Learning Journal MCaruso

Question 1a.

2007-06-20T18:34:00.002-07:00

1a What is it that appears to make implementation of a renewal strategy so difficult?

I think the single most difficult part of implementing a renewal strategy is overcoming prior habits and patterns. This may not always be the case because if the right people are in the right positions of the business, then the need for change or renewal is most likely understood and supported. If not fully supported by all functional areas or personnel then the needed changes will be harder to implement.

Question 1b.

2007-06-20T18:34:00.001-07:00

1b Which of the identified implementation pitfalls have you observed in your own experience with organizations?

Communication and support; I seen great ideas just fizzle out because either not enough or not the right support was behind the initiative. Acceptance by top management and then communication of this level of support and commitment is needed to marshal the team into action.

Question 1c.

2007-06-20T18:33:00.001-07:00

1c How did the pitfalls impact the overall outcome of the change implementation?

Well, by not have the right support behind the renewal idea, meaning the support of top management, there was little driving force for others to jump on board. Therefore the governing habits all ready in place and the inertia behind them denied the chances of a successful implementation.

Question 1d.

2007-06-20T18:32:00.000-07:00

1d What elements of the implementation process seem particularly relevant to your own experience?

I find proper planning and strategizing is needed to a successful implementation of a renewal effort. Secondly, and not very far behind the first ideas I noted is the need for review and course correction if any is needed. Therefore planning and outlining the implementation plan, and proper follow-up will provide the needed support for a successful implementation.

Question 1e.

2007-06-20T18:31:00.000-07:00

1e How does communication fit into implementation planning?

Well…. The above parts of this question speak specifically to the need for communication. I consider it a top priority.

Question 1f.

2007-06-20T18:30:00.000-07:00

1f Which aspects of change theory seem particularly useful during renewal implementation? Why do you think so?

I found one reference we were given particularly insightful with respect to renewal efforts. In the text “Good to Great”, the study refers to the necessary act of supporting a successful renewal program is first make sure you have the right people in the right positions in the company. If the right people are in place, and they are all A players, then let them figure out what the renewal strategy and plan should be; let them buy into the ideas they construct. This will give the plan even more support because they want to see their ideas in action and successful.

Question 1g.

2007-06-20T18:29:00.000-07:00

1g What could you do differently as a result of your learning in implementing a change in your own organization?

I think a communication plan is needed as an integral part of the plan. This communication plan will include timing of the plan to ensure all groups optimize all available resources.

Question 2a.

2007-06-20T18:28:00.000-07:00

2a What strategy did your team decide to adopt during the renewal stage of the simulation?

Our team reviewed the company from an internal standpoint and then looked at the competition and marketplace. From these reviews we opted to increase the value of our existing products to make them more attractive to customers (enhancement strategy) and with the emerging BMX market we opted to develop an entirely new product (transformational strategy).

Question 2b.

2007-06-20T18:27:00.000-07:00

2b How did the strategy work?

We were flawless in our analysis and implmentation of our renewal strategies. Our Firm increased market share from 20 % to 70% with a corresponding dynamic increase in shareholder value.

Question 2c.

2007-06-20T18:26:00.000-07:00

2c What concepts from the course did you see reflected in the game play?

Obviously the initial strategy for renewal; enhancement and transformational strategies; but also the competitive review of what was happening in the marketplace was critical to our success. Mapping what the competition did each period impacted what decisions we did. Our renewal goal was to grow the company which we did, but we needed to out flank our competitors to do it.

Question 2d.

2007-06-20T18:25:00.000-07:00

2d What could your team do differently if you were to play the simulation again?

Based on the decisions made by competing firms and the way the market place evolved; nothing. We made the right decisions for our company based on careful analysis.

Question 1.

2007-06-19T18:59:00.000-07:00

1. What trend and pattern information does your organization pay attention to?

Our organization is purely reactive to significant external competitive forces within the commodity markets we sell into. Trends we look at are typically short term trends; those that affect the pricing structures of our raw materials. Impacts like political forces in China or decisions by our Department of Commerce drive pricing of raw materials in our markets. We respect to our market segments, we have a high dependency on the housing and construction markets therefore these markets are tracked to help budgeting efforts.

Question 2.

