Management at Work

Thinking about Management Issues

1. Tim Horton's

Strengths: Economical, conveniently located, good service, variety.

Weaknesses: No debit, always busy, no specialty drinks, fattening.

Opportunities: stock options, soccer teams, and scholarships.

Threats: None

Tim Horton's Competitive advantage is their productive efficiency over all other coffee shops.

2. Yes, what happens in the external environment of an organization pertains to the organization regardless and should therefore be ethically evaluated. For instance: suppliers/or distributors for an organization are external yet the business conducted between the organization and the supplier should still be ethically conducted.

3. Large Business: strategy formulation and evaluation are done on a mass scale. Many managers are in place to ensure quality control, and productivity. In small businesses top managers will create and implement strategies independently as well as evaluate the companies overall production. Non-profit organizations would implement strategies that would focus on marketing a cause rather than a product; whereas global businesses would strategize around marketing products to meet cultural preferences, religions, beliefs etc.

4. Managers could utilize the Internet to create foundations for their strategies, and to build on previously successful management techniques. They could also use the Internet or intranet to convey/communicate important information to their employees.

5. Competitive advantage is a factor in Non-Profit organizations; however, it is placed on a completely different spectrum than profitable organizations. Although both types of organizations have the same purpose of obtaining capitol, one business is in it for personal profit, the other to benefit an outside cause. In saying this profitable organizations want the money in their pockets, whereas (more often than not) charitable organizations just want it for their cause. In other words NPO's are not competing in the market and therefore do not require a competitive advantage.

6. General Electric:

\\\\\\\"From jet engines to power generation, financial services to plastics, and medical imaging to news and information, GE people worldwide are dedicated to turning imaginative ideas into leading products and services that help solve some of the world\\\\\\\'s toughest problems.\\\\\\\"

This requires a corporate Strategy, implementing techniques, mangers, employees, etc. This statement emphasizes the essence of the entire organization.

Nightingale-Conant:

To be the preeminent publisher and provider of self-improvement resources that inspires and empowers individuals to lead the lives they most desire\\\\\\\"

This statement also requires a corporate strategy. Nightingale desires to be the "preeminent publisher and provider of self-improvement resources" and doing so requires strategy and change from all directions and aspects of the corporation, not just the publishers, or IT.

Nike:

\\\\\\\"To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world.\\\\\\\"

Once again this mission does not emphasize the performance or efficiency of one part of Nike. It expresses the desire to be number one bringing "aspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world" is definitely a corporate strategy.

Microsoft:

\\\\\\\"To enable people and businesses throughout the world to realize their full potential.\\\\\\\"

This is also a corporate strategy...there is not one department of Microsoft that accomplishes this statement, but rather all the departments working in a harmony as a corporation.

Amazon.com:

" Amazon.com seeks to be the world's most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything