Week 1
Manufacturing functions are disorganized
According to the school of Classical management theory, Alicia's issue on disorganized manufacturing functions would be managed effectively through consulting Fredric Taylor. Also known as 'The Father of Scientific Management,' Fredric Taylor believed in the concept that organizations should foresee, study tasks, and develop precise procedures to manage functionalities (Hill & Van Burren, 2018). In his theory, Taylor aimed at improving labor productivity and economic efficiency. Considering Alicia's issue, Taylor's theory would ensure that the management plans and trains its workforce with effective methods of productivity. Besides, Alicia should introduce an incentive system for employees with an efficiency greater than standard, hence improving productivity. If the managers foresee the tasks and train the varnish and dye experts on effective methods, the productivity line will be efficient.
2. Production scheduling is a mess
Production scheduling is a key concept to consider in understanding the management of an organization. Henry Grant a major contributor to management theory is best suitable to consult on the production scheduling mess at Smithfield custom furniture. He developed the Gantt chart that measures planned and completed work along each stage of production (Lumen learning, n.d). This chart would provide Smithfield's management, a visual graphic representation of what occurs throughout a project. To ensure products reach customers on time, the organization will monitor the sequential performance of tasks. This will ensure that key tasks are identified and assigned estimated time to complete the task, hence having an organized production line.
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Lumberjack disagreement methods to cut trees/load the boat
In our case scenario, there is an issue of the lumberjack’s disagreeing on methods to cut trees and load the boat. Relatively, two pioneers to management theories named Frank and Lillian Gilbreth addressed a concept that would help Alicia solve the lumberjack disagreements. Frank and his wife Lillian studied job motions using a motion ‐ picture camera and a split ‐ second clock. Their theory focused on worker productivity, specifically on how movement and motion affected efficiency (Frank, 2003). In the case scenario, the Lumberjacks would attempt all methods and the management would study each option and its results. This study of task motion would enable Alicia and the management team to pick the best method the Lumberjacks should use for efficient results.
Tempers flare among office/support staff
The temper flare among office and support staff is a direct failure of the management to plan and organize their work. The father of the modern theory of general and industrial management, Henry Fayol, is a pioneer contributor suitable to address this issue. Henry states that the functions of the management are Foresight or action plan for future , organization, staffing, commanding, coordinating, and controlling (Ramakrishna, 2019). Adopting Henry’s contribution, Smithfield furniture will embrace an unbroken chain of command from top to the bottom, a cohesive sense of command and direction, and effective division of job responsibilities. These principles will solve the disorganization and promote a unified workforce with a common target.
References
Frank bunker Gilbreth (1868–1924) Lillian Gilbreth (1878–1972). (2003). Fifty Key Figures in Management , 140-145. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203402184-28
Hill V., & Van Burren H. (2018, May 14). Taylor won: The triumph of scientific management and its meaning for business and society . Discover Journals, Books & Case Studies | Emerald Insight. https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/S2514-175920180000002007/full/html?utm_source=TrendMD&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Business_and_Society_360_TrendMD_0
Ramakrishna, N. (2019). Henry fayol's principles of management and it's applicability in contract staffing. International Journal of Management, IT and Engineering , 9 (3), 168-182
Why it matters: Introduction to management | Principles of management . (n.d.). Lumen Learning – Simple Book Production. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wmopen-principlesofmanagement/chapter/why-it-matters-test-page/
Week 2
Explanation of mission statement requirements
The Mission Statement is designed to describe what the organization or business needs to do now to achieve its vision statement. An effective mission statement should be able to answer four essential questions. What do we do? How do we do it? Whom do we do it for? And what value are we bringing? In doing so the mission statement fulfills several key requirements. A mission statement should be informative and convey the overall objectives of the organization (Jantz, 2017). Besides, it should be simple and not too much detailed. Another requirement is it should be memorable using descriptive words that can inspire action. Lastly, a mission statement should be achievable giving the workforce something concrete to work on and a larger goal to work toward (Jantz, 2017). It should create a healthy balance between what you do and what you can do.
A mission statement for Smithfield Custom Furniture Mission New product line:
We strive to create and optimize value for our mid-career professional customers by inspiring everyone we meet through high quality, creative design solutions, reliability, and service delivery excellence.
