...Case 3: The Dim Lighting Co. The Dim Lighting Co. (heretofore known as Dim) is challenged with several macro-level problems. Primarily, low cash flow and decreasing profit margins are an important concern. Also, the management team (i.e., Dr. Spinks, P. Newell, B. Boswell, and C. Preston) seems prone to in-fighting and name calling. For example, Preston refers to scientists (i.e., Spinks) as “prima donnas.” At the micro-level, Dim’s General Manager, West, is quite concerned about his tenure at the company due to his company’s performance during the previous year. He is worried about what will happen to his job security if the coming year is unsuccessful as well. Also, Spinks, director of R&D, is reported to be “autocratic, strong-willed, and impatient,” and he seems to be quick to resign when dissatisfied with the degree of innovation present within his location. Now, with Spinks’s new project as a possible panacea for Dim’s dilemmas, there is much resistance to going forward with development due to extant monetary worries. Also, the new project is not a guaranteed success, and it is difficult to determine if the payoffs are worth the risk in investment. The causes for the problems at Dim are multiple and varied. First, the organizational culture seems to be split. Some management primarily focuses on the “bottom line”, while others focus on innovation competitiveness. This creates great conflict when new ideas and change and proposed. Dim’s culture (with the exception...
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...Carl Vitale MG350 Case Analysis: The Dim Lighting Co. I. Problems a. Macro – the problems for this organization on a large scale are pretty easy to see from the case. The company failed to meet its operating targets. This has caused them to decline financially, but also limits their ability to take risks that would help them to research and design new technology to get them back into the market. That means that when Mr. Spinks has an idea that would normally be a great opportunity for the company to jump out in front of its competitors, instead of immediately jumping into that project, they must first consider all options. Their situation makes the endeavor, and ones like it, far more risky than they should be. b. Micro – on a smaller scale, the companies head of R&D, Mr. Spinks, faces a problem of his own when he comes up with an idea for a new type of lamp that he believes could be the next step up from LED lighting. This is obviously a huge idea, and a big risk to any company. This company however, also happens to be struggling, making it necessary for the organization to discuss all possible risks before agreeing that it is the right idea. This is a typical high-risk, high-reward situation. If Dim Lighting decided to take a risk and put money into developing and producing this new product, they have to be confident that it will in fact be the next big thing. If not, the organization could lose all the money they had put into the project, which at...
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...THE DIM LIGHTING CO. CASE ANALYSIS Name: I. Problems: A. Macro: 1. The Dim Lighting Co. is facing a major decision. The facts and the numbers are saying that they are not realizing their operating targets, and their profit margins have dropped. The first thing the general manager has to do is evaluate and review all of the pros and cons of this project. In our always changing market, industry and competition if the company wants to be successful, they have to keep up with the changes. If they want to be the leader in the market, they cannot sit around and wait for better times to come. The general manager needs to decide if he is looking to increase profit margins for right now and possibly for the next couple of years, or is he looking for the future of the company in the long run. Is the company able to take this initiative? 2. The other side of this issue is that the company at the moment is not in the best financial position. The general manager knows that his business position is strongly relying on the financial success of the next coming year. The lack of the monetary power is a key factor in making important business decisions. Should they be passive in this project? B. Micro: 1. The general manager needs to have a profitable year. Two years in a row without the desired profit numbers, will not look good for his business advancement and his career. According to the director of marketing they need new machinery for their current production...
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...Abby Somers W-430: Organizations and Organizational Change September 5, 2013 Chapter 3 Case Study: The Dim Lighting Co. I. Problems a. Macro i. Company strategy – they cannot agree on whether they want to be innovative or constantly behind the trend. They are slow to adapt to change, and are reluctant to be ahead of the change. ii. Financing – they are in a bit of a financial squeeze, which hence places reluctance on going ahead with the new project. However, it “takes money to make money” so if they decide to not go through with the project due to lack of financing I foresee financing continuing to be an issue long into their future, and a potential second bad year in a row. b. Micro iii. Spinks leaving – it’s been brought up that if his new project is denied, the Director of Research and Development will leave the company in search of other employment. He left his last job because of a lack of creativity and innovation, so chances are he would leave again if forced to work under the same circumstances. iv. Broken production equipment – the broken production equipment is inhibiting their current operations. If fixed, this would provide an instant, although smaller, source of income. If they go ahead with the new project this broken equipment will be put on the backburner, causing the company to be low on cash for quite some time. II. Causes c. Lack of product development –...
