Group 1

Getting Movie Theaters Back on Track

Posted on by michaelb30111f14

Who still goes to a movie theater on a regular basis? I know my trips to the movie theater have become few and far between. The main reason for my lack of going out to see a new movie is the ridiculous prices and the advancements of at home movie watching. In my opinion waiting a couple extra months and being able to watch it for half the price on my couch is much more relaxing then going to watch it on an over sized screen with a hundred other people. Has anyone else realized that the picture quality of a movie at the theater is actually worse than the quality of your T.V at home? That’s because in most cases it is. The technology at movie theaters hasn’t changed too much over the years and is in dire need of some type of innovation.

In the article “How to Get More People into Movie Theaters” by Dorothy Pomorantz she talks about this exact problem. She goes on to explain how theaters in recent years have thought that raising the prices would solve the problem for people who are deciding to stay at home. In reality it has just been delaying the inevitable and if something isn’t done soon most theaters will have to start shutting down. The article goes on to say what some film makers and theater owners are starting to do to solve this problem. The most innovative plan and one that really grabbed my interest was the Barco Escape idea. This was created by a Belgium company that produces digital projectors. What they did was put a screen on three separate walls giving the viewer a 270 degree image which would ultimately make the viewer feel as if they were a part of the script. This would be a new type of movie watching experience that you wouldn’t be able to get on your couch. Even though not every movie genre would be appropriate to watch like this I think it would bring back some desire to go out and experience this at the theater.Escape_demo_ruin-2-01885-e1412024071292-1940x1089

 

Our society today is all about new technology and wanting to be able to experience something that they have never done before. By giving people a more thrilling way to watch movies that can’t be replicated at home it will get people back into the theaters and won’t leave them with that feeling of being ripped off.

Do you agree that theaters need to come up with a new innovative way to make going to the theaters worth the price?

Would you consider going to a movie theater like the Barco Escape?

http://www.forbes.com/sites/dorothypomerantz/2014/09/30/how-to-get-more-people-into-movie-theaters-without-higher-ticket-prices/

Critical Aircraft Planning Shortfall

Posted on by josephb30113f14
An example of a vehicle/piece of equipment that required center of balance
An example of a vehicle/piece of equipment that required center of balance

 

For three years I worked in the logistics field in and around Jacksonville, North Carolina. I did logistical planning and execution of aircraft for both passengers and vital air cargo that needed to get transported overseas. I had completed extensive amounts of paperwork that had to get done in the preparation for the movements, particularly inspections of the cargo for banned/hazardous materials. Hazardous material needed to be properly documents, packaged, labeled, and then inspected in order for me to sign off on it, which then held me liable if anything had happened with the cargo on the aircraft.

As part of the cargo, vehicles also needed to get loaded onto cargo aircraft. Vehicles were a challenge because they had to be calculated for center of balance and based on that measurement a load plan would be created for the aircraft. If anyone is not familiar, the center of balance is the point at which a vehicle would remain in equilibrium, or balanced on both sides. This was an important part of loading vehicles – to heavy of an axle towards the front or back of the aircraft and not enough weight on the other side could be disastrous.

In an attempt to cut costs and save time, the management at our office decided to invest in a weigh-in-motion scale. This system was outfitted with four scales and a laser system. When a vehicle was driven over the scales, it would automatically take the weight of each individual axle (similar to a highway truck weigh station) and the lasers would capture the exact dimensions. This information is then transferred to the computer and printed out a center of balance ticket which was used in planning the aircraft configuration.

A very simple process, with one major flaw. The system was a mobile unit on a trailer and had to be packed after every use. Due to this it took a little over an hour (and a small team of people) to set it up and get everything calibrated correctly. There was a team of only three of us that were initially trained and knew how to properly work this system, which is plenty knowing that once it is set up the system is extremely easy to use. What the management did not think of is that we were on a constant rotation cycle, moving from city to city or state to state every couple years. With this high turn-around there was no planned way for anyone to pass on the knowledge about the system and how it works. The system has now been sitting idle for over a year. It is a shame to know that such an expensive, valuable system is not being used because the proper training did not occur to get people up to speed. A good idea on paper, but the needs of the workers at the terminal must be considered.

