Managemen: a case study of wb engineering limited

The flexible nature of management of small and medium scale firm has made the management style in this structure of organization to be difficult. The structure and the size of resources available to small and medium scale organizations these have jointly constituted a factor that makes the management styles in small firms to be at variance with what is obtainable in large-scale organizations. In the view of Slatter (1992:159) cited Collins & Ram, 2003, â€Å"managing fast growth in entrepreneurial firms is one of the most difficult challenges that exists†. Owners often struggle to balance the flexibility required to keep pace with customers demands, with the stability needed to provide employees with a sense of continuity and security. Hence management essentially comprises a careful balancing act between strong leadership and decentralized task-oriented management; and processes involving organizational cohesion and those promoting individual responsibility (Collins & Ram, 2003). As a small and medium scaled firm expands and begin to transform into a large sized organization there is the need for such transformation to be commensurate to changes in management style that hitherto had being practiced; this need be done so that a lacuna would not be created and a lost of touch and proper control of the expanding resources. There is also the need to be awoken to current trend in our everyday dynamic business environment. The non-adherence to these little but significant facts has rendered many well to do but poorly managed organizations to die a premature death. This write up would be looking at those factors that had imposed the difficulty our case study (WB Engineering Limited) is passing through. WB Engineering Limited is a small firm having the aim to develop into a medium scale firm. The coordination of the firm’s human resource portends an impending difficulty to the moving forward of the firm to its next developmental level. Adrian and Grey are both managers of the small firm. Adrian’s relocation to Spain from US where the business located, kept Grey in a tight corner on how to effectively manage the firm’s resources. The immediate cause of the firm’s problem and recommended solutions on how to curtail this problem would be proffered. CONCEPTUALIZATION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ORGANIZATION The term ‘small’ is a relative one it is not absolute. The line separating small from large is in a continuum and an issue that is inevitably arbitrary. According to Odaka & Sawai (1999), â€Å"small business is a generic concept. Being the antonym of big business, its social significance becomes clearer when placed in the historical context where the latter first appeared in the world economy†. Bolton 1971, cited in Bannock (2005), he identified three characteristics in its economic definitions of a small firm: A small market share, that is not large enough to influence national price or qualities (even though a village shop may be the only one, its prices cannot get too far out of line from those of major national retailers in the nearest town, even though people will pay something for local convenience) Managed in a personalized way: the owner actively participates in all aspects of the business unlike in a large firm where the shareholders and management are usually almost entirely separate. Independence or the exercise of ultimate management responsibility. A small subsidiary of a large firm, which has a head office to report to, does not share these characteristics. The above characteristics are usually identified with vast majority of business, which are inherently small in size. The study of small firms revolves around it five major features which include {1} Existence {2} Survival. {3} Success {4} Take-off {5} Resource maturity.   And these are regarded as the five stages in small business growth (Churchill & Lewis, 1983). These five stages go a long way to influence and determine the success that trails the small business historical growth. ADDUCED REASONS LEADING TO THE FALL OF WB ENGINNEERING LIMITED Transition from a small or medium size of business organization to a large entity, it requires the need to restructure the organizational structure and also the organizational strategy should be enhanced to be in tune with the new status the organization is attaining. Managing a fast growing entrepreneurial firm as that of WB Engineering is a onerous task that requires adequate managerial dexterity in balancing the flexibility required to keep pace with customer demands, alongside with the stability needed to provide employees with a sense of continuity and security in the transitional organization. One way of doing this is through a strong leadership in the organization that provides a key role in overcoming the confusion that usually accompanies growth and is necessary to build and maintain the cohesiveness of the organization. According to Collins & Ram (2003), â€Å"management essentially comprises a careful balancing act between strong leadership and decentralized task- oriented management; and processes involving organizational cohesion and those promoting individual responsibility†. Looking at the case study, WB Engineering Limited had missed the mark in a cohesive management of its expanding business and the leadership style adopted had being one of a centralized and undemocratic. The WB Engineering organization started well as a small entrepreneurial firm that adequately managed its resources and put in that individual- centralized