Process Centred Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Process Centred Management - Essay Example Reengineering changes production from a skill specific departmental process to a product centred approach that looks at the end product and the team effort required to create it. 2. The Building Blocks. The organizational structure may need to change or adjust to cross-departmental communications to support the process centred management approach. The change will require organization around outcomes rather than organization by tasks. In some cases customers may be able to complete part of the process thus eliminating a cost of or required personnel (not too popular among staff because it could cause lay-offs). This could take the form of automated ordering processes via the internet verses a call centre based ordering system. The organization must be prepared for flexibility and change and can do this by devising a strategy to support the change while supporting the workforce who will implement the change. 3. Impact on the organization. Change rarely comes easy and change to a process centred management system is no exception. Change impacts production, employees, management, and the organizational structure. Change is most often designed to cut costs and to increase profits. Employees are the ones that seem to be affected the most by change in management systems. Change from a skills or department approach to a process centred outcome approach may not come easily if it means a reduction in force (lay offs). Ownership of the change makes the change a whole lot easier. The employees will need to adjust to working toward an outcome (process) instead of a single task. This requires adopting a team approach and requires the employees to learn a whole process rather than a step in the process. Job design, job enlargement, and job enrichment all impact the worker. In short, the job gets harder and the employee needs to know and learn more. The employee transitions from worker to professional. Information sharing is a very important part of process centred management. Information can be shared by different team members instead of one department gathering information to pass on to another department for processing. Jobs and job descriptions will need to be reengineered to support the process centred approach. The decision point may need to shift in the organization from higher management down to where the decisions are implemented. Performance measurement is vital to successful process centred management because "measurement is the foundation of improvement2". Quality Assurance (QA) provides the opportunity to correct or confirm product quality and marketability. "What isn't measured doesn't happen because there is no incentive, knowledge, or ownership"(PPT06, Provided with Course). Quality assurance makes sure that the end product meets or exceeds customer satisfaction (demand). "QA in a process centred organization is measure by results, growth, and performance"3. A QA method that organizations can use is Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA)4 to ensure that organizational activities support the process centred management approach and thus support production and marketing activities. 4. Changes required in organizational structure. Of all the changes necessary when a switch to process centred management is adopted the change in organization structure will effect the organization the most. The "whose in charge" idea needs to change. Decision making power

Factors for Going Public Through an Ipo Essay Example for Free

Factors for Going Public Through an Ipo Essay When an organization is private they have decisions to make. Going public through an initial public offering, or IPO is one decision they can choose. When going through an IPO there is going to be increased capital. A public offering will allow a company to raise capital to use for various corporate purposes such as working capital, acquisitions, research and development, marketing, and expanding plant and equipment (FindLaw, 2013). Other advantages of choosing an IPO would be liquidity, increased prestige, valuation, and increased wealth. Weaknesses Even though going public has some advantages, it can also have some disadvantages too. The time and expense is probably one of the biggest disadvantages with this choice. It can take over a year and much money for fees to even start the process of an IPO. Other disadvantages to going public through an IPO would be disclosure, decisions based on stock price, regulatory review, falling stock price, and vulnerability. Disclosure is another part that can be costly when starting an IPO. That means that the organization has to make all financial records available to the public. Opportunities Going public is a way to increase public awareness of the company. The company will have more exposure of its product line. This awareness will increase sales because the product will be introduced to a new group of potential clients. An opportunity to increase clients will have an increase in market share. Investors will have a positive reaction to the company as it increases its market share. Threats As a public company, there will be accounting practices that will need to be met. The SEC requires public companies to comply with the regulations. The cost to comply with SEC regulations can be expensive in addition to the regulations the SOX Act will require an external accounting firm to audit the company adding additional cost. Since Lafleur will now be operating as a public company, they will have the pressure to perform for the market. â€Å"The actions of the companys management also become increasingly scrutinized as investors constantly look for rising profits. This may lead management to perform somewhat questionable practices in order to boost earnings† (K. Balasubramaniam, 2009). Factors for acquiring another organization in the same industry Strengths An organization can also acquire another organization in the same industry. A major strength with acquiring another organization is that Lafleur Trading Company would be the owner of both organizations and would hold the power of both at the same time. The new organization loses its power and sometimes even loses the name. Acquiring another organization might be done to save the original smaller company while boosting sales for the larger company. If Lafleur would choose to keep the client list of the new organization it would be strength for them and those clients. The clients would still be able to receive the same products, but under new owners. With the new organization being in the same industry Lafleur would not have to buy any additional equipment for the new product. They could just bring the product over to their buildings. Weaknesses Acquiring another organization has its weaknesses too. Customers can become upset over this because they want to be loyal to the previous owners over the newer ones. Lafleur would have to pay a premium to the affiliate of the organization to keep the customers happy (if they can) and without upsetting cash flow. Opportunities There is opportunity in a company’s strengths. Lafleur can take advantage of the successes the acquired company has accomplished in the areas of product, marketing, research and development, and staffing. They can also avoid mistakes that have been made in the past. Using a synergy strategy in this process of acquisition will require Lafleur to be knowledgeable in the operations of the new company. Threats The threat of acquiring another company in the same industry is in its customer base and product line. Lafleur may not be gaining new clients or offering new or improved products. The sales team may be making the same sales calls to the same customers the other company. In this scenario, Lafleur will be gaining the company’s debt without the benefit of expanding resources for future growth. Merging with another organization Strengths Mergers are different than acquiring a new organization because when two companies merge they work together instead of taking full control of the weaker company. Mergers can help both organizations while also benefiting the public. The new firm will have increased market share, which reduces competition (Economics Help, n.d.). The merger will help financially because the company will get a better interest rate for the size. Efficiency is strength for mergers because the companies can bring the more experienced employees from both organizations together. An important strength of a merger is having diversity between the two original organizations. Other strengths would be research and development, avoiding duplication, and regulation of monopoly. Weaknesses Mergers have weaknesses just like any other choice to expand the organization. Mergers mean higher prices for products because competition is cut when two organizations become one. A merger also means fewer choices of products for customers. One of the biggest weaknesses for a merger would be fewer jobs in each organization. This means that Lafleur would have to let go of some of their employees while the organization it mergers with would have to also let go of some. The employees that are left might experience diseconomies of scale. This means that the employees will feel like they are part of a big corporation and their motivation will start to go away. Opportunities Opportunity lies in a merger with a larger well known company. Lafleur will gain the experience of growth from a larger company. There is also the opportunity of better benefits, salaries, increased revenue, and the expansion of offices in other markets. There must be research to be done to choose a company that will aid in future growth. This company will need to be a worthy partner and not a company that needs a lifeline to survive. Threats If a company does not have a growth opportunity on its own, it will not have growth opportunity when it merges with another company. The threat of Lafleur not benefitting from shared resources can result in failure for both companies. Another threat to a merger is mis-management. If the other company is poorly managed, Lafleur will suffer with unrealistic strategic goals, poor communication, and uncertain future success. It is because of these reasons that most companies do not experience more than one merger in their lifetime, they usually fail. Balasubramaniam, K. (2009). Advantages and Disadvantages for a Company Going Public. Retrieved from http://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/06/ipoadvantagedisadvantage.asp