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...NAME: Chris Brady I. Problems A. Macro 1. The Dim Lighting Co. has to decide whether or not to invest in a major R&D project for new technology. The reason for looking into pursing this is due to the fact of declining profits and not meeting the companies operating capacity targets. The margins and operating targets dropped by 15 percent last year. Jim West has to look into all of the pros and cons of the project that Robert Spinks has presented at the staff meeting. 2. One issue is the company has been underperforming the last two years. It would be an easier decision to invest the $1.2 million for the next two years and $500,000 for the third year. The Mr. West knows that his career at the company depends on the next year profit margin. Without a strong performance he could be no longer employed at Dim Lighting Co. The other idea brought up by Bills Boswell is to purchase newer equipment for the production line which he feels would create an immediate impact on the financial profits for the company, instead of investing in a project that could fail completely. Mr. Sparks stated that it only as a 70% chance of success. B. Micro 1. The last two years had declining profits and operating targets were not met for the last couple years. Mr. West knows that he has to make this trend end and start to make the company profits increase. If the performance doesn’t change he feels that it could lead to himself being released from his services from the company...
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...The Dim Lighting Company Case Analysis The Dim Lighting is facing a major decision. They are deciding whether or not to undertake a new project. This project is an extremely costly and time consuming one but on the other hand it may bring great benefits to the company. There are many considerations that are going into the big decision. Jim West is the general manager of the Dim Lighting Company and is thinking over all the ideas and alternatives. There are some problems that deal with the company as a whole. Does the company want to wait until they are “going down” to think of new innovations? The company knows that they can’t just sit without change. In an ever changing market, a company that wants to be successful must keep up with change. On the other hand, investing in a major project when the company isn’t in the best financial form may not be so beneficial as well. In theory the company may want to react to the situation but in practice they just don’t have the means. There are some problems micro problems with innovation as well. Firstly, it is possible that Spinks has a major influence on the decision because of his autocratic personality. The other managers know that Spinks is a vital member and losing him may really hurt the company. Their decision may be swayed to satisfy Spinks. Another issue on the micro scale is West’s needs for a profitable year. Jim West needs to see the company profitable after a year of slowed profit. This may cause his decision to...
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...Hollie Adleberg 1/22/13 MGT 311: Case Analysis THE DIM LIGHTING CO. CASE ANALYSIS Problems Macro 1) The Dim Lighting CO has a major decision to make. The facts and the numbers are saying that they are not realizing their operating targets and their profit margins have declined. The first thing that Mr. West should do is to evaluate all the pros and cons of the project. 2) The other side of the problem is that at this moment, they are not in the greatest financial situation. Mr. West knows that his business position is heavily weighed on the financial success of the coming year. Micro 1) Mr. West has to have a profitable year. Two years in a row with poor performance could lead to his dismissal from the company, and will not look good for future career advancements. The director of marketing is stating that new machinery is needed in order for any profit to be made. The downside being that it will take two years to complete, and during those two years, only break-even will be met, no profits until the third year. 2) Mr. Spinks has stated that he left his previous company because they lacked creativity and innovation in research and development. He has the tendency to be impatient if his project does not get approved. There is a threat that Mr. Spinks will leave the company and shatter the whole R&D department. Causes 1) Previous unprofitable year 2) Mr. Spinks history of leaving former company for lack of creativity and innovations 3) The...
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...Case Analysis The Dim Lighting Company Paula J Huggard Organizational Change I. Problems A. Macro 1. With the changes in the industry does the company sit back and wait for a better time within their company to develop new products or do they decide to become proactive? 2. Will the company become reactive and continue what they are currently doing and get the equipment necessary to have instant results? B. Micro 1. Jim West is faced with a big financial decision. Whatever he decides will most likely have an impact on his career. Current production, with some repairs and upgrading, would produce an immediate return. However, would this be just putting a band aid on a bigger problem? As far as Spinks’ proposal, although top management at headquarters are enthusiastic with the idea presented, they are not willing to put up the necessary capital required for a project that is estimated to have only a seventy percent chance of success and no profitability projected until the third year. 2. It is likely that Robert Spinks will not continue as Director of R&D with the Dim Lighting Company if headquarters refuses to move forward on the micro-miniaturization of lighting sources he has proposed. II. Causes 1. Spinks has won many awards from scientific societies and is a valuable asset to the R&D department, but he has made it known that he has left previous employers because of their inability to be creative and innovative. ...
