Simulation Reflection Essays

Simulation Reflection Essays Simulation Reflection Paper Simulation Reflection Paper This paper is a reflection on three simulations as each relates to strategic planning. The first simulation, â€Å"Thinking Strategically,† highlights the importance of environmental scanning. The second simulation, â€Å"Developing Grand Strategies,† challenged decisions made for a company which lead to effective strategy formulation and choices. The third simulation, â€Å"Creating a Strategic Road Map,† provided a simulated experience of how to build a strategic roadmap focusing on the importance and effectiveness of formulating action plans and goals. This reflective approach will convey the lessons learned relative to the importance and effectiveness of the key learning points obtained through each simulation. The challenges faced by strategic planners will be discussed from the discoveries of lessons learned in the three simulations. Environmental scanning provides the opportunity for detailed insight for a company’s current position as well as desired position in the industry. Scanning discoveries provide the company with awareness to warnings signs of external conditions facing competitors and the economy. As shown in the simulation, â€Å"Thinking Strategically,† environmental scanning encourages a company to evaluate and promote an appropriate vision and an improved sense of direction for all stakeholders. The information gathered in an environmental scan, also provides the company with future trends data. This discovery information can warn company officials of the rising or declining of trends on the horizon. The simulation used a SWOT analysis as an effective tool of environmental scanning. An analysis of strengths and weaknesses is obtained through internal sources, whereas, opportunities and threats information is obtained externally. All SWOT factors are critical for the company’s successful strategy. Analyses of each including a matched pair analysis are essential in determining the future prospects of the given industry and developing a specific industry niche. In the simulation, the bike company, BJ’s, built a business on baby boomers. BJ’s brand image is geared toward male extreme bikers. However, women comprise almost half of the biking industry. BJ’s identify key strategy concepts by the use of SWOT analysis to achieve the long-term vision of becoming the top ranking specialty bicycle retailer in terms of revenue in the next five years. The approach to increase marketing efforts towards women, including hiring female consultants, is the most logical in a global environment where women’s sports and athleticism is gaining in popularity. Scanning one’s environment creates a clearer global portrait and significantly impacts all decisions necessary for optimal business outcomes. Throughout the simulation, the primary lesson learned was the value of using various sources of information and implications that such can have on outcomes of strategic planning. BJ’s and any given company can benefit through using material pertaining to statistical studies in relation to historical data gained from previous years of operation reports. For example, industry, population, age, race, and geographic areas can separate this information and locations to assist with making well-informed decisions. The results of such analysis can provide a clear direction necessary for maximizing strategic plan designs. This evaluation will aid companies in understanding how to best hedge against competing practices by knowing the appropriate target audience and building company opportunities designed richly to attract such consumers, clients and employees. â€Å"The two most prominent sources of competitive advantage can be found in the businesss cost structure and its ability to differentiate the business from competitors,† (Pearce and Robinson, Ch. 7). Without environmental scanning, strategic planners will offer information to businesses blindly. Mere internal information can be beneficial for company cultural concerns, but the external information can prove more beneficial based on industry standards. The expense of the industrial analysis reports may seem extravagant, but when exercised properly are very valuable for companies looking to surpass competition. This simulation implies a one time evaluation suits the company, but as Sam Harrison states in his article about Finding Ideas that Make a Difference, Never stop creating. Never stop exploring. Never stop appreciating, (Journal of Business Strategy, 2008). The second simulation, â€Å"Developing Grand Strategies,† was focused on the development of a grand strategy for a company. A lesson learned has been the ability to apply analytic tools and concepts to aid in the development of strategic planning. The toy company, Oz, was the third largest toy manufacturing company in the country. The company reported $3. 5 billion in revenue. Industry reports viewed at Oz predicted that the sales curves were flattening. Oz decided to take a proactive approach to develop a grand strategy that was suitable to the industry reports. â€Å"Strategies, that involve adoption of new technologies, also have sweet spots. Connecting with the right strategy at the right time supported with the right resources will produce the best possible results,† (Oliver, 2002). Oz needs a proactive strategic response to an industry situation impacted by consolidation among manufacturers. Asian imports that have led to an influx of cheap toys and changes in trends such as the increasing purchase power of consumers. The appropriate Grand strategies need to be selected based on the firm’s quadrant positioning in the Grand strategy cluster. A firm’s quadrant position is identified using its competitive position and the market’s growth capability. The firm’s competitive position can be identified using a SWOT matrix and industry report. The industry report also can reveal whether the market is a slow growth or rapid growth market. The selected Grand Strategies based on the firm’s quadrant positioning helps in selecting the correct action plan to meeting the firm’s goals. If the strategies are incorrect, the firm’s action plans may not be accurate and may not help the firm meeting its goals. Developing a vision and determining what is critical for the business will aid in making key business