2007-06-19T18:58:00.000-07:00

2. Could scenario planning be effectively used in your organization?

I think to some extend all organizations use scenario planning but more for short range planning as compared to long range strategic thinking. As an example we anticipate changes in exchange rate impact but only over the course of one budget cycle. Longer range thinking or planning might prove interesting and helpful in certain areas of our business… for instance where to take our levels of customer service. Since our industry follows other primary industries, scenario planning on how to bring our business faster to speed with respect to customer service would be a benefit.

Question 3.

2007-06-19T18:57:00.000-07:00

3. In what ways could you personally use scenario planning?

I am considering looking at scenario planning from a personal standpoint; starting with financial planning. I would like to see how different investments over time would look and at the same time provide a sense of how I would “enjoy” those investments.

Question 4.

2007-06-19T18:56:00.000-07:00

4. What do you see as the principal disadvantages of employing the scenario approach to strategic planning?

I have to partially agree with the text in the amount of time and human resources a large scale scenario planning endeavor would require. I guess it really depends on your business, markets and industry as to how scenario planning would help and what resources could be appropriated to support the program. Maybe smaller scale scenario planning events, say interdepartmental sessions might prove beneficial if the topics were broad enough.

Question 1.

2007-06-03T21:08:00.002-07:00

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

Use of this diagram allows for the examination of each stakeholder area to determine if a renewal event would benefit the company. For instance with respect to customers does downstream additions outweigh consolidation? With suppliers does it behoove the business to move upstream in the supply chain or force consolidation? All great ideas when looking at business renewal.

Question 2.

2007-06-03T21:08:00.001-07:00

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

Supplier consolidation, competitive consolidation and additional partners from a strategic alliance standpoint… looking at enhancement and reframing product renewal strategies these efforts make sense.

Question 3.

2007-06-03T21:07:00.000-07:00

3. What factors define a realistic renewal choice for you?

Future position of the business with respect to improving competitive advantages and profitability.

Question 4.

2007-06-03T21:06:00.001-07:00

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

By spending time and preparing a constructive plan worthy of taking the time of management to review. A well thought out plan is needed with details including cost / benefit analysis.

Question 5.

2007-06-03T21:05:00.002-07:00

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

The first things which come to mind are career choices and maybe even major purchases like a home. A possible trap, certainly for me, is paralysis by analysis. If I were to do rigorous examination in areas of my life, I often find myself stopping and just doing. I could easily spend enormous amounts of time planning therefore a certain level of understanding is needed and a decision must be made. I often think I all ready employ variants of situational analysis as learned in this class in my personal life. With an engineering background, analysis is sometimes the bane of my existence.

Question 1.

2007-06-03T21:05:00.001-07:00

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

I would have to say the primary trend to impact our business resides in the environmental trends. As a metals producing company, many of our divisions are energy intensive and in some cases the byproducts of manufacturing are less than desirable. The impact to the atmosphere with industrial companies will be taken into consideration as climate controls are enacted.

Question 2.

2007-06-03T21:04:00.002-07:00

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

The force field analysis is simply a force balance diagram. By examining a particular desirable future situation, a balance between the forces impeding change versus those needed for change can be outlined. Once completed a concentrated effort to change the force balance to create a desired results can be done. This could be applied to one’s career…. If higher paying position is desired, then an outline of what needs to change to overcome the forces holding you in place can be completed.

Question 3.

2007-06-03T21:04:00.001-07:00

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

Simply done but harder to sell the concepts…. First identify an area in need of renewal, develop a renewal option plan along with the necessary resources to enact the plan… and then see if management is first interested and second able to support the plan. Knowing the right people to gain support is important for success.

Question 4.

2007-06-03T21:03:00.000-07:00

4. 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?

Wow… what a question. Not even sure where to start on this but I will have to keep it simple. Urgency: needing to keep focused on completing my education in business. Coupled with this is the need to determine what I wish to do with my career… consider owning my own business… local company employment… educational teaching assignment… Important is planning for a fiscally secure future for myself and my family. This will require management of resources and discipline to stay on course.

Question 1.

2007-05-20T20:09:00.001-07:00

1. What's distinctive about the renewal stage of the organizational lifecycle?

The renewal stage is like a stalled growth stage, with the beginnings of a downward spiral. Loss of market share and erosion of profits occur along with organization issues such as lack of enthusiasm.