Lillian Schwartz and Tracey Moffat - Modern Technology and Modern Art E

Lillian Schwartz and Tracey Moffat - Modern Technology and Modern Art Many modern artists use high technology equipment in their works. Whereas traditionally artists used a pencil or brush to make beautiful works of art, artists in the early twenty-first century are now using sound, video or computer generated images. Digital art developed from simple patterns and shapes made using computer programs to finished works of art which can look as realistic as a watercolour or oil painting. Modern art exhibitions often include more videos and installations than traditional painting or drawings. Even artists which use traditional techniques increasingly use modern technology such as the internet to display their works and communicate with other artists. Modern technology provides a means for artists to create works faster with more tools than ever before. I will be discussing the impact of some of these technologies in relation to the art of some modern artists. I will argue that modern technology such as the computer and video is another tool for an artist t o use in their work. I will especially focus on the video artwork of Tracey Moffat and the computer artwork of Lillian Schwartz as but two examples of artists today who use modern techniques. Moffat is an Australian contemporary artist who uses film extensively as an art-form, and many of her works are based on and reflect the modern technology of Hollywood movies and television. Schwartz is an artist who has a long history of using computer technology to experiment ways of creating and manipulating works of art. She has also written extensively about the topic of computer influence in art, and about art produced by computers. Modern technology is having a huge impact on rece... ....abc.net.au/rn/arts/atoday/stories/s229128.htm http://www.renaissancesociety.org/show/moffat/index.html http://gallery.discoverymedia.com.au/artzinePub/story.asp?id=219Â §ion=ExNews http://www.absolutearts.com/artsnews/2003/12/31/31676.html http://www.google.com.au/search?q=cache:zJNUDV3AGWUJ: www.afiresearch.rmit.edu.au/ bibliographies_pdfs/tracey_moffatt.pdf +tracey+moffat+video+artist&hl=en http://www.wmm.com/Catalog/_makers/fm253.htm http://www.lillian.com/reviews/ http://www.lillian.com/reviews/tv.html http://www.wmgallery.com/news/schwartz.html http://www.dam.org/schwartz/ http://www.baf.org.uk/2003/eventdetail.asp?ida=4164 http://www.avantofestival.com/2003/en/film_lillians.html http://www.hi-beam.net/fw/fw23/0218.html http://cm.bell-labs.com/who/lil/narr2000.html http://www.lumen.net/news/lillianschwartz.html

