Strategic Management - Executive Summary

Running Head: OPERATIONS, TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT PLAN

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OPERATIONS, TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT PLAN

Assignment 3: Part 1 - Operations, Technology and Management Plan Sabrina Walker Professor Jefferson BUS 599: Strategic Management March 6, 2016

Operation, technology and management plans

Operations plan

Introduction

Operations plan is an important element in the success of any business. This type of plan is developed by the business management to ensure that all the business operations of a particular organization are conducted in an efficient and effective way. In this case, the company to for which the operations plan is develop is called EZ-Cleanz and it is a non-alcoholic beverage products based company. The role of the management in EZ Cleanz Company is to ensure every member of the organization works as a team towards the realization of the business objectives(Summary, 2012). This section therefore seeks to develop a clear and detailed plan for this non-alcoholic beverage company on how to operate effectively.

Key aspects

The first key aspect that is involved in the development of an operations plan is to set the organizational strategies. EZ-Cleanz deals with beverages that are non-alcoholic and there are certain strategies that are needed to ensure that the organization realized its goals within the beverage industry. The company will need to conduct a research on what resources are required to initiate the EZ-Cleanz non-alcoholic beverage company. There should be a massive session for advertisement to ensure the goals that are set are attained(Ries, 2011).

There is also need to carry out a master program for the sake of competition. EZ-Cleanz needs to develop products that serve a particular market segment. To effectively determine the market for EZ-Cleanz, the company has to do a simple SWOT analysis for the existing companies and develop a perceptual map. This will help the company identify the market segment that is underserved by the current product brands and align its operations so as to serve this segment.

The strengths and challenges for the company also need to be identified. This is aimed at identifying the sectors that the company can utilize to grab the competitive advantage in the industry. As part of the operations plan, there should be a communication plan that ensures the employees and the management have a common meeting at least once a month of once a year to ensure that they communicate the strategic decisions for the company. The employees and the management also need to have a daily communication plan that ensures urgent issues in the business operations are identified early and communicated to the relevant staff.

Time and cost efficiencies

Various business operations should be undertaken under strict deadlines. All deadlines must be effectively projected and attained for the business to grow and achieve its goals. A visit to EZ-Cleanz should be done monthly with all the company stakeholders expected to be part of the visiting team. Advertisement should also be done as discussed earlier and the approximate costs here should be $100 per month before EZ-Cleanz becomes fully operational. The startup is to begin on March of this year and be finalized in August. During this period, the events are to be conducted twice a month so as to achieve the goals set.

Competitive advantage

To meet that competitive edge, the company should ensure personal responsibilities are clearly defined and the employees take them as routine(Davila & Foster, 2007). EZ Cleanz needs to come up with various sections called departments that will be mandated to undertake various tasks to ensure the company grows. For instance, the company needs to have sales and promotion department to ensure the beverages are advertised properly. There is also need to have a research and development department that will be responsible for conducting industry researches so that the beverage brands released by EZ-Cleanz are fresh and better in the market.

Challenges and solutions

The major challenge in for the new market entrants is the unfair competition that they face. Equally, EZ-Cleanz faces similar challenge from the already established non-beverage companies. However, with effective strategies and efforts from the management and the employees, the company will quickly break even and grab the competitive advantage. The company also has a challenge of developing a brand and customer loyalty to its beverage brands before it gains market grounds.

The above challenges can be overcome by deploying effective strategies. Countermeasures include proper research and development on the market so as to produce quality beverages is required in the market.

The company will also outsource some of the production resources to ensure it gains the competitive advantage. Since there are limited resources for EZ-Cleanz, just like any other startup, the company needs to obtain expert and skilled personnel and other production resource so as the business goals can be achieved.

Technology plan

This plan is essential in EZ-Cleanz Startup Company in that it plays a very important role of ensuring the key technical aspects and also defining the future of the business through modern technological solutions. A technology plan will be developed in such a way that it focuses on 3 or 5 years and in between these years, the plan will be updated regularly(Ries, 2011). Technology is very dynamic and if well utilized, it can help the company realize its goals as anticipated.

Software

Digital technology is the kind of technology that will be utilized in EZ-Cleanz to ensure its continued success. All the employees and the business operations will be monitored and controlled in a digital way. This technology involves software applications that will be deployed by the company to ease the process of order tracking, inventory management and also manage production process. Such software applications include third party application of which some are based on the cloud. Cloud computing software applications will be help maintains the security of organizational infrastructure as well as maintaining high productivity(Michael E. Bratman, 1999). An example is when some of the customers will be able to book their beverages online or even chat online with the distributors to help deliver their products. Online payment system is also necessary to accompany online ordering system.

Hardware

Hardware part of the organization involves various networking devices and equipment that will be implemented to ensure the employees and management in the company communicate effectively. Computer networking is very essential especially when the company needs a reliable and effective means of sharing information. Such devices include computers, routers, switches and firewalls.

Telecommunication

Telecommunication equipment will also be needed for distant sharing of information. This is very helpful to maintain relations with distant customers. Telecommunication equipment that will be deployed includes telephony, teleconferencing, use of satellite communication and also video conferencing techniques(Michael E. Bratman, 1999). These techniques will be aligned with the business policies and ensure the company realized its vision.

Management and Organization

This section looks at EZ-Cleanz’s management structure and the hierarchy of the management. The organization will include various departments and departmental heads as discussed earlier to enable conduct business operations effectively.

Key employees

EZ-Cleanz will have the following employees;

· Packaging employees

· Packaging supervisors

· Machinery operators

· Accountants

· Sales representatives

However, the company is expected to grow and expand in future so that additional employees can be employed to oversee some of the activities.

Advisors

The advisory committee for EZ-Cleanz Company will consist of individual who will be providing relevant guidance to the management officers and the staff members as well. The members of this committee will be outsourced from the non-alcoholic beverage industry and they will be as follows;

· Marketing and sales director

· Human resource manager

· Packaging and branding director

· General operations manager

· Communication and IT officer

· Administrative and financial manager

Starting from the senior management, the hierarchy of management within the EZ-Cleanz will be as follows;

IT manager

Beverage distributors

Sales representatives

Technical staff

Machinery operators

Packaging personnel

Administrative and Financial manager

Operations Manager

Marketing and sales manger

President (EZ-Cleanz Company)

References

Davila, A., & Foster, G. (2007). Management control systems in early-stage startup companies. Accounting Review, 82(4), 907–937. http://doi.org/10.2308/accr.2007.82.4.907

Michael E. Bratman. (1999). Intention, Plans, and Practical Reason. Intention, Plans, and Practical Reason. http://doi.org/10.2307/2185304

Ries, E. (2011). The Lean Startup. Working Paper. http://doi.org/23

Summary, E. (2012). Business Plan for a Startup Business. SCORE.org, 1–31.