MBA 755 - Reflections on Module 4 Concepts

Which of the change models you were introduced to seems to make sense to you? Why?

Of the three that we reviewed, the empirical-rational model and the normative-reeducation model both seem to make the most sense. I agree with the assumption that people, for the most part, are rational thinkers. If an idea for renewal is presented with the understanding that the idea just “makes sense” from a rational thinking perspective, people are generally going to work to achieve the idea for renewal.

What criteria seem to be particularly appropriate for use in selecting an option for organizational renewal? How could your choice of criteria vary if the organization was a non-profit? A unit of government? A for-profit enterprise?

In my opinion, the most important criteria to consider is how the renewal fits in to the company mission and vision. Even if an idea is new and invigorating, if it is totally against the plans for the company, it really serves no purpose. This holds true for all sectors. Other criteria that can come into play include the capabilities and resources of the company… can it handle the renewal effort? What kind of costs will be involved with rolling out the renewal? Will they be recouped in the process? What are the people in the company like in terms of change acceptance? Will they adjust or fight? Finally, is the renewal effort one that is sustainable?

In what ways does the renewal stage apply to a project instead of an organization?

Projects have lifecycles similar to that of organizations. A project has a creation phase and goes all the way to completion, if it’s a successful project.
Projects can often get stalled along the way, though, by many internal and external factors in the business. Just as an organization may need renewal of its products to keep going, so also a project may need methods for rejuvenation. Finding ways to encourage those involved in the project to get back on track may require looking at multiple sources for renewal, just like an organization’s renewal.

What are some other ways to make the renewal option choice other than by comparison against pre-selected criteria? Under what conditions may these ways be preferable?

Sometimes it could simply be a “gut-feeling”, although it’s not recommended. Sometimes a renewal option could also be forced on the business, either by merger/takeover or possibly a change in command. In a situation like this, power is used to force a renewal option, whether or not it has been tested against any other benchmark. This may be a preferable scenario in the situation where a company is failing because of poor leadership and the new leadership does not have time to review options. They are simply brought in as change agents and have a plan of what must be accomplished.

What traps await the renewal option decision maker?

Preconceived ideas. The decision maker needs to utilize tools available to him/her in order to review all aspects of the decision before it is made. Making a decision because it is a preconceived notion without having all the facts can result in failure of the renewal plan.

How does the process of making renewal options apply to your own life?

In terms of my business, I am involved with some marketing functions. We have product lines that are quite mature and require refreshing every so often to interest new customers. Having a proper perspective on renewal can definitely provide me with better insight when reviewing new marketing ideas.

As to personal life,pursuing my MBA is one way of having a renewal option. It will allow me to create a transformational strategy, giving me a way to introduce a new product to new markets.

October 21, 2007 | Filed Under MBA 755 | Leave a Comment 

MBA 755-Reflections on Module 3 Concepts

How could you use a Renewal Options diagram to better support the mission of your present organization?

The purpose of the diagram is to help brainstorm new ideas for renewal. It can help you think through potential options for approaching renewal strategies. For me personally, this diagram is so overly busy, I have difficulty using it to come up with any ideas. If it were simplified in some way, it might be easier to utilize.

When thinking about your own organization, which renewal choices seem to the most relevant?

Enhancement and reframing strategies are the two most relevant potentials. These strategies allow us to take existing products and introduce new value or new markets to the products.

What factors define a realistic renewal choice for you?

Financials are the most important factor. It is important to determine what a renewal choice is going to cost and what return on investment it will provide. Infrastructure needs to be reviewed to determine if it can support the needs of renewal without significant capital expense. Also important will be if the renewal choice meets the long term goals and objectives of the organization.

What could be the best way or ways to communicate renewal options to organizational leaders so that they are really heard?

In my organization, the way to communicate options or any business proposals is to have all the details well researched. Bringing an idea to the table with all of the possible financials is important to getting an idea heard. The executive team wants to know how the bottom line is going to be affected.

What practical uses do you see for situational analysis in your life?

Situational analysis can always be beneficial to looking at all aspects of an issue. It provides a means to look at multiple solutions to determine which is most effective.

October 14, 2007 | Filed Under MBA 755 | Leave a Comment 

MBA 755-Reflections on Module 2 Concepts

What long term trends are likely to significantly impact the industry your organization is in over the next three years?

