E-Learning Activities, Key Success Factor of Purebaby - Assignment Example

Name Lecturer Course Date E-learning Activities Activity 2 I partly agree and partly disagree with the professor’s claim about successful management. First, it is understandable that the present is very important to an organization. The present highlights the issues that require immediate attention and thus it is usually reactive. For instance, a certain bank focused to increase its competitive advantage by integrating online services so as to get customers in different regions accessing to services without visiting their premises. In turn, it had to set new projects to develop the bank Website, re-arrange roles and responsibilities and monitor its activities. It considered its workforce skills and expertise to identify the needs for education and training. It had to set budgets and time for the project. The future is of utmost important even if it does not contribute to immediate bottom line needs of a firm. Focusing on future promote a proactive approach to management. For instance, the Bank focused on globalization trends and how communication will shape long-term benefits to the bank. The past is of least importance and is limited in application. For instance, looking back helped the company to note the lessons learnt from previous change program or projects. Activity 3 I once worked in an elderly facility and confirmed how they developed an approach for each element of work. For instance, objectives differ in various activities such as physical, training and mobility. Irrespective of one’s role, recruitment and selection was based on skills and experiences after which each worker had to adhere to internal training and activities for developing workforce. We had to cooperate and coordinate work. There was equal division of work between workforce and management. In turn, care providers are recognized according to their specialization. Hierarchical nature of the organization promoted efficient flow of communication, functions and decision making processes. We were regulated by formal rules governing time for each activity, relationship between employees and patient/elderly clients and outsiders. As much as organizations try to achieve some specific goals, they will always use the principles of scientific management and some characteristics of bureaucracy (though as simplified processes). Most of these principles and characteristics are basic for efficiency and effectiveness of an organization. Noting that people differ in capacities, interests and aspirations, there must be a system that defines how things will be done and regulate human relationships within an organization. It is hard for such aspects to cease due to need for changes. Activity 4 a). The case of Dan MacKinnon is at face-level is not a good entrepreneurial opportunity due to existing institutional context. In the eyes of anxious analyzer, one can perceive uncertainties in costs and returns. The policy regime and compliance with such strict laws can have dramatic impact on the firm’s operation. Noting that the firm had a single airplane, the cost of in training and inspection would only be profitable if the firm had more employees and assets. However, looking beyond the cost he had to incur to the relative pay-offs offered by customers in the industry, the outputs would be worth such much inputs. Dan Mackinnon appears to be a risk taker and enthusiastic prospector. The idea seems to be an experiment, with critical understanding of potential response to transportation trends which may lead to survival and prosperity over the long run. The industry appears to be so much regulated and that decreases competitive pressure in the sector. b). My current workplace, a radio broadcasting firm is highly regulated by Australian Communications and Media Authority primarily through data protection regulations and rules. That affects the way we access, share, store and collect information that is then aired. Over-regulation will increase cost of compliance. Activity 2 Key Success factor of Purebaby Purebaby has key competencies that allows it to achieve competitive advantages as it competitors may not be able to offer a similar value to customers. Their products are of high-quality and image is recognizable among consumers. Being sold by women, they have the ability to create a sense of community among its consumers who purchase the baby products. As they deal with a product that is bought quite often, it is possible to develop a reputation among its customers and retailers and mostly if they deliver the requested products on schedule. Key Challenges Pure baby has limited number of consumers in the country who are aware of its product. They also face limited cash flow to leverage opportunities like diversifying their products and meeting increased demands. Direct promotion may also affect the scale of promotion as the mothers also need to attend to their family duties. The time they spend promoting and selling the product may not promote immediate of short-term expansion. Competitors As much as Purebaby product is distinct and different, large competitors like P&G may soak up consumers’ dollars if they launch a similar product or develop close-related concepts. They can also pose a threat through their continuous promotion. Activity 2 I went through a number of models of management and noted that the present, the future and the past differs in their importance to successful management. For instance, in Lewin's Change Management Model, there is the past is highlighted when considering what needs to change. When determining the area/aspect that needs to change, it will require looking back and analyzing the effectiveness of its structure and challenges experience. However, the present features more in terms of surveying the organization to grasp its current state and determine why the change is a necessity and have to take place. The larger percentage of management focuses on the present. First, management looks at the existing workforce, skills and willingness to support an activity or issue. It is embedded in