...Best Snacks Inc. Problem Solution Lori Mann Creativity, Innovation, and Organizational Design -MMPBL/550 September 19, 2011 Facilitator: Ken Pinaire Best Snacks Inc. Problem Solution In today’s global economy, the pace of competition and change has accelerated. Organizations of all types need employees that can think in new ways so the organization can sustain its performance and continue to grow. Thinking in new ways is also known as creativity and innovation. Creativity is taking ideas beyond the normal boundaries and innovation is using the available skills and resources to create new product and service offerings, process technologies, and enabling technologies (Davila, 2006, p. 35). The process of managing creativity and innovation can improve the organizational effectiveness because “all innovation begins with creative ideas” (Jones, 2004, p 409). Best Snacks Inc. must implement organizational strategies that support innovation and the development of new products and services as well as implement a program designed to increase its employees’ creative thinking skills. Additionally, Best Snacks Inc. should also make changes to its management systems. In this paper, I will describe the issues Best Snacks, Inc. is facing as well as its opportunities to implement a creative and innovative environment that will enable the company to regain its industry leader status, increase sales, and to reverse its downward trending stock price. It will then discuss the stakeholders...
Words: 2917 - Pages: 12
...Best Snacks Problem Solution Course/Number Date Andre Boyer Best Snacks Problem Solution Best Snacks encounters many challenges that affect the creativity and innovation practices. This ranges source from individual and organizational learning, management practices and technology in creativity and innovation. Jones (2004) states, “Each design challenge has implications for how an organization as a whole and the people in the organization behave and perform.” (p. 115). This means that each area influences the direction of the organization and some of the difficulties that stifle a creative environment that lends itself to an innovative organization. Further, successfully overcoming challenges associated with a void in creativity consists of implementing a plan that address concerns highlighted by employees in the recent organizational survey. Creating a plan may source at the leadership level but the input sources from the employees because this is the identified area where creativity does not exist in the desired way. Leadership teams must recognize that the survey indicates employees do not feel they have the freedom to provide creative input therefore; leadership team members become part of the problem. Mat and Razak (2011) state, “Identification of success or failure of innovation can be done through implementation phase” (p. 217). As a result, the problem itself lies within the leadership team members rather than the employees of Best Snacks. Based...
Words: 3155 - Pages: 13
...Best Snacks Problem Solution Lashanna Dipiano MMPL/550 May 12, 2011 Phillip Norris Best Snacks Problem Solution Best Snacks, Inc is a 150 year old company that has been held publicly for more than 100 years. Although the company has enjoyed many years of success, it has recently failed sustain its success due to the lack of innovation and creativity over the last 5 years. In today’s business environment innovation is necessary to sustain success and is an integral part of the business model. The ability to learn faster, better, and more cheaply than the competitor can mean the difference between maintaining market leadership and barely surviving (Davila, Epstein& Shelton, 2006). To regain its long held standing as a leader in the snack industry Best Snack, Inc must implement a plan that focuses on creating a culture that cultivates innovation, developing management systems that are aligned with the new strategy, and creating a new product line that will bring the company back to the forefront in the snack industry. Describe the Situation Issue and Opportunity Identification Best Snacks, Inc has been a leader in the snack industry for many years. As the snack industry began to change to meet the demands of a consumer market that is more health conscious, Best Snacks has failed to meet the challenge. Best Snacks has been slow to adapt to change and stray away from its tried-and-true research, development, and marketing activities (University of Phoenix, 2006). The...
Words: 4229 - Pages: 17
...Best Snacks Problem Solution Denise MM/PBL 550 Date: August 1, 2011 Instructor: Best Snacks Problem Solution In the last two years, Best Snacks’ sales have been plummeting. Stock market prices are decreasing and the market shares have been spiraling down. The vice president of organizational development, Sabrina McKay has experienced from several organizational development initiatives to turn the company around. However, because of how severe Best Snacks’ issues are, the company is obliged to evaluate what the employees dislike and like about competing with success. Additionally, employees at Best Snacks believe that their opinions are not valued and the company has not done a stellar job of promoting innovation. To ensure the company’s success, Best Snacks must deal with its current challenges of a failing product line in addition to finding a way to bring the internal atmosphere with employees back to a productive state. Describe the Situation Best Snacks has a number of issues to address. They need to address complacency, declining sales, and lack of motivation from employees because of the absence of managerial support. Best Snacks will need to take a closer look at its competitors and benchmark itself with like companies. Best Snacks will benefit from new changes in leadership along with restructuring the organization to promote an environment of innovation and creativity. Best Snacks sales of dropped and market shares have declined...
