Answer 1.1
Decision means a choice made from a variety of options. The process of making choice from possible options is decision making. By definition, decision making is the method of opting for a rational and logical choice from the available options. When making decision, an individual must weigh the merits and demerits of each option and consider all alternatives. A good decision maker should always be in a position to forecast the outcome of each option and determine that options are the best for a given particular situation .
People, institutions or organization use decision making to solve problems through selection of one course of action from possible alternatives. Making a decision is sometimes hard. Almost any decision involves dissatisfaction or some conflicts. The grueling part is to pick a single solution where the positive results can outweigh the possible losses. Avoiding making decision is always an easier option. Making decision is the only to make the best use of time and resources.
Quite literally, enterprise operates by management making the right decisions. A manager plan, staffs, organizes, control and leads the employee through making executive decisions. The quality and effectiveness of those decisions highly determine how successful the enterprise becomes. Managers of Tesco’s Systems will be required to make right decisions in order to solve problems. This is usually an ongoing process whereby the managers must evaluate situations and considering possible alternatives and making the best choices while following such choices with the necessary actions. Decisions period can be short whereby the manager mental reflection will hold on how effective decision is made. On other hand, decisions make take a long time to be made. Nevertheless, the ability to choose the best choice distinguishes the successful organization out of the rest.
In an organization, decision making can follow at various level such as strategic, tactical and operational decisions. These levels of decision fall under the hierarchy from the main and utmost compound to the least complex. Strategic decisions as always are long-term in nature. They shape and affect the direction of the whole business. The strategic decision making engages the whole business and involves making decision for the company in a relatively large period. These decisions affect every department within the company. For successful strategic decisions, the missions, vision and the core value of the business must be integrated to the choices the management decides to take. It allows the work, and program be tailored according to the core values of the business. These decisions are the most complex and take the longest period to make as they hold the life for the business.
In fact, strategic decisions are not the work of the manager alone, but a handful of experienced experts who sits in the boardroom and forges the best way for the company. For instance, the management of a particular bakery will need to take a tactical choice about whether to change or remain the cafe business. Long-term forecast of the turnover compared with the market conditions helps determine if a business will need to change the operation.After the company has made strategic decisions, tactical decisions that map the company resources and the market structures are left to the board of directors and the middle management. Tactical decisions help implement the strategy drafted at strategic level. These decisions may include the human resource, market strategy and product and services modification. Tactical decisions help the business maintain a competitive edge by choosing the right workforce, the products and services that are required in the market and the best market strategy. For instance, for a cafe, a tactical decision will be either to extend the time of operation to reach a wider customer base. The management would want the data for analysis to assess if the lengthy hours of working led to an increased level of customers.
Operational decision relates to routine activities of the business. These decisions are taken by middle and junior managers. Operational management decision is the lowest level of decision making in any organization. It involves making day to day decisions that are not complex in nature. For instance, an operational decision of a café would be either to order more coffee in the coming weeks. Through stocks and sales data, the executives of Tesco’s can be able to make a decision on whether to make a larger order for supplies.
Answer 1. 2
As shown in the examples above, decisions at all level need data. An enterprise keeps a trail of data. The data include records on sales, payment and costs. These data can provide a picture of trends that can be used by Tesco’s for planning. Consequently, in order to make the correct choices, the organization must seek information in the form of data. The data will help the management make the right decision depending on the particular situation. Information is broad and cannot be defined by a single word. In business terms, information means the relevant and timely data that an organization can apply to make a rational and logical conclusion regarding markets, workforce, products and services. The analysis of the information gives knowledge. By definition, knowledge is the correct application of information. If the business access timely and relevant information, they become knowledgeable and always the right decisions.
As in the decision making, the information differs in the level from strategic, tactical to operational. The information depends on the nature of the decision that will be made. For instance, strategic decision will engage information concerned in the future of the business in terms of growth and accomplishment of the goals. In the hypothetical case of a café, strategic information will involve data on the sales that the business has been making over the previous years of operations and the forecasts of the market conditions in the foreseeable future. According to the information, the management can decide to change a line of production or expand the operation.