managerial skill required at this stage of the business. But as the organization expands and transforms into a conglomerate status; integrating on a vertical level and diversification of resources and operations level, it then requires that at this developmental and transitional level in the organization that a cohesive maintenance of the organization is adopted through a strong leadership that exhibit a decentralized and democratic leadership style. The focus here is that WB Engineering Limited failed to give room for experts trained in specific managerial skills to assist in managing the growth of the organization. This became visible when Adrian moved to Spain, Gary felt totally abandoned and helpless. Assuming there is a decentralized structure in place, the absence of Adrain would not have constituted a big effect. His absence would have being adequately covered. It thus invariably signifies that the management has being one that is centralized even in this assuming state of the expansion of the organization. This had helped in the collapse of the organization. The no cohesive management of the organization again is reflected in the disconnected and autonomous management of the specialised units within the company as a group of satellites. The uncoordinated nature of the management of the organization shows the lapses in management style; which is another factor that has contributed to the fall in WB Engineering Limited. The lapses in managerial style adopted by Gary and Adrain is the lack of consultation with specialist before embarking on projects and also the lack of proper forecasting and research before venturing into a new business environment. Though, the WB Engineering Limited spent a whooping sum (2million pounds) in consulting professional and legal fees, this was done after the deal has being signed and as a way of restructuring the organization, after the acquisition of ESR, to be floated as a public organization. Assuming a little part of the sum had being spent in managerial consultancy and proper forecasting and research work, prior to the time the deal of acquiring ESR, this would have enable WB Engineering Limited to foresee the possibility of the acquisition as a dead trap, and an alternative measure would have being taking to avert the impending consequences. It is seen that the management style of the WB Engineering Limited had failed to grow out of its old shell and imbibe current management techniques and adopting strategic planning for the transitional organization. As it is a noticeable fact, management style in small firms have been more on operational plan than strategic plan. While strategic plan is conceived as â€Å"a written long-range plan, which includes both a corporate mission statement and a statement of organizational objectives operating planning on the other hand is defined as the setting of short-term objectives for specific functional areas such as finance, marketing, and personnel† (Shrader, et al 1989). A strategic planning needs adequate forecasting and researching. The embarking on projects without proper forecasting and re searching on consequences and building alternatives plan had being the waterloo of WB Engineering Limited when it acquired ESR. According to Orpen, â€Å"strategic planning benefits small firms by causing them to explore new alternatives for increasing sales and improving their competitive advantages (ibid). The management of WB Engineering Limited failed to recognize the significance of business environment in influencing the outcome of business operation. The preference for racing car in the UK market is different from what is obtainable in the US market. First impression matters a lot. The first introduced model of racing car in ESR by WB Engineering Limited, with a lesser quality in comparison with its other produce had beclouded the mind of prospecting customer, even when a winning model was reengineered by the company best engineering hands; little was done to safeguard the already battered image of the immerging firm (WBE-ESR organization) in US. Another factor that had contributed to the fall of WB Engineering Limited is the lack of concentrating all its resources directly at the operation it is having an upper hand. The organization had no specialized operation area; it is thus becoming Jack of all trade and master of none. Since the organization had cut an ace for itself in technical expertise and project engineering skill to mainstream automotive market, it ought   to have concentrated its resources in consolidating its operation around this   area, rather than dabbling into other areas like   owning a car racing team, and other project that is unrelated to it core area of operation. Concentrating and being specialized in a function makes the organization the master in such operation, hence competitive advantage over its rivals, even in this modern dynamic business world. From the given extract of WB Engineering Limited historical antecedents, it is observed that the organization ha a poor human relationship with its workers. They are not adequately informed and carried along in the organization scheme of operation. This is reflected where senior employees of the organization began to question the strategic direction of the organization. This shows that initially the senior employees were not partakers to the strategic planning. This also goes back to support the centralized and non consultative pattern which the management of the organization operates. The non involvement of workers especially the senior workers in the organization