Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Case Study †Problem Employee

We often hear about the employers that don’t treat employees well; but you know, it sometimes works the other way as well. I had a call from a gentleman who was at his wits end as to what he could do with an employee that he has had on his payroll now for 5 years. This employee is running the entire show! He’s a bully and the employer is to the point that he is actually afraid of him – not in a physical sense – but in the sense that he’s afraid to stand up to him because – oh no – heaven forbid – he may quit! The employer has completely lost control of this fellow because he never had the courage to set any boundaries or expectations from the start and his leadership has been extremely inconsistent. So, how did this happen, you may ask? The background: The business owner has a small restaurant. He and his wife and brother-in-law opened the restaurant about 7 years ago. The business started to grow and he brought in the employee in question to help them out. At first, the employee was really good and the owner gave him more and more responsibilities, to the point that he felt fairly comfortable in leaving him to open up on occasion and actually assist with the business decisions, etc. The business continued to grow and he hired a few more people, mostly part time, to work during lunch and dinner times. After a few more employees were hired, the original employee (we’ll call him Joe), started to exhibit some less than desirable behaviours by coming in late; opening the doors and then within 15 minutes, he would go out back to have a smoke break (virtually leaving the business open without anyone inside, which the owner found out by coming in a couple of mornings right after Joe and finding the place empty); talking on his cell phone right in front of customers (putting the customers on ignore while he chatted away on the phone); and when the owner tried to speak with him, Joe just held his hand up right in the owner’s face shutting him down. On occasion, when Joe decided he’d made enough tips for the night – he would just leave – an hour – sometimes two hours before his shift actually ended! To heck with the schedule†¦ he’d had enough†¦too bad†¦so sad. Oh – and he didn’t like the owner’s wife – so he told the owner to keep her out of the restaurant – and he did! It has now gotten to the point (according to the employer) that Joe comes and goes as he pleases and in fact, he has told the employer that he can’t do anything about it because he’d have to pay him to terminate him. The employer, unfortunately, does not know his rights in this case – and he has let it go on for so long now that he is getting treated this way by all of his employees. The example has been set! The saddest part of all is that the employee tells the employer what he will and will not do and the employer has no one else that can step into this fellow’s shoes because everyone else is part time and does not have the same level of restaurant business experience. At least, that’s what the owner believes at this time. So; how did we go about finding a solution to this problem when up to this point in time nothing was documented?Case Study – Problem Employee – Part 2 Published: November 1, 2010 The first thing we recommended to this employer was to take a good look at his current employees and consider which ones he could provide more training and development to so that if this problem employee did walk out; he could still manage his business. We also advised him that allowing others to develop their skills would not only increase his ability to provide a better quality business for his customers, it would also provide learning opportunities for his employees that would encourage them to stay. The next thing we did for this employer was to give him information around the basic employment standards act that he needed. He was allowing an employee to tell him what was required by law, and in fact; most of what he was being told was inaccurate. Ignorance is definitely not bliss for a business owner who employs others. We gave him â€Å"fact sheets† with the main areas that he should make himself familiar with so that it was easy to understand and didn’t have a lot of unfamiliar language to interpret. The next thing we recommended is that he considers doing is allowing us to develop an employee handbook and some basic policies that would help him in communicating to his employees moving forward. We recommended that he have a staff meeting prior to the construction of the handbook to allow the employees to have some input or suggestions. We offered to provide support at the staff meeting if he wished; but certainly this is something that he could do on his own as well. We offered to present the handbook to the employees with him so that we could respond to any questions and he didn’t have to feel concerned about how to respond (particularly because he believes the problem employee is going to challenge the implementation of a handbook and policies). We next suggested that he implement a performance management system that aligned with the handbook and policies and we will assist him through coaching sessions as to how he can manage the process. While this is a lot of work for him and it will not be an overnight solution; he has unfortunately allowed his employee to gain control of his business – and not in a good way. Due to the fact that he has not managed the whole relationship well and it has deteriorated to this stage, it will be a long process to repair the damage. The good thing is that he did seek help and he will learn how to retain employees through the provision of learning opportunities; he will have some ‘standards of operation and behavioural expectations’; and he will have a performance management system to ensure a more fair and just working environment. Last, but not least; we are also going to provide some ‘culture coaching’ sessions so he can develop a strong and healthy workplace that fits within his mission and values. As this project is not yet complete, we will report back on occasion to let you know how we move through the recommended processes.