decisions. In experiencing the Grand Strategy with Oz, the strategy used is in response to the internal and external conditions of the business systematic processes. As the company builds on strengths and weaknesses, the strategy is to create and sustain a competitive advantage. If a potential opportunity arises, the opportunity should be consistent with what is â€Å"important to the values (and vision) of the business. The key point in a business strategy is figuring out what you are not going to do, not just what you are going to do,† (The Bangkok Post, 2002). The Grand Strategy Cluster is the ideal platform for the selection of appropriate Grand Strategy. In conjunction with the Grand Strategy Cluster, the SWOT Matrix helps to identify a company’s position. Strengths and Weaknesses in the SWOT matrix show the firm’s internal face. Opportunities and Threats show the firm’s external face. The SWOT matrix is important to identify the firm’s competitive positioning. The Grand strategy cluster is important to select the strategies based on the firm’s competitive position and the market’s growth capability. Strategic planners can use the grand strategy cluster to plan for appropriate short term and long-term activities relevant to the company. But use of the grand strategy cluster could lead to greater challenges in choosing the right strategy in the real world. If the market is changing too fast, focusing on one tactic can become difficult to identify the ideal strategy. If external threats exist in the middle of executing a strategy, the firm may find it difficult to change quickly to address the threats. Similarly, the firm’s goal of keeping the shareholders happy may conflict with some of the selected strategies. The shareholders and the market may not see some of the strategies as positive. As an example, the firm may like to liquidate a business function considering its Grand strategy cluster quadrant positioning while the shareholders and the market may consider it as an inappropriate strategy. Sometimes, the strategic planners may not have adequate data to make an appropriate decision. Planners may need to make assumptions in the event of unavailability of data and the assumptions may be wrong and may create issues. The above are some of the challenges for strategic planners while selecting the right strategy. In looking at the â€Å"Creating a Strategic Road Map† simulation, there were several lessons applied regarding the importance and effectiveness of the formulation of action plans and goals. The basis for the formulation of action plans and goals are geared toward long-term company objectives. From the simulation, ConstructWell is the leading provider in the specialized construction service focusing on commercial and infrastructure segments in North America. The company dominated the largest construction market. Organizational success made the company vulnerable for a takeover by a larger corporation. ConstructWell decides to set long-term objectives that countered the take over bid and made long-term strategic decisions designed to rank the company at the top of the industry. A team was formulated to develop a strategic roadmap to accomplish the objectives that had been set. A strategic roadmap helps to place organizational strategies keeping in mind with the company vision and long-term objectives. Once an organization has identified workable long-term goals, the company can begin work on developing strategies to meet those set goals. Every decision made within the firm must be done in alignment with the ultimate goal of meeting the described long-term objective. Using the SWOT chart is integral in this step. Goals with specific tangible measures of progress assist an organization in measuring progress in a manner consistent with the long-term objectives of the organization by having the knowledge of the desired direction. In conclusion, the first simulation, â€Å"Thinking Strategically,† highlighted the importance of environmental scanning. The second simulation, â€Å"Developing Grand Strategies,† challenged decisions made which lead to effective strategy formulation and choice. The third and final simulation, â€Å"Creating a Strategic Road Map,† provided a simulated experience of how to build a strategic roadmap and the importance and effectiveness of formulating action plans and goals. These are the challenges that currently face strategic planners. To remain competitive, companies traditionally trim balance sheets cut costs, and return to their core competencies. Companies search for alternatives in handling procedures that are essential to their businesses. Many of today’s companies, like the mentioned in the three simulations, are all challenged to produce an outcome that is beneficial to the bottom line of the business. Globalization, rapid change, outsourcing and other major forces shaping today’s economic landscape has ushered in multi-business strategic decision making that focus a mixed structure in different countries to become the global leader in the industry. Defining a company’s strategic initiatives and mapping the strategies from a SWOT analysis in each simulation proved important as a strategic planner. Based on long-term objectives, the manager defines the strategies and the corresponding goals that would enable the business to achieve successful status. References The Bangkok Post. (2003). `Shooting for the stars through strategic planning. Retrieved on April 20, 2008, from ProQuest. Creating a Strategic Roadmap Simulation (2008). University of Phoenix: Retrieved on April 9, 2008, from website, http://mycampus. phoenix. edu. Developing Grand Strategies Simulation (2008). University of Phoenix: Retrieved on April 6, 2008 from website, http://mycampus. phoenix. edu. Harrison, S. (2008). Finding Ideas that Make a Difference. Journal of Business Strategy. Retrieved on April 19, 2008, from americansentinel. edu/JOBS//ideaspotting. shtml Oliver, R. (2002). The Strategic Sweet Spot. The Journal of Business Strategy. Retrieved on April 19, 2008, from EBSCOhost. Pearce-Robinson (2004). Strategy Implementation Ninth Edition: Retrieved on April 17, 2008, from Strategy Formulation: Formulating Long-Term Objectives and Grand Strategies. Thinking Strategically Simulation (2008). University of Phoenix: Retrieved on March 30, 2008, from website, http://mycampus. phoenix. edu.