Words: 3176 - Pages: 13
...Problem Solution: Best Snacks Inc. PercyD University of Phoenix Problem Solution: Best Snacks Inc. Best Snacks has become a company that is reluctant to change and their issues with familiarity issues are becoming costly to business. The ability to innovate and remain creative in all aspects of the company is an integral part of success. “In the long run, the only reliable security for any company is the ability to innovate better and longer than competitors” (Davila, Epstein, & Shelton, 2006, p. 3). Best Snacks 100 plus years of operations is proof that an innovative culture is necessary to remain a business leader in its market. Change is usually met with resistance, but it is the responsibility of the management team to foster an accepting culture of employees. Best Snacks will develop ways to involve employees and management in the creative and innovative method of business by inspiring a culture to increase creative thinking and progress, to regain industry leadership. Describe the Situation Issue and Opportunity Identification Best Snacks have been an industry leader for numerous years but recently management has not created an environment conducive to innovation and strategic organizational change. When employees and the research and development team increases their skills through experimentation with products and service offerings, the culture is more creative and performs at a higher level. Best Snacks management drive to innovate was not strong...
Words: 2686 - Pages: 11
...Running head: PROBLEM SOLUTION: BEST SNACKS INC. Problem Solution: Best Snacks Inc. Cheri Modica University of Phoenix Problem Solution: Best Snacks Inc. Best Snacks, Inc. will assess past procedures, management practices, and organizational culture to facilitate the changes needed to strengthen its position in the snack industry as a model of innovation and creativity. Describe the Situation Issue and Opportunity Identification Despite its huge success, Best Snacks is facing several major issues within the organization. One of the issues is compatibility of organizational structure and organizational culture. Another issue the company is growing rapidly, so change is inevitable in the near future. In this environment, a project manager plays a crucial role in initiating new ideas and processes and influencing employees to accept these changes. Thus, appropriate and superior leadership style is essential during the transition. If Best Snacks wants to be a constant presence in the industry, the company must address these issues. “Innovation is the process by which organizations use their resources and competences to develop new or improved goods and services or to develop new production and operating systems so that they can better respond to the needs of their customers” (Jones, 2004, p. 403). Because change requires innovation to be successful, Best Snacks must assess and restructure the company, allowing for the introduction of new processes...
Words: 2527 - Pages: 11
...the decision making process. This will be based off the scenario of BestSnacks Inc and the opportunities facing BestSnacks in the area of Organizational Design. This paper will provide key concepts of organization design. It will describe the five best design choices and also will provide information regarding some common organizational structures. An organization will have to continuously look at the design and structure it uses to ensure that it is going to establish its goals and vision. Importance of Organizational Design Choices Organizational design choices are important for several reasons. First organizational design choices provide the firm with a choice of designs that are appropriate for achieving different purposes. Every design seeks to pattern the activities of organization towards a common outcome. From the perspective of Best Snacks Inc. it has a choice of selecting a design that will help it achieve its objectives. The choice of organizational design provides Best Snacks Inc a selection of designs each appropriate for different intended outcomes. The systems can be designed to encourage innovation/creativity. Technology can be used to increase the capacity of individuals at Best Snacks Inc, and the structure can be improved to...
