Thinking Made Easy

Think Globally

2009-11-11T08:21:13+08:00

OBJECTIVES As a person with knowledge of international business, the author has always brought up to his superiors the viability of strategy formation regarding the analysis of the statement 'Think globally: act locally' and at times fails to understand the reasons or logic behind certain strategic implementations imposed on it. By delving into this project paper, the author intends to have better insights into how the analysis of the statement 'Think globally: act locally' is thought up, formulated and then imparted down into different companies and organizations. The author hopes to have an in-depth understanding as to how the value of the statement 'Think globally: act locally' enables companies and organizations to compete effectively and profitably in this era of internationalization where competition is extremely intense. In order to reinforce the learning objectives, two key focal issues were focused upon i.e. innovation and diversity. Innovation was discussed with regard to the analysis of the statement 'Think globally: act locally' where it was renowned for its developmental capabilities to constantly innovate. Diversity came under strategic thinking and formation as the author considered the diverse culture, political climate, economic surroundings, social environment, technological settings, government policies and legal systems in order to better understand the issues being discussed. EXECUTIVE BRIEF This essay utilized Cathay Pacific Airways as the model organization to review its present operations management and how it dealt with critical situations in applying the implications of the statement 'Think globally: act locally'. From the analysis, key trends in the impacts of the statement 'Think globally: act locally' in the operations management of Cathay Pacific Airways were then identified, how it worked and its effectiveness in dealing with critical situations was ascertained. The paper then moved on to assess these operation management strategies with regard to its suitability to critical situations,...

Information System

2009-11-11T08:09:09+08:00

Table of Contents 1 Table of Contents 1 2 Introduction 2 3 Content 3.1 Task 1 3 3.1.1 Possible IS Requirements 3 3.1.2 Constraints 4 3.2 Task 2 3.2.1 Resource Allocation and Its Importance 6 3.2.2 Importance of Timescales 7 3.2.3 Project Activities with Timescales (table) 8 3.3 Task 3 3.3.1 Leadership Styles 10 3.3.2 Overcoming Problems through Leadership Styles 11 3.4 Task 4 3.4.1 Types of Problems 12 3.4.2 Help of Effective Communication 14 3.5 Task 5 3.5.1 Difference of Mentoring and Coaching 15 3.5.2 Solving Problems based on the Two Roles 16 4 Conclusion 17 5 Reference List 18 Project Management and IS Development in E-60s Company Introduction During the early days of computer systems, software development consisted of a programmer writing code to solve a problem or automate a procedure ( 2002). This type of system development is said to be poorly planned, leading to inadequately designed systems, which are not user-friendly and not meeting the requirements of the organization. Due to this problem, a myriad of changes have already taken place to accommodate the transformations being experienced by business organizations. To accommodate and manage these changes, a number of system development life cycle (SDLC) models have been created, including the waterfall, fountain, spiral, build and fix, rapid prototyping, incremental, and synchronize and stabilize, with the waterfall being the most popular ( 2002). These division or stages include project planning or feasibility study, systems analysis or requirements definition, systems design, implementation, integration and testing, acceptance, installation and deployment and maintenance ( 2002). By following these stages, the changes in the organization can be accommodated properly, including its desire to implement and develop a new information system. This paper aims to accomplish five different tasks in relation to information systems and project management, as applied for the E-60s...

Total Quality Management

2009-11-11T07:56:53+08:00

Total Quality Management Introduction The development of science and technology nowadays has lead to the improvement of many companies, in terms of product development and research and in the rendering of service. The use of technology has become an essential part of the strategies of companies to increase production and to check the quality of the product. Similarly, with the role of technology in their development, companies can properly evaluate the performance of their employees and at the same time, evaluate the opinions of their consumers regarding their products and services. With the utilization of the Internet, companies and their consumers can properly interact to discuss and comment on different aspects of the business, and help improve the performance of the company. From these, customer satisfaction becomes the primary goal of many companies. Customer satisfaction is important for companies for retention of costumers and for expansion of business and profit from the trade. This will not only maintain the society’s social order, but also results to economic growth and gain of many industries, which would in turn give economic stability to the country or nation. In this light, the concept of total quality management becomes essential and crucial to any company. This concept focuses on customer satisfaction, which when applied and implemented in a company, would give positive results for the whole company and for the employees as well. This paper discusses the concept of total quality management and other related concepts being covered by it. It emphasizes on the benefits of total quality management, as being applied and implemented by a wine company. This paper also includes a project plan, for the implementation of the concept of total quality management as applied in a particular company. Total Quality Management (TQM) It has been reported that the term total quality...