My business is heavily controlled by the various metals markets. Steel, copper, and nickel are some of the primary drivers. As the steel market goes up or down, the volatility has a large impact on our margins and pricing. The trend for steel is hard to predict. The volatility of the market will definitely drive our overall performance.

How could you use the force field analysis tool in your own work life?

The force field analysis allows me to review upcoming market possibilities. Potential product offerings can be reviewed by using this tool so we can determine if the product meets the needs of consumers and the needs of our business. It will help us know if we are making decisions that will grow our business in the future.

How would you go about making a business case for renewal in your own organization?

Using a force field analysis would help identify opportunities. Then, one of the biggest things to do would be a value chain analysis. Reviewing all the elements that are a part of the business chain and analyzing the impact of change/addition. This would be the starting point, drawing up the presentation for the business case… taking a new idea and showing the effect it would have on renewal.

What items would show up as being both urgent and important if you constructed an urgency versus importance matrix related to organizational renewal for yourself? Important but not urgent?

Current issues that would be in quadrant 1 are crises that are affecting the business. The industry is recovering from a recent shortage of helium which affected one of our large selling products. Other elements that are affecting right now are meeting key retailer mandates for technology implementation. Quadrant 2 activities include pursuing backup suppliers for key products such as helium. This is a prevention option in order to not be risking business if another industry shortage takes place.

October 7, 2007 | Filed Under MBA 755 | Leave a Comment 

MBA 755-Reflections on Module 1 Concepts

What’s distinctive about the renewal stage of the organizational lifecycle?

The renewal stage is the “point of no return” for a business. It will either renew and reinvigorate or it will move into decline and closure.

What organizations that you are familiar with seem to be in the renewal stage? Why do you think so?

SBC/AT&T is a prime example. Many years ago, the telephone industry was broken up by the government and “Ma Bell” ended up being a series of independent, regional telephone service providers. In recent years, after a series of mergers and buyouts, SBC has now become known as AT&T. The old telephone service of days gone by is no longer viable. Through all these mergers, the “new” AT&T has added services to stay competitive with cable companies, who are now offering their own phone service. The “new” AT&T offers the ability to purchase home phone service, long distance phone service, cellular (formerly Cingular), and television (currently via Dish Network). They are also experimenting in some markets with fiber optic television delivery. This company shows definite signs of renewal in trying to adapt to meet the needs of the day.

What characteristics make a leader effective during this phase?

The leaders in this phase are strong decision makers. They know how to make the tough decisions that have to be made in order to move forward. Another important aspect of these leaders is that they are able to pull the company together. They are effective at communicating the news needed but keeping everyone focused on what needs to be done.

How would you recognize an organization in this stage?

Age is one factor. A review of product offerings/markets can also tell you if products are being renewed or declining.

Which of the conceptual tools for renewal presented in this module are of particular interest to you? Why?

I will have to research this question more. I’m not sure what “conceptual tools” this is referring to.

What else do you think that you will need to know in order to use these conceptual tools in your own work?

See previous question.

How could you use the ideas from the renewal stage to help you in your professional life?

My current business is one that is moving into the renewal phase. The ideas that we will review during this segment will be beneficial to help me understand what to watch for in our business. It should also allow me to make more educated decisions as to product design and marketing ideas that I have input on.

September 30, 2007 | Filed Under MBA 755 | 1 Comment 

MBA 745 - Reflections on Module 5 Concepts

How comfortable are you as a leader in a mature organization?

I have more comfort in this level than some of the earlier ones. The mature organization requires more creative thinking on the part of the leader. Just like in the creation phase, which is probably my strongest phase, the ability to create solutions for the changing marketplace will drive the business further. At the mature point, though, there is a need for a little more organizational skills to manage the day-to-day of an aging business. That’s where my challenge comes in.

Did you feel that you could concentrate on improving efficiencies while remaining flexible to the ideas of your team members?

In general, yes. Our team was fairly supportive of one another’s ideas, so it wasn’t hard to focus on keeping our company efficient. Our business approach was to be the best cost provider. We focused our R&D monies into driving down our production costs while still maintaining the product the customer wanted. In the end, it proved to be the winning strategy.

Are you attempting to expand your knowledge base with or increase your depth in the focus you select to study?

Yes. I actually spent some time interviewing a person in the field about a week ago to gain more direction. I’m finding that there’s a lot of “directional” opportunity that needs to be researched more. In other words, once into the field, there are many directions that a person can choose to go.

September 16, 2007 | Filed Under MBA 745 | Leave a Comment 

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