Construction Litigation Industry in California Thesis - 1

Construction Litigation Industry in California - Thesis Example In the light of improved opportunities, we find that the general contractors now offer a number of services such as: financial assistance, management of the total program, operations and maintenance, and renovation besides the core service of designing, building, and construction management1. Hence, we see that the construction industry has taken over a number of services that were offered by consultants. The contractors have taken over a large share of the service market of A/E consultants and thus, A/E firms need to expand the services offered to retain their market shares. They need to venture into service segments such as providing financial assistance to the clients, assistance with regulations, cost analysis of project life cycle, O&M functions, and renovation services. The situation has changed dramatically for marketing professionals and construction services providers and it is not as simple as it used to be. The shift in the project delivery system and the advances in commu nication technology requires the architects and the engineers to change themselves from their usual procedures of working. For example, in the past architects relied on their name and recognition whereas consulting engineers relied on 80/20 rule2 , and general contractors used to bid low in competitive bidding situations. The A/E consultants can retain their market shares by strengthening their market niche, marketing plans that increase customer retention, and restructuring of the organization to increase flexibility in the human resource.

Business Plan, ( restaurant in london) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4750 words

Business Plan, ( restaurant in london) - Essay Example Our company will also offer customers a wide variety of sizes to choose from, for example by packaging products in small, medium, and large sizes. This strategy will also be intended to attract different customers with different levels of incomes and preference for different sizes. Zena will sell some products that are rarely sold in other restaurants, such as backed chips, a strategy that will go a long way in creating a competitive advantage. Our restaurant will produce a lot of products that attract schooling students such as fries, and sauces. This strategy will ensure we get a lot of customers because the area has so many schools, colleges and universities. In order to establish the value of its products, Zena will focus on the significance of comparing quality with price, and this means that the customers must be guaranteed value for their money. The customers will be offered superior quality on all products and services to ensure they are fully satisfied and contented with the money they spend on our items (Cannon & Morgan, 1990). The products and services of Zena will be offered in a truly unique environment so the customers can experience not only satisfying products and services, but also a comfortable and admirable ambiance. This kind of fashionable atmosphere will be used to offer products at somewhat higher prices and still ensure that the customers are satisfied since the products and services will guarantee them value for their money. What’s more our company’s focus on offering products and services of high quality and ensuring that our employees are well-trained to offer superior services is another strategy that will be used to charge customer’s relatively higher prices than some of our competitors and still retain them (Gu 1997; Ingenbleek et al. 2003). It is also important to note that sometimes the prices will vary with the cost of supplies. If we get supplies at lower prices we shall probably reduce the price for our cu stomers, but if we get supplies at higher prices we shall have no option but to increases our prices so we do not compromise our profitability targets. If we get supplies at higher prices and hence forced to increases the prices that we charge our customers, we shall ensure that we provide very high products and services so the customers continue doing business with us. Alternatively, we shall ensure that our prices are adjusted according to â€Å"product-by-product† and â€Å"market-by-market basis. Zara will also implement strategies that will retain price-sensitive customers, for example by packaging very small quantities of fries such that those customers can still perceive them as affordable (Govindarajan, 1989). Keys to success: Ensuring that the customers are offered high quality meals in a comforting and attractive atmosphere that creates a sense of value for customer’s, as well as differentiating us from our competitors. Having high quality products and satis fying customer care as part of our strategic goals. Target segment Our company targets customers from different backgrounds. While our primary targets are the young people who are attending neighboring colleges, universities and schools, we shall also target people who are in their shopping mission,

Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS)

Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) Modern biomedicine advances have impelled the demand of sensitive, accurate and fast analytical techniques for biodetection and biodiagnosis. Many tools ranging from fluorescence spectroscopy, mass spectrometry or immunoassays have been used to resolve analytical problems related with health. Although these techniques are well established, several drawbacks still limit their fully applicability, e.g. prior sample preparation, time consumption or relatively low detection limits[1]. Recent developments in laser technology and nanoscience have converted surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) as one of the techniques with highest analytical potential. The SERS effect is associated to the intense electromagnetic field enhancements provided, upon light excitation, by localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) at the surface of a