BUS/475: Integrated Business Topics Wk 1 Discussion – Structure and Culture
Most businesses wish to have a competitive advantage over similar organizations. But, wishing will not get these businesses very far. To perform at the same or greater level as competitors, a business must create a strategic plan.
This week provides an overview of strategic management and what shapes an organization in a competitive market. You will be introduced to several organizations and learn about their faults and successes. You will discover what it takes to become a strategic leader, and how these leaders stand out from nonstrategic leaders. The readings and activities provide case studies and exercises to strengthen your understanding of how to develop a project plan.
Post a total of 3 substantive responses. This includes your initial post and 2 replies to classmates or your faculty member.
Respond to the following in a minimum of 175 words:
How important is structure/culture compared to the other primary internal considerations for a strategic plan?
Post 2 replies to classmates or your faculty member. Be constructive and professional.(100words each)
Student 1 (JZ)
Structure and culture play an important role in any company, especially when dealing with strategic planning. The structure and culture will provide overall guidance and leadership throughout the company. The structure that is used will contribute to the leadership and the culture of the business. The more interaction and involvement a team or employee has, the more open the organization will be. When employees or a team is left out, the organization will be more consistent with closed doors or shut-off org. When an organization does not create the correct structure, there will be less innovation, creativity, lower motivation, which can be correlated to lesser profits. It is vital for an organization or company to create the right structure for employees to feel welcomed, in order to be effective and achieve the company vision or goals. When a company takes time to understand what their vision is, as well as each expectation they have for employees, it will result in more successful teams. As well as more engagement and overall productivity throughout the entire company.
Student 2 (NT)
At my current employer, we have had a lot of discussions over the past year regarding structure and culture. The company that I work for, started out as a “mom and pop”, but quickly grew by leaps and bounds. It has been the owner’s intent, over the past few years, to make turn things into a more “corporate” environment. In some instances, this can be an awful thing. But on the other hand, in regards to structure and culture, I feel that it has been a breath of fresh air. Although many people (including myself) still wear many “hats”, so to speak, there has definitely been an overall improvement to the structure of our company. There has been an emphasis on hierarchy, and “titles” for each employee, which helps to separate functions and determine boundaries for everyone’s role. As for culture, it has been a long painful road, trying to deal with all of the “nepotism” that has run rampant for so many years. As the owners relinquished more control and brought in some fresh managers/directors/VP, all of the “family friends” and “relatives” have more or less been pushed out of the daily operations. The overall culture has been transformed to where everyone working here understands the overall goal, and what each person’s role/responsibility is in making that goal a reality. No more walking on eggshells!
Image preview for”most businesses wish to have a competitive advantage over similar organizations.”
APA
430 words