Introduction
Product management in any given firm requires the generation of innovative ideas necessary for planning, production, forecasting and marketing of products through the product lifecycle. As a consequence, a diverse workforce plays a substantial role in participating in the production department facilitating numerous benefits that are essential for the growth of an organization’s production sector. Personally, I have learned different skills necessary for product management and management of a diverse workforce. For instance, I understand that encouraging a heterogeneous environment is key to accommodating diverse cultures, races, and ethnicity, which in return facilitate great success if managed effectively. Managing a team of twelve diverse employees as a product manager requires the execution of different strategies to ensure a conducive environment and promote innovativeness in the organization (Sadri & Tran, 2002) . I am required to set objectives, present them to the team and determine the best strategies to accomplish the set objectives (Seck et. al, 1993) . Therefore, this paper presents various approaches that I can consider for managing the team in the production department, objectives and the plan supports the achievement of the set respective objectives that can improve the performance of the production department.
Managing a diverse workforce
To begin with, managing the team of 12 diverse employees requires the establishment of an effective communication channel between the team and the production department. Effective communication is essential for managing a diverse workplace. The members of the diverse team would-be victims of cultural and language barriers among other barriers that would pose a challenge in the work environment. In return, any important information presented in the department including procedures, policies and safety measures can be designed to overcome any barrier as identified in the context. For instance, some symbols used in the products might have different definitions from individuals for different cultures (Buell, 1975) . Therefore, prioritizing communication is one of the strategies to manage the twelve personnel in my team under the product management department.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Additionally, as a manager, I can take the initiative of treating each member of the team as an individual. This includes understanding each individuals’ characteristics, emotional aspects and background information that is necessary for the work environment. This helps to make assumptions about the team members from diverse cultures or backgrounds (Cox & Blakes, 1991) . Furthermore, through treating each employee as an individual, I can create a good relationship with them inducing ease of raising issues affecting them in the work environment. Moreover, it promotes the ability to solve conflicts if there be any in the work environment. It is also necessary for gauging individual performance in the production department evaluating the success and failure of the team on an individual basis (Afuah, 2013) . Therefore, treating each team member as an individual eliminates generalization of a team and get to the grassroots raising a strong team that generates great benefits for the firm.
Moreover, encouraging the team members to cooperate as a diverse group is another approach to manage my team as the product manager. Cooperation in the team requires the team members to know and value each other on an individual and team basis. As a result, this aspect destroys any cultural misunderstanding that might be existing in the team. Furthermore, it creates a conducive environment where each team member can value ideas generated by each member hence promoting innovativeness in the production department (Plunkett et. al, 2013). As a manager, I can focus on promoting open-mindedness in the team. The twelve personnel in my team need to understand that their skills, experience, and culture are not enough for promoting the growth of the production department (Cox & Blakes, 1991) . Therefore, through open-mindedness, the team is required to incorporate diverse perspectives, learn more skills and discover talents that facilitate the achievement of organizational goals.
Before getting the promotion, I heard rumors of some team members who have been behaving insensitively towards their colleagues in the team. To terminate this behavior, I can provide diversity training that is based on value for each other and cooperation among the team. In return, this prevents any case of discrimination in the team based on race, ethnicity, cultural values or any other diverse aspect (Afuah, 2013) . In general, these strategies are among the management aspects I learned and would consider them for the management of the diverse team.
Goals to be accomplished in the first 6 months as a product manager.
In the first six months as a product manager, I can focus on various activities that enhance the productivity of the respective department and improve the competitiveness of the firm’s products in the market. Basically, product management is based on interrelationships. Consequently, the following objectives are necessary for the new opportunity.
Ensure transparency in product management. As a product manager, I can aim at upholding transparency both to the team members, the customers, and other internal stakeholders. It is beneficial since it earns my position in trust and improves the public image and brand name of our products. In addition, through transparency, I can clearly present future goals that can improve the team’s morale (Buell, 1975) .
Promote innovativeness in the production department. The department already has a diverse workforce. Therefore, I can effectively work with the team, consider them in decision making and idea generation platforms in order to promote innovativeness. Since the diverse workforce is characterized by different skills and talents, I can make use of them in order to promote innovativeness and promote product quality to meet the expectations of customers in the market (Seck et. al, 1993) .
