Business Strategy of Employee Control - Assignment Example

16th June Part A. Fix Them or Fire Does the think it is better to "fix" an employee or"fire" them and why? According to Steven Shaer, it is essential that managers effectively manage their underperforming employees. Despite the motivating factors that are adopted by firms, some employees still do not improve their performance leading to low profitability for a firm. However, Steven indicates that it is better to fix an employee instead of firing them. Through offering adequate training to the employee, the author shows that the employee are educated on how to handle complex duties an aspect that makes them to improve their performance. Additionally, employees should be trained on how to deal with personal matters and social issues that touches on their lives and families. By firing them, managers will not only be affecting their sources of income but also they would be harming them psychologically. Thus, the author indicates that managers should adopt the culture of counseling their employees when their performance is low or when contemplating to terminate their contrasts. On their part, Steven Shaer indicates that managers should prepare their mindset before firing their employees (Steven 36). This will ensure that they do not feel guilty once the workers leave. Generally, the author is of the opinion that employees should not be fired but be trained on how to perform their duties. What are some of the key things that a performance plan needs to have to be effective? Explain.  In order for a performance plan to be effective, it should involve planning. This entails setting goals, coming up with clear objectives and indicating standards as well as direction. In order for the employees to be aware of the policies and the needs of their firms, the plan should indicate what is expected also referred to as accountabilities. Additionally, the plan should indicate the way the job should be done. Another notable aspect of a performance plan is holding of discussion between the managers and the employees. This is based on the fact that the two parties must understand the plan. This implies that the employee and the managers have strong positive relationship in order to hold successful discussions. Another aspect that is common with a performance plan is that it should regularly updated. It is worth to note that firms might adopt new changes implying that the plans should be changed to reflect the changes. Just like in the stage of discussion among the employees and managers, during updating of the performance plan, adequate and clear communication between managers and employees is necessary. What are 3 ways underperforming employees rationalize their performance? Explain. Underperforming employees can rationalize their performance in various ways. For example by identifying the issues that need to improved, employees are able to come up with a corrective action. They should evaluate their own accountabilities. This indicates the areas of responsibilities as well as change that will occur as the personal objectives are met. The second aspect they should check is competency. This implies the areas that the employees have the ability to handle without problems. Additionally, it indicates the behavioral measures of how the jobs being done by the workers are going to be accomplished. How can you apply the lessons from this book to your own performance as an employee? What lessons can you take from this book that will help you perform at your job so that you do not need to be "Fixed" nor "Fired"? One of the major lessons that I can apply as an employee based on this book is to utilize the training opportunities with my organization. In this way, I will greatly improve my skills thus increasing the company sales and profits. It is worth to note that in addition to the academic training that individuals undergo in the colleges and in the universities, it is fundamental that organization provides opportunities through which employees can be trained on areas such as public relations, leadership and communication among others. By adopting the human resources policies as well as working ethics I will be in line with the organization regulations thus avoiding to be fired. In order to avoid being fixed or fired, this book has helped me on how to effectively communicate with managers in order to address issues that can hinder my performance. Additionally, the book provides me with an insight on how to evaluate my performance in order to ensure that I am in line with the company policies. Based on the training that I will be provided with once my performance decreases, I will be in a position to evaluate myself as well as other employees. Part B. Personal SWOT and Goal Exercise Perform a basic SWOT analysis on yourself and career. List the most important 3-5 for each category. Use numbering or bullet points to list these. My greatest strengths includes I am able to accept organizational changes as well as able to understand the complexity of the modern business. I maintain politeness when handling conflicts among the employees based on the need to improve the relationship among the workers I am in a position to accept challenges in order to come up with ways of dealing with them My weaknesses are I face difficulties decision making calculations; however I am seeking the assistance of instructors to be excellent in this field I am a perfectionist, I like to get a project that is free from defects an aspect that is challenging to achieve I face problem in cooperating with members who are against team work My opportunities I am in a position to deal with various business challenges as the result of adequate training My skills on international business provides me with an opportunity to work in various firm located in different countries I have a chance of identifying challenges affecting businesses in foreign countries My major threats includes Lack of adequate skills on language Criminal activities that may hinder my business activities Lack of support from foreign businesses since they will regard me as a competitor Write ONE well-stated and clear career goal that you have for the first 12-24 months after you graduate. My goal is to establish an international business consultancy firm. Through hiring skilled workforce in the field of international business, I will open two offices in Boca Raton. Based on my international business skills I have gained from Lynn University, I will be able to achieve my goal effectively as well as be in a position to face off the challenges that may occur. The skills that I posses not in hiring process as well as business planning will enable me to establish the firm within 5 months. By providing adequate information in a website related to the locality, my services including tailor made programs, I will be in a position to notify the public regarding my products. Why do you have this goal? How does achieving this goal help you get what you want in life? My objective of having this goal is to gain experience in the filed of international business. Through the consultancy firm, I will provide other parties who want to engage in international business activities with adequate skills on how to do business in other countries (Daniels 24). In my case, I will be in a position to undertake business activities once I complete my Master of Science in information system technology at Pace University in New York City. By achieving this goal, I will be in a position to become a renowned expert in international business and apply information technology to solve problems that foreign business people and investors face. My aim is also to ensure that I acquire significant market segment. Through the use of the company website, I will be able to effectively market the company services locally and globally. In addition, I will emulate modern forms of advertising including mobile advertising, digital advertising and business magazines in order to create strong customer awareness. How will you know if you have achieved this goal or not? One of the major ways that I will use to know whether I have achieved my goal is by evaluating my self through undertaking a research either through the social media in order to notice how my clients are responding. Additionally, once I establish the two offices, I will be on my way of getting to the point I am focused at in life. My aim is to adopt a feedback system where my clients will evaluate my services and indicate where they will indicate areas that I will need to improve or new ideas to improve my services. Clear records that indicate the number of clients, their names, nationality and their contacts will be maintained. In this way, I will be in a position to identify the regions where I have large number of clients and their problems as well as solution offered by my self and other employees. What are 2-3 different strategies you could follow to achieve this one goal? In order to achieve my goal of establishing an international business consultancy firm, I will adopt three key strategies which includes Hiring of young employees who have degree in international business Emulating effective information technology Providing opportunities that will allow the employees intermingle with other employees from other firms and share business knowledge Pick one of the strategies, and list 3-5 clear action steps you can follow to make this particular plan happen In order to ensure that my firm becomes competitive, I will ensure that the employees are productive. This will entail providing them with adequate information. The three notable action plans that I will follow to ensure that I become successful includes Extensive verifying the qualification and the certificates of new employees Undertaking orientation process in order to ensure that the new employees are aware of their responsibilities Providing the employees with further training in the areas of international business and information technology References Daniels, J., Radebaugh, L., Sullivan, D. International Business: environment and operations, New York: Prentice Hall, 2007. Print. Steven, S. Fix Them or Fire Them: Managing, Evaluating and Terminating Underperforming Employees. New York: Challenger Press, 2013. Print. Read More