Tactical information will be held by the middle managers on less complex issue that affects the operations of the business. These are data that can help devise the best strategy to achieve the decisions at top management level. For instance, if the café was to expand its operations, information on market trends, sales volume and cost would be necessary to help make business strategy. At the ground level, the junior managers require the information about the enterprise day to day activities. They identify areas that need adjustment and search for the relevant information in order to make decisions. In the previous hypothetical case, a café would look for information on sales and stock to determine the amount of purchases to make.
Answer 1. 3
Enterprise requires information to be successful, and that information comes from a variety of sources. Understanding the varied sources of information and how to access such information can help Tesco’s have competitive information of emerging trends and environmental factors that affect their operations. The positive thing is that this information is free. Information will differ depending on the organization. The size or area of operation will necessitate for different information. The need for information will also vary depending on time. As the company continues in its production of goods and services, the information changes considerably. New information will always be required to remedy the areas of weakness and improve on the identified strengths. This is part of research and development carried out by a business. In the case of café, the management would be on the lookout for the information about the rival enterprise offering same products and services. Information on economic status, environmental, political and legal measures will also count as that information has the impact of affecting the business operations.
Besides, the information from within the business such as employee compensation, quality and communication level will affects how the business operates hence necessary to the management team. The information can be obtained from external or internal sources. Nevertheless, it is important for a business to consider information from external and internal sources as the business is influenced from both sides. This kind of information can be formal or informal, primary or secondary, internal or external sources.
The internal information in a business can come from financial sources; these include profits and loss account that sheds light on the company expenses and productivity. This information includes the data on how much one pays for taxes. Personnel information that includes data on the employee on areas of productivity, compensation and marketing information. External sources of business information may come from varied sources. These include the survey data, research and textbooks among others. Tesco’s Communication System need to extend the sources of the information that will enable it maintain a competitive edge. This may include attending trade fair to seek information about the rivals and other operators. Acquiring information from other companies’ websites will help it now their competition strategy and hence allow the organization makes good decisions regarding the business.
Answer 1. 4
Research and design are made possible by access if the information. Good information that can be used for research and design need to come from reliable sources that give the information in the right time. One of these sources Tesco’s Communication System could use market research. A market research by a team of sales and marketers will give detailed data concerning the market landscape, the strategy used by the rivals and other factors such as government policies that exists in the market. Tesco’s Communication System will be in a good position to make any kind of decision while armed with such data as it is relevant, tailored to the company needs. This gives a clear picture of the standing of the market. The urgency at that data is received is of at most paramount. Unless the information is timely, it will have no use to the company. In this regard, Tesco’s Communication System has to set up system that will allow the data to be captured within the shortest time possible and applied in the business.
Much of the data coming from internal sources tend not to be utilized efficiently. A record of profit and loss gives a valuable data that can give an insight regarding the business ways of making profits and reducing expenses. The employee feedback is also tend neglected that could be useful in the decision-making process. These loopholes where crucial information is lost or go unutilized should be sealed to ensure Tesco’s Communication System uses the resources they have at hand.
Answer 2. 1
Decision making influences and changes how an organization operates. It may be changing the overall business strategy or selected cases of various department. It is, therefore, necessary to integrate all concerned stakeholders starting from the shareholders to the employees of the company. Through involvement of the stakeholders, the teams of individuals working for Tesco’s Communication System and all stakeholders feel like part of the decision and hence work towards the attainment of those goals. Tesco’s Communication System stakeholder will consist of internal and external stakeholders. The internal stakeholders of the business will be managing directors, shareholders and the employees. This would be the first group to know of the intended move and make input regarding the decision to be made.