plasmonic metal with features in the nanoscale range [2]. The Raman signal of the molecules in close vicinity to the metal substrate is enormously intensifie d, allowing sensing applications down to single-molecule [3]. Since its initial discovery, almost 40 years ago, the field of SERS spectroscopy has experienced an exponential growth, renewing the interest within the scientific community[4]. Among numerous potential applications, SERS has emerged as an ultrasensitive tool for detection and identification of biomolecules, such as DNA. [1, 5]. However, although a wide range of indirect SERS-based DNA approaches have been developed (mostly relying on the mediated capture of the target DNA and the use of extrinsic SERS reporters), the direct SERS spectral analysis of unmodified DNA still remains scarcely used, despite the fact that it provides specific, selective and complete vibrational information. The major limitation has been so far the lack of spectral reproducibility at low DNA concentrations. The investigation of the native structure of DNA (especially double-stranded DNA) based on its affinity towards gold/silver substrates was ma inly hindered by the phosphate backbone of DNA, since it is negatively charged at physiological pH. Recently, the spectral reproducibility issue have been addressed by different scientific groups based on the interaction of DNA with negatively charged nanoparticles, which have renewed the interest indirect SERS-based strategies of detection of DNA.[6-9] On the other hand, Alvarez-Puebla and co-workers developed a successful alternative strategy based on the use of positively-charged silver colloids coated with spermine molecules ([emailprotected]).[10, 11] DNA is the carrier of all genetic information in living organisms. Although it is a stable macromolecule, can be subjected to changes such as mutations derived from evolution, genetic diseases or genomic aberrations which can lead to cancer.[12] Apart from the known four canonical bases contained in DNA and RNA, a variety of modified nucleobases play a major role in gene regulation.[13] In higher organisms, epigenetic information for gen regulation is needed in order to determine their functions and properties. 5-methylcytosine is the most investigated modification in mammalian genomic DNA. However, many cytosine variants in DNA regulartory network such 5-formylcytosine, 5-carboxylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine have been recently identified. In fact, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine is produced in mammalian tissues and depleted in human cancer cells.[14] These discoveries have suggested that new nucleotide variants possess epigenetic functions for gen regulation that have been underesti mated. In addition to epigenetic modifications, an ample variety of nucleobase lesions (such as alkylation, oxidation, deamination, and cross-linking) can take place as a result of carcinogen attacks to DNA.[15, 16] In some cases, carcinogens are inherently reactive toward DNA while others require to be firstly metabolically activated to electrophilic intermediates such as phagocyte-generated reactive oxygen, nitrogen and halogen species.[17-19] Anyhow, all these DNA lesions are mutagenic or cytotoxic and, if not properly repaired by the corresponding enzymatic systems, may induce base mispairing during DNA replication.[16] Accumulation of such mutations in genes controlling cell growth, proliferation, programmed cell death, and cell differentiation is likely to cause cancer.[20, 21] Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are possibly the main class of DNA damaging agents, which generates a wide set of different oxidative lesions [22] such as those produced by the direct attack of the highly reactiv e hydroxyl radical (†¢OH) to the nucleobase double bonds. On the other hand, inflammation-induced formation of 5-halocytosines adducts (5-chlorocytosine and 5-bromocytosine), have been identified in DNA from human tissues.[23-27] Importantly, 5-halocytosines could act as fraudulent epigenetic signals, in part explaining the link between chronic inflammation and cancer.[28-33] Due to the recent discoveries of new nucleotide variants with epigenetic functions, an intense research has been directed toward the development of novel methods to detect, profile, and sequence these base modifications in the genome and transcriptome.[34] These strategies span from pure detection and quantification methods (thin layer chromatography (TLC) analysis,[35] antibody-based detection,[36, 37] 32P-postlabelling[15] and liquid chromatography (LC)-mass spectrometry (MS)[38]) to genome-wide profiling methods and single-base-resolution sequencing methods.[39] A relatively new field in this exciting area is the screening of DNA samples for unknown or unanticipated lesions, which is referred to as â€Å"adductomics†.[40] Nowadays, this sort of analysis is primarily performed with liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution/accurate mass spectrometry (LC−MSn).[15, 40] This technique relies on the fragmentation of protonated modified nucleobases which are then d ifferentiated according to their molecular mass.[15, 40] However, DNA adduct analysis by mass spectrometry is costly and time-consuming since it requires a prior sample preparation which normally involves several standard steps, such as DNA hydrolysis into the corresponding monomers, enrichment of the DNA adducts, removal of unmodified nucleobases and addition of an appropriate internal standard.[40] Extreme caution must be paid to avoid artificial generation of DNA lesions during these processing steps. This research project aims the direct SERS detection of four different cytosine variants in single-stranded DNA sequences, by means of [emailprotected] colloids. 