We strive to be the market leader in the United States and further on to be an approved top manufacturer In Europe. We deliver affordable functional furniture of quality, and we offer good service for our customers to experience warmth and comfort through Respect and Trust.
Explanation of Vision Statement requirements.
A Vision statement defines what an organization would like to ultimately achieve and gives purpose to the existence of the organization (Lumen Learning n.d). An effective vision statement should be simple, short, specific to your business, and leaving nothing open to interpretation. The key requirements for an effective vision statement include must be future Oriented and showing where the organization is headed. It should be challenging and inspiring to the audience to act as a catalyst to move the organization toward its dream. Thirdly, it should be motivational and memorable maintaining an emotional connection with the workforce. Besides, it should also be purpose-driven with a sensible achievable goal. Lastly, it should be outstanding and unique (Jantz, 2017).
Smithfield custom furniture Vision Statement
Our Vision is to be a leading international furniture manufacturer offering high-quality Furniture and affordable prices for everyone. We aim to conduct our business responsibly to create and deliver project solutions that establish standards for all our customers.
Application of Porter’s Competitive strategies.
Michael porter summarized the competitive strategies into the three most effective strategies. Smithfield's exclusive product line and the newly conceived more reasonably priced product line both apply these strategies. First is the cost leadership that pertains to an organization's ability to create economies of scale through efficient operations that produce a large volume (Kalliapen & Hillman, 2017). The exclusive product line will have to produce less high-end products that encourage their limited edition products. Conversely introducing the more reasonably priced product line, the firm will be able to meet the growing mid-career professionals market by producing large volumes.
Secondly, is the differentiation strategy that refers to an organization’s ability to develop a product that is difficult to replicate, thereby fulfilling market niche needs (Kalliapen & Hillman, 2017). Adopting this strategy Smithfield will produce large volumes for the mid-career market line but maintain their exclusive limited-edition product line. This will enable them to meet all market needs and maintain their superior quality products. Lastly is the Market segmentation strategy that targets to find suitable, specific segments of the market that are not otherwise tapped by other firms (Kalliapen & Hillman, 2017). Smithfield furniture identified the rapid growth in mid-career professional households which they intend to exploit using their newly conceived reasonable priced product line. Besides, they still maintain their high-end market using limited editions from Smithfield's exclusive product line.
Priority order/Justification Smithfield next steps
Jonas Smithfield III should consider the following three steps before moving ahead with the new product line. The first is to unify and clarify the organizational objectives (Jared & Tanner, 2019). Jonas should identify what the merger or acquisition transaction will offer, based on the organization's mission and vision statement. The key concern is to prioritize the most important aspects that the business needs to succeed, which is satisfying the growing mid-career professional market needs. Preferably, Smithfield furniture focused majorly on higher-end limited editions, therefore, a merger would benefit them.
The second step is to assess the company's culture and if the new product line will bring a positive change in value to the Shareholders (Deeb, 2017). Jonas should identify if the new product line will result in profits. Besides, the merger will also require funds to introduce the new product line, therefore, the firm should seek to know of the return profits based on the objectives. Thirdly, define the suitable culture combination that will maximize results from both product lines (Deeb, 2017). Smithfield furniture will be expected to manage the combination of both product lines as they serve two diverse markets. Using competitive strategies, Jonas might get a suitable culture combination for both production lines.
References
Deeb, G. (2017, July 5). 5 considerations when setting your M&A goals . Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/georgedeeb/2017/07/05/5-considerations-when-setting-your-ma-goals/#356ca0365370
Jantz, R. C. (2017). Vision, innovation, and leadership in research libraries . ScienceDirect.com | Science, health and medical journals, full text articles and books.39(3), 234-241. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0740818816302948
Jared Jones, & Tanner Corbridge. (2019, September 16). How to prepare your company culture for a merger or acquisition . Culture Management Experts. https://www.partnersinleadership.com/insights-publications/how-to-prepare-your-company-for-a-merger-or-acquisition/
Kalliapen N., & Hilman H. (2017, July 10). Competitive strategies, market orientation types and innovation strategies: Finding the strategic fit . Discover Journals, Books & Case Studies | Emerald Insight. https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/WJEMSD-11-2016-0048/full/html