The Fisherman by Kurt Brown

Life is filled with pleasures and uncertainties. We have ups and downs, and enjoy the better days because we have survived the worst. The â€Å"Fisherman† by Kurt Brown, tells a tale of a man fishing every day in hopes of catching something beyond him. This poem represents our lives and is a direct metaphor of the duality of success and failure. Our lives can relate to this poem because there comes a time in our lives, when we realize the world has so much to offer us. In order to see and feel the many wonders in life, risk needs to be put forth.Life does do not come to us, like the fisherman; who continues to cast his line into the deep, dark, and thundering waters, perseverance is required. Someday the catch will be rewarding and others will leave empty handed. However, it was enjoyable to go out and risk catching something glorious. Fishing is sport that involves any body of water. Theses body of waters are always bigger than our self’s. â€Å"Maybe it's the shadow of other fish, greater than his, the shadow of other men's souls passing over him,† (Brown 6,7) after analyzing this line, I concluded Brown was referencing life and how it continues without us.There is always a Goliath in life that towers over us all. However, we should not let it pass without attempting to grasp the monstrosity that is life. Not all catches are easy; sharks, marlin and other big game fish will all struggle to pull you down with them into the depths of the deep, dark Ocean. Once you hook the fish, a fight is ensured that will test the limits of your heart. Whether it is with bigger fish or bigger men, strength is required to overcome them. I believe this is one message brown intended to convey in his poem.In a way, Brown tells an aspiring tale of the fisherman's success and failures. â€Å"Each day he grabs his gear and makes his way to the ocean,† (Brown 8,9) determined to catch the best in the salty waters, yet satisfied knowing if he goes home empty handed, the best of him was put forth. Brown was trying to showcase the relentlessness of the fisherman's pride. Each day was different and offered a better catch than before, even if nothing as caught in the previous days, the fisherman continued to have faith and cast his line.In life, we feel like this. Some days we feel like all the choices made up to this point have been pointless. Then we remember, after time spent sulking about our mistakes, that we still have a chance our luck and livelihood. In a way, we all have a little fisherman in all of us. Failure in life is expected, like death, everyone has to face it head on. However, others charge right into it, hoping for the best outcome. We like to think control is always in our hands and the outcomes in majority of situations will tip towards our favor.However, all we have to rely on is uncertainty. Yes we can plan the lives we wish to live out, pursue the goals in life that will allow happiness to flow, but the only real goa l we all achieve knows that uncertainty reigns supreme. â€Å"He'll go back soon, thinking: â€Å"Maybe tonight. † (Brown 17) Brown conveyed the doubt that plagues the fisherman's conscious. â€Å"Maybe tonight,† he is unsure whether the trip back is worth it. Although he may be optimistic and determined, he can't shake the uncertainty.Like a double-edged sword, you cannot have one without the other. In this case, it's doubt that attacks his unyielding perseverance. In closing, despite all of the contrasts of success and failure, Brown started his poem with a strong message â€Å"A man spends his whole life fishing in himself for something grand,† we all want to be the best versions of ourselves. But the thing is; if allowed, we get better as time goes on. We become wiser, and look back on all of the great things that we allowed ourselves to experience.So, to continue becoming grand, we have to constantly pull the greatness out of our souls and temper it. Like a blacksmith creating a fine piece of metal from raw material, it takes time, work, and fire to create a truly fine piece of work. We must constantly fuel the fire and if that fire should go out, it must be relight within to continue on. Like the fisherman in Brown's poem, preparation is required to fish properly. Otherwise, if a strong fish comes your way, how do you expect to make it yours?

Advantages and Disadvantages of Artificial Intelligence Essay

Human intelligence involves many skills such as problem solving, decision making, learning understanding and reflex actions. Many experts in AI have dreamt of creating machines that can imitate our human intelligence. This has led to many possibilities; however, the field of AI has to be understood from both sides of the coin. On the one hand, artificial intelligence has allowed the design of applications that can explore every part of the world that the human cannot visit. For example, in the field of space exploration, artificial intelligence’s machines explore universe parts that are totally hostile to human beings. Intelligent robots are programmed to excavation mining of fuel. These machines can also measure the depth of the oceans. Some of these sophisticated machines have replaced human beings in many fields that require manpower, time and money. Often, these tasks are harmful to humans and therefore programmed robots save people’s health in a big way. On the other hand, the establishment of ethics, moral values and standards is difficult when humans are dominated by machines. Any amount of automation cannot create intelligence; it is only a human feature. No machine can show dedication or emotion s at work and we as human beings cannot live in a world that is only surrounded by machines. For example, in hospitality industry, robots cannot replace the care or concern shown by the hospital staff. Therefore, beyond a point, the capabilities of lateral thinking can probably get delayed if the daily tasks are just made for power cycle machines. Thanks to artificial intelligence, it is possible that a machine can develop areas of knowledge very specific and complicated; making the machine can simulate processes which man performs. But we can highlight that it is not achieved yet a machine that can thing like a human. Indeed, this limitation is the fact that human beings are irreplaceable because human beings have an  own feature: common sense.