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Operations, Technology, and Management Plan

First Name Last Name

Strayer University

BUS 599

Dr. Andrea Banto and Dr. Cynthia Parmenter

November 21, 2019

Operations, Technology, Management, and Ethics Plan

Operations Plan

Game Changer has constructed a facility, measuring 2000 square foot, along Abingdon Lane in Dallas, Texas for production and storage activities. For production purposes, the company will buy two beverage mixers for a total of $47,000. Each machine will last for at least 5 years. The company will also buy two bottling machines for a combined price of $19,200. Just as the beverage mixers, the bottling machines will last for 5 years. The two mixers can produce 400 gallons of energy drinks a day and can help Game Changer attain its production target of 20,000 gallons in a year.

The company will repair and clean its production equipments after every 3 months to enhance product quality. In addition to the production machine and equipment, Game Changer will buy for vehicles at a total cost of $40,000 for delivery services. Each van has a live span of at least 5 years of operation. The vehicles will reinforce the company’s competitive position by offering convenience. The organization will utilize different differentiation channels such as restaurants, clubs, and retail stores for consumer convenience. The organization will also lease a printer and a labeling machine for a combined cost of $1,000 per month. Game Changer will source its raw materials from local suppliers and strive at having a turnaround time of 36 hours between order receipt and product delivery.

Research and Development

To stay abreast with forces affecting non-alcoholic beverage market environment and industry, the company will attend various conferences and seminars arranged by industry market leaders and professionals. Although the company is not in the process of introducing a new product apart from its current product portfolio, the company will invest in research and development to achieve it product diversification goals. The company will also employ highly qualified employees to inject creativity in the company’s operations.

Technology Plan

At Game Changers, technology is a significant component of operations and competitive advantage. According to Nikoloski (2014), technology enhances efficiency improvement as well as cost reductions in organizations. For example, technology facilitates human resources functions, business operations, inventory management, and production processes. In this regard, Game Changer will invest in necessary software, hardware, and telecommunication as well as personnel resources for operational efficiency and cost reduction.

Software needs

Concerning software needs, Game Changer will use enterprise systems for supply chain management, operations managements, and human resource management. Supply chain management system will help with order placement, order tracking, and inventory storage. The company will also use graphic software for graphic designs.

Hardware Needs

Apart from software requirements, the company will need computer hardware for data storage and communication. In particular, the business will buy three Apple Macintosh Computers for data processing, data storage, and communication purposes. The company will lease a printer for document processing activities such as photocopying and printing.

Telecommunication Needs

Game Changers will rely on its computers and applications to communicate with buyers and suppliers. It will use an email-integrated system for order placement with suppliers. In addition, the application will enable consumers to request for orders. Apart from an email-integrated system, Game Changer will depend of a computer telephone system for internal communication and external communication with suppliers and customers.

Personnel Needs (for technology)

Nikoloski (2014) indicates that technologically minded organizations are more creative and innovative. It is in this regard that Game Changer will hire a computer expert to manage its technological needs and provide necessary advice about appropriate information systems for the company. The company will use supply chain management system for order tracking, order fulfillment, and inventory management. In addition, the company will use a customer relations management system for customer services. Moreover, Game Changer will use a human resource management application for personnel services.

Management & Organization

Management Plan

Kevin O’Hara, the founder and owner of Game Changer, will act as the chief executive officer and president for the organization. As a young company, the owner will oversee human resource, marketing, and inventory management functions for the first six months of operation. He will oversee the company’s day-to-day overall operations and strive at establishing a positive working environment that enhances employee morale, job satisfaction, and job performance. Currently, the owner is pursuing a Masters degree in Business Administration from Strayer University and has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Princeton University. The chief executive will earn no wages for the first 6 months of first year of operations.

Key Management and Employees

After six months, the company will establish different departments including human resource, marketing, finance, production manager, and information technology to help the chief executive officer with organization’s operations.

Advisors

For the first six months of business operations, the company will rely on service of a committee of advisors for business operations. For production activities, Mr. Jack Snowland will volunteer as a production supervisor for 6 months until the company manages to recruit a full time production manager. Mr. Snowland, a former production manager at Monster Company, has more than 25 years of work experience in the non-alcoholic beverage industry having occupied different positions in different organizations. He will organize the organization’s production activities pro bono.

James Butland will advise on appropriate information systems for the company. He will also, train the company’s employees on how to use different enterprise systems and Microsoft Excel spreadsheet application. Mr. Butland has more than 15 work experience as a computer expert in beverage industry. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in computer science from Yale University. The company will pay Mr. Butland $15 per hour for 20 hours a week.

Kate Mina, the chief executive officer’s sister, will provide consultancy services at a fee. In particular, she will offer legal advice on different issues concerning business practices as well as consumer protection. She will also work toward sharing Game Changers’ recipe across the entire state of Texas. The company will seek services of an accountancy consultancy company to help with preparation of financial statement, filing of the organization’s taxes, and to offer investment advice.

Management Structure and Style

Game Changer will adopt a hierarchical organizational structure, with the founder becoming the chief executive officer. There will be various functional managers answering directly to the chief executive officer and president of Game Changer Company. The key departments will comprise of finance and accounting department, information technology department, production department, marketing department, and human resource management department.

Management Hierarchy

Game Changer’s Organizational Structure

Ethics and Social Responsibility Plan

Corporate Citizenship

Game Changer will work toward creating employment opportunities to members of the surrounding community. In doing so, the company will adhere to applicable federal and state labor laws. The company will offer employment opportunities to qualified individuals regardless of their race, ethnicity, sex, age, political and sexual orientation, and religion. Also, the company will treat all employees fairly on matters relating to employee remuneration, hiring, and promotion. The organization will also provide education sponsorship to college students in the surrounding community and support groups that promote healthy living.

Environmental Protection

Production of energy drinks require much water and electricity, which may affect the local community because water scarcity. In light of this, Game Changer will harvest rainwater using large tanks for production purposes. The company will install solar panels to generate electricity. The company will use latest state of the art production equipment and employ reduce, reuse, and recycle principle to avoid environmental degradation. Moreover, the company will collaborate with state departments to comply with applicable environmental regulations.

Health Protection

Various studies have shown that non-alcoholic beverages pose health concerns to users because of high sugar contents and caffeine. Al-Shaar et al. (2017) identifies some of health implications associated with energy drinks as substance abuse and aggression, mental disorders, stomachaches, obesity, as well as high blood pressure. To overcome the problem, Game Changers will avoid artificial sweeteners in production of its energy drinks. Also, the company will work with industry specialists to regulate sugar content in its products. Most importantly, the company will seek for Food and Drug Agency’s approval before it releases any product to the market.

References

Al-Shaar, L., Vercammen, K., Lu, C., Richardson, S., Tamez, M., &Mattei, J. (2017). Health effects and public health concerns of energy drink consumption in the United States: a mini-review. Frontiers in Public Health, 5(225), 1-6.

Nikoloski, K. (2014). The role of information Technology in the Business Sector. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), 3(12), 303-309.

Chief Executive Officer

Finance Manager

Information Technology Manager

Production Manager

Marketing Manager

Human Resource Officer