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...In the case of The Dim Lighting Company is a subsidiary of a major producer of electrical products. The company is faced with several macro-level problems. Low cash flow and decreasing profit margins are not the only problems they are having but they are primarily the major ones. The management staff consists of Dr. Spinks, Newell, Preston, and Boswell, (Woolfe, 2002, pg. 83). Adding to their list of problems, they continue to be in a constant limbo about the company’s future innovations. West is very worried about the overall state of the company. Due to the company’s history of poor performance in previous years, his despair about the future of The Dim Lightning Company is necessary. This potential future failure is threating his personal life as he is worried about his job security, (Woolfe, 2002, pg. 82) . The director of Research & Development (R&D), is known to be “autocratic, strong-willed, and impatient,” and resigned at previous industry competitor’s firms due to their lack of innovation. Spinks proposal of the “Lamp of the Future” proposal seems to put them in a difficult position that could threaten the company’s overall health. The new proposal has a long-term ability to stabilize the company and provide them with income; however, time is not on their side as they are already in a financial crisis, (Woolfe, 2002, pg. 83). The staff has to ultimately make the decision whether to try or deny the new proposal, as it is not a guarantee that it will be a successful...
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...The Dim Lightning Case Analysis In this week’s case analysis, we are presented with the tough decision for Jim West, General Manager for Dim Lighting. Jim West is presented with an opportunity by his Research and Development Director Robert Spinks to develop new technology. There is much to this case other than just whether or not to fund this expenditure. There is competing input from Accounting and Manufacturing, with support from the Marketing department. Complicating the manners is Mr. West’s own personal desires and considerations. Leading up to this occurrence, there was much that occurred within the confines of the company that has lead to the current situation. In the previous year, Mr. West’s group had failed to meet their operating targets, and profits dropped by 15 percent. This has lead to concern on the part of Mr. West in regards to this year’s performance, and meeting this year’s numbers is paramount to the long term potential for Mr. West. Adding to this dilemma, Mr. Spinks has brought a proposal to Mr. West that involves development of new lighting technology. This program would cost $2.5 million over the next 2 years. The marketing department backs the plan to develop this new technology. However, the accounting department feels that there is no room in the budget for this R&D. The manufacturing department adds to the mix that they desire to put those expenditures into new machinery for the current production line, which will contribute to immediate...
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...The Dim Lighting Company I. Problems A. Macro 1. There definitely needs to be a change made. The company needs to make a decision, but do they want to go with a high risk product like micro-miniaturization? 2. The risk involved with making the decision towards innovation will have a high cost and will put a damper on production of revenue bringing current technology. 3. Numerous products The Dim Lighting Company are currently manufacturing are in the declining period. B. Micro 1. Jim West needs to have a successful year, his career virtually depends on it. 2. Robert Spinks needs to open up to more than just his opinion. The mentioning of him leaving his former company for their lack or creativity leads me to believe he left because they didn’t let him have his way. II. Causes 1. Profit margin dropped 15% in the previous year. 2. Products currently manufactured products are on their way out. 3. The technology curve calls for continuous innovations. III. Systems affected 1. Structural – They would have to restructure their current business around the new product development. Manufacturing speeds and locations of current products will change. They will have to find how to do this to maximum efficiency. 2. Psychosocial –.Jim West is worried that if he doesn’t go forth with the new idea, he may lose all the hard work of assembling his Research and Development department. 3. Technical – The technological aspect of this case is in the fore-front. The Dim Lighting...