Words: 1595 - Pages: 7
...Problem Solution: Best Snacks Inc. Best Snacks Inc. has held the number one or the number two position in the snack arena giving outstanding and protected earnings for their investors. In the past two years, sales have dropped radically, the market shares have decreased and stock prices were spiraling down. The Vice President of Organizational Development, Sabrina McKay is a valuable asset with extraordinary expertise that includes several organizational development initiatives. However, due to the severity of Best Snack’s situation, the company has been forced to assess the likes and dislikes of their components in order to compete with success. Best Snacks will need to engage their stakeholders throughout the process and will have to make innovation and creativity a part of everyday life at the company. Describe the Situation Issue and Opportunity Identification In order for Best Snacks to regain its firm stand in the snack food industry they will have to tackle the issues there are currently facing. Such as, the decline in sales, market share decreases resulting in their stock prices dropping significantly, the possibility of losing their long-term popular place in the snack food industry due to the lack of their innovation and creativity. Best Snacks has the chance to integrate in a cultural change program aimed to increase employees’ creative thinking skills resulting in their increase in innovation and creativity at work. By doing this, Best Snacks would open up new...
Words: 3410 - Pages: 14
...l550 best snacks Problem Solution: Best Snacks Inc. Chris Bross MMPBL/550 11-29-10 Alan Swank Problem Solution: Best Snacks Inc. BestSnacks has been an industry leader for years and recently for the last couple years their sales have started to decline, they have lost market share to competitors and the stock price has dropped getting shareholders antsy and management thinking. They have been forced to think about making some changes to the organization and its culture in order to jump start sales and become profitable again. The following paper will take a look at issues that BestSnacks is facing, the parties involved, what the goals of the organization are and the risks associated with the goals, and they will look at all ideas and decide which to develop and implement. Describe the Situation Issue and Opportunity Identification The snack food industry has grown over the years tremendously. There have been the traditional type snack foods as well as newer more health conscious snack foods. In all, it has grown in demand. Through this, BestSnacks has recently over the past few years seen a decline in sales, the stock price declining and have lost market share to their competitors. Because of all these recent declines they are now in jeopardy of losing a major relationship with a popular vendor. BestSnacks needs to change the culture of their company and create programs that will promote creativity and innovation from their employees. “The leaders of innovation...
Words: 6275 - Pages: 26
...To Snack or Not to Snack: That is the Problem “A problem exists when a situation has negative effects. Recognizing that there is a problem–being aware of those effects-is essential before you can begin to solve it” (Carter, Bishop, & Kravits, 2007, p. 94). A very profound statement that is easy to relate to for anyone dealing with a problem in his or her day-to-day life. I find it intriguing how sometimes solving one problem can lead to another. The day-to-day problem I want to solve is snacking during the day. You may be wondering how that can be construed as a problem. It has, unfortunately, turned into a problem I struggle with daily. Here is my story. The Start Prior to some minor oral surgery, the doctor told me that I needed to stop smoking two days before and seven days after surgery. Keeping my health and healing in mind, I complied with the doctors’ directions. After surgery he placed me on medication to decrease the pain so the craving to smoke never surfaced. Once I was off the pain medication, it was apparent that I would need some tips to quit smoking. The Foundation for a Smoke Free America (1982-2002) website suggests several tips to help including deep breathing exercises; increase fluid intake for the first few days; be patient, the urge to smoke will pass; avoid alcohol, sugar, and coffee as it may increase the desire to smoke; and avoid fatty foods as the body’s metabolism may slow down. As I have heard in the past, people who try to...
Words: 919 - Pages: 4
...Best Snacks Problem Solution MMPBL/550 October 15, 2011 Best Snacks Problem Solution Best Snacks, Inc. is has been in business for 150 years and within the past two years the sales have been slipping (Scenario, 2006). Due to the increase of businesses in the same snack market Best Snacks must figure out a way to increase the sales and to be in the number one spot again. With Best Snacks having comfort of being success the past few years they have now discovered that they must find creative and innovative ways to sell the snacks that the business has been built on. The areas that Best Snacks will need to focus on are sales, marketing new ideas and management support. With over 100 years of notoriety they need to focus on how to be creative by involving the staff and employees thoughts and ideas that can be used for innovative change within the company and the customers that they serve. This paper will attempt to discuss and create a problem statement that Best Snacks, Inc. and its team players are facing and needs to resolve. The resolution will need to implement a strategic plan that will be able to identify, define, and have a purpose and display what the priorities are needed to ensure a successful outcome. The problem solution will begin with realizing what the creative and innovative plan will need to have in order for the implementation to begin the process. The order of business has been brought forth by Elizabeth Fairchild who is the Chief Executive Officer...
