 7 Magic have caught up with it, and share much more in the beauty retail market in China. Totally different from Mix-Box, competitors like 7 Magic all hire employees who have the professional background to do whatever the design work or financial work (Gorrell & Hoover, 2009). They have extraordinary HR department and CEO, and as an extra section, they hire assessment experts to support their business operation, to make sure their business maintain in a good situation. Since too many employees who enter Mix-box just because of nepotism, as a result, many employees may work in a wrong field thus cannot bring their superiority into a full play. At the same time, other issues like the companys culture, resistance to change, lack of effective rewards and punishments system and poor team performance also make the company get into a tough situation. The paperfocus is on the cause the difficult situation at the same time discussing how to overcome them and make the company successful in its future development (Gorrell & Hoover, 2009). II. Background of Mix-box The cosmetics and accessories are one of the key commodities that have a high market in China. For instance, the industry has over many thousands of employees in the sector and, for this reason, also becomes on one of the chief earners of the Chinese economies. Many Chinese especially the women love to use of the cosmetic while their male counterparts do take much of time using the accessories in the assemblage of new materials. For instance, the cosmetics and accessory sector in the country has over100, 000 employees. In addition, the trend is still increasing due to the high market demand for the commodity from the citizens (Bullock, 2008). III. Challenges Facing the Mix-box   The challenges that the Mix-Box company faces as an accessory and cosmetic industry are of many varieties. For this reason, they are as follows; The Company Culture Most studies on more productive methods of enhancing the production of cosmetic and the accessory products always do fail to pay attention to certain issues such as globalization and the excessive market competitions. For instance, Mix –Box Company also follow the same suit of failing to come up with strategies that can ensure the management of the risks brought by the effect of the completion culture (Bullock, 2008). In addition, the company fails to take into consideration of the methodologies and the concepts suitable for establishing the best market structure for carrying out the promotion of the products (Gorrell & Hoover, 2009). Mix- Box Company also faces another challenge of inefficient knowledge from the target customers of the products. In this case, the customers are mostly unaware of the use of the products, their market prices and the requirements essential for ensuring the effective use the products. Cosmetics are usually such items that are so sensitive to the body because of the chemicals they contain. Skin is such a delicate organ that needs a lot of care that goes into it. For this reason, there is need to educate the potential customers that comes with the use of cosmetic products and even the accessories. Presently, in the Mix-Box Company, there are no such education plans to ensure the effective use of the commodities from the customers (Bullock, 2008). Another upcoming challenge is the rising costs of production of the commodities. There is a need to make it possible for cosmetic, and accessories manufacturing companies, such as the Mix-Box to have access to the cheap raw materials for the production of the commodity. Similarly, such instances should also include the improvement in the technology use in production. For instance, the current technology in use is out of date. It cannot meet the market demands as it rate of production is such very low. The instance here now possesses a serious challenge to the company since their target customers don’t meet their needs at the expected time. Similarly, the company itself does not have the advantage of competing effectively with the rivals and also misses the opportunity of economies large scale benefits due to fewer quantities of production (Dolgopi︠a︡tova, Iwasaki & I︠A︡kovlev, 2009). China is a principal player in the cosmetic industry in the country; it for sure does very little towards the growth and the expansion of the cosmetic industry in general. For instance, the challenges that currently face the cosmetic industry in China mostly have their solutions from the government. For instance issue like the poor technology methods of production have more of their solution from the wing of the government. For example, the government may come in to assist the production industries of the accessories and the cosmetic products such as the Mix-Box types. Such assistance may entail subsidizing for them the machines so that the total costs of the acquisition of such commodities become cheaper to the companies in the long run of production (Dolgopi︠a︡tova, Iwasaki & I︠A︡kovlev, 2009). Subsidizing the commodities would mean the part financial of the machineries by the government so that the production companies such as the Mix-Box Company may acquire them at low and affordable prices to them. Apart from subsidizing the machineries used in the production, there is another challenge that the companies face in the production of the cosmetics and the accessories. In most cases, the tax levied on a particular item used in production dictates its cost of production that again would further; determine the net profits realized by the company upon the completion of the production process. For instance, components with high taxation tags, are mostly costly and also makes the company using them in the production process to