...Running head: Aligning Augusta’s Local Government’s Business Initiatives Aligning Augusta’s Local Government’s Business Initiatives Abstract Augusta Richmond County, ARC (Augusta, Georgia) is a local government located in Augusta, Georgia. Augusta Richmond County has a “population of 199,486 and a total area of 324.1 square miles” (www.georgia.gov). The assessment of their employee productivity, training, Career Development and Technology resulted in a need for multiple changes to enhance its ability to function and to maintain in today’s vastly moving and unstable economic times. Employee productivity suffered due to lack of job and salary consistency, training was non-existent government wide, very few departments provided internal departmental training, Career Development was listed in ARC’s Personnel Policy and Procedure Manual but was unfunded and Technology was not being used as a tool to help the employees but as a function to manipulate to possible perform a function. The outcome is to perform a salary study internal and external and to review job functions and correct job descriptions and streamline processes. Implement new training programs in-house with current staff, that is trained and capable of providing the training, and pay for all other training services from external services, approximately 20% of services. Commission to implement a plan to finance Career Development in the 2014 budget and to implement and strategize a plan to obtain or update...
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...Lykia Jones Assignment 3: “Business Plan Part III – Business Initiative and Technology” Bus510 Entrepreneurship & Innovation September 1, 2013 Analyze the options available for producing the product or service and evaluate which of the options you can take to streamline operations Each organization has many options to consider when it comes to producing their product or service. TalentSrch supplies their customers with onsite and offsite recruitment services. In order to produce this service it is very necessary for them to consider internal and external labor and the quality of the service that they provide. Internal and external labor is important to the life of any company. TalentSrch is a small organization that relies on a lean staff in order to provide valuable solutions internally and to their external client base. It understands that “the members of the staff are the key to delivering top-notch customer service (McMillan 2013).) The goal of TalentSrch has always been to keep overhead costs low. This is done through hiring extremely competent individuals who are able to work internally, but also have the ability to be billable to their client base. For instance, TalentSrch offers outsourced recruitment services in which they identify candidates to fill their clients’ opportunities. This can be done by offering contingent staff or RPO recruitment services. RPO recruitment services are services in which TalentSrch offers an onsite or offsite recruiter to...
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...Management initiatives for the Agri-business sector in India Topic: Capital intensive vs. labour intensive in agri-business Abstract The presentation attempts at reviewing the management initiatives for capital and labour intensives in agri-business in India. Agriculture has played a vital role in the survival of human and development of civilization. Agriculture continues to be a fundamental instrument for sustainable development in India. Agri-business is a generic term for the various businesses involved in food production, including farming and contract farming, seed supply, agrichemicals, farm machinery, wholesale and distribution, processing, marketing and retail sales. The primary objective of this presentation is to find out the capital intensive vs. labour intensive in agri-business in India. The secondary objective is to find out in what circumstances both these intensives are going to be used effectively and efficiently. Agri-business can be done in two forms of utilisation of sources to effective mass produce. One is Capital intensive and the other is Labour intensive. ‘Capital’ refers to the equipment, machinery, vehicles, etc., that a business uses to make its product or services. Capital-intensive processes are those that require a relatively various levels of capital investment compared to the labour cost. The costs of financing, maintaining and depreciating of capital are investment and overheads. These processes are highly automated...
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...Misery Loves Companies: Whither Social Initiatives by Business? Joshua D. Margolis Harvard University jmargolis@hbs.edu 617-495-6444 James P. Walsh University of Michigan jpwalsh@umich.edu 734-936-2768 December 16, 2002 We want to thank Christine Oliver, our three anonymous reviewers, Paul Adler, Howard Aldrich, Alan Andreasen, Jim Austin, Charles Behling, Mary Gentile, Tom Gladwin, Morten Hansen, Stu Hart, Nien-he Hsieh, Linda Lim, Nitin Nohria, Lynn Paine, Gail Pesyna, Rob Phillips, Lance Sandelands, Debora Spar, Joe White, Richard Wolfe and the students in Jim Walsh’s “The Corporation in Society” Ph.D. seminar for their constructive comments on earlier versions of this paper. We also want to thank Marguerite Booker, John Galvin and Nichole Pelak for their helpful research assistance. The Harvard Business School, the University of Michigan Business School, and the Aspen Institute’s Initiative for Social Innovation through Business provided invaluable support for this project. Misery Loves Companies: Whither Social Initiatives by Business? Abstract Companies are increasingly being asked to provide innovative solutions to deep-seated problems of human misery. Organization and management scholarship can play an important role in understanding and guiding possible corporate responses. Theory and research to date have sought to reconcile possible corporate responses with economic premises about the purpose of the firm. Our goals in this paper are to reorient the...