Words: 2867 - Pages: 12
...Have you ever sat in class starving, and wishing you had a snack? Then you know our lunch is too early. Since the school is probably not going to change our lunch schedule, snack machines would be a solution. A major problem at OJ DeJonge Middle School is that seventh grade lunch is too early. Right now seventh grade lunch is from 10:10 to 10:40. Most students students are not hungry at 10:10 because they just ate breakfast. Then later on in the day, around fifth hour they are starving because they didn't eat much at lunch time because they weren't hungry. Students who are hungry don't pay attention which means they don't get their work done or they fall behind. A solution to this problem is that the school should install snack...
Words: 403 - Pages: 2
...Best Snacks Problem Solution Creativity and innovation are the lifeblood of modern organizations. Creativity and innovation can provide a company with a competitive advantage in an increasingly competitive global market. Individual and organizational learning, management practices and modern technology can enhance individual and organizational creativity. Sales at Best Snack have been slipping and the issue has been identified as a complacent corporate culture that has managed business in one way for too long. The organization needs a shakeup, a change of culture that embraces change, innovates and is continuously looking for the next big idea. Describe the Situation Issue and Opportunity Identification (At least four issues and opportunities must be identified) During the last check the snack food industry has changed. Consumers now buy product based on price rather than banned loyalty, Best Snack has historically been the number 1 or 2 snack vendor in the industry. Sales have slipped and stock prices have fallen over the last 2 years. Several smaller companies are pushing Best Snack and the company is in danger of losing even more market share. Best Snack due to the companies long standing success has been slow to change or alter any research, development or marketing activities. The organization has become complacent. Best Snack did not anticipate or see the changing nature of the snack food market. The company became comfortable in the way the organization...
Words: 2845 - Pages: 12
...MMPBL 550 Problem Solution: Best Snacks Inc. Best Snacks Inc. have held the number one or two position in the snack arena giving exceptional and secure investments for their investors. In the past two years, sales have dropped drastically, the market shares have decreased and stock prices were spiraling down. The Vice President of Organizational Development, Sabrina McKay is a valuable asset with exceptional expertise that involves several organizational development initiatives. However, due to the harshness of Best Snack’s situation, the company is forced to evaluate the likes and dislikes of their constituents in order to compete with success. This paper will address Best Snack’s circumstance in a manner of resolving issues and realizing future opportunities, engaging stakeholders throughout the process to ensure success, and implementing a strategic plan involving new innovative ways and creativity as a vital part of the company’s culture. Describe the Situation Issue and Opportunity Identification The snack food industries over the past number of years have come to understand how this increasing commodity has broadened its horizon in this changing arena. In order to create a constant firm stand in this industry, Best Snacks will have to address the issues of the declining in sales, market share decreases, stock prices taking a dive, the jeopardy of losing its long-term popular place in the snack market and lack of innovation or creativity. Best Snacks has the opportunity...
Words: 2574 - Pages: 11
...Best Snacks Problem Solution Stephanie Curry MMPBL 550-Creativity, Innovation, and Organizational Design May 28, 2012 Sara Garski Best Snacks Problem Solution The snack food industry has become increasingly commodity-based over the past ten years, and while the competition has increased, differentiation among the competitors has decreased. This gradual change in the industry has caused sales to slip, market share to decrease, and stock prices to fall. The unwillingness of the company to change to the needs of the market has put the company in a position to lose its long-held premier standing in the industry. In addition to the financial and economic problems facing the company, the employees are distressed about the upcoming changes that the president of the company has implied will soon occur. Also, the employees believe that the company has done a poor job of promoting innovation in the industry which is why the organization if declining in many areas of the industry. For Best Snack’s to succeed, they must confront the problems they are faced with, and change the corporate culture from top to bottom. Describe the Situation Issue and Opportunity Identification Several issues face Best Snack’s in the increasingly commodity-based snack food industry. In a depressed economy, consumers are more likely to buy snacks based on price rather than brand loyalty (University of Phoenix, 2012). This turn in the economy has presented several problems to the...
Words: 3886 - Pages: 16