As management, would be your solution to create a smoother transition into this system?

 

Sources:

http://www.abi.gr/en/content/117-cargo

7 Ways to Be a Better Project Manager When You Aren’t One

Posted on by peter30111f14

Source: http://quickbase.intuit.com/blog/2013/10/03/7-ways-to-be-a-better-project-manager-when-you-arent-one/

Whether you have the title of Project Manager or not, it is vital for you to adopt certain principles if you want to thrive in the work place. This article describes how the rapid increase in the use of online social media and tools has transformed the work place into a much more collaborative environment. This collaborative environment requires employees to act like a project manager by proxy. I was drawn to this article because although I am not a project manager per se, I recognize the importance of having the skill set that a good project manager has.

The first way to become a better project is to be “Mr. or Mrs. Fix It” when encountering a problem. Heading up the most pressing issues can inspire a team and increase their level in confidence in you as a leader. I have always believed that it is best to nip something in bud as soon as it arises, but I think it is also important to approach problems tactfully. 

The article next talks about the importance of having a thorough understanding of what the project is. Personally, I have a hard time with the planning part of a project. As soon I think that I might understand what is being asked of me, I tend to jump right into it and fix my mistakes as I go that otherwise could have been avoided if I spent more time planning. Do you put a greater emphasis on the planning or action phase of a project?

The author next talks about how easy being compulsively organized has become through the use of collaboration software. I use google docs all the time for group projects and the like, and I could not agree more. Everyone being able to collaborate in one place with collaboration softwares has made staying organized and on-task easier than ever. Do you believe in the power of face-to-face meetings or is online collaboration something you would prefer? Why?

Not letting your team coast is the next way to improve your project management skills. The author argues that the project manager should not only focus on team members strongest areas, but areas with room for development. Having to learn and research as you go can inspire innovation and a new/better way to do something.

The importance of being assertive goes hand-in-hand with being Mr. or Mrs. Fix It. If there is an issue or you’re not satisfied with someones performance, addressing the matter right away is the best way to handle it. Give a clear explanation of what you want from them when you approach them.

I think many people confuse an assertive manager with one who is trying to micromanage. An effective manager will be assertive when approaching someone, but will help them correct the issue. This will usually give them ability to work autonomously for the remainder of the task at hand. I have worked for people who like to micromanage because they believe it limits room for error. I disagree and believe that mistakes are a good thing that provide a learning opportunity. Do you prefer to be micro or macro managed?

Perhaps the best way to improve your management skills is to “always have their back”. Do your best to encourage ingenuity and make it clear that mistakes are hardly ever a bad thing. To quote the great Bruce Lee, “the master has failed more times than the beginner has ever tried”. What are your thoughts on the importance of mistakes and how to approach them as a project manager?

 

 

 

 

Quantity versus Quality

Posted on by karina30111f14

quantity

Every day I encounter the question, “what is better, quantity or quality?” Should I buy a shampoo from L’Occitane of 8.5 ounces for $20 or should I purchase a shampoo from the brand Suave of 12.6 oz. for $3.49? Should I pay $4 for coffee from Starbucks or should I just go to Dunkin Doughnuts and pay half of that for a coffee? Recently I have experienced the other side of the quality vs. quantity debate, no longer as a customer but as insider. The questions that I ask myself are no longer “should I buy this or should I buy that? Should I spend a few extra dollars in the organic restaurants or will McDonalds do?  Instead they have become questions such as, Is the company that I work for working towards providing the best quality service possible or are they just choosing on having more quantity and leaving the quality in the backburner?

I worked for a small catering company who specialized in wedding, house parties and corporate events. If you were an employee from that company you knew that quality was always the top priority. I guess you can say we lived by the motto “the customer is always right,” and “there is never such an answer as a no.” To other people who work as servers like me, who knew about the company, they knew that not only were the customers would be treated with the outmost quality but that the staff will be treated the same way. The quality given went from the food to the service provided.

A few months back that same company was bought by a much bigger company who specialized in event planning. Their goal is to gain market share in the catering business, and possibly become one of the biggest catering and event planning business in the city.

The strategies used by this company in the overtaking was to let go of the personal and bring new and innovative minds. New workers were hired for less, without being properly trained or told what the company stood for. Old employees were left to train new employees on procedures and principles that were not in place any longer and that new ownership had yet not communicated.

As we saw on our first day of class with the activity paper puppets, sometimes certain activities take so long to accomplish or we are just so focused in reaching that goal in the fastest possible way that we sacrifice the quality put into a product. In paper puppets, some of the paper that was damaged, passed through the line of workers completely unnoticed.

The questions presented are:

Do you have to sacrifice quality in order to obtain quantity? Can there be a balance?

Does hiring cheaper labor means sacrificing quality?

Is ten thousand replicas of a Picasso painting worth more than a real Picasso?

 

The Era of Panera

Posted on by nicole30113f14

Panera Bread Case Study

The food industry definitely has its struggles as a workplace.  However, can’t that be said about any job position?  I have realized that it all depends on the quality of management.  As a new employee of Panera Bread, I am proud to praise the company and the leadership it offers.  Their strategic decisions and success in hiring passionate, yet qualified operation managers, makes it easy to relate everything learned in class.

In chapter one, we were given a list of 10 strategic decisions of operations management to ponder:

1.  Design of goods and services

2.  Managing quality

3.  Process and capacity design

4.  Location strategy

5.  Layout strategy

6.  Human resources and job design

7.  Supply-chain management

8.  Inventory management

9.  Scheduling

10.  Maintenance

When I think Panera Bread, I think strategy success.  The restaurant layout, quality food, and design of service are only three of the tactful ways Panera remains popular among the community.  The environment strives for a homey feel–using all of the senses to engage one in its comfortability.  For example, the aroma of freshly baked bread captures the sensation of one’s own kitchen.  As the foremost important attribute to the restaurant, bread is baked to quality every night to satisfy customers.  In addition, handpicked employees are chosen to complete the overall sincere and warm-hearted experience.

The hiring process, itself, had given me reason to believe that Panera’s operations were organized and safely developed.  They cared so much about finding people who fit into the beliefs of the corporation.  Even as the ‘new girl’ I was surprised how many people made me feel welcomed with a simple introduction.  Also, the pride and carefulness in training was a process I had never gone through–even though I had previously worked in the food industry.  The procedure first began with a group interview, which later led to a one-on-one.  This allowed the managers to see how each interviewee reacted within a crowd, as well as getting to know them personally. Once receiving confirmation of making the team, an event known as, Plan a Bread, must be attended.  It would inform workers of the company’s background and intended goals.  Then, hours of e-learning videos and quizzes continued the process.  Next was the physical training.  Here I would take on different responsibilities to contribute to Panera’s service–cashier, barista, back-of-house, and food production.  This would take weeks.  Even with training completed, the learning never stopped.  Each season, a ‘bread bash’ is held.  This mandatory meeting gathers up all of the employees within a location.  The objective of the meeting is to inform everyone about new menu additions and give them a little taste.

This is a perfect example of a company who cares not only about service and food, but about its family of employees.  Doing their best to have knowledgeable workers who know what they are a part of, Panera’s organized management creates a warm environment for all to enjoy.  Now knowing of the process that happens behind the scenes at Panera Bread, do you agree or disagree that they hold a smooth operation?

 

Dehumanizing the Experience

Posted on by jasmine30113f14

 

 

Have you noticed in the past few years the new technology in doctors offices? Electronic medical records are sweeping the medical industry. Although this may have seemed like a brilliant plan, it still lacks efficiency.

In the article, “How Electronic Patient Records Can Slow Productivity”, Dina Gerdeman, with the help of Robert S. Huckman’s research, explains how technology in certain types of environments (typically larger practices) can