5-methylcytosine (mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (hmC) were investigated due to their epigenetic importance in mammalian DNA. 5-bromocytosine (BrC) and 5-hydroxycytosine (hC) were studied as a representative modification involved in DNA damage. Transition from Raman to SERS The Raman phenomenon is related to the process where inelastic scattered photons are simultaneously emitted upon monochromatic light interaction with a specific molecule (Figure 1a). During the scattering process, a large majority of the photons are scattered at the same incident energy (Raighley scattering), whereas a small part of photons either gain or loose energy (anti-Stokes and Stokes Raman scattering respectively).[41] The resulting Raman spectral bands correspond to vibrational and rotational transitions which are specific to each molecular system providing a vibrational â€Å"fingerprint†. Raman scattering is a weak phenomenon since nearly 1 in 106 1010photons are inelastically scattered[42]. In most of the Raman studies the fraction of the spectrum involving anti-Stokes bands is usually ignored due to the weakness of the bands (Figure 1b). Although the invention of the laser in 1960s implied great improvements in Raman spectroscopy, the lack of sensitivity was stil l a sever limitation. In 1974, Fleischmann et al.[43] observed for the first time an unexpected dramatic enhancement of the Raman signal from pyridine in presence of rough silver electrodes. Later in 1977, a series of independent reports of Jeanmaire et al.[44], and Albrecht et al.[45] explained the origin of such enhancement, which renewed the interest in Raman techniques and paved the way to Surface Enhanced Raman scattering. There are two widely accepted theories that explain the origin of SERS enhancement compared to Raman scattering (Figure 1c): the electromagnetic enhancement (EM) and the chemical enhancement (CE). The EM is considered to be the major contribution of the enhancement and is highly influenced by the characteristics of the metal (composition, shape, size). This EM effect arises upon light interaction with a noble metal surface, generating collective oscillations of conduction electrons named as surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs). The coupling of these LSPRs with the emission of the analyte adsorbed or in close vicinity to the metal surface is responsible for the scattering intensification, which can reach values up to 1010-1011 [41]. In particular, large local electromagnetic fields are observed at the inter-particle junctions (known as â€Å"hot spots†) of noble metal nanoparticles which are in close proximity (mostly Ag and Au). Among others, the EM enhancement drastically decre ases as the distance between the analyte and the metal surface increases [42] which explains the requirement of close proximity between the nanostructured surface and the target molecule. The CE contribution to the SERS signal enhancement is usually weaker and, differently to the EM mechanism, is molecule-specific. In fact, when the analyte adsorbs onto the metallic substrate, a new surface-complex is formed and, new electronic transitions may be possible due to the change in the analyte properties such as the Raman polarizability. These transitions are comparable to the Resonant Raman transitions, which analogously lead to higher Raman cross sections. If both mechanisms (EM and CE) are present, their effect is assumed to be multiplicative[46]. Figure 1.(a) Schematic comparison between Raman and SERS effects (b) Raman and SERS spectra of Rhodamine G (c) SERS enhancement mechanisms***. 1.2 SERS substrates For SERS applications, noble metals substrates (mostly silver and gold) must contain features in the nano-range scale (not higher than the excitation wavelength). In fact, whereas large nanostructures highly hamper the LSPRs, too small nanostructures cannot support these plasmon resonances, leading to low enhancement factors [41]. During the past years great efforts have been made to coherently engineer SERS substrates. Two main approaches have been used for the design of SERS substrates: top down approaches, involving mainly lithographic techniques, and bottom up approaches.[47] Top down approaches allow the controlled manipulation of interparticle gaps and relatively simple functionalization of metal surfaces. In the case of bottom up approaches, nanoparticles are chemically synthetized and subsequently assembled in suspension or in ordered manner. In this context, silver and gold nanoparticles are the most used SERS-active substrates due to their outstanding optical response. Noteworthy, the LSPRs of silver substrates cover a wider wavelength range (comprising most of the visible and nearinfrared spectral region) than gold substrates. Below 600 nm, gold nanoparticles mostly absorb the incident light, hampering the surface plasmon resonances in this spectral range. [48] On the other hand, gold nanoparticles are more stable under oxidative conditions, easily prepared and with high potential tunable plasmon properties. [49] 1.3 SERS instrumentation Current dispersive Raman instruments are coupled with microscopes and several laser beam lines as excitation sources. The choice of the excitation wavelength (mainly from the visible to NIR) depends strictly on the application. An important factor to take into account when performing a SERS measurement, is the Raman scattering efficiency since it depends on the fourth power of the frequency[50]. Therefore, shorter wavelengths improve the Raman sensitivity although the risk of fluorescence or sample degradation also increases and has to be considered [51]. In this particular set-up and in most modern Raman spectrophotometers, the inelastically scattered light is collected at 180o geometry. In the confocal unit, the light from the laser initially passes through a pinhole aperture. This light is then delivered through the notch filters (interference filters) where it is completely reflected into the microscope and reaches the sample through the beam splitter. Then, the inelastically scattered light passes back through the same optics, a monocromator and finally reaches de CCD detector. The Rayleigh scattering is efficiently blocked by the notch filters.