The external stakeholders will be the suppliers, customers, local communities, competitors and the government. Opening a new branch for Tesco’s Communication System will require government involvement as well as the local community and the customers. Input of the stakeholders will determine where to concentrate the efforts and make the whole process efficient. The stakeholders will also be categorized as primary and secondary for Tesco’s Communication System decision-making process. The primary stakeholders have much weight on the company decisions. These will include the founder and the majority shareholders. The decision need to be approved by board before it reaches the consumer and the supplier who are the secondary shareholders.
Answer 2. 2
After stakeholder analyze the decisions, Tesco’s Communication System will devise a communication plan and implement a communication plan. Finally, the company will evaluate the plan to ensure the anticipated goals are achieved, and deviations are rectified. This follows who has the most power in decision made and likewise the one who have the most interest in decisions made. Major interest lies to the customers while the least interest lies to the competitors. Key shareholders need to be communicated face to face and within the shortest decision-making process. Information can be disseminated through adverts, memo and public rallies to other concerned parties such as customers, suppliers and the local communities.
Answer 2. 3
For ease of access of the information, businesses need to network. Tesco’s Communication System will need to put personal networks to gather information. By definition, personal networking is an association with individuals, groups, or organization that shares a common interest while exchanging relevant information. It is aimed at forming business network to form professional relationships that have a likelihood of improving business growth prospects.
Answer 2. 4
Tesco’s Communication System will create personal network with the each and every stakeholder who have an influence on the business. The customers will have an influence through customer buying power. Suppliers will shape the business supplies while the local communities will react to the negative impacts resulting to business activities. The employee will have a union whereby they can communicate with the organization and other relevant bodies.
Tesco’s Communication System will have a strategy that will be aimed at increasing personal network. The goal is to create a reputable, opportunities and cultivate association with professional affiliates. The management will examine the current personal network on areas such as opportunities, reputation and what need to be done to develop healthy relationships. This necessitate the need for a plan that will identify areas of bonding, bridging and fill the gaps to form a reliable personal network.
Answer 3. 1
The communication process falls under various categories. There is formal, informal, one way or two ways. Formal requires proper documentation while as informal can be conducted without office protocol. In case of one way communication, the management issues instructions to the junior members. In converse, a two way communication integrates the feedback from the employees. The choice of the communication process depends on the nature of the business.
Answer 3. 2
With increasing use of social sites and internet, Tesco’s Communication System would use informal means to reach internet users and the young generation. Tesco's will also incorporate it with formal communications in dealing with other corporate, other clients and the government. This will provide a larger customer base.
Answer 3. 3
The communication within the department should be two ways where the management of Tesco’s Communication System will give instructions and get feedback from the employees. To improve on the communication process, Tesco’s Communication System will adopt more face to face communication, encourage employees to personal developmental plans and open up more channels of communication .
Answer 4. 1
Information technology has seen business improve significantly. It will be a method which will improve greatly business performance. Tesco’s Communication System will not be short of IT ideas. The IT will be used in the collection of data, processing, evaluation and storing. The data will be helpful to the management during decision-making process. IT will be applicable in areas such as the use of email, use of database in data communication and processes and websites.
Answer 4.2
The information can be accessed within a short period; it is cheap and reliable with a high degree of accuracy. Nevertheless, the database can be corrupted hence giving out crucial information. The retrieval of such data can also be limited by presence or absence of power (Postmes et al., 2001).
Answer 4.3
Tesco’s Communication System will improve the IT security to protect the data. Use of encrypted password, database protection and installing alternative power sources will be among the plans that will be instituted to ensure IT becomes a success.
Conclusion
Decision making shapes the business. Good decision making put the company in a competitive situation and vis-à-vis. The decision need to be made from analyzing the relevant and timely information. It is necessary for the management to develop paths that they can use to access reliable information such as market research. After information has been collected, the stakeholders of the business should be involved. With the improved use of technology, IT has been a fundamental part of Tesco’s Communication System will strive to integrate IT in operations.
References
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