Mt435
Unit six Written Assignment
MT435 Operations Management
Kaplan University
1/22/13
Introduction
Albatross Anchor was formed in 1976 by four family members in a small town in Smalltown, USA. The operations consist of one location that sits on about 12 acres. Originally, the company was modest in size but has grown quite rapidly since its inception and now employs one hundred and thirty people. As operations and customer base evolved, Albatross as struggled to keep up with those evolutions. The work areas are crammed, technology is out dated, space is at a premium and the company has struggled as a result of that. Quarters are quite dusty and are not up to safety standards anymore. The layout of operations has also presented a challenge since the company has grown.
Question One
Carefully review the assignment scenario/case study. From the limited information in the scenario/case study, along with your answers to the unit three written assignment, identify at least three direct and specific long-term and three direct and specific short term operations changes that Albatross Anchor must make to gain a clear and sustainable competitive advantage (provide detailed information to validate and support each recommended change)
Long-Term Operational Changes
(01) Technology It is essential for a company to stay at least on par with other companies in terms of technology to stay competitive. Albatross has fallen behind the times when it comes to technology, thus leading to an operational hindrance in efficiency and profitability. The technology world is ever changing and ever evolving, but Albatross is still stuck in old ways and using out dated processes for its operations. Using the dated processes causes unnecessary delays in getting the final products to the customers. And in the business world, those unneeded delays can cost a company a lot of money. Along with not keeping up with technology, Albatross has also become quite unorganized and
MT435 Operations Management
Kaplan University
1/22/13
Introduction
Albatross Anchor was formed in 1976 by four family members in a small town in Smalltown, USA. The operations consist of one location that sits on about 12 acres. Originally, the company was modest in size but has grown quite rapidly since its inception and now employs one hundred and thirty people. As operations and customer base evolved, Albatross as struggled to keep up with those evolutions. The work areas are crammed, technology is out dated, space is at a premium and the company has struggled as a result of that. Quarters are quite dusty and are not up to safety standards anymore. The layout of operations has also presented a challenge since the company has grown.
Question One
Carefully review the assignment scenario/case study. From the limited information in the scenario/case study, along with your answers to the unit three written assignment, identify at least three direct and specific long-term and three direct and specific short term operations changes that Albatross Anchor must make to gain a clear and sustainable competitive advantage (provide detailed information to validate and support each recommended change)
Long-Term Operational Changes
(01) Technology It is essential for a company to stay at least on par with other companies in terms of technology to stay competitive. Albatross has fallen behind the times when it comes to technology, thus leading to an operational hindrance in efficiency and profitability. The technology world is ever changing and ever evolving, but Albatross is still stuck in old ways and using out dated processes for its operations. Using the dated processes causes unnecessary delays in getting the final products to the customers. And in the business world, those unneeded delays can cost a company a lot of money. Along with not keeping up with technology, Albatross has also become quite unorganized and
References: Nichelson, Brian. No date. Keeping up with technology. Accessed 22 January 2013. < http://entrepreneurs.about.com/cs/beyondstartup/a/keepinguptech_2.htm> OSHA. What are employer’s responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act? Accessed 22 January 2013. < http://www.osha.gov/OSHA_FAQs.html> Slayerovidiu. 21 April 2010. Worker analysis. Accessed 22 January 2013. < http://socyberty.com/work/worker-analysis/> Duggan, Tara. No date. The effects of salary on job retention. Accessed 22 January 2013. < http://smallbusiness.chron.com/effects-salary-job-retention-42650.html>