Ancol Ltd. Study Essay

Ancol Ltd. hired Paul Simard as the manager of their Jonquiere, Quebec plant. Simard observed that relations were strained between management and employees and, through information from a seminar he had attended, ordered the removal of time clocks. This action brought an onset of negative consequences that ultimately led to a further diminishing of relations between the employees and management, accounting issues due to lack of accountability, and problems between the union and Ancol Ltd; All of these issues decreased productivity in the factory. The problem stems from issues of competency and communication. Essentially, there should have been an open solution from the beginning. Simard did not have the insight to understand the situation he was placed in. The new manager should have tried to understand why relations between employees and management were strained in the first place. He then could move to understand the needs of the management and workers to develop a solution that would benefit the whole factory. Rather than instantly implementing the removal of time clocks that he had learnt from the seminar, Simard should have carefully analyzed the situation and what consequences this policy could have on the factory. Simard could have researched and inquired about such methods and perhaps learnt the consequences from the instance at the B.C. factory. Problem Statement: The central issue at the Jonquiere Ancol Ltd. plant was that Paul Simard, and his management team, lacked the insight and communication to discern a more holistic and open solution to the problem of strained relations between the management and employees. This led to an uneducated and rash decision to order the removal of time clocks from the factory that led to negative consequences. Employees began leaving early, showing for work late, and taking extended lunch breaks that created distrust and frustration among management and other employees. The management was ordered to observe the employees and reprimand those who abused their privileges and was not competent enough to handle the task, which led to a great burden for the  supervisors, and this made it extremely difficult to foster trust between the management and employees. Consequently, the payroll department could not deduct pay for the amount of times employees were late due to a lack of accountability and therefore a lette r of reprimand was placed in each employee’s file, which created even more work for the supervisors. Finally, due to the letters of reprimand, grievances were filed with the employees’ unions that fostered greater distrust and essentially productivity, energy, and integrity significantly declined in the factory. Alternatives: The main issue revolved around the lack of communication and competency of the management at the beginning. Simard, and his staff, lacked the insight to effectively find a solution that would provide a holistic approach in solving the already apparent strained relations between the supervisors and employees. At the onset of his work term, Simard should have sought to understand why there was a rift between the employees and management. If Ancol Ltd. were still in good terms with the previous manager, Simard could have communicated with him to obtain a better understanding. In understanding the underlying issue, Simard would be able to effectively tackle the problem without uncertainty and then, Simard should have effectively communicated with his management team and his employees to find a solution that would benefit both parties and foster productivity, integrity, and trust back into the factory. The constraint to finding a holistic approach is that it takes time and the right solut ion may not come into fruition. Furthermore, while a solution is being made, it can be assumed that the relations are worsening. Furthermore, Simard should have seen that some of the issue arose from the fact that the supervisors lacked the interpersonal skills to communicate with the employees, which became apparent when the time clocks were removed. This was an obvious issue that Simard should have seen; having a management team that did not think the decision to remove the time clocks was rash or unwise should have been a signal. Therefore, perhaps Simard could have trained the existing management, or replaced them with more competent staff to create a more insightful staff and a healthier work environment for the employees. The constraint to this alternative is that training or hiring new management is time consuming and costly, and trust would have to be fostered between the new hires. This policy would have positive consequences and would create more trust between the employees and workers. It is obvious that the removal of the time clocks led to more harm than good. Simard should have carefully analyzed the situation prior to making the decision that led to such folly. If he had done this, many of the issues would not have occurred and the factory could have taken a step forward. Furthermore, he should have carefully analyzed the method that he learned from the seminar and how it would affect the employees and the factory’s productivity. Not all ideas that come from seminars pertain to every situat ion and any system change should be analyzed to predict the outcome in every functional area, such as the payroll department. If he had communicated with his senior management team and employees about the time clocks and its possible consequences, perhaps he would have found a better approach. Furthermore, if Simard had discussed the time clocks with other managers prior to implementing his policy, he would have learnt the consequences through the instance at the B.C. factory. Clearly, the issue and solution heavily depends on communication around the factory. It is difficult to see any negative consequences of this alternative, as the removal of time clocks was a disastrous solution. A constraint to this alternative is that it can be assumed that Simard does not have a management team that can communicate well, and hiring and training is costly and time consuming. With regards to the issues that occurred after the removal of the time clocks, there were many alternatives that Simard could have implemented that would have decreased the damage done. Simard could have been more strict on how many times an employee could be late, leave early, or take an extended lunch break. Furthermore, Simard could have rewarded those who stay longer and later to incentivize those who consid er abusing their privileges. These solutions have obvious pitfalls as the former only creates an adversarial environment and the latter relies on bribery rather than integrity and trust. Conclusion To conclude, since the issues stem from a lack of insight and communication, the solutions should also pertain to areas of insight and communication. Essentially, Ancol Ltd. could have hired a more competent manager for their Jonquiere plant. A competent manager