Quiz 1
Decision making is normally described as the essence of the manager’s job based on various entities that encompasses management which is the main role of the managers. Decision making defines the ability of the organization to achieve the set organizational goals. The respective roles and functions of managers such as planning, controlling, organizing, staffing, and others are some of the attached entities that enable the managers make decisions hence essence of manager’s job towards increasing or enhancing organizational performance (Daft, 2005).
Quiz 2
Organization’s culture can largely define or influence the way managers make decisions based on the dynamic aspects attached. Some of the cultures that organizations normally adopt are; a bureaucratic culture where it is characterized by very organized and systematic approach with the powers and control clearly defined plus the responsibilities and authority. Organizations embracing this culture are; mature, stable, well structures, procedural, hierarchical, regulated and power oriented (Daft, 2005). Another form of culture is an innovative culture where creativity, result oriented, challenging environment are availed, and supportive culture is the last one where there is displays teamwork and also is a people oriented, encouragement and a trusting work environment is displayed. The respective cultures define the ways managers make decisions.
Quiz 3
Biases in decision making not only occur in our daily living but, also in the organizations. The managers among other decision makers within the organization are normally faced with such situations. There are some drawbacks based on having biases on decision making within the organization such as lack of ethics, failure to embrace competence, accountability, and transparency among others which are essential in organizational performance and building reputation and images (Daft, 2005). Though there are drawbacks on the biases on decision making, one of the advantage could be enhancing competitiveness and efficiency or motivation on performance. There are various implications on the managerial decision making in relation to biases, these ranges from the lack of ethics and transparency to demoralizing employees.
Quiz 4
Based on personal perspective on thinking, I can call myself a non-linear thinker based on the ways of thinking in relation to liner thinker perspective. The notion behind the non-linear thinker under personal analogy is based on; based on the ability to the emotional connection with the people, ability to consider the environmental dynamics, being empathetic, and being big and visionary thinking. The implications on the managerial decision making is based on the fact that liner thinker managers have to develop models where they make decisions and expect proposal outcome on the inputs while, on the other hand, the non-linear thinker manager is able to motivate and connect with the employees and is also dynamic based on the environmental changes plus visional on big goals or dreams.
Quiz 5
I concur on the statement “As managers use computers and software tools more often, they will be able to make more rational decisions”. This is based on the fact that, these tools enables the managers have a more detailed, clear, empirically supported, and scientific approach hence making profitable and sound decisions hence enabling the company achieve the set goals.
Chapter seven
Quiz 1
Planning is very essential in relation to enabling the organization achieve the set objectives, avert losses, make projections, anticipate future occurrences, and incorporate resources towards effective decision making among other essential entities within the organization. Planning is one of the management functions that the managers are expected to execute, though some managers opts to ignore it, there are numerous repercussions on such ineffective decisions made by the managers. Managers that fail to adopt or use planning as one of the functions on their daily operations are likely to be faced with numerous problems in managing and achieving the set organizational objectives (Meyer, 2004). These managers should adopt the planning function to be able to; create a systematic approach on execution of activities, resource allocation, projections on performance, production, averting risks and management of risks among other essential entities.
Quiz 2
The planning for non-profit making organizations such as Salvation Army may marginally differ with the planning for profit making organizations such as Cadbury based on vast factors. The planning strategies and objectives of non-profit making organizations embraces entities that serve other aspects other than cost of operation minimization, profit maximization, and dominating the market. Their planning objectives and strategies tend to embrace entities such as increasing the services availed to the community among others that do not necessary embrace cost based aspects. On the other hand profit making organizations embrace the profit and cost based entities in relation to the market or the industry.
Quiz 3
Planning is not only essential within the organization but also on personal life. There is the need to embrace and develop respective plans that define the daily activities and the future developments and goals. Some of the plans embraced on personal life are; on strategic is where more complex plans such as owning a multinational company in the next ten years among others are enacted, operational plans are based on the current activities such as the plans on studies, goals towards acquiring a first class among others. Under the short term plans, these include, daily activities such as class times, movies, recreational activities among others, under long term plans objectives such as working in world-class and competitive organizations towards achieving the strategic plans goals are incorporated among others.
Quiz 4
Environmental conservation is one of the mandates of the manufacturing or other companies to execute within their respective environment under which they operate. Controlling paper waste within the medium size company such as Cadbury head operations can largely minimize the cost of operations while conserving the environment. The preceding report avails some of the goals and the plans to execute.
SWOT Analysis on Dunkin’ Brands
Strengths
Great reputation attributed by the high quality food and beverages products
High brand appreciation and gratitude within the market
Competitive pricing strategy
Franchising model adopted hence lowering cost in relation to brand expansions
Weakness
Momentous indebtedness hence limiting their financial flexibility
Limited and minimal geographical presence
Opportunities
Expansion on Westwards part of US avails the company with numerous opportunities
Venturing in international markets specifically on Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin Robbins
Presence of LeBron James advertising campaign in Asia
Threats
QCM measures in relation to the litigation with franchises hence great threat to the company
Escalating campaigns on health consciousness which can potentially draw consumers from coffee, doughnuts and ice cream consumption
Existence of cannibalization as new stress open hence threatening the company
Quiz 3
The process of strategy formulation, implementation and evaluation can differ in the following ways based on the respective companies as availed in the table below.
Quiz 3
Ethical issues to be included in both internal and external environments are; operation ethics on hiring, recruitment and treating the employees, financial based ethics, environmental based ethics, and the products and service availed to the customers. This is essential toward building a strong reputation and image for the company, avoiding losses and legal constrains attached to violating or failure to embrace ethical issues and loss of customer loyalty.
Quiz 4
The essence of internet to the managers towards following the steps in the strategic management process is based on various factors. Internet avails the managers with the ability to examine and have a wide range of information’s on what to do, what to expect and the required achievements on each step of the strategic management process. It avails them with references and easy to consult aspects in reference to having a diverse knowledge and the skills on strategic management. It allows the managers be able to consult and review some of the attached sub activities under which every step embraces hence enabling them to effectively plan, control and organize resources towards achieving the set objectives.
References
- Daft, R. (2005). The leadership experience. Ohio: Thomson South-Western.
- Dubkevics, L., & Barbars, A. (2010). The role of organizational culture in human resource management. Human Resource Management & Ergonomics, 4, 1-10.
- Meyer, J., & Allen, N. (2004). TCM Employee Commitment Survey Academic Users Guide. Ontario: University of Western Ontario.
- Dunkin 2012 Report