earn fewer profits. For this reason, it is vital for the government to have a standardized taxation system that does not lead to either production with recurrent losses to the company. In addition, it should also not lead to the collapse of such companies due to continued losses in the production process (Dolgopi︠a︡tova, Iwasaki & I︠A︡kovlev, 2009). Price regulation is another challenge that the company faces in the production of the cosmetic products. Price Regulatory Commission of China is the body in charge of determining all items produced in the country with a view of protecting the consumers from the exploitation by the middlemen. Such initiatives are indeed good to the consumers since they have access to the commodities at affordable prices to them. However, there are some instances, when such set standard prices of selling the commodities become a loss to the manufacturing companies such as the Mix-Box cases. The accepted prices for selling the commodities might not such be of economical to the companies since they have to meet other costs apart for them direct production alone. For instance, such extra costs may include the transport, insurance, salaries and even the medical cover on the employers. For this reason, the set standard price of selling the products may not make it easy for the company to be able to realize profits. Such profits could be vital for the company sustaining other costs during the production prices apart from the direct production costs. 1. Lack of Effective Rewards and Punishments System Every particular employee in any company would strive towards delivering to the success of the production in his or her place of work under the environment of motivation. Motivation may involve rewarding the best performing individuals in the company with the view of enticing the non-performing ones to work harder. However, the Mix- Box Company’s management so far has no such structures in place (Gorrell & Hoover, 2009). As a result, the pace of production that also entails the quality, quantity and the time for production is not such efficient in the company. The instance here is that the employees do not feel to be part of the company. F or instance, the majority of them a rather seeing themselves as those employed to earn the little that the company gives throughout as it never even appreciates with time. Similarly, such notions make the employees work with very little discipline at their workplaces. On the other hand, Mix-Box Company’s side, they also don’t have any outlined disciplinary measures that can correct any form of misbehaviour in the company of the workers. For instance, the ever lateness or absenteeism from work deserves severe punishment. The majority of the workers do engage in it without even seeking the permission from their respective bosses in their departments. Consequently, these two phenomenons; that are lack both reward scheme and the punishment strategies from the company. In this case, they slow the production process of the company, and as a result leading to the entire stagnation of the growth and the development of the company as a whole (Gorrell & Hoover, 2009). 2. Poor Team Performance Quality and efficient production from any company will require high levels of skills and experts as a way of ensuring it a success to the company. Highly qualified individuals incorporated with the good teamwork of carrying out the operations in any company are principal players in the performance of major market determinants of the production of any commodity. A look at the Mix Box Company reveals that the opposite takes place in the company presently. In consequence, the company is unable to meet the production targets with time especially in line with its goals and objectives (Gorrell & Hoover, 2009). For instance, the management of the company sees themselves in their word different from the contracted persons or the individuals on a casual basis. Such cases lead to ignorance of duties or obligations due to lack of cooperation especially in the sharing of ideas that may be fruitful in the running of the company. Cooperation among the parties involved in running the company also enhances the understanding, cohesiveness and understanding of each of the persons involved in any companys production activity. However, such incidences are not available in the Mix-Box Company that, in this case, makes the company unable to expand and also realizes high production standard with effective profit maximization also in inclusion (Marsh, 2011). IV. Opportunity for the Company Indeed, there is need to institute a lot of changes in the cosmetic and accessories industry for the purposes of ensuring the thriving well of the company involved in the production sector such as the Mix-Box case. In relation to this fact, there is a need to ensure the implementation of the changes at all the respective levels (Marsh, 2011). Such changes should cover all the stakeholders involved in the production process up to the final consumption of the respective consumers. A well-structured solution for the changes, for sure, would make it a success in the growth and expansion of the Mix Box Company. They may maximizing the profits from such production process. Similarly, even the employees would also lead better lifestyles from the effect of such fruitful running of the company (Yaeger, & Sorensen, 2009). There is need, in this case, for the Mix-Box company to explore the below opportunities for its successful overcoming of the challenges so far identified above; 1. Change the Recruiting System As stated before, the success of the company chiefly relies on the skills of the employees who work for it. Similarly, it is the same company that recruits the individual deemed fit for the section that the company employs them. A poor team of recruiters, as might be the case in the present scenario of the M ix Box Company, leads to recruitment of incompetent staff. Such staffs cannot deliver especially in line with the organizations stated goals and objectives. For this reason, the company should consider replacing the recruiting team other competent teams who can ensure the effective selection of the staff to meet the production standards of the company (Nyberg & Jensen, 2009). 