would have created a more holistic and beneficial solution. Simard had not identified the root of the strained relations between the senior management and the employees. If he had communicated with the employees and management and previous manager in order to understand the issue at hand a much better solution could have been implemented. Also, a competent manager would have found that their management is lacking in crucial interpersonal skills that may have contributed to the issue. Simard should have conversed with the employees to learn about the existing management and terminate the supervisors who are not fit to lead. Although less costly, training the existing staff may not be the best option due to the fact that that the strained relations may be in part due to personality traits. Simard should have attempted to understand the implications of removing the time clock s in the factory. There were many alternatives that Simard could have attempted such as talking with his senior management team and employees, or communication with other managers at plants in order to understand the consequences of removing the time clocks. He would have found that it would have profound consequences in many functional areas of the factory and would derive a different solution. In regards to the order for the removal of time clocks, aside from reintroducing the time clocks earlier, it would be difficult for Simard to find solutions to the problem but rather Paul would be attempting â€Å"Band-Aid† solutions to the problems. Simard could have hired new supervisors or implemented a incentive based system but ultimately, this would have been avoided through more careful analysis and planning and therefore these should be rejected. Implementation At the beginning of Simard’s term, he should have immediately sought to identify the underlying issue regarding the strained relations between the employees and the senior management. First and foremost, if possible, Simard should have communicated with the previous manager. Next, Simard should have conducted depth discussions with his senior management and employees, together and separate. This will create an open and truthful dialogue between both parties and essentially, Simard would build a crucial  relationship with all staff. This process will take approximately a month or two. Throughout this time, Simard should have conducted research into the consequences of the removal of all time clocks and would refrain from doing so. In the process of discovering these issues, Simard would have noticed that his supervisor’s lack crucial skills that are necessary for their positions and terminate/hire new management staff accordingly. Simard would then ensure that the new management has the appropriate skills to effectively communicate with the employees and him to create a more accountable working environment. This process would take another month. With his revamped management staff, Simard would then address the underlying problems found through involvement with both the supervisors and employees. In this process, a new relationship would be built between both parties and workplace productivity and happiness would increase. This process would be ongoing until the solution was found and implemented.

IT Project Management Assessment Essay

1. Summarizes how the project manager or team exhibited exceptional and ethical project management practices. Often, the project manager (PM) is faced with an issue that is not easily resolved by theory or the knowledge acquired from formal training. These types of problems are usually not of a technical nature and more often tend to be ethical or human resource issues (Stare, 2011). The satisfactory answer is often debatable and may suit one set of circumstances and yet not another. It is these difficult issues where the PM must draw from their practical experiences, moral and ethical obligations, and sometimes the rule of law. For example, international projects take the PM out of the comfort zone of the local laws and customs that they are used to working at home. In many host countries, doing business results in uncertainty and inconsistencies from the way business is conducted at home. Sometimes a practice that is permissible in the foreign country is not at home (Stare, 2011). Will making a payment to a foreign government official to obtain permits, licenses or police protection be seen as a bribe or just facilitating and expediting to get things done? That is why it is useful to have a set of guidelines. Companies should have a set of best practices or code of conduct to assist them, however, many do not. Here is a list of questions to use and may be proven useful in deciding a correct approach: Are you following rules that are generally understood and accepted for the task taking place? For example, in poker, bluffing is accepted as part of the game. Are you comfortable publicly discussing and defending your action? Would you be comfortable if your friends were aware of it? Is your family ok with it? Would you want someone to do it to you or to your family? What if everyone acted that way? Would the resulting society be desirable? Are their alternatives that rest on firmer ground? Some countries such as the U.S. have a legal framework, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) for conducting business abroad. For instance, it states with respect to bribery that it is a crime for a bribe to be made to a foreign official or political party for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business or for directing business to another person even if this flows through an intermediary or consultant (Quade, Birkenkrahe, & Habermann, 2012). However, not all payments are defined as bribes. Payments for routine government action are allowed under the FCPA including the dispensing of permits, licenses and police protection as noted in the example. Thus, it is important to distinguish between those that are acceptable and unacceptable by noting the various laws of both your own country and those in your host country. As organizations increasingly adopt the practice of project management to achieve their goals, project managers must be adept in the soft skills, political savvy, and conflict management skills that are vital to project success. Project success relies directly on the ability of project managers to communicate, negotiate, and influence within a project environment that inevitably involves politics and conflict (KENNEDY & HUSTON, 2012). It is important for the project manager to approach difficult issues with care and conduct their affairs within the appropriate ethical and legal framework. Some of the PM guiding principles are gained from the company value statements, and codes of conduct. This will provide the project manager, along with his or her experience, the additional resources to resolve tough situations. 