Management Changing HDL - Free Essay Example

Management Approaches in Changing Environment of HDL. 1.0 Introduction Horizon Delivery Limited (HDL) is a privately owned organization offering a dual customer solution, provision of 24 hours tailored delivery service of bulk goods for consumers and retailers. HDL typically comprises of three managers and their assistants being in charge of companys distribution, customer services and warehouse, five security men and drivers as demand requires. The companys main goal is to provide a clear solution to a costly and time-wasting reality of modern life that of the inability of retailers to deliver bulk goods at a suitable time for working households. It saves time and frustration in delivery. Being a management trainee in HDL, I started out in this organization as an account clerk some few years back till last year when I was promoted to the post of customer service manager. The management skills I have gained here is enough to establish my own company in future to benefit from the experiences the position I am holding will be have given me. The main objective of this paper is to analyze in depth the management of the Horizon Delivery Limited through the use of theoretical models which should be used to evaluate the challenges and the essentials of the managerial position. This will be analyzed through the use of management functions and skills, balancing effectiveness and efficiency, private enterprise and approaches to management, and the changing environment of management. This will contribute to growth and development of the company. 2.0 Analysis A] Method of study Survey B] Participants 2 managers, 1 driver and 1 security man C] Procedure In the evaluation of the managerial functions, thats planning, organizing, and controlling, survey questionnaires were given to each of the four mentioned participants to try and rate the occurrences that HDL management engaged in each managerial function. Then propose an alternative way they felt that will make the operation of the company to be more efficient and effective. Responses to the survey were given by each participant, and this was presented graphically as shown below. D] Result Table 1.1 shows the averages of the scores from the 3 employees (2 managers, 1 driver, and 1 security man) ranked in the scale of 1-10. Table 1.1 Strategies that would be considered primarily use in the workplace Method; a survey Participants; 2 managers driver and a security man. Procedure; the participants were given a brief background of different types of strategies as well as their definitions, and ranked this strategies on a scale of 1-10, 1 being worst and 10 being the best. The participants were then asked to give the best strategy the management should adopt. Result: the table below shows that HDL management should adopt the cost leadership strategy which is highly ranked. Participants Cost leadership Differentiation Cost focus Focus differentiation Manager 1 9 6 7 4 Manager 2 8 7 5 7 Driver 9 7 4 5 Security man 7 5 8 7 TOTALS(averages) 8.0 6.25 6.0 5.75 Table 1.2 the way organization cope with uncertainty. Method; a survey. Participants; 2 managers, 1 driver and 1 security man. Procedure; each of the four participants was asked to rate how organization cope with uncertainty on the scale from 1-10. 1 being worst and 10 the best Result; the table shows the averages of the scores from the participants, which are shown by analyzing different kinds of people. Participants Defenders Prospectus Analyzers Reactors Manager 1 8 7 6 3 Manager 2 8 5 8 5 Driver 9 6 5 4 Security man 7 5 8 3 TOTALS(averages) 8.0 5.75 6.75 3.75 Table 1.3 Percentage of all employed staff of the organization who knows the companys mission, objectives, priorities, and plans. Method; a survey. Participants; 2 managers, 1 driver and 1 security man. Procedure; Each of the four participants was asked to rate how well the employed staff knew the companys mission, objectives, priorities and plans on the scale from 1-10. 1 being knows little and 10 know well. Result; the table shows the averages of the scores from the participants, which are shown at a given percentage. Participants 25% 50% 75% 100% Manager 1 9 8 5 3 Manager 2 8 9 6 5 Driver 8 6 4 4 Security man 9 4 4 3 TOTALS(averages) 8.5 6.75 4.75 3.75 Table 1.4 The way organization apply different types to planning (100% in total) Method; Personal interviews. Participants; 2 managers driver and a security man. Procedure; in each of personal interview, the participants were given a brief background of different types of planning as well as their definitions, and whether they applies now or if they should apply. The participants were then asked to give the best method of planning the management should adopt. (Both types totaling 100%) Participants Types of planning Applies now,% Should apply,% Managers1 Strategic 25 20 Intermediate 35 30 Operational 40 50 Total 100 100 Manager 2 Strategic 21 23 Intermediate 30 35 Operational 49 42 Total 100 100 Driver Strategic 24 30 Intermediate 33 35 Operational 43 35 Total 100 100 Security man Strategic 19 24 Intermediate 30 35 Operational 51 41 Total 100 100 Table 1.5 The way organization apply different approaches to planning. Participants Not enough for org. development Enough for org. development Too much (explain why) Management by Objectives Manager 1 Manager 2 Driver Security man Project management Manager 1 Manager 2 Driver Security man Graphical planning/control tools Manager 1 Manager 2 Driver Security man ABC Priority system Manager 1 Manager 2 Driver Security man Table 1.6 The way current organizational structure helps the company to achieve its goals. Participants Strongly disagree More disagree than agree More agree that disagree Strongly agree The current structure fits well the strategies and goals of organization Manager 1 Manager 2 Driver Security man The current structure