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Becoming a High Performance Organization

In: Business and Management

Submitted By ciaranoconnor
Words 3411
Pages 14
Becoming a High Performance Organization: A study of Alpha Newspaper Group.

Introduction
The subject of my course project is Alpha Newspaper Group. Alpha is a print media company that I worked for in 2009. They own regional newspapers throughout the country that are published on a weekly basis. Alpha operates two main headquarters; one in the north of the country, where the business was established and where the owners reside, and one in the midlands where I worked. Our office oversaw the publication of 5 newspapers in the local area with a staff of 30 or so journalists, editors, production designers, HR personnel and management.
The print media industry is going through tough times. Technological advances and access to free information have had a negative effect on sales and revenue raised through advertising. It’s led to serious questions being posed about the future of the industry. The need to adapt like any other industry in today’s climate is present. Added to this the economic recession has not helped. Newspapers are a staple in people’s expenditure however value for money is still sought. There is plenty of competition and the product needs to maintain high standards. Whilst I was working for the company Alpha were looking down every avenue in order to reduce costs.
Alpha had an organizational structure that placed a lot of power in the northern headquarters. The owners worked predominantly from there and had far less direct contact with the midland office. They would come for meetings every 2 weeks to assess the office and discuss company matters with the midlands management. The atmosphere was always poor when they visited. It felt like someone was checking up on us. Employees were anxious and concerned about looking the part rather than being focused on their jobs. This atmosphere undoubtedly had an effect on productivity on the days surrounding

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