Briefing Report on RKD Transport Case Study Essay Example for Free

Briefing Report on RKD Transport Case Study Essay This is a short briefing report based on research and critical analysis of various management literatures to develop solutions to the case study RKD Transport. As a graduate member of Business Consulting Group (BCG), I have been asked by the CEO to identify and evaluate issues that are perceived to be affecting work performance and cooperation at RKD Transport. The Managing Director (John) has asked BCG to review the situation as described in the case study, and has requested a report assessing the situation with comment on the issues that are raised and Johns proposed plan. This report also presents a range of options and recommendations as supported by research, which resolves the perceived problem about the implementation of John’s proposal a clear indication of the skills which can be taught to staff members. As of the dependable data in relation to what is taking place in the world of study into organizational behavior (OB) and management, the present line of thought and practice in OB programs can be applied to the case study. I. Point of View- graduate member of Business Consulting Group (BCG) Given the case material, the group has decided to take the point of view of the BCG’s graduate member on analysis to facilitate ease of recommending decisions to the management. II. Problem Statement The question posed by the case is thus: â€Å"What should the Managing Director, John do to effectively and efficiently introduce and implement his plan for the company? † III. Background of the Study Organizational behavior is concerned on personal and group dynamics in an institutional background and situation, over and above the character of the association themselves. Reports pertaining to this, try to figure out and form the various factors when persons in the group interrelate with one another. Comparable to all shared sciences, managerial studies seek to organize, forecast, and elucidate all the social happenings that are occurring in the given field, which can be taken as a foremost part in institutional progress and success. According to Arnold (2005), examples of the problems that OBM directs on are security, output, quality, and aptness. SWOT Analysis is the assessment by the decision making person or group of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats regarding preferred final position or purpose of a task or business. The goal of every SWOT investigation is to recognize the chief inner aspects, the strengths and weaknesses to the institute and outer features, the opportunities and threats exhibited by the outside setting to accomplishing the intention. The case study should be defined as an investigation technique, using SWOT Analysis involved in a project or in a business venture, as stated by the MCRPC Regional Planning Commission (2005). Strengths are elements of the organization which are of use to reaching the goal of the management. The assets of the RKD Transport workplace are the following: monetary and intellectual terms, site, infrastructure, and fundamental training. However, the weaknesses which are detrimental to attaining the purpose of the management are the following: good organization, work appraisal of employees, developed methods for doling out with main fields of human resources, poor at pulling off consequences through undirected aid of individual vigor, and partial running skill and proficiency. The opportunities of the organization, on the other hand, are the following: desiring to progress on the whole managerial efficacy through directorial growth and social organization line up and more broad supervision prospects entailing improvement of new executives. And lastly, the threats are the following: human resource input are not acknowledged by the upper administration who dodge it by making use of external advisors and transference having the result of eliminating units and removing intermediate organization strata to develop flatter arrangement of institution. IV. Alternative courses of action Organization design is a conventional channeled means for assimilating the personnel, information and tools of an establishment. It is utilized to go with the structure of the corporation as thoroughly as feasible to the points the business pursues to accomplish. Through the design process, a corporation takes steps to expand the likelihood that the shared efforts of affiliates will be exultant. Additionally, the concept of job design is important here which indicates the manner that a series of everyday responsibilities and jobs, are structured. This makes easier to ascertain what, how, how many, and in what order the responsibilities are completed in connection with the organization. Its principles can also direct predicaments in the workplace such as labor under load, monotony, inadequate manipulation over occupation, deferral in filling unoccupied stations, and partial perception of the entire work course (Jones, 2004). Executives must use Organizational Behavior Management since the achievement of the business is credited with the efficiency of their courses of action and the pleasant response of the staff, incorporating the key functions of management such as â€Å"planning, organizing, leading and controlling† (Buchanan, 2004). Here is a variety of options and recommendations which may be implemented to solve the particular problem of the company. 1. Change the type of leadership from paternalistic to democratic for the voice of the employees to be heard. John, the Managing Director of RKD Transport, must change the way of administrating his subordinates. He must develop an employee-oriented method by trying to motivate his employees rather than direct or control his subordinates (Burns, 2003). Furthermore, he would have to depend not only to his own capabilities but must encourage his own subordinates to participate, thus, resulting to developing managerial abilities of the subordinates. The style of leadership of John, indeed, can have significant impact on the performance and satisfaction of his subordinates so his leadership style should have the characteristic manner in which he makes decisions affecting his subordinates and exercises influence to elicit their compliance with, commitment to, and support for his directives. He must encourage his subordinates in decisions that affect them, forming a friendly, trusting, and respectful leadership with group members, and must act promptly with this said concern. 2. Make a prior notice that the manager would downsize employees of the work force. It is indicated in the case problem that labor turnover is low. In order to achieve effective control over direct labor costs, John must apply downsizing and layoff strategies. But he must make use of consensus first in making decisions for the company for the employees to be given a chance to change their attitude towards work. These approaches for layoffs and downsizing will lessen the harm to those workers who will be laid off and to the employees who will stay behind. This also presents a practical prospect for a healthier outlook for the business and the business’ stakeholders. Downscaling in this way falls into the kind of administration means for accomplishing preferred adjustment, a good deal like downsizing examination. The following factors must be considered in considering this: Is the business being upright to its human elements? Has the necessary stipulation which may head to a number of complicated resolutions been conveyed to the business’s staff? Have the employees been able to supply input? Have the administration conscientiously supposed the outcome for those workforce? How will this influence those who may lose their work? How will this concern those who stay with their job? Does the strategy for modification present the business to attain improved outcome in the future? (Hickok, 2007). 3. The managing director would still be strict and objective, and would monitor the employees himself. John would continue to be hard-working, spending time inspecting the personnel and meticulously supervising the business process by plotting strategies, captivating counteractive deeds of this customary viewpoint. But some conflicts may arise because in implementing this kind of procedure. John’s status here as the person in charge is at risk in view of the fact that discords from his subordinates may take place against him (Haslam, 2003). 4. Assign more supervisors which will monitor the employees’ performance. By this course of action, the personnel can be monitored well if they are doing their jobs effectively and efficiently because they have to meet with the deadline. This could provide the management an objective assessment of each worker’s performance. It must be remembered that the input of workers in the business is a crucial part in the success of the company. 5. John must be further trained as managing director position in the company. To be considered an efficient and effective managing director, John must possess personality characteristics such as self confidence, aggressiveness, dominance, and adaptability. Additionally, he must also have the skills like sensitivity in dealing with others, intelligence, and job mastery which he can use in supervising his constituents. So he must be further trained to have these characteristics to become an efficient and effective leader. Successful directors essentially sets up a working atmosphere in which human resources would like to carry out their jobs properly. To realize the far more constructive work milieu, performance study edifies administrators on how to efficiently handle their positions as affirmed by Holman (2003). John may acquire the knowledge and skills though attending seminars, hands on training, and the like. 6. John must conduct research of the leadership style of former managers of the RKD Transport and examine what is the most appropriate approach in running the Management division. He must critically study the past records of the former managers of the company and their leadership styles and see what the best way of treating employees is during those times and apply it with the present situation, with the integration of interior appraisals of the business SWOT. This recommendation requires the enclosure of an evaluation of the current state of affairs, as well as the assessment of their extent. 7. RKD Transport pay rates must be adjusted to what the company can afford and are just right for the employees. Since workers perceive that the management was sympathetic to them, pay rates are considered high. Besides, there are other benefits offered to the employees by the company like sufficient compensation for shifting workers, provision for emergency loan, and many more. The conventional employee performance system relies on direct supervision, the wage and salary compensation system, and annual performance reviews, merit pay increases and promotions as rewards for exceptional performance (Staw, 2004); though an indispensable budgeting aspect must be of great consideration for the company’s success.

Television and Media - America Needs TV Advertising :: Argumentative Persuasive Topics

America Needs TV Advertising Television would not be in the place it is today had it not been for commercials. Commercials not only provide a much needed break from the shows we watch, but also gives paying advertisers a chance to promote their products. With a large audience watching, businesses spend untold amounts of money to make sure their commercials are the best. The worst nightmare however for an company is for a couch potato to not look at their commercial, but instead change the channel. To remedy this advertisers strive to capture the attention of the audience as soon as possible. If the audience does not like what they see within the first ten to fifteen seconds then most likely they will change the channel. Miller Lite "Miller Time" commercials counteract this ingeniously. The distinctive opening music create a light and humorous mood and instills curiosity in the viewer about what will happen next. The offbeat and sometimes absurd characters give the audience a well deserved laugh. For example, a man obviously dressed up as a beaver gnaws a log cabin, and then everything wooden and goes after a man holding a Miller Lite beer can. One does not think too much about the ad (for if one did he would wonder why do these commercials sometimes have nothing to do with their product?) but instead gets caught up in the comedy. The humor in these ads immediately captures their audience immediately and leaves them with a smile on their faces. Feeling good is also what makes Burger King's commercials so attractive. The typical Burger King commercial features 60's or 70's dance music accompanied by various shots of burgers. The music, if the audience likes it, pulls them in, watching it sometimes simply for the music. That is most often the case with my brother who "shakes his groove thing" to the music while not fully realizing that the thing which motivates him is simply inanimate and unhealthy food. The implicit message the advertisers send it seems, is that if you are dancing in your seat at home, how more will you love them in person? Attraction comes in the form of nostalgia, a more subtle and hence less used part of advertising. Chili's commercials with singing tamales on an open frontier uses music like the Burger King ads but creates a mood of nostalgia rather than one of excitement.

Bruce Dawe Poem Analysis Essay

Decode the question: How has the composer represented the concept of heroism in the film Gladiator? Make specific reference to two key scenes in the film. You MUST NOT choose scenes which have been analysed already in the course work (i.e. scenes I-III, XI-XIII, and XXVI). Write approximately 1000 words. Select Two key scenes: XXXI -Maximus has defeated the greatest gladiator ever to fight XLVI – The Final Battle Create a mind map Organise ideas, texts & references: Summary, presentation of Heroic concept, references to 2 keyed scenes with quotes & notes Draft – Do the draft as needed above Edit draft – Edit as necessary Submit draft – in Final written essay The Essay: Maximus was a powerful Roman General (strong belief, inner strength never dies, stood up for his belief no matter the consequences), loved by the people and the aging Emperor, Marcus Aurelius, known in history as the final of the Five Good Emperors. Before his death, the Emperor chose Maximus to be his heir over his own son, Commodus in an attempt to allow Rome to once more become a Republic. Then a power struggle left Maximus and his family condemned to death. The powerful General was unable to save his family, and his loss let him captured and put into slavery and trained as a Gladiator  by Proximo until he died. The only desire that fueled him at the time was the chance to rise to the top so that he would be able to look into the eyes of the man who would feel his revenge and fulfill the dying wish of his emperor. The time came when Proximo’s troupe was called to Rome to participate in a marathon of gladiator games held at the behest of the new emperor, Commodus. Once in Rome, Maximus wasted no time in making his presence known, and was soon involved in a plot to overthrow the emperor with his former-love Lucilla, Commodus’ sister, after whom he lusted, and also the widowed mother of Lucius, heir to the empire after his uncle, and democratic-minded senator, Gracchus was reinstated for Rome to republic. The composer has set up the representation of the heroism concept (50-60%) throughout the Gladiator film, from the opening scene, when the Hero leaves his pleasant vision (his wife and child) to return to the Germania battle field and to: – face the 1st execution – 1st fight as a gladiator – release his name – fight against the greatest warrior – face Commodus – fight in the Final battle As the opening scene and the above listed 3 scenes where the heroic concept has been discussed in the course work, the responder can also find the concept of heroism in the fight against the greatest gladiator and in the Final battle. The fight against the greatest gladiator Tigris turns to Caesar’s box, with swords crossed, he bows, â€Å"We who are about to die salute you.† Maximus stands by, showing no salute whatsoever. As Maximus gets ready to fight the large doors to the arena are thrown open, surprising Maximus. From each door emerges a team of men, who run into the arena. Each team picks up a chain from the sand. Maximus becomes distracted and Tigris kicks sand into Maximus’ face and begins the fight. As the fight continues and as Maximus is thrown to the ground, a trap door opens and out jumps a large tiger, pouncing at the fighting gladiators. Maximus is now  having to escape the claws of the tigers as he battles Tigris. In the background can be heard â€Å"loose, loose, loose† and â€Å"pull, pull, pull† as the handlers coordinate their efforts in handling each of the tigers that are now on the arena floor growling and charging at Maximus.] [Maximus manages to disarm Tigris, switching his sword from one hand to the other, Maximus stands ready to finish off Tigris. Suddenly, a fourth tiger jumps out of a trap door and jumps at Maximus. In that split second, Maximus turns and the tiger is speared with his sword. Maximus is thrown to the sand as the large beast lays atop him. Maximus stabs the beast repeatedly, killing it. The crowds cheer wildly. Tigris moves in for an attack. Maximus, on his back with the beast still on him, manages to grab Tigris’ own hatchet and with great force spikes him in the foot. Tigris bends over in pain, blood pouring from the opening of his mask. Maximus stands and kicks Tigris over to the ground. He is finished. The Final battle The trap door to the arena opens as the lift rises, encircled with the Praetorian as they stand behind their black shields. In the middle, the white clad Commodus, gazing upwardly, basking in the sun and the wounded, dying Maximus stand. All the while, Quintus staring at Maximus. As they reach the arena, the Praetorian take their place at the perimeter of the arena. Maximus stumbles to the center, slowly stooping to pick up a handful of sand, with a watchful eye on Quintus. Maximus rubs the sand in his hands and reaches for his sword but Quintus tosses it aside, and out of reach. Maximus painfully moves to where the sword has been tossed and picks it up, immediately swinging at Commodus. The two do battle. Maximus roars as he attacks Commodus. Commodus manages to cut Maximus’ leg. Although wounded, Maximus cuts Commodus’ arm causing him to drop his sword.] [Maximus begins to drift into the after-life and as he sees the gate to his home, the sword drops from his hand. Meanwhile, Commodus is calling Quintus for his sword but Quintus does not comply. Commodus then turns to the Praetorian, calling out â€Å"sword†. The guards begin to pull their swords when Quintus quickly tells them to â€Å"sheath your swords† and they quickly comply. As Commodus reaches for his hidden dagger, Maximus quickly returns to this life and, unarmed but for his strength and determination, does battle with Commodus, turning Commodus’ knife against him. Commodus tries relentlessly to fight  Maximus off but Maximus slowly plunges the knife into Commodus’ throat, further and further until it can go no further. Commodus falls to the ground. The fight over, Maximus begins to drift as he reaches out his bloodied hand, to push open the gate that leads to hi s home. Peace, once again, overcomes Maximus when Quintus calls to him. â€Å"Maximus, Maximus.† Maximus regains consciousness.] To bring to life ancient Rome, director Ridley Scott employed great period costumes, chariots and horses, lots of dark-haired actors and actresses, and an amazing looking coliseum in the time period set in the movie. The musical score was possibly the best feature of this film, as the music is haunting and perfectly punctuates the dramatic action in soft, then ever-increasing tempos. It was a real trick to make music that would accentuate the flavor of this historical piece, and not distract it. The film used a very potent combination of long shots and close-ups to heighten the drama and yet propel responder into the immensity of the situation: the overwhelming doom that seems to be around any and every corner in Rome. For instance, at this scene where Maximus has defeated the greatest gladiator ever to fight, in a long, drawn-out battle. The bested warrior lies fallen at Maximus’ feet, awaiting his demise. The crowd chants â€Å"Kill, Kill, Kill!