Treasury, Foreign Exchange and Financialization Essay

Treasury, Foreign Exchange and Financialization - Essay Example The table below which is labeled – Table 1 shows the principal repayments schedule for the $200mn facility provided by Toronto Dominion Bank (TD). These were used as a basis for calculating the interest payments in the appendix. ... This has resulted in a difference of $2.4m in overpayment. These repayments were used as a basis in calculating the interest payments in the appendix. The table in the appendix shows the most likely scenario, a high interest scenario and a low interest scenario for CRP as a basis for deciding which of the three hedging strategies is most favorable. The interest payments on the swap option were calculated semi-annually in keeping with the requirements of that option. The interest rates used to calculate the quarterly interest payments were adjusted to reflect the effects on the interest paid interest on the loan by the corresponding hedging strategy. Therefore, the information does not reflect whether CRP or the other party gained from the interest rate swap, interest rate cap or the interest rate collar hedging strategies. The aim of the schedule is to determine which hedging strategy provided the best option in terms of being the least expensive for CRP. The table in the appendix sh ows the interest payments on the $200mn loan under the three hedging strategies and for each scenario. Most likely scenario Table 2 indicates that under the most likely scenario the interest rate swap option provides the best hedging alternative with a required interest payment of $53.7mn and an average interest rate of 11.31% for the three year period (interest remaining fixed throughout the period). This compares favorably with a required interest payment of $59mn and an average interest rate of 11.65% on the interest rate cap option. The interest payment required on the interest rate collar option is $59.6mn with an average interest rate of 11.77%. The loan agreement indicates that the interest rate charged on the hedging instrument should not exceed

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

Violence in the Binding of Isaac Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Violence in the Binding of Isaac - Essay Example And while there is the aspect of child abuse as background story, we cannot deny the fact that it is overshadowed by violence and that gamers want to play not because they want to see why and how Isaac was being abused but to be able to go to Isaac’s violent imaginary world (Giantbomb Website), If the designer wanted to use his game to inform people about child abuse, I must admit that he succeeded and I admire him for it. But the point here is that the game, while opening the gamers’ eyes on child abuse, seems to teach that violence is the answer. Isaac, on being pushed to a corner resorts to imagining himself in violent situations where he must win in order to get a prize and feel good. And as a gamer is elevated to another level, he will again battle his way to get out of that level. While it is true that the game was created for adults, children today have easy access to computers and when unsupervised, they can get access to, and play this adult game. The designer, in using child abuse as the main story in the game and violence as an answer to forget pain, unwittingly encourages gamers to accept violence as just. The danger of such video games is that we never know if and when a player will soon be so absorbed that his sense of justice and what is right and wrong will be so muddled that there will come a time when he will unintentionally cross the

Monday, August 12, 2019

Global Marketing Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Global Marketing - Coursework Example Firstly, a company has a better brand presence all over the world, since parts of the world are familiarized with its products; bring rich long term dividends (Chung, 1996, p.2). Secondly, the need to reach out to better markets is fulfilled, allowing the company to recover from losses incurred in lower markets. The main disadvantages of global expansion and e-commerce are not many. The most difficult part of the expansion is the high degree of market risk that comes into the reports and the reduced ROI that hits the investments during the initial years. The most important challenges that any company faces while global expansion includes developing a daunting localization strategy that does not fail in spite of local competitors in new markets, and the challenge of overcoming product launches which fail in rich markets, only because of lack of customization or local features. When Apollo Inc decided to expand its products into the toy markets in Asia and Europe, it had to decide on a great deal of customization to be able to create a same degree of appeal amongst buyers in the new markets. Established in 1912, Apollo Inc had to work it up the US markets the hard way. Their offerings initially failed to match up with the predominance of Disneyland and the Barbie franchisees. In order to get over these existing competitions, Apollo had to concentrate on toy items that were bought by boys. These included cycles, helicopters, and sports gear that helped school going kids and teenagers make the most of their boyish adventures. In order to succeed in global expansion, Apollo Inc has to measure up all the toy offerings that the new markets have. Barbie already has a worldwide presence wile Disneyland products and mimics are not to be found outside US. So, in countries of Canada and Europe, Apollo can hope to succeed in its expansion strategy. With a multi-national strategy going

Sunday, August 11, 2019

Thesis comments Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Thesis comments - Essay Example Instead Coase focused on factors within the organization which impacted economic activity. Coasian theory later became the foundation for what is today called internalization theory, one of the most significant theories to emerge in the study of multinational enterprises (Rugman & Verbecke, 2008). This theory suggests that foreign production and sales of a multinational business take place in response to imperfections in the goods and services markets. Buckley and Casson (1976) established the modern conception of this theory by suggesting three premises: 1) firms maximize profit in a world of imperfect markets, 2) the imperfect nature of the markets for intermediate products motivates firms to bypass them by creating internal markets, and 3) internalization of markets across national boundaries generates multinational enterprises. Thus, the multinational organization is seen as a device for raising efficiency by replacing external markets with an internal market within the company . Caves (2007) suggests that the establishment of a subsidiary by a multinational enterprise amounts to the entry into one national market based on needs created by another market. One type of entry is horizontal expansion whereby a subsidiary produces the same product (or product line) as the parent company. Another is vertical expansion or integration across national borders either backwards in order to obtain raw materials or other intermediate products needed by its main operations, or forwards to provide a distribution channel for its exports. Consequently there are three types of organizations potentially relevant to multinational enterprises. The first is a horizontally integrated firm, meaning a firm which produces essentially the same product line for each of the geographic markets where it has a presence. The second is a vertically integrated firm, meaning a firm that produces outputs in some of its plants which serve as inputs to others of its plants. The third is a diver sified company, whose plant outputs are neither horizontally nor vertically related to one another (Caves, 2007). Hymer’s (1976) theory of international operations highlighted two major motivators of international operations, namely the exploitation of oligopolistic advantages and the removal of conflict between firms to strengthen market power by means of collusion. He states, It frequently happens that enterprises in different countries compete with each other because they sell in the same market or because some of the firms sell to other firms. If the markets are imperfect, that is, if there is horizontal or bilateral monopoly or oligopoly, some form of collusion will be profitable. One form of collusion is to have the various enterprises owned and controlled by one firm. This is one motivation for firms to control enterprises in foreign countries. (Hymer, 1976, p. 25). Hymer emphasizes that direct foreign investment is not motivated by interest rates but rather by potenti al profits which can be derived by controlling a foreign enterprise. Vernon’s product cycle model (1966) is an important macroeconomic approach to understanding international business. This theory describes the product cycle as consisting of three primary phases: innovation, growth, and maturation. During the last, maturation stage of the product, the