fits well the culture of organization Manager 1 Manager 2 Driver Security man The current structure helps achieve goals in the most effective and efficient way Manager 1 Manager 2 Driver Security man The current structure supports cooperation between departments and working groups Manager 1 Manager 2 Driver Security man The current structure helps focus on tasks and avoid unreasonable conflicts Manager 1 Manager 2 Driver Security man Table 1.7 the style between these two ideas that should be considered in terms of decision making in the organization (centralization and decentralization). Method: Personal Interviews Participants: 2 managers, 1 driver and 1 security man. Procedure: In each personal interview, the participants were given a brief background of centralization and decentralization. The participant was then asked to give what term of decision making they felt the management was currently operating. Finally, each participant was asked to say what balance they felt management should be operating at. Results: the table below shows that Horizon Delivery Companys managers should use decentralized system in decision making as compared to centralized one. The desired proportion averages from all four participants, shows participants wanting decentralized systems Participants Centralization Decentralization Manager 1 Manager 2 Driver Security man Table 1.8 Ways in which the following six organizational effectiveness criteria are ranked in the level of importance to the organization. (#1 being the most important, while #6 being the least important) Method: A survey Participants: 2 managers, 1 driver and 1 security man Procedure: All participants were given a brief description of each of the six organizational effectiveness criteria in the level of importance to organization. Each participant was then asked to say which approach they felt best fit current operations. This was ranked on a scale of 1-6, 1 being less important and 6 being the most important. Results: The table below shows the summary of all responses from the participants. Summary: According to the survey, majority of the participants feel that the criteria listed are important to organization effectiveness to management best fits current operations. Least important Most important 1 3 6 Effective in accomplishing its purpose Manager 1 Manager 2 Driver Security man Efficient in the acquisition and use of limited resources Manager 1 Manager 2 Driver Security man A Source of Satisfaction to its owners, employees, customers, and society Manager 1 Manager 2 Driver Security man Adaptive to new opportunities and obstacles Manager 1 Manager 2 Driver Security man Capable of developing the ability of its members and of itself Manager 1 Manager 2 Driver Security man Capable or survival in a world of uncertainties Manager 1 Manager 2 Driver Security man Table 1.9 Ways in which organization pay attention to each of these three types of control. Method: Open discussion Participants: 2 managers, 1 driver and 1 security man. Procedure: All participants were asked to identify types of control in which they felt management could adopt for efficiency in its operation. Summary: The majority of the participants identified that the three methods of control were enough for assuring quality control in this organization. Participants Not enough for assuring quality control in this organization Enough for assuring quality control in this organization Too much, we spend more resources than its necessary for assuring quality control Feed forward control- monitoring inputs, anticipating and preventing problems Manager 1 Manager 2 Driver Security man Concurrent control- monitoring processes, adjusting ongoing activities Manager 1 Manager 2 Driver Security man Feedback control- monitoring products, learning from past mistakes Manager 1 Manager 2 Driver Security man Data Discussion Strengths: 1 Strategy: This is a long term plan of action designed to achieve a particular objective. Strategies are used to make the problem easier to understand and solve. For instance cost leadership strategy emphasizes concern for keeping costs, and therefore prices lower than the competitors, hence productivity improvement will be a high priority for the firm. 2. Uncertainty: The firm should undertake putting into consideration the risk involved. Few adjustments in technology, organization structure, and methods of operation should be adjusted incase of risk. 3. Employed staff: majority of the staff knows the companys mission, goals and objectives and should continue to identify with the companys identities. 4. Planning: This is mainly concerned with organizing a sequence of actions to achieve a specified goal or objective. The firm should focus on its future growth and development; moreover the organizations objectives are routinely achieved. . Technology, the tools and ideas available for extending the natural physical and mental reach of humankind, are updated every couple years in the goal of staying current within the industry. 5. Organization structure: with the changing environment organization has to be prepared to adjust itself. This is appropriate for the managers as they are preoccupied with how to, rather than why not and are risk takers. 6. Decision making: The data shows that the organization have to use decentralized system in decision making. This is preferred since it takes into consideration the views of other people. Managers also have good timing when it comes to making cycle-sensitive decisions in an attempt to stay slightly ahead of the up-and-down movement of the economy while using this system. This is especially true in the initial ordering and subsequent re-ordering of inventory. Technology, the tools and ideas available for extending the natural physical and mental reach of humankind, are updated every couple years in the goal of staying current within the industry.