† The long shot shows E mperor Commodus watching Maximus, and in the shot, the emperor is shown in the foreground, and Maximus appears small in the background. In this way the responder get a sense of the power that Commodus holds over Maximus. Now a medium-long shot of the crowd to get a sense of how many people are chanting for the vanquished opponent’s death; they all appear in unison, willfully they crave blood. Next a close-up of the emperor as he dramatically steps forward, arm extended. If he gives a thumbs up, the opponent should live. If he gives a thumbs-down, the opponent should be killed. His arm hangs outward and all eyes in the coliseum fall upon his hand. He gives the thumbs-down, and the crowd goes wild with roars of approval. Finally, a close-up of Maximus as he throws down his own sword in complete defiance to the emperor and to the people. The skillful editing helps contrast the morals Maximus and Commodus possess: Commodus is ruthless and political, Maximus does only what he has to, no more no less, and he is a man of his own conviction. This scene helps responder to understand why earlier the dying emperor Marcus Aurelius wanted Maximus to succeed him, he knew Maximus would do the right thing and not be  swayed easily by popular opinion. A leader must lead, not follow. Whenever the composer wanted the responder to get a sense of the size of this coliseum, he employed the cinematographer to use long range shots. When he wanted responder to get a sense of the hustle and bustle of Rome, a hand-held camera was used. The Final battle: The composer used a number of different techniques during the filming of the Final battle, including muted, washed out colors in the Coliseum. The scene is bright and colour comes across perfectly, setting the mood for the scene of battle. The fighting is filmed replete with quick cuts and a frenetic filming process; it’s disorienting but not so much that we can’t keep track of who’s who and what each participant is doing in said battle. The fighting is realistic without zooming in on the gore, as the violence speaks for itself. The composer correctly makes the scenes exciting without the need for a barf bucket.. Combat is supposed to be jarring and disorienting and the filming process actually communicates this sense to the responder very well. The responder’d have to agree, as the scenes outstanding in special effects. They are seeing the Coliseum when it is a new(100 years old) and its grand structure, as it would have been in ancient Rome. Stunts are well coordinated and real tigers were used in a particular fight scene, grabbing out just inches from Maximus and his opponent. He earned his act on those days of shooting. Sound – The soundtrack with its haunting score, is very memorable its scope and theme. Sound track manages to take a main character theme and vary it depending on the action, making it subtle and sweet at times, brooding and depressing at others. Throughout the film, the same musical elements are applied, bring unity and depth to the story. Besides digital sound, Dolby 5.1 is also included on the same disc

Leadership Styles And Financial Performance Of Hospitality...

LEADERSHIP IN HOSPITALITY MANGAEMENT In a hotel business there is a certain type of focus that each manager needs to have in order for them to properly achieve the goal of running the business. The success of a hospitality manager is on the dependence of how they lead and manager their personnel. In the article of the â€Å"Leadership Style and Financial Performance Riddle in the Lodging Industry: What is the Best Fit?† It focuses on the leadership styles and financial performance of the hospitality management. With the hotel attractive atmosphere, a sophisticated design, is expected to make money, then it is invested, in order for this to happen the manager needs to lead their employees to maximize the potential their business may have. The difference between leadership and manager and it takes two different type of styles to enforce a great care for their employees. A manager counts value where a leader focuses on creating value. The manager is cares of how the hotel is making value in an allotted amount of time while the leader is creating the values by addressing themselves with in the values by leading as an example. Managers have subordinates while leaders have followers, with this meaning the manager builds and creates the power, in while the leaders build and creates the influence. Managing work is consistent with controlling a group of subordinates to accomplish goals. 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