2. Discusses the role of the project manager or team, the organizational setting, the recipient’s approach to project integration management, and obstacles that had the potential of adversely impacting the triple constraints. Some of us are familiar with the term, triple constraint, which refers to the three way conflict between scope, time, and cost. The constraint is often represented diagrammatically by a triangle. What the diagram attempts to show is that if something change in any constraint it should impact the other two constraints in some way. For example, if you increase the scope of a project, this will have the effect of increasing the time taken and thus the cost of the project (DiVincenzo, 2006). Also, if you reduce the time taken, but you are not prepared to reduce the scope, then clearly it’s going to cost more to complete the project. Triple constraint is one of the least understood, but most important keys to understand in project management. The discipline of project management is about providing the tools and techniques that enable the project team and not just the project manager to organize the work to meet the constraints. Another tactic to project management is to consider the three constraints as finance, time and human resources. If you need to finish a job in a shorter time, you can throw more people at the problem, which in turn will raise the cost of the project, unless by doing this task quicker you will reduce costs elsewhere in the project by an equal amount. A project management graphic aid, which is a triangle, can show time, scope, and cost objective as the sides of a triangle, instead of the corners. Project management could used a pair of triangles called triangle outer and triangle inner to represent the concept that the intent of a project is to complete on or before the allowed time, on or under cost, and to meet or exceed the required scope (Anantatmula, 2010). The distance between the inner and outer triangles shows the hedge or possibility for each of the three elements. Bias could be shown by the distance. The example of a project with a strong time bias was the Alaska pipeline which essentially had to be done on time no matter the cost. After years of development, oil flowed out the end of the pipe within four minutes of schedule. The illustration of the time side of triangle inner was effective on the top of the triangle outer line. This was true of the scope objective line also. The cost line of triangle inner, however, was outside since the project ran significantly over budget. This is a good relationship of Performance, Cost, Time, Scope, and shows that a project can pick any three. Projects and initiatives are more likely to meet objectives and achieve success when change management and project management are being both used and integrated (DiVincenzo, 2006). An integrated approach increases the effectiveness of project delivery and increases the chances that sustained change happens. Integration of change management and project management enables the practitioners doing the work to be more aligned, the activities to be more effectively sequenced and the tools being used to be even stronger. Regardless of the specific approach to integrating people, processes, tools and methodologies, integration of change management and project management will provide a more complete approach and solution to creating sustained and meaningful change in the organization. Reference Anantatmula, V. S. (2010). Project Manager Leadership Role in Improving Project Performance. Engineering Management Journal, 22(1), 13-22. DiVincenzo, T. (2006). Project managers stay in charge and out front. Occupational Outlook Quarterly, 50(2), 19-25. KENNEDY, D., & HUSTON, M. (2012). Don’t promote the villains. (cover story). Industrial Engineer: IE, 44(10), 28-32. Quade, S., Birkenkrahe, M., & Habermann, F. (2012). Manage Projects Smarter: Picking Tools for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. International Journal of Advanced Corporate Learning, 5(3), 43-47. doi:10.3991/ijac.v5i3.2175 Stare, A. (2011). THE IMPACT OF THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND PROJECT ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE ON PROJECT PERFORMANCE IN SLOVENIAN ENTERPRISES. Management: Journal of Contemporary Management Issues, 16(2), 1-22.

Flu Vaccination- Benefits and Contra-indications Free Essay Example, 1000 words

The reason for this is that in these people, the immunity system is fairly weak and this disease can cause severe complications. Benefits of getting the FLU vaccine Flu vaccine is beneficial to every individual on several grounds. On a larger scale it also ensures a healthy environment that resists the spread of such diseases. Evidently, it protects one from the attack of this disease or decreases the extent of its impact on a body. More common during the change of weather and through winters, it enables people to be protected from this unpleasant state of viral illness. Apart from this, it has other medical, social and economic benefits as well(Pol, 2009). Medically, it contains the spread of flu as a viral disease and protects one from its attack. Young children, old people and pregnant women can escape serious complications that may arise in their condition upon contracting such a disease. Since it can affect different people variably, young adults can reduce their chances of contracting influenza and even if they do, they can count on the less severity of its symptoms. We will write a custom essay sample on Flu Vaccination- Benefits and Contra-indications or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now Needless to say, it weakens a body through its course and recovery takes upto 3 weeks which is a prolonged state of illness in the normal course of life. Socially, it ensures that this disease is not spread and become an epidemic. It also encourages a healthy society that is free from such viral diseases and health results in productivity. It hampers the loss of workdays and frequent visits to the physicians for individuals, making them a positive component of the society. It reduces the strain of the disease and results in lesser deaths in weak patients contacting it. People who are already suffering from health condition like asthma and diabetes, and chronic lung disease and those who are responsible for the health of others, like healthcare personnel can greatly benefit from this vaccine too. Economically, many countries offer the flu vaccine to elderly and babies free of cost or at a minimal price. This is an encouraging factor for them and the government ensures that the spread of this disease does not take a severe turn. It is also available to general public to whoever wants to get himself vaccinated against this disease at an economical price. In a macro-economic environment, it leads to positive health indicators for a country which are ideal for the economic growth and sustainability of a country. Thus, it is evident that the flu vaccine is beneficial on many levels and protects the people from its long lasting effects.