MBA 745 – Reflections on Module 5 Concepts

Mature Leader

I feel comfortable as a leader in a mature organization, as I did when I led the team to meet our objectives. It can be very challenging but I feel I possess the characteristics that the mature state of the business lifecycle requires. They say it is lonely at the top, especially during crisis when the leader must be flexible and prepare for change. I would enjoy looking for ways to try new things that make you think differently and concentrate on both external forces to build networks for long range plans and internal forces that concentrate on the present situation within the organization to maximize efficiency. Even though a different type of leader is required for the mature stage, I believe there is room for characteristics of the creator and accelerator leadership style that would enhance any business environment.

Efficiency and Flexibility

I felt I could concentrate on improving efficiencies as I remained flexible to the ideas of my teammates. As I presented suggestions and looked for ways to improve our strategy, I was able to step up to the challenges of each assignment with suggestions for improvement. By the same token I became flexible as I considered others’ ideas to build a consensus among the team.

Expand Knowledge Base

I intend to expand my knowledge base in the focus of Leadership. The more one understands about the subject the more effective that person can be. Strengths and weaknesses are in all of us as we seek out the knowledge to understand and utilize our strengths to have an impact in the world around us. By identifying our weaknesses we can begin to work at turning it around. As I have been working on my MBA it becomes more apparent to me that my work is never good enough, I tend to dwell on an assignment instead of becoming satisfied with it and just turn it in. As I expand my knowledge base I hope to learn to be comfortable with my decisions, right or wrong to obtain my objective.

MBA 745 – Reflections on Module 4 Concepts.

Leadership Roles

There are many different challenges faced by leaders for each role of the business lifecycle. The leadership quality therefore must change to fit the role. This may be difficult if not impossible for leaders to be able to perform in each role. According to the Leadership Lifecycle, businesses can suffer if the leader is unable to transition to the next stage. As the creator, the leader must be creative to establish the organization. Their main focus must be the strategic priorities of the business. A clear vision and mission of the organization is crucial if the business is to survive. Whereas the Accelerator role is very different since they must establish systems and have more of external focus on the market share and to find the niche for the company as well as staying on top of internal communication.

The role of the Sustainer is completely different than the roles of the creator and the accelerator. The business becomes very chaotic in this mature stage of business. Consistency becomes more important as the leader works to refine the mission. In order to steady the business activities the leader must look for ways to improve efficiency and to streamline operations. The focus becomes more external than ever before.

I believe I am capable of performing all of these roles as my knowledge increases for the characteristics of each role. Although I would find the role of sustainer more challenging than the creator or the accelerator I think I would enjoy it by looking for ways to improve efficiency and communications to make operations run smoothly.

Leadership Decisions

When asked the question, is it possible to avoid making the decision to close a business or rejuvenate it...I have to say, "It depends". The external and internal factors will drive the business at the mature stage. Decisions will be based upon the company’s decisions and the impact of the competitor’s decision. The outcome of their decisions and their marketing strategies will drive the company to project the identifiable outcome of each strategic decision.

MBA 745 – Reflections on Module 3 Concepts

Labor Surpluses
In mature organizations, there is quite often a need to reduce labor surpluses. There are several options a leader has when faced with this difficult challenge. Rather than layoffs I woud pursue a phased retirement program. This would costs to the organization by reducing hours of workers near retirement. According to the Sustaining Success text, this psyhologically prepares workers to ease into full-time retirement. This method would also allow the company to benefit from the knowledge of older workers. A phased retirement program would be less threatening to other workers and avoid salary cuts, temorarary worker, or even outsourcing possibilities.

No Layoff Policy
If a mature organization establishes a "no layoff" policy it could be advantageous to keep operations running during a market slump. The challenge would be how to reduce the costs during this downturn and the effects it may have on employee motivation and culture. The leader must analyze all options and determine which method would benefit the company. I would advocate the no layoff policy to try to sustain the complany and employee morale.

Cash Flow
Fast growing companies require more working capital than those growing more slowly or not at all, as in mature companies. The company must look for ways to stretch their cash especially for large purchases. The finance manager must try to analyze the future profitablity of the company to determine what monies will be available, by predicting future cash availabillity the company will know how to plan for the needs of the company. Based on the financial situation of the company the leader must look for ways to obtain additional funds should the need arise. Without predicting the future finances and the needs of the company may be put in a vulnerable position thus increaseing their risks.

