C. Think of the products and services of your current organization. How can the products and services be reclassified to identify different markets?

My current company is primarily a commodity product company. I struggle with how to redefine our product base to identify different markets. We could redefine our service level and augment our products with a more directed service offering. This would entail polling our customer base to see what services they would like to have in addition to what we already offer, define what is economically feasible and design a implementation plan. Might be interesting to look at.

b. Discuss an idea you developed, only to have it fail during the implementation. Why did the implementation fail?

Reflecting on past experiences I have to say the reason for my failed implementations resulted mainly from changing external forces. I can remember one project where funding was changed midstream due to fiscal year changes, leaving an inadequate amount of resources available to proceed with the planned implementation; the scaled down version ended up being a waste of time.

Other reflections bring about memories of lack of complete follow through on my part. I remember one project where the complexity was absolutely daunting... I became over whelmed with the whole project. I failed to break the project up into managable pieces and I failed to give up more control. I understand these issues with myself and tend to work more within a team setting; leading and building on the strengths of the group.

a. Consider your own leadership traits. Do you more closely fit with the creative nature from MBA 715 or the organizational nature of MBA 725?

Reviewing the creation stage of the business cycle, I can see within myself the ability to generate ideas and gaining the needed support to realize the idea. I’ve only been successful with what I will call minor projects, or projects of little complexity as compared to starting a new business venture. When I look at what is involved in moving a business concept from the idea stage to the launch, I can feel somewhat inept based on the lack of social capital I have at this point in my career. While I have developed contacts throughout my business career, I stumble to think of pulling in favors to launch a business initiative. While daunting, I also understand everyone is willing to take risk to some degree. If I am passionate about what I think will work, I do have the confidence my social capital (network) would expand because of the faith others have in my ability. I am hard working, conservative (to a fault?) and reliable.

With respect to what I have read with regard to the content of MBA 725, organization nature is all I have known. I’ve worked for several corporations, large and small with only one time during my career did I work with a small consulting group: 4 people! So with respect of working within an organizational compound, I am experienced and feel most comfortable; but I’ve had and have many criticisms. Mainly due to the sluggishness of adopting change due to compliancy most employees develop over time within a structured organization. I feel that corporate America is in for one hell of a shock when China (and other countries) moves past us in overall national worth. Just a matter of time, and the tired and overworked (underemployed!) American workers will be manufacturing nothing but burgers!