Saturday, August 10, 2019

Training & Development Assessment for Ford Motor Company Human Essay

Training & Development Assessment for Ford Motor Company Human Resources Department - Essay Example The objectives of the Ford automaker are basically to consolidate its brand image, get closer to its customers and ensure customer satisfaction through high quality products and service. Staff training is essential, because the need for effective employees becomes greater, demanding both initial and continuous training. Ford Company has entered a new phase of sustained growth which should last for over 10 years. Historically, the demand for new automotive service technicians has been critical. Those entering the industry with recognized credentials can accelerate their career. This profile will dramatically change in the next few years as higher quality cars produced by foreign venture auto makers begin to take over the main share of the car parc. To support this growth and shift in vehicle make-up, the Ford structure and key players will also change dramatically. This dynamism could offer attractive opportunity to foreign companies in the parts and service businesses. For Ford Company training is necessary to ensure an adequate supply of staff who are technically and socially competent, and capable of career advancement into specialist departments or management positions. There is, therefore, a continual need for the process of staff development, and training fulfils an important part of this process. Training should be viewed, therefore, as an integral pan of the process of total quality management. Organizational level. In a time of rapidly changing technologies and ever-shorter product life cycles, product development often proceeds at a glacial pace. In an age of the customer, order fulfillment has high error rates and customer enquiries go unanswered for weeks. In a period when asset utilization is critical, inventory levels exceed many months of demand (Bateman, Snell, 2004). The usual methods of boosting performance - process rationalization and automation - haven't yielded the dramatic improvements for Ford Company need. In particular, heavy investments in information technology have delivered disappointing results - largely because companies tend to use technology to mechanize old ways of doing business. According to the survey provided by Ford (www.ford.com) the quantity of defective articles and spoilage are rather high because many new employees feel lack of experience to perform a particular type of work. This situation is observed in Fords' subsidiaries located in less developed countries. For instance, the level of spoilage caused by welding and sanding is about 20 % (permissible level is about 5-7%). In this very case, training is therefore a key element of improved organisational performance as it increases the level of individual and organisational competence. It helps to reconcile the gap between what should happen, and desire-targets and standards of performance; and what is happening and levels of work performance. Personal level. In Ford company performance deficiencies result from motivational problem which is closely connected with lack of skills. To improve this situation Ford Company needs to train employees taking into account rapid environmental changes. The purpose of training is to improve knowledge and skills, and to change negative attitude towards training activities. This can lead to many potential benefits for both individuals and the organisation. Training can: increase the confidence, motivation and commitment of staff;

Friday, August 9, 2019

Comparison of Organizational Cultures of the United States versus Essay

Comparison of Organizational Cultures of the United States versus Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates - Essay Example Arguments in this paper flow from four cultural traits of effective organizations that include involvement, consistency, adaptability, and mission. The paper compares and contrasts the organizational cultures of the U.S and those of the Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates by applying elements such as collectivism versus individualism, femininity versus masculinity, orientation, and power distance. America organizational culture features a system of inclusive involvement whereby employees are rewarded for taking initiatives. The American system values accountability and empowerment. The American organization cultures stress the significance of accountability. The U.S. organizational culture provides a favorable environment for peak performance accompanied by extrinsic rewards. Aspects such as individual bonuses are tied to initiative and personal accountability. The organization culture of the U.S. establishes conditions for achieving operational objectives. U.S. organization culture stresses the importance of values such as communication, innovation, collaboration, and stability, which influences the employees’ roles and expectations. The organizational culture of U.S. also encourages innovation and risk taking. Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, which comprise part of Arab World, exhibits unique values and beliefs as reflected on the organizations practices and systems development, implementation and management. The two countries are heavily dependent on foreign labor, especially in essential professional and skilled or technical fields. Expatriates in the countries are hired contractually; their jobs attract high extrinsic rewards. There is a strong inclination in both countries for an increased preference for managerial positions. Survey conducted in organizations in both countries highlights conflicting attitudes towards Western business models. However, most agree that they enhance organizational performance. Regulatory decisions within the