MBA 745 – Reflections on Module 2 Concepts

The Marketing Mix

The four Ps of marketing are product, price, place, and promotion. This is an effective way to develop a comprehensive marketing plan by remembering the four P’s that make up the marketing mix basics. These steps fit into the process to determine the right marketing strategy a company should use.

Word of Mouth Promotion

Word of mouth can be a very effective promotional tool. The more people that are talking about your product the more likely they are to buy it. This method of promotional marketing should be a part of the marketing communication program by clever commercials or any of the attention getting devices to get people to start talking would promote a product.

Knowledge Management

There could be a danger to the mature organization if they implement a knowledge management system that doesn't fit their needs. The knowledge Hopkins Printing must manage their risks, customer satisfaction, and their bottom line. Flexibility and effective management of the knowledge is key and must be understood by all decision makers in the company.

Use of Knowledge Management

The most significant use of knowledge management would provide both internal and external information and any forces that would increase the company's risks during the mature stage of the lifecyle. The company must be aware and understand the forces that affect their position in the industry if they are to sustain growth.

MBA 745 Relections on Module 1 Concepts

Leadership Traits
My own leadership traits would be more in line with the creative nature of the MBA 715. I enjoy coming up with ideas and setting up systems to implement the idea. Once I have a thorough knowledge of what needs to be done I am usually able to design an efficient plan to make the idea happen.

Idea Development
When I reflect on my personal experience, an idea I had developed was to conduct an information session for all International Students to explain how Curricular and Optional Practical Training works with their program of study and what the requirements are for authorization. The first session went very well and was well attended, the following sessions, only one or two students arrived. The other repercussion was the idea it gave to all students that they could work in the United States giving them a false impression that all were eligible. Once the idea was clear that the law states a student must have maintained status for one full year as an F-1 visa holder they were less inclined to know more. In my mind, it was good for them to know in the beginning what they had to do to plan for the transition to practical training. It raised too many questions and the students were disappointed they had to qualify to be eligible. This information was better received once they were near graduation and could step into the training. I guess it made more sense to them than not having to enroll and spending a lot of money to do so. Making money for the new students made them eager to move away from their studies. The F-1 Visa bring students hear from other countries to study not to work, work is a privilege, not a requirement.

Enhancing A Product/Service
The school as many unique programs available for students. One new program has been especially attractive to the students is the Music Technology Program. Students have a chance to perform with music and play acting. The program has been well received in the start up as it grew very quickly in the beginning, especially for those aspiring to be “American Idols”. However, due to budget cuts and the excessive expenditures required to start the program, the enrollment has leveled off. If the college were to spend the extra money to actively recruit new students and merge this program with the audio/video production technology they would appeal to a larger market segment. If the student understands what goes in to performing and into the actual production it may be more appealing.

MBA 745 Module 1 Reflections

As I reflect on this weeks I was first reminded of the characteristics of the growth stages and leadership required for that phase of business. As I look toward the mature stage of the business lifestyle changes begin to occur for the leader and role that leader must take. It was interesting how others in the class selected different companies as they selected them for the bulleting board. In replying to individuals I engaged in more research to validate my responses to their selections. It was interesting to read one article that I shared with the class defining the characteristics of what happens in the mature stage of business. In the article, Sears was the example, it holds true that during growth if the leader is to sustain success they must look for other opportunities by doing research and applying that knowledge to their situation to give them an advantage.

Next I read about the history of the printing interesting and how the life of this very old profession began in Egyptians times and how it has evolved to encompass the entire world. The problems that the industry has faced throught years of printing from woodcuts to the new digital era as it looks to the future of what the industry will require to stay alive. It was a fitting example of how economical situations, supply and demand, and the challenges it faces as the printers look for new strategies to continue growth. Competition becomes fierce for any business as they grow to become to become the largest in their industry.

The five generic business strategies was an eye opener when I discovered the pros and cons of each. It my mind I would think it is best to have a low-cost strategy but in today's habitually fierce competition one must look for other opportunities to move them forward. To be broad differentiation seems to be a strategy with the higher risk but a bigger pay off. This can make the difference in succes for a company or failure.

I look forward to applying the knowledge I gained through this Module throught the course as I work with my team, my professor and classmates to become one step closer to the prize of a graduate degree.