stakeholder analysis for identifying and winning support from key people in an organization. Second, the present focuses on creating the urgency and compelling messages on the reason to carry out an activity. It demand a continued creation of vision, strategy, support evidence, communicating the vision and emphasizing the reason for undertaking it. Thirdly, management tries to address doubts and concerns by being open to all members of the organization. Fourthly, practical management attempt to change or arrive at a certain objectives. It includes communication of plans and implementation priorities, description of benefits and explaining exactly the way changes will affect the members. At times, management involves preparation of members for what is about to come (Suc, and Ganslandt 422). The present focus on change and successful management require the managers to dispel rumors by answering questions honestly and openly or dealing with problems immediately. The managers seek empowering actions by providing a lot of opportunities to involve members and provide day-to-day direction. The managers seek to involve people in generating short-term wins and reinforcing the process. The future matters and is primarily build on the present. It looks on how the present activities will be relevant to future needs and the extent to which it can serve the organizational objectives. Every organization has to look at the next or inevitable change. Mostly, the skills and training applied in the present might not immediately promote the immediate advantages but create confidence to handle future aspects of roles and create a sense of stability. Successful management strives for survival and development. If people are aware of the direction and vision of an organization, they feel inspired and develop a perception held by the management and self drive (Suc and Ganslandt 427). For instance, if a company focuses on expanding to new geographical locations, most of the subordinates in an organization will likely be promoted to assume management roles in different subsidiaries. The future helps to identify targets, timelines and re-assess the internal strengths to leverage the future well. Activity 4 I was excited by activity 4 as I empathetically looked at entrepreneur Dan MacKinnon. First, I tried to consider what MacKinnon saw before embarking on such an idea that costs a lot and does not seem much promising. The first thing that runs into my mind was Porter’s Five Forces that are regularly used by entrepreneurs when venturing in different industries. The industry that Mackinnon chose to invest in has remarkable features including barriers to entry and threat of substitute. A crowded market generally has fewer opportunities. If the industry is not crowded, an entrepreneur will see greater opportunities. For example, MacKinnon might have focused on the local development of airline industry. In turn, after launching, he would acquire the tactic knowledge; gain an opportunity to build self-confidence and relevant social relationships. As an entrepreneur, MacKinnon might have analyzed the demand characteristics. Vast study shows that the demand in a particular sector can involve opposite forces where one push toward conformity while the other towards distinction. Demand is unstable in most cases and also heterogeneous as consumer needs and preferences can be too diverse. In turn, there are parts of the market that are usually ignored or always underserved. For instance, MacKinnon could have focused on aerial photography or domestic tourists services. The costly preliminary undertaking was worth if the competing companies comprised of a few generalists firms providing some highly standardized services. Even if there was no specific preference to focus on, Mackinnon could have noted that taste evolve over time and can easily be predicted. For instance, Mackinnon could have customers like journalists in media industry who do not operate of predictable schedules. In turn, they would like a company that can offer services any time of the day without booking for flights. This is an area that can be much profitable and promote the highest levels of customer loyalty. MacKinnon also have a greater opportunity to enter into contract with such companies once they are satisfied with the company’s services. A good example is BlueSky Clothing whose founders being aware of trends in the industry focused on outdoor casual clothing and attained a greater-than-anticipated demand for the products (Aguilera, et al 1201). Additional, PESTEL shows distinct economic and social aspects where consumers can quickly move towards services that are more cost-efficient or just for the sake of changing or need to experience a soothing experience. Looking at an organization I work in, I noted that its legal-political environment influences the extent of its activities. Broadcasting industry is highly regulated by legislation, politics, court decisions and government regulations. There are various laws that impact on its operations and specifically address the manner which each firm in the industry MUST function. For instance, legislation based on regulations/deregulation, determination of taxes on private corporations, laws governing trademarks, intellectual property (IP), patents and copyright, increased or reduced government funding depending on content and how government promote or restrict the industry from foreign competitors matters a lot to profitability. Additionally, radio outlets must comply with wide range of laws including anti-trust, patents, copyright and intellectual property, discrimination and employment laws, data protection regulations and face some impacts and costs of due to arising legal cases/lawsuits and consumer protection. Works Cited Aguilera, José, et al. "New Advances in Protection Against Solar Ultraviolet Radiation in Textiles for Summer Clothing." Photochemistry and photobiology90.5 (2014): 1199-1206. Suc, J., H-U. Prokosch, and T. Ganslandt. "Applicability of Lewin s change management model in a hospital setting." Methods Inf Med 48.5 (2009): 419-428. Read More