Another method is strategic analysis. This is where the business will evaluate their position; it includes different methods of assessing the current position of the business in the market. The two basic methods are internal and external. Internal audits use the information that is collected in the business e.g. productivity, efficiency, costs and SWOT analysis. An external audit is where the data is collected outside of the business e.g. competitors, PEST factors.
Strategic planning is also another planning activity. This is where the company may have a contingency plan, a fallback plan just in case things do not as predicted. Growth plans to recognize how the business can grow in the future. There is also tactical planning which is very similar to strategic planning, however tactical planning is where the targets are set on a more day-to-day basis and are usually associated to the events outside of the business’s control.
Grandview Morning press could use all of these planning methods to increase productivity, achieve better economies to scale and improve the business overall. They could use budgeting to allocate each department a budget so they can see if there is any waste or misuse of company money (fraud). They could also use critical path analysis to save money on the stuffing crew and caretakers as many times the caretakers have to wait around for the stuffing crew. Gantt charts can also be used by Grandview Morning Press to increase production of the whole project by working out which things needs to be cut back on e.g. caretakers having to wait for the stuffers and the stuffing crew working at the pace they want to work out. If the caretakers where only asked to be at the factory at a certain time at which time the stuffers are guaranteed to be finished by it may save on wages. Also by using these methods to identify the total time needed to finish the work every night by the stuffers they can save on wages by only have shifts to the time it should take e.g. 6hours.
Asda’s aims and objectives are: -
- "To be Britain's best value retailer exceeding local customer needs……Always"
- "To make goods and services more affordable for everyone"
They also state: -
Our mission tells us that we want to focus on British shoppers and a commitment to providing a level of service that is not just good, but exceeds the needs our customers. We also need to recognise that the community that each store serves has different needs and that we play a big part in the community. At the heart of our mission is to be the best value retailer. This is supported through our commitment to an everyday low price philosophy. This means that our prices are not a sale or promotional price, customers can trust that we will always have the lowest prices.
Every company including Grandview Morning Press would have similar aims and objectives as all companies want to provide a level of service that exceeds their customer’s needs. Every company would also want to play a big role in their community.
Task 2
Management is the process of achieving the aims and objectives of a business by using its available resources effectively. The main functions of management are: -
-
Planning: setting clear objectives.
-
Organising: dividing the work into smaller tasks and delegating to others.
-
Staffing: having the ‘right’ person in the ‘right’ job
-
Directing: decision-making and giving instructions to others.
-
Co-ordinating: Bringing the various parts of the business together.
-
Budgeting – Controlling the cash flow of each department.
There are a number of management styles: -
There are a number of management theorists who link motivation to management. Some of the well known ones are: -
- Maslow
- Herzberg
- McGregor
- Mayo
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: -
Physical - The basic needs for survival - shelter, food, warmth
Safety and Security - Protection from injury
Social and Love - Being a part of a group
Self-esteem - recognition of contribution, self respect, achievement
Actualisation - To develop to our full potential, to make a worthwhile contribution
Herzberg’s ‘Two-Factor Theory’
McGregor’s Theory X and Y
Having a motivated workforce is essential for every business. It can lead to higher rates of productivity and better quality output.
The main factors which affect the motivation of workers are: -
- Pay levels
- Job security
- Promotional prospects
- Being given responsibilities
- Working conditions
- Fringe benefits
- Performance-related pay/ piecework
Performance-related pay and piecework are similar as piecework is paying for every unit produced e.g. for stuffing one newspaper 50pence is given to the worker. This could motivate them as they know they have to complete the job to get a good pay check. Performance-related pay is giving the employee a bonus or some kind of reward for completing a task e.g. if the employee completes all their tasks then they will get a money bonus in their paycheck. Alex could use these methods to ensure the job is completed and to motivate the staff.
Every business or organization must have an organisational structure. These are necessary so each employee has a clear view of what each part of the business does and who they are responsible to. The main organisational structures are: -
Hierarchical structure: -
Also known as a pyramid structure, most traditional, fewer people at the top of the structure who manage the people below them. More employees at the lower levels of the structure compared to managers. Hierarchical structures are often tall with narrow spans of control, which gets wider as it moves down the structure.
Matrix structure: -
Contains teams of people created from various sections of the business, structure is like a web.
Flat structure: -
A flat structure will only have one level of management so this means that the chain of command from top to bottom is short and the span of control is wide. Flat structures are usually small organisations.
Managers must also manage resources: -
- Physical resources
- Human resources
- Financial resources
- Technological resources
Physical resources
Physical resources are the resources that are needed for the company to carry out its business. These include things such as buildings, equipment and security. Managers must also have a contingency plan in case of an emergency such as a fire or bomb.
Human resources
Human resources are the actual employees in the business. The areas that fall under this category are recruitment, disciplinary procedures and grievance procedures, training and health and safety.
Financial resources
Financial resources are things such as cash flow, budgeting and liquidity. The manager must ensure the business has steady cash flow, each department is managing their budgets and that the business is liquid. Meaning the business has access to money if any debts need to be paid instantly.
Technological resources
Technologic resources is problem solving e.g. software and text. These resources are very important to an organisation and can be protected by copyright laws. This can include staff as well as their product.
Task 3
Grandview Morning Press
APPRAISAL
Record of Interview and Personal Development Plan
Name: __________________
Job Title: __________________
Date: __________________
Appraiser: __________________
How are you settling in to your role?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What do you feel are your strengths?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What do you feel are your weaknesses?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What are your goals for the future?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What do enjoy most about your role in this organisation?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are their any issues which you feel needed to be addressed?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Notes and Comments:
Grandview Morning Press
APPRAISAL
Record of Interview and Personal Development Plan
Name: __________________
Job Title: __________________
Date: __________________
Appraiser: __________________
How are you settling in to your role?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What do you feel are your strengths?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What do you feel are your weaknesses?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What are your goals for the future?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What do enjoy most about your role in this organisation?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are their any issues which you feel needed to be addressed?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Notes and Comments:
Memorandum
To: Alex Warren, Supervisor
From: Munira Yakub, Pressroom Chief
Date: 12th November, 2005
Subject: Feedback of Appraisal
I wanted to give you some feedback on the appraisal that was conducted last week.
Problems
I understand you have a few issues regarding the stuffing crew and their attitudes to their work. I would like you to have a meeting with each of the crew to discuss these matters and maybe find a solution to these problems. If you would like me to help conduct these meetings do not hesitate to ask.
Overall
I am very impressed with your commitment to the job. You are a hardworking individual who has the businesses needs at heart. You are a good timekeeper and enjoy your job. You are happy with the hours you are required to work and have no problem with your job. However I am a little concerned with how you thought a few of the issues were amusing. I have said to let me know if any more issues arise.
Interpersonal skills are the skills that are connected to communication. These are essential to make a business or organisation run successfully. There is formal and informal communication. Formal communication can be things such as letters and e-mails; however these can also be informal depending on the language used. They also include non-verbal communication which is body language and actions. E.g. folding of the arms is a sign of defensiveness.
My interpersonal skills during the appraisal: -