For any business organization or a company to enjoy success in its operations and hence be in a position to completely achieve its goals, it is important for it have a strong structure. The structure of a company can comprise a number of things for instance, the management part of it, production/manufacturing, marketing as well as customer care. In almost each and every aspect named above, it is possible to note that each case needs a stepped up network which gives room for efficiency in communication(Lewis, 2008). In a nut shell, when the area of communication has been stabilized in a company then achieving the other aspects is made quite manageable.
In this particular case, I shall give a discussion on one important element in the area of communication called the aspect of the feedback loops. The discussion shall be made with a major concentration on the Palm Inc. company. The work shall therefore involve the discussion of some of the learning opportunities that are present within the reinforcing and balancing feedback loops in this business organization.
To begin with, a feedback can be defined as a piece of information which one receives from another person or perhaps from the environment. In most cases, it involves the responses that people make with respect to our behaviors or attitudes. In line with that, a feedback loop is a metaphor that is used to describe the processes and patterns involved. In other words, a feedback loop is a series of processes which interact with each other hence resulting in a phenomenon where a system adapts to the effects of its prior behavior. It is therefore a pattern which remains in operation so long as the behavior of the originating action is influenced and hence changed. In general terms it is the influence of what an action has on another and how the affected one influences the changes in the behavior of the next element in the loop.
There are two types of feedback loops from which we shall draw the learning opportunities in connection to the operations within Palm Inc. The feedbacks include; the reinforcing feedback and the balancing feedback. A reinforcing feedback loop can be defined as a pattern that is self amplifying and compounding, it is therefore called the positive feedback loop. The balancing feedback loop on the other hand comprises a pattern which plays the role of stabilizing, dampening, maintaining and sustaining certain aspects of operation within the company. It is actually the negative feedback loop.
There are a number of learning opportunities that do exist within these two types of loops hence with regard to the Palm Inc., I shall discuss some of the identifiable ones. To begin with, a system which is made up of a good pattern of a feedback loop helps the parties involved to come up with healthy perspectives. When individuals learn to have a systematic perspective towards certain aspects in the company, it largely goes along way in making things better within the organization (Lewis, 2008). At the same time, a well balanced and efficiently managed feedback loop allows the clients within the company to easily understand the flow of the pattern as depicted in the feedback loop. When the loop is represented in manner that allows the client to note the patterns for themselves and with ease, a lot more other resources are spared. For instance the time that the staff members would have taken in explaining all these to the clients can be utilized in doing other things. It therefore provides opportunities for managers to cut on the costs of their operations.
The balancing and the reinforcing feedback loops also give the individuals who interact with it, an opportunity to develop their observational skills. This is important in ensuring efficiency in the operations within the Palm Inc. company. When workers develop appropriate observational skills, it becomes possible for them to easily note the areas which may require the necessary adjustments just to make the system a better one.
At the same time, a feedback loop especially the balancing feedback loops help the individuals to develops such skills as flexibility. The loops enable one to learn to be flexible hence they do not take sides when it comes to certain matters. With flexibility, one can be able to be on the appropriate side so long as such a decision will result in a greater amount of good to the company. At the same time, when the members within an organization have been trained and trimmed by a particular pattern, it makes it easy for them to allow the response of the environment especially the clients to influence their next steps. When all these aspects are put into consideration, it becomes easier to maintain strong relationships with the clients which is important for the company.
To add to the above learning opportunities, there is also the development of thinking which in turns improves the rational input of individuals in the company. This is usually manifested during such processes as decision making. Since the perspective that is maintained in the workers is a wider and more systematic one, their way of thinking is enhanced too. At the same time, the feedback loops help give guidelines on how to correct certain situations. This helps develop a workforce that is equipped with the relevant skills necessary for effecting adjustments in the company.
In conclusion, I would like to say that both the balancing and the reinforcing feedback loops are important for any business organization (Lewis, 2008). This is because they help monitor a number of vital aspects within the company hence putting them under an appropriate control. Just as I said in the beginning, the feedback loops make an important element of communication both within the Palm Inc. Company and also in its interaction with the environment, mostly the clients.
Reference
1. Lewis, C (2008): Feedback Loops. Boston: South End Press publishing company.
