BUS 637 Responses WK5

RESPOND TO EACH QUESTION WITH AT LEAST 250 WORDS and 1 Reference

Guided response: Evaluate several of your peers’ perspectives. For at least two peers who had different roles than yours, suggest two additional needs or concerns for your peer’s role. Explain why these aspects would be pertinent or would affect your peer’s assigned role.

Question 1 (Lavania)

There are many opportunities for integrating streamlined changes and technology into DargeanGrix's business processes. In week four, acting as VP, I discussed hiring our own software engineers so that we would have in-house talent to build and support the tooling we need to continue being a strong business and to grow in a fast paced world. More ways that we could integrate important changes would be to break down the barriers, or workplace silos, between the CFO and CIO positions; and to meet with companies in similar markets. Of course for the first idea I would need to partner with the CFO, the CIO, and their respective teams to obtain feedback on the silos, their ideas for breaking down those barriers, and then work on implementing strategies to foster collaboration. This will not be an easy task because once silos occur there can be a very set in place "us versus them" situation instead of a "us versus the problem" set up. We need to be able to communicate effectively and work as a team to drive change because the impacts will be company wide and at the end of the day we all need the company to do well so that our bills are paid. The other idea, although it seems counterintuitive, and honestly I had a hard time believing it happens until I saw it repeatedly within my own fortune 500 employer, is to reach out to learn from others in the industry that have had success in an area that we need to. Not every company will be willing to partake in this endeavor nor will they be willing to give away trade secrets. However, it is common for areas in a company to give presentations to other companies about what they have done successfully, what they have that is innovative (especially if they can sell something), as well as to build the network because our economy needs healthy competition to flourish. This would require approval at my level (VP), the chiefs of the departments we would like discussions on, as well possibly other VP, SVP, and CIO approvals and attendance from DargeanGrix as well as those positions at the other company(s).

QUESTION 2 (Christopher Cren)

Two additional possibilities for DargeanGrix include online customer portfolio software and create a process like Toyota’s “pulling the andon cord” quality control process. Both goals rely heavily on technology. Creating an online customer portfolio where both DargeanGrix and the customer have control over certain aspects creates that sense of face-to-face interaction between both parties while being separated. It allows for clarity and the customer can see each step that the company is taking while managing their portfolios leaving no room for dishonesty. It also allows for one party to make quick changes without the need of a video conference. For example, the customer can call Dargeangrix and say they want to change x,y, and z and Dargeangrix can make the change right after the phone call, or the customer can make the change on their end. Since video conferences foster the in-person effect, the online portfolio software will include live video chat and the parties can make the portfolio changes together.  The next concept, “pulling the andon cord” will streamline employee and customer feedback live time during any phone calls or video conferencing when technological issues arise. For example, during a video conference, both parties will have the ability to click report issue every time an issue arises. A dialog box will pop up and you can explain the issues and how many times it’s happened thus far, and any suggestions for improvements. This will allow the IT to review where most of the issues are and attack the most occurring ones first.

     The goals for the first suggestion are to foster the face-to-face relationship between DargeanGrix and customers. It also creates a sense of ownership for the customer. While the organization manages the customers portfolios, it is still important that the customers have access to their portfolio at their fingertips. The next concept focuses on employee feedback and capturing what it is that makes the employees and customers frustrated with the technology. This is a critical step that must take place before the purchase of new technology. If we can pinpoint what issues are giving our customers and employees trouble, we can improve or avoid those areas.

      It can be difficult to work with other colleagues to reach a common goal, but this must be done. For example, “nearly (96%) say that CIO and CFO collaboration is critical, but at the same time (89%) say there are barriers which prevent doing so” (Orlando, 2018, p.1). To create these processes and technological improvements, coordination with the IT department, CIO and CFO will be preferred. The IT department will help create the new software, the CIO will make sure the software can be implemented and is usable, and lastly the CFO will make sure funding is available and provide feedback on any value it may or may not bring to the company.