strategy planning, this had given them no sense of belonging in the organization, hence the lack of zeal to pursue the organizations objectives and goals. According to Marlow & Patton (1993), â€Å"the effective management of employees is also emerging as a key variable in the survival of mall firms†. The management of workers and non-consultation attitude of the management had contributed to the poor relationship of human resource in the organization with the management. CHANGES TO BE DONE IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE ORGANIZATION EFFECTIVENESS The WB Engineering Limited need to adopt changes in ways it operates and the organizational structure for it to improve on its effectiveness. The under listed are ways the organization can achieve its effectiveness. First, there is a need that the organization restructures its management structure, which hitherto had been a centralized and undemocratic one. A decentralized organizational structure permits room for participation and workers contributing their innovative ideas in ways that would spur the organization ahead and make it compete vigorously with its rivals and attaining greater customer satisfaction. Thus, there is the need that the management of WB Engineering is decentralized, the strategic planning of the organization should not be left to only Adrain and Gary; workers involvement would go a long way to effect a positive change in the organization. Also, the need to adopt a formal structure in the organization would also aid in bringing an effective management structure where each worker knows who to report to and the responsibility expected of him. There is also the need for the organization to build a more beneficial relationship between the organization’s human resource and the management. Since the WB Engineering Limited is becoming vast in its operations, it should imbibe those strategic operations adopted by large organization; thus there is the need to carry out a strategic human resource management. According to Bacon et al (1996), cited in Wagar (1998), â€Å"small business managers are increasingly aware of new management ideas, and a number of organizations have implemented initiatives traditionally identified with large firm†. Thus the strategic human resource management has to do with the organization using its human resource in jointly drawing out strategies on which the organization would operate on. In modern times† firms were most likely to report sharing business information with employees and rapid change, keeping employees informed is important† (Wagar, 1998). The WB Engineering Limited should do more to incorporate more effective forecasting and consultative research prior to embarking on projects. This would not only   safe the organization from engaging in wrong business and project deals, but also enable it know how to manage its resources in the most rewarding   way. There is also the need for a well coordinated chain of the organization’s satellites businesses. This should be synchronized toward achieving same goal. The different group of satellites and other operational areas of the WB Engineering conglomerate should be coordinated in a fashion to jointly work towards achieving the goal of the organization. As earlier stated, the organization should concentrate its resources in the area of technical expertise and project engineering which over the years had being its major profit maximizing venture. It is also suggested that the acquired ESR in U.S. since this has being the waterloo and the immediate cause of the impediment to the growth of WE Engineering Limited; this should be made to enter into a strategic alliance with other thriving organization in the United States. Instead of a full merger, the organization resources and managerial know-how can form an alliance with other effective organization in strategizing a way of moving the organization through a symbiotic relationship. This will give the organization the ability to take advantage of the environment in which it operates. Lastly, it is suggested that in this ever dynamic contemporary business world, the organization should follow the trend of the time and adapt to modern management techniques; such as strategic human resource management, Total Quality management (TQM), having competitive advantage through product differentiation. When these are adopted it would give the organization an edge over its rival and make the WB Engineering Limited regain its lost glory in the race car construction industry. REFRENCES Bannock, Graham (2005), The Economic and Management of Small Business: An International Perspective. New York: Routledge Publisher. Collins, L. & Ram, M. (2003), â€Å"Managing the Entrepreneurial Firm† Stream 9: Critical realist in Perspectives on Entrepreneurial Organization and Discourses. June http://www.mngt.waikato.ac.nz/ejrot/cmsconfrence/2003/proceedings/criticalrealist/collins.pdf (06/03/06) Neil C Churchhill and Lewis, V. L. (1983), the Five Stages of Small business Growth. Harvard Business Review, 61, 2-11 Shrader, C.B. et al (1989), â€Å"Strategic and Operational Planning, Uncertainty and Performance in Small Firms† in Journal of Small Business Management Vol. 27, No. 4 Odaka, K. & Sawai, M. (1999), Small Firms, Large Concerns, The development of Small Business in Comparative Perspective. Oxford: Oxford University Press. P1. Wagar, Terry H. 91998), â€Å"Determinants of Human Resource management Practices in Small Firms: Some evidences from Atlantic Canada† in Journal of Small Business Management Vol.36, No.2.            