2. Change the Culture Just the same way as the need for changing the recruiting team, culture also requires the same for the successful running of the company. However, culture is the just composition of the peoples behaviours and attitudes while in the workplace. In most of the occasions, the determinants of the culture of the workplace are primarily from the stated policies and then regulations in place in the company towards its daily operations. For this reason, the company should conduct some reviews on those policies that are only ambitiuou8s and success driven by the companys growth and development as a whole (Nyberg & Jensen, 2009). 3. Overcome Resistance to Change Overcoming the resistance to change, in this case, should involve the education of the staff and other stakeholders involved in the production process. The education should focus on the company on the values and the benefits that accrue from such effecting the changes. Yes, it is true there are some characters in the organization that is ever preservative in their nature. Mix Box Company should move forward and also match the present needs. Consequently, there will be a need to convince the resistive characters to accept such changes in the company, especially in the policies towards growth and development (Marsh, 2011). 4. Enhance Team Performance Cooperation and understanding, when doing a particular task, is of very much beneficial in ensuring the success of achieving an activity. For this reason, Mix Box Company should evolve ways and means of ensuring that all the employees work together towards ascertaining the common goal of the company. With teamwork cooperation, indeed there would be less time involved in the production process together with both high qualities and quantities of production in the long run (Gorrell & Hoover, 2009). V. The Future for Mix-Box Mix Box Company faces various challenges as at present. On the same note, the paper also highlights some of the opportunities that are in place towards the realization of the success of the company. For this reason, there is a bright future in the operation of the Mix Box Company. The instance is possible through the review of the challenges that the company faces as at present and also the implementation of the opportunities so far identified. Similarly, effective utilization of the opportunities noted in the paper should take care of the below issues (Dolgopi︠a︡tova, Iwasaki & I︠A︡kovlev, 2009); 1. Monitor and Stabilize the Organization Development Program In this case, the management should carry out the continuous review of the policies in place for the running of the company. Incompetent policies in this stance should find their replacement with the viable ones so as to ensure that the company meets its objectives (Bullock, 2008). 2. Emerging Issues and Values Cosmetics and accessories are of much value to the lives of the people of China and also to the entire economy of the country. However, there are emerging threats in the industry that the Mix B ox company should take into considerations. For instance; Poor policies and marketing problems in place that makes the company unable to reach the target customers (Yaeger & Sorensen, 2009). Poor production methods from the company due to use of the incompetent or outdated methods of production Low quantities of production unable to meet the customers’ demands due to use of underperforming machineries of production (Yaeger & Sorensen, 2009). VI. Conclusion The successful production, growth and the development of the Mix Box Company as cosmetic and accessory producing company will depend on the review of the challenges so far identified in the paper. In addition, it will also rely on the implementation of the opportunities that lies ahead of the company. Consequently, the company should take the uttermost high considerations of the implementation of these issues as a way avoiding any possible future failure in the production of the accessories and the cosmetics.   References Balzac, S. (2011). The Mcgraw-Hill 36-Hour Course Organizational Development. New York: McGraw-Hill. Bullock, J. (2008). The Living Leader: Become the Leader You Want to Be (1st edition)20082Penny Ferguson. The Living Leader: Become the Leader You Want to Be (1st edition) . The Infinite Ideas Company Limited, 2006. 177 pp., ISBN: 1‐904902‐89‐8 Paperback, £9.99. Leadership & Org Development J, 29(2), 207-208. doi:10.1108/01437730810852533 Dolgopi︠a︡tova, T., Iwasaki, I., & I︠A︡kovlev, A. (2009). Organization And Development Of Russian Business. Basingstoke [England]: Palgrave Macmillan. Gorrell, P., & Hoover, J. (2009). The Coaching Connection. New York: American Management Association. Marsh, R. (2011). A new company descriptor takes us into a new era. Leadership & Org Development J, 32(1). doi:10.1108/lodj.2011.02232aaa.001 Nyberg, R., & Jensen, T. (2009). Honoring the Kun Lun Way: Cross-Cultural Organization Development Consulting to a Hospitality Company in Datong, China. The Journal Of Applied Behavioral Science, 45(2), 305-337. doi:10.1177/0021886309333444 Yaeger, T., & Sorensen, P. (2009). Strategic Organization Development. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Pub. Read More