Total Quality Management: Healthcare in Queensland, Australia

2009-11-11T07:45:48+08:00

Total Quality Management: Healthcare in Queensland, Australia Shortage of Doctors and Nurses in Queensland Healthcare Industry Total Quality Management or TQM was coined by the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command to describe its Japanese-style management approach in terms of quality improvement ( 2007a). It comprises four process steps, namely, Kaizen, which is to make processes visible; Atarimae Hinshitsu, which is to focus on intangible effects on processes; Kansei, or examining the way the user applies the product; and Miryokuteki Hinshitsu, which broadens management concern beyond the immediate product ( 2007b). However, in more general terms, TQM is defined as a management approach for an organization, centered on quality, based on the participation of all its members and aiming at long-term success through customer satisfaction, and benefits to all members of the organization and to society ( 2007b). From this, it can be understood that the aim of TQM is to improve and develop the system and approach of an organization for customer and employee satisfaction. This form of management is crucial for any organization belonging to any industry, for this determines the quality and extent of service that they can offer their customers. However, not all service sectors meet the standards required in providing quality management. Several issues can still be determined, which allows the further improvement of the service industry. Issues include the lack of funds and resources, which allow the service industry to improve and upgrade their facilities and provide the needs of employees and customers, the lack of manpower or talents, the lack of strategies in attracting and retaining customers, and the lack of strategies of sustaining and maintaining employees. In addition, providing benefits and compensation for employees and ensuring a healthy and safe working environment are also issues to be addressed. It has been reported that...

Would Corporate Governance Restrain the Delinquent Activities of Company Directors?

2009-11-11T07:37:04+08:00

Would Corporate Governance Restrain the Delinquent Activities of Company Directors? Introduction Companies or business organizations encounter and address a variety of issues everyday. These issues range from addressing business and marketing plans, customer service, employee management, internal and external conflicts, profit generation, and control and regulation. To address these issues, companies need different strategies and plans to ensure the sustenance and maintenance of their operation and production. However, the operation of any business organization is not as simple as it looks. Theoretically, companies must operate effectively to gain profit and to provide products or render service to consumers. Hence, business organizations are being comprised of teams that perform different functions to somehow make its operation simpler and better. In line with this, though, not all business organizations or companies achieve a smooth-sailing operation, for with the presence of different cultures, personalities and motives in the company, decision-making and governance is largely affected and altered. For this reason, good leadership strategies will be most useful, in encouraging teamwork and compliance from employees or colleagues. With the presence of differences, many conflicts are being generated, which could entirely disrupt the company’s operation. One major conflict that could happen in the company is when a leader or group of leaders fails to meet the expectations of their subordinates or commit abusive acts that violate the rights of every individual in the business organization. For this matter, this paper discusses the application of corporate governance and regulation in targeting and restraining the delinquent activities of company directors. The concept of corporate law and corporate governance will be discussed, in relation to the duties of directors in the company and some rules or laws governing business organizations. In addition, a specific case will be related in reference to the concepts and issues. Corporate Governance Mechanism...

Why Employees Resist Change

2009-11-11T07:21:41+08:00

Why Employees Resist Change It is a typical human instinct to resist change and the threat it poses to the status quo. When an organization is faced with a time of change, it is therefore understandable that employees and stakeholders alike will receive news of the transition with a certain amount of concern over how it will influence organizational culture and day-to-day operations (2007). It is just normal for any employee or for employees to feel anxious regarding change, thus, leading somehow to their resistance regarding the matter. In relation to this, five major reasons were identified to be indicative of why employees resist change within the organization. The first major reason why employees resist change is that employees were not aware of the underlying business need for change (2005). Employees within the organization often resist change when they lack information about how the change will affect them, or when they perceive that the change would be having negative consequences (1990). In this regard, it can be perceived that employees within an organization are afraid of the unknown. They are afraid that the change the organization is going to impose would provide them with unnecessary and unwanted consequences. The second major reason why employees resist change is the notion that lay-offs would be announced as part of the change ( 2005). Lay-offs are the worst that could ever be experienced by employees in an organization, most especially if a particular employee badly needs the job, as his or her source of income. The third major reason why employees resist change in the organization is that they are unsure if they have the needed skills for success in the future state (2005). Oftentimes, change in the organization leads the management to implement the use of new technologies and systems that would...

Unit 1- DB

2009-11-11T07:09:13+08:00

Unit 1 – DB Discussion on Consultation Notes Given the presented situation of Dr. Jean Paul Dupres, I was able to observe and list down the several problems of the board that will be useful in the assessment of the situation. First problem of the board is the ineffective leadership of Ken Martin, on being not able to coordinate the board members. Although he fills the gap of becoming a Chief Financial Officer of CFO and reports to the president, his lack of leadership skills causes him to not be recognized as a formal member of the board. This is maybe due also to the fact that he is only a representative, doing favors for James Haworth. Second problem is the need for a Chief Financial Officer to coordinate and direct the divisional finance executives and create a unified financial operation. Third problem is the needs of the company for a consultant, who will help Ken Martin, coordinate team efforts of the board. Fourth problem is the problem with teamwork in all functioning areas, which may affect reporting to a newly appointed CFO in the future. Fifth problem is the resolving conflicts regarding Chairmanship. Lastly, Dr. Jean Paul Dupres’ problem, regarding his being both the company’s CFO and board chairperson. He believes that his responsibilities caused great conflict and confusion at all levels of the organization, which has no effects on the improvement of Ken’s leadership, and even weakens the functioning of the Executive Group ( 2006). With these problems, I was able to efficiently identify the strengths and weaknesses of the situation. Strengths include the Executive Team’s desire for improvement, which is evident through their intentions of enhancing the skills of their members. Another is the loyalty of the board members to the company, which shows their desire for...

Each individual is a consumer

2009-11-11T06:50:34+08:00

Product Policy The product of a company is its most important asset. As reported, it is the soul of the company; the maximum vector of the characterization of the services that are associated with it (2006). The product is characterized not only by its physical features but also by the image that it conveys (2006). Thus, three factors must be associated with it, namely, product features, packaging and range policies. As to the features, the factors that make the clients or participants to consider the product or the project good are essential. The quality and the real advantage offered by the project must be in terms of performance or design. The Virtuous Woman Pageant is different from other pageants for it does not only exemplify the beauty and the talents of a woman but her inner beauty, character and spirituality as a whole. In addition, this pageant is not particular with a woman’s physical characteristics, such as the height and vital statistics, therefore, many women from ages 13 to 45 years old, can be qualified. The features of the project will help in its promotion, as many women would like to display and show their talents, skills, abilities and character in different ways. The Virtuous Woman Pageant is unique in its features, in its intentions to share the Word of God in a perspective of a real woman. Another aspect of product policy is packaging, and it is one of the product’s components oriented to images. The package of the product is the first contact that the client has with the product, and therefore, may be a decisive factor not only for the purchase or support of the project, but also for the image that will be associated with the service of the company (2006). This must be effective and...

(500) Days of Summer

2009-11-11T04:21:45+08:00

Dance sequence from the movie

(500) Days of Summer: A Movie Review

2009-11-11T04:18:58+08:00

It's the fantastic soundtrack that makes this movie so adorable (aside from Zooey's gooeey eyes!) Early in the movie, both characters show their affinity for the The Smiths and Belle & Sebastian (OMG, in their alternate universe, these guys would be my friends!!!) Then there's this breezy Hall & Oates' classic (I love the choreography!!) which admiThe Smiths and Belleso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;}