Enhance cooperation in the production department. Cooperation is one of the essential aspects of a healthy work environment. In return, I can promote cooperation through diverse training and treating each team member individually. Furthermore, I can improve the diverse workforce morale by getting more involved in the operations in the production department.
Improve the product market. As a product manager, I am required to survey the landscape. Through cooperating with the diverse workforce, I can formulate strategies necessary for improving the product market capturing the preferences and choices of customers in the market (Buell, 1975) . The diversity in the teamwork is essential in formulating the best strategies and coming up with ideas supporting my goal.
Deliver measurable results on the firm culture. I understand the role of a product manager entails overseeing product management and effectively executing strategies that promote the brand image of the products. In return, I can consider internal stakeholders including my team members to integrate an innovative culture in the organization (Sadri & Tran, 2002) . This is possible by appreciating every effort by the team members focused on improving the firm’s products.
Develop a strategic product plan. This is the main goal within the first six months where I can consider different factors that are essential for improving the quality of the products. The product plan can take into consideration different aspects including market characteristics, customer base and the availability of resources.
A Plan to support the accomplishment of the identified goals.
In order to accomplish the identified goals as a product manager, the following product plan is substantial.
Meet everyone. In product management, relationships play a substantial role in promoting collaboration and cooperation in the work environment (Cox & Blakes, 1991) . Therefore, to promote cooperation in the production department, I have to meet every member of the team and other relevant internal stakeholders and learn more about the team I am working with.
Learning the process. This is the next step where I have to study the processes involved in the production environment. Also, I can get familiar with the firm’s protocols characterizing the product manager position and match my abilities with what is expected from me. In addition, I can study the environment and focus on the areas that need to be improved (Afuah, 2013) . Also, it involves determining what the company sells, who currently uses the products and what are the marketing strategies employed.
Analyze company culture. This step involves talking with relevant stakeholders of the company in order to understand its culture and identify the areas that need improvement. It entails understanding how things work, what the team values and hate they hate most.
Identify product success measures. The step involves identifying business needs, product user needs and analyzing the aspects that define the success of a product including the profitability of the product, distribution rate among other relevant aspects (Sadri & Tran, 2002) .
Execute the appropriate strategies to accomplish the set goals. After getting ample information about the product, the company, and its stakeholders, that last step involves formulating and implementing strategies that focus on achieving the set objectives hence resulting in a great success.
In conclusion, the diverse team in the production department has a great benefit to the organization. The twelve individuals in the team have different cultural and language understandings that would provide the organization with a broad. This follows the fact that the team members understand the tastes and preferences of different markets with different cultures. In return, considering their decisions would beneficial in the production department through integrating the best quality hence increasing the firm’s competitive advantage (Plunkett et. al, 2013). Also, the identified strategies can increase productivity by ensuring diversity in the way of thinking, mixing expertise from the diverse workforce and increased cooperation. Furthermore, the interaction enhances collaboration and improves teamwork hence increasing productivity. Therefore, execution of the identified strategies results in the accomplishment of the set objectives and improve the competitiveness of the firm through the production of quality products from the production department.
References
Afuah, A., & Afuah, A. (2003). Innovation management: strategies, implementation, and profits.
Buell, V. P. (1975). The changing role of the product manager in consumer goods companies. Journal of Marketing , 39 (3), 3-11.
Cox, T. H., & Blake, S. (1991). Managing cultural diversity: Implications for organizational competitiveness. Academy of Management Perspectives , 5 (3), 45-56.
Plunkett, W., Allen, G., & Attner, R. (2013). Management Meeting and Exceeding Customer Expectations 10 Edic.
Sadri, G., & Tran, H. (2002). Managing your diverse workforce through improved communication. Journal of Management Development , 21 (3), 227-237.
Seck, E. T., Finch Jr, W. A., Mor-Barak, M., & Poverny, L. M. (1993). Managing a diverse workforce. Administration in Social Work , 17 (2), 67-79.