Play Critique Essay

The play being discussed in this critique will be Metamorphoses written and originally directed by Mary Zimmerman. The URI Theatre department produced its own version directed by Steven Raider-Ginsburg. It was performed between the dates of February 21-March 3, 2013. Costume design was by David T Howard, Scene design by Patrick Lynch. Lighting design was handled by Christian Wittwer and Sound design was by Michael Hyde. This production shows students continuing their development as actors thru the form of Theatre. Metamorphoses is a play that is staged as a series of vignettes. It was originally based on the poem by the Roman poet Ovid. He uses ancient Greek Mythology to explain the events happening in the vignettes. Gods like Poseidon, Hermes Americo Lanni. Or Hades and Midas played by Brandon Gailliard. Zeus and Bacchus were played by Benjamin Hill. Who could forget Aphrodite played by Catherine Poirier. Metamorphoses is not a conventional arrangement and has a non-linear point of view. A linear dramatic action may be set as with the following steps, one- A state of equilibrium, two- An inciting incident, three.- Point of attack of the major dramatic question, four- Rising action, five- Climax, six- Resolution and seven- New state of equilibrium. First one event, then the next and the following one after that and so on and so forth. Metamorphoses does not follow this laid out set of steps and no single analysis can make it follow this formula. However each of the separate stories embedded within the play is in itself a â€Å"well-made play† within a play. Each story can be easily followed and analyzed through a look at the seven parts already established. An example that can easily demonstrate and lay out the structure is the story of Erysichthon described within Metamorphoses. When it comes to the actual production of the play there are several differences between individual performances of this play. The original play was done on water, I understand that would not be possible here. The lighting however did work for most of the play. The one part in particular I didn’t like was for the lightning strike, maybe make the lighting fixture in the shape of a lightning bolt? Set design was another area I took particular attention to during the play. When it got dark in between scenes that’s when I knew changes were being made but I can honestly say I never was able to see anyone making changes even though you knew they were there. The costume design for this play was also another challenge to create I saw. The play tended to jump a couple centuries at a time with leads to vastly different wardrobe changes. Like in the beginning they were wearing very basic white sheets, yet underneath you could notice the other layers they would be needing for later. The sound however was probably the biggest drawback for this play. Maybe it’s because the speakers aren’t the greatest but it seemed at times the special effect sounds were quitter than the actors, you couldn’t even notice it at times when you were supposed to. Overall this was a very satisfying Theatre performance for me to see. It was my first but probably will not be my last, I look forward to enjoying more.

How to Conjugate the French Applaudir (to Applaud, Clap)

How to Conjugate the French Applaudir (to Applaud, Clap) The French word applaudir means to applaud or to clap. Applaudir is  a regular verb, meaning its one of those words thats relatively easy to conjugate.   How to Conjugate the French Verb Applaudir To conjugate a regular verb, start with the stem and add the ending appropriate of the type of verb youre conjugating and the subject pronoun youre using- the person or thing doing the action. Applaudir is a regular -ir verb, so  the stem is  applaud- and the endings are those of regular infinitives ending in -ir. This chart will help you figure out how conjugate applaudir. Present Future Imperfect j applaudis applaudirai applaudissais tu applaudis applaudiras applaudissais il applaudit applaudira applaudissait nous applaudissons applaudirons applaudissions vous applaudissez applaudirez applaudissiez ils applaudissent applaudiront applaudissaient The present participle of applaudir is applaudissant. The present participle is less common in French than its English equivalent -ing. You may use the present participle as an adjective, gerund, noun  or verb. For example: Applaudissant, nous avons commencà © departer le thà ©Ãƒ ¢tre.Applauding, we began to leave the theater. Other Simple Conjugations of Applaudir Subjunctive Conditional Pass simple Imperfect subjunctive j applaudisse applaudirais applaudis applaudisse tu applaudisses applaudirais applaudis applaudisses il applaudisse applaudirait applaudit applaudt nous applaudissions applaudirions applaudmes applaudissions vous applaudissiez applaudiriez applaudtes applaudissiez ils applaudissent applaudiraient applaudirent applaudissent Imperative (tu) applaudis (nous) applaudissons (vous) applaudissez How to Form the Past Tense of Applaudir You can use the imperfect tense to talk about something in the past (japplaudissais / I was clapping) but youre more likely to use the passà © composà ©, which is a compound tense. Applaudir uses the auxiliary verb avoir, and the past participle is applaudi. For example: Jai applaudi.I applauded. Nous avons applaudi.We applauded.