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...To what extent do you agree with the statement that 'e-business is much more than a strategic initiative'? I find particularly interesting Johnsons and Whang’s (2002, p. 413) statement that “nothing has rocked the young field of the supply chain management like the emergence of the Internet”. It indeed rocked, by lowering costs, minimizing the response time, creating new business models, improving logistics abilities and overall improving the service offered to the customer. Gribbins et al. (n.d.) analyzed in their paper how e-business impacted P & G, a major player in the consumer goods industry. From P & G’s e-business and internet “embrace” we can clearly see the impact and results this strategic initiative has on an organization. A few examples of what they have developed: 1. E-stores (e-commerce) platforms, where customers can do purchases online; this approach have brought the organization direct contact with the customer and a global reach and expansion; 2. Supply Chain Information Collection Initiatives which, by sharing effectively information, efficiency is increased, inventory management is kept under control, hence costs are reduced; 3. Transora online B2B procurement e-stores which reduces the customer’s ordering time and purchasing costs and provided a good flow of inventory management, which makes a close to perfection integrated supply chain for all parties involved; 4. Web-based knowledge data bases, to help reduce product development time by creating...
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...In recent times, with the development of Information Communication Technology (ICT), firms are incorporating internet technology in their business processes with the aim of achieving competitive advantage. This has resulted in e-business playing a major role in today’s business with investors, entrepreneurs, executives etc embracing it. E-business is explained as performing business on the internet. This therefore means that e-business does not just involve buying and selling but also serving customers and working together with business partners towards achieving its objectives. IBM considers e-business: ... the use of internet technologies to improve and transform key business processes. With the adoption of e-business, more value can be created by the way in which business is transacted in an organization. For example, businesses transacted over the internet or in any highly networked environment results in a reduced transaction costs as compared to a traditional set up or market. In this context, transaction cost include; the time spent by managers and employees searching for customers and suppliers, communicating with other players in the industry as well as other companies regarding transaction details. … the costs of travel, physical space for meetings, and processing paper documents,’ as well as the costs of production and inventory management (Lucking Reiley and Spulber, 2001). E-businesses also boost transaction efficiency by facilitating quicker and more informed...
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...Q. WHEN SHOULD A CORPORATION CONSIDER A MAJOR SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS PRACTICE INITIATIVE? A. The following are the reasons when corporations must consider a major socially responsible business practice initiative: 1. When a company has been offered a financial incentive to alter a business practice for the benefit of the environment, most typically from an external public or regulatory agency (e.g., Cisco’s incentive from the local energy supplier to meet or exceed guidelines for energy conservation). 2. When the adoption of a new practice would reduce operating costs, as well as contribute to a social issue (e.g., Chiquita saving millions each year after reducing its use of select chemicals). 3. When a current business practice can be identified (in part) as contributing to an important social problem, and modifications and improvements would help address the issue (e.g., McDonald’s deciding to phase out supersize options). 4. When there is an opportunity to improve employee health, safety, or well-being by altering a business practice or investing in infrastructures and educational communications (e.g., Coca Cola’s HIV/AIDS workplace program). 5. When engagement in this practice can add an important point of differentiation to target markets in a crowded, undifferentiated marketplace (e.g., Nike offering a line of products made with environmentally friendly materials). 6. When there are opportunities for alliances that will strengthen the...
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...Strategic Initiative Paper Iam Anonymous FIN/370 January 8, 2013 Dr. Finance Strategic Initiative Paper A business with a competitive edge, growth and financial stability is usually developed with the proper strategic and financial plans. This process starts by clearly defining your business goals, objectives and determining how much money it will take to accomplish them. In the process of Strategic and Financial planning certain steps or developed, implemented and followed through as an outline in determining the direction you want your business to go into as well as how the goals you have set, and who will be assigned to assist in monitoring the process and accomplishing those goals. Strategic planning is also a process of that involves investigating and assessing the competitions strengths, weaknesses, accomplishments and threats and applying them according to the plans of your business. Financial Planning is managing the finances over a period of time so that the business will and can continue to operate, Plans for the company and employees future. When the strategic plan is developed for the business having the adequate finances play the most important role in getting started, company and organization without the adequate funding and financial guidance, goal and plans set for the business are limited and will not be beneficial and could result in a failing company. Businesses that usually follow their business outline eliminate areas of inefficiencies...
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...APPROACH DOCUMENT FOR PRIVATE CLOUD This document outlines the approach to be followed to take up a private cloud initiative. THE CLOUD COMPUTING & PRIVATE CLOUDS Cloud Computing is the latest IT trend which is so promising for both IT & business results. With a lot of hype cycle predicted for next few years and all vendors embracing cloud concepts at their possible levels, customers are tempted to try & embrace cloud for their benefits. However, a few questions bother the customers like: • Is it just another buzzword or a real game changer? • Is it safe enough? • Does it give results to me, to my specific setup, for my workloads? • Is it proven & trusted enough? • How effectively does it build on top of the applications, infrastructure & expertise that my organization already has? We advise the Cloud Computing Solution Advisor to keep all these things in mind while a cloud promise is made to customer. Essentially all aspects of a customer’s current & past details are key for successfully drafting a cloud strategy or a cloud computing roadmap for a customer. Successful Private Cloud Initiatives Lead To: • Lower TCO for hardware & software • Higher utilization of server rooms & rack space • Optimal risk buffers for application SLA management • Effective DR & BCP results • A trend of Capex slowly moving into Opex • Better standardization & compliance • Improved end-user experience, faster applications, fewer downtimes, better managed scheduled maintenance windows ...
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...In today’s business environment, a firm’s survival is dependent on how it responds to its stakeholders; CSR is a way that response is communicated. This paper explores whether CSR is necessary for the survival of Banyan Tree in today’s environment. We will evaluate the possible ways that CSR benefits the company and show that CSR is not necessary for Banyan Tree’s survival but it does play a strategic role in building brand equity along with a sustainable business. Introduction Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) There are multiple interpretations of what CSR means, and while there is no set principle, we have defined CSR as the duty of a corporation to create wealth in ways that avoid harm to, protect, or enhance societal assets for the purposes of discussion. Prevailing approaches to CSR were disconnected from strategy such that it obscured many opportunities for companies to benefit society . The outlook of CSR has changed since and modern business organizations have started to incorporate CSR, both internally and externally into their operations, aiming to achieve sustainable business development. This evolution arose due to increasing governmental regulations and societal expectations regarding the operation of companies, thus creating a divergence in business performance and expectations. CSR facilitates businesses in narrowing their performance-expectation gap . In the modern business environment, companies do not only compete on price and quality of...
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...Vice Industries CRS Initiatives 7. Other Schools of Thought 8. Conclusion 1. Introduction Scholars explain the surprising fact that companies in the United States alone spend $9 billion annually on philanthropic causes by investigating the motives behind such apparent generosity (e.g. Cone et al., 2003). The critical importance of CSR derives from the fact that CSR practices have considerable influence on a company’s reputation and “the reputation of a firm is arguably the most valuable asset” (Peloza, 2006: 69). The term “corporate social responsibility,” or CSR, can be defined broadly as a firm’s charitable contributions and social initiatives, such as “philanthropy, cause-related marketing, environmental responsibility, and humane employee treatment, among others” (Ellen et al., 2006: 148). Researchers have found that over the past 30 years CSR correlated positively with corporate financial performance (CFP) (Orlitzky et al., 2003). “At its simplest, some argue that this ‘trend’ is purely self-serving marketing or philanthropy to offset concern over organizations’ increasing profit or corporate scandals.” (Brock, 2005: 58). By examining the motives behind CSR as purported by a broad spectrum of scholars, this paper will argue that companies initially implement CSR initiatives in an effort to increase sales and obtain other incremental benefits. Then, this paper will examine the role CSR plays within a company’s business system over an extended...
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...Cornell University ILR School DigitalCommons@ILR Student Works ILR Collection Spring 2013 Which Organizations are Best in Class in Managing Diversity and Inclusion, and What Does their Path of Success Look Like? Pin Zhou Cornell University Daniel Dongjin Park Cornell University Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/student Part of the Human Resources Management Commons This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the ILR Collection at DigitalCommons@ILR. It has been accepted for inclusion in Student Works by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@ILR. For more information, please contact hlmdigital@cornell.edu. Which Organizations are Best in Class in Managing Diversity and Inclusion, and What Does their Path of Success Look Like? Abstract Question: Which organizations are best in class in managing diversity and inclusion, and what does their path of success look like? What are the criteria to measure ‘best in class’? Keywords human resources, diversity, inclusion Disciplines Human Resources Management Comments Suggested Citation Zhou, P. & Park, D. (2013). Which organizations are best in class in managing diversity and inclusion, and what does their path of success look like? Retrieved [insert date] from Cornell University, ILR School site: http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/student/46/ Required Publisher Statement Copyright by the authors. This article is available...
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...Publications, 2012 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.ajbas.2012.4.3.1593 Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives of Major Companies of India with Focus on Health, Education and Environment Anupam Sharma and Ravi Kiran School of Behavioral Sciences and Business Studies, Thapar University, Patiala, India Abstract: Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is emerging as a new field in the management research. In India, many firms have taken the initiatives of CSR practices which have met with varying needs of the society. The present study has made an attempt to understand the status and progress and initiatives made by large firms of India in context to CSR policy framing and implementation. Data has been collected from the official websites of the firms, in-person interviews and through structured questionnaire. The CSR initiatives in context to health, education and environment sector to be rated by the interviewee were identified from the literature. Based on the information and discussions mentioned a matrix of various policy factors has been prepared. All initiatives factors have been rated on the scale of 1 to 5. Results of the study depicts that IT and Auto industry is more going for taking up CSR initiatives while FMCG sector has focused yet not too much into the social responsibility initiatives. Although India has entered or taken a transformational change by involving into new CSR initiatives, but still a lot has to be done in this area. Key words: Globalization Liberalization Policy-framing...
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...Starbucks has recently put a strategic plan in place as mentioned in the annual report, “Two years ago, we embarked on a strategic plan, the Blueprint for Profitable Growth, in which we would leverage multiple channels of distribution. I am proud to affirm that it is no longer theory but a true growth engine. The measure of our success can be seen in the past year’s performance.” (SBUX 2012 Annual Report Final, 2013). Starbucks lists three actions that drives their decisions and actions; keeping their commitment to their core coffee business, relative, timely innovation and continuing to honor their values. In 2011, Starbucks purchased the outstanding shares of Evolution Fresh as a completion of a strategic initiative. As indicated with any acquisition there is associated risk such as, disruptions to the business, operational losses and expenses of the acquired business, and incorporating the acquired business into the Starbucks line of business. “Adding Evolution Fresh to our brand portfolio fulfills our commitment to health and wellness, and not just by bringing high-quality premium juices to our customers but by extending the Evolution Fresh brand to an exciting new...
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...Life Strategic Initiative What is the initiative? Baxter’s Work & Life Strategic Initiative formally began with an 18-month extensive employee-needs assessment that provided a far better understanding of how the company could benefit by championing greater work-life balance for all its employees—for women as well as men. Baxter has succeeded at integrating its business case for worklife balance into a new corporate culture that is supported from the top down, demonstrated by strong CEO commitment and role modeling. A major result of this strategic assessment has been that Baxter redefined and expanded the work-life experience to encompass more categories of conflicts experienced by employees. Baxter, in conjunction with MK Consultants, developed the four-level The Work and Life Pyramid of Needs, which rests on a base of Respect (the company’s attitude toward the employee’s needs) and rises through Balance (the employee’s goal) to Flexibility (what the company wants to help the employee attain) to Programs (the supports that the company provides). The study refocused Baxter’s strategy, giving increased importance to and emphasis on respect for the “whole” person, including his or her responsibilities and interests outside of work. The initiative has since added work-life to Baxter’s shared values, employee satisfaction tools, performance standards, and other existing HR initiatives. In addition, the study’s findings added up to a strong business case for flexibility...
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