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...| | | | | | | POPULATION | MISSISSIPPI | JACKSON | | Total Population | 2,922,240 | 176,799 | | EDUCATION (AGES 25+) | | | | Less than 9th Grade | 7.46% | 5.11% | | 9th to 12th Grade | 13.63% | 12.84% | | High School Diploma | 31.21% | 25.25% | | Some College | 21.17% | 23.28% | | Associate's Degree | 7.47% | 6.50% | | Bachelor's Degree | 12.42% | 16.58% | | Graduate/Professional Degree | 6.65% | 10.43% | | RACE & ETHNICITY | | | | White Non-Hispanic | 58.83% | 20.98% | | White Hispanic | 1.16% | 0.78% | | Non-White Hispanic | 0.95% | 0.92% | | Black/African American | 36.90% | 75.95% | | America Indian/Alaskan Native | 0.40% | 0.14% | | Asian | 0.84% | 0.66% | | Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander | 0.01% | 0.01% | | Two or More Races | 0.90% | 0.49% | | GENDER | | | | Male | 48.49% | 46.51% | | Female | 51.51% | 53.49% | | AGE | | | | Under 15 | 21.62% | 23.69% | | 15 to 19 | 7.71% | 8.00% | | 20 to 34 | 20.65% | 23.44% | | 35 to 54 | 26.93% | 25.64% | | 55 to 64 | 10.61% | 9.20% | | 65 and over | 12.48% | 10.02% | | ECONOMIC INDICATORS | | | | Poverty Rate | 21.41% | 26.87% | | Workforce Participation Rate | 59.78% | 63.60% | | Per Capita Income | $19,534 | $19,749 | | | | | | | | | The area that would be best for the expanded location, and facility is Jackson Ms. This decision was made from data collected from the office of economics...
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...In his play, ‘The Glass Menagerie’, Tennessee Williams creates a tableau of human desperation and discontent. The narrator, Tom, presents his recollections of life with his neurotic mother, Amanda, and Laura, his retiring sister. Williams provides detailed stage instructions, paying particular attention to lighting and issuing specific instructions to light technicians. The presence of absence of light in each scene, as well as its intensity, is a considered tactic on William’s part. In addition, he makes several references to light in the play. It’s clear that light plays a significant role in his work, and upon closer inspection, several meanings for light can be discerned. Extinguished hopes and crushed dreams are a recurring theme in the play, and they are usually set against a dim backdrop. Much of the family’s pathetic drama is played out on a dim set. The set opens on a softly lit interior, and the morose mood is made all the more palpable by the dimness. The exasperated Tom bickers with Amanda about his table manners, while Laura retreats even further into herself. Amanda’s chirpy inquiries about Laura’s ‘gentleman callers’ irritate Tom and mortify Laura, for they belie the stark reality that Laura has no romantic prospects whatsoever. ‘A spot of light’ alights on Amanda as she recounts her days being courted by the eligible young bachelors of ‘Blue Mountain’. The spotlight would illuminate her joyous expression, and suggest that she is being transported to happier...
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...“There has been consensus among scientists for years that global warming is a serious problem and that it is caused by human activity” (“Global Warming Solutions A Basics.”, n.d.).I am here to tell you, global warming is a real and serious threat. With the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere the land and ocean temperatures have increased. Over the last 25 years, 11 of the 12 warmest years on record have occurred in the past 12 years. Something needs to be done to change this trend. This is where each and every one of us comes in. You might not think things in your everyday life have an effect on global warming but you are wrong. Here in the Midwest, we are at the center of our global warming problems and can be at the center of our solutions (“Global Warming Solutions A Basics.”, n.d.). Just making relatively small changes in your homes can make a huge impact on global warming if everyone makes similar changes. A new heating and cooling system is one of the biggest upfront costs for a green change, but it has the biggest return as well; in the form of money saved and lessening pollution. “As much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. So making smart decisions about your home's heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can have a big effect on your utility bills” (“Heat & Cool Efficiently,” n.d.). Which is why you should start with this change. Although simply replacing your system all together could be the most cost effective...
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...ADAPTIVE STrEET LIGHTING GUIDE DIScLAImEr This BC Hydro Adaptive Street Lighting Information Brochure (the “Brochure”) has been produced by BC Hydro for the convenience and informational purposes of only those BC Hydro customers to whom BC Hydro has provided this Brochure and is not to be provided to any other party. Any information in this Brochure that is summarized or excerpted from specific studies, articles or other sources reflect the views of the authors of such studies, articles or other sources that are cited. All other information in this Brochure reflects the views of BC Hydro after reviewing and interpreting the foregoing cited sources and other sources. BC Hydro has not conducted any of its own research or other activities to verify its own views or the views of the authors of any of the cited sources. BC Hydro does not make any representations or warranties of any kind, whether express, implied or statutory, with respect to any of the information contained in this Brochure and any user of this Brochure is advised to use the information contained herein at their own risk. BC Hydro also does not accept any liability (including, without limitation, liability for any direct, indirect, consequential or any other type of damages) arising from or relating to any use of, or reliance upon, this Brochure for any purpose. If any information relating to a particular product or manufacturer is contained in this Brochure, BC Hydro will not be deemed to have endorsed or promoted...
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