Free Essays on Women Studies

Women, men, children and communities are all separately affected by the demoralizing aspect of date rape that is continuously occurring in the society that surrounds everyone. Why is it that so many individuals are aware of date rape, yet no one seems to take into consideration the importance of the issues in society? It seems to be such an unpleasant issue that it is too difficult for many to discuss. Silence is becoming too expected to the victims of date rape. The â€Å"culture of silence† keeps in the humiliation, the fear of rejection and shame that victims could be feeling everyday of their lives. Individuals want to feel normal and fit into society, so dealing with the myths and deception within society is more acceptable for them. Sometimes silence seems to be the more acceptable way in society. Date rape is interpreted differently from everyone this is where the myths and silence seems to be more acceptable. Regardless of the laws that protect each individual, it is highly known that there are more victims who are silent than who decide to come forward. Even the term â€Å"date rape† pushes people away because it is an extremely sensitive subject. People are more aware of the myths that are throughout society than the actual aspects that surround rape. â€Å"Date rape† sounds as if it were to happen with the choice of each pattern in a dating situation. There really is no way to make the issue sound better because it is too a horrible aspect in life, but people need to take into consideration that it can happen to anyone. With all of the sensitive subjects, date rape seems to be one that is less heard of than others. â€Å"In reality, the woman who has been sexually assaulted frequently finds that both she and the accused are being judged. At the heart of this systemic bias is a long tradition of rape myths that have permeated not only the legal system, but that are perv asive in society† (Du Mont, Janice; Parnis, Deborah, 102-1... Free Essays on Women Studies Free Essays on Women Studies Women, men, children and communities are all separately affected by the demoralizing aspect of date rape that is continuously occurring in the society that surrounds everyone. Why is it that so many individuals are aware of date rape, yet no one seems to take into consideration the importance of the issues in society? It seems to be such an unpleasant issue that it is too difficult for many to discuss. Silence is becoming too expected to the victims of date rape. The â€Å"culture of silence† keeps in the humiliation, the fear of rejection and shame that victims could be feeling everyday of their lives. Individuals want to feel normal and fit into society, so dealing with the myths and deception within society is more acceptable for them. Sometimes silence seems to be the more acceptable way in society. Date rape is interpreted differently from everyone this is where the myths and silence seems to be more acceptable. Regardless of the laws that protect each individual, it is highly known that there are more victims who are silent than who decide to come forward. Even the term â€Å"date rape† pushes people away because it is an extremely sensitive subject. People are more aware of the myths that are throughout society than the actual aspects that surround rape. â€Å"Date rape† sounds as if it were to happen with the choice of each pattern in a dating situation. There really is no way to make the issue sound better because it is too a horrible aspect in life, but people need to take into consideration that it can happen to anyone. With all of the sensitive subjects, date rape seems to be one that is less heard of than others. â€Å"In reality, the woman who has been sexually assaulted frequently finds that both she and the accused are being judged. At the heart of this systemic bias is a long tradition of rape myths that have permeated not only the legal system, but that are perv asive in society† (Du Mont, Janice; Parnis, Deborah, 102-1...

Using Broach and Brooch Correctly

Using Broach and Brooch Correctly The words broach and brooch are homophones: theyre pronounced the same but have different meanings.   Definitions As a verb, broach means to pierce, break into, or open up. The verb broach also means to introduce (a topic) for discussion or make (something) known for the first time. As a noun, broach refers to a tapered cutting tool or a hole made by such a tool. The noun brooch refers to an ornamental pin thats usually worn at the neck. The two words are pronounced alike: brÃ… ch (rhymes with coach). Examples The best time to broach the topic of a raise is on a slow day at work.The broach has a series of cutting teeth along the axis of the tool.Humphrey Pump plunged down again into the sunken nest and began to  broach the cask  of rum in his own secret style, saying We can get something else somehow tomorrow. For tonight we can eat cheese and drink rum, especially as theres water on tap, so to speak.(G.K. Chesterton,  The Flying Inn, 1914)The princess wore a diamond brooch the size of a silver dollar. Usage Notes A brooch, a decorative pin or clip, is nothing like a broach. But since theyre often pronounced alike, and because ignorance never rests, some dictionaries accept broach as an alternative spelling of brooch.(Jane Straus,  et al.,  The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation, 11th ed. Jossey-Bass, 2014)If you broach something, you are suggesting that it is a valid topic for possible further discussion. If you wear a brooch on your dress, you hope that it will attract attention because of its beauty, and therefore, of course, attract attention to you who are wearing the brooch.(David Rothwell, Dictionary of Homonyms. Wordsworth, 2007 ) Practice (a) Because Ms. Widmark said she was there on business, the lawyer felt he should _____ the matter of his fees. (b) Marie wore the emerald _____ that she had inherited from her grandmother. Answers Answers to Practice Exercises:  Broach and Brooch (a) Because Ms. Widmark said she was there on business, the lawyer felt he should  broach  the matter of his fees.(b) Marie wore the emerald  brooch  that she had inherited from her grandmother.

Strategic Marketing Analysis for Starbucks Essay

Strategic Marketing Analysis for Starbucks - Essay Example In 1971, Starbucks was established on adoration for espresso. Three specialists, Gordon Bowker, Jerry Baldwin, and Zev Sigel, had a longing to impart that love to Seattle by opening a little coffeehouse known as Starbucks Coffee, Tea & Spice. After ten years, Starbucks had developed to four retail locations situated all over the Seattle region. Entire bean espresso was sold in all four areas. After coming to 100 stores in 1992 the organization opened up to the world. Starbucks developed at an exponential pace from there on, into a fruitful, extraordinary worldwide association that aids about 35 million clients a week (Van, 2006). Starbucks utilizes a grid arrangement by joining divisional and useful structures. Due to the multifaceted nature of network structures, Starbucks is classified as an unthinking association, which involves high vertical and flat unpredictability, high formalization, high centralization, slender compasses of control, and high institutionalization. The CEO of Starbucks, Howard Shultz, has attempted to make a more productive and streamlined structure where data can stream openly from the client and low-level worker to the corporate level. This is frequently hard to attain to with an elaborate structure. Starbucks uses its grid structure to keep away from the correspondence breakdowns that can happen in an association that uses vertical separation, as the number of levels of power builds a more vertical the organization. Starbucks partitions its work into cross useful workgroups, which permits representatives to answer to various administrators. The network structure appears to work for Starbucks, as they keep up compelling correspondence, excellent item advancement, productive generation, and praiseworthy client benefit accordingly (Chernev, 2006).

Ebay global strategy analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Ebay global strategy analysis - Essay Example The question is, "Why is this a popular place and why are they so successful?" When we look at eBays core competency we are looking at what makes it work. Why do people come to this site to sell products and services? What about eBay gives it a competitive edge over the rest of the "clone" auction sites and why are they successful despite the fact that they have raised their fees? eBay decided when they started that they would become part of the auction market. They had to decide what types of products they would allow and what would happen along the way. eBay has worked very hard to become a leading provider of online sites for auctions. They provide a way for customers to trade with other customers around the world (Coghlan, Pauley, and Scott, 2008, p. 9). Because they also have business people at their helm they have been able to create a stronger market share. According to Decot and Lee (2006) eBay has experienced managers who are savvy in business. Some have referred to them as a "tech company run by business people" (Decot and Lee, p. 8). Because of this eBay also is cautious as it takes on new ventures. They want to make sure that if they move forward, they can predict that they will be number one or two in that market (Decot and Lee, p. 9). Another core competency is the fact that they have become the largest online auction site. As of 2006, they had 94.9 million users who were registered in more than 150 countries (Coghlan, Pauley and Scott, p. 9). They have increased their market share in the United States and have over one third of the U.S. population trading regularly on eBay. eBays logo with the variety of colors and unique writing style creates another aspect of its core competency. People recognize the logo, it has become associated with a company that you can trust and most people have purchased at least one item on the site. According to Carr (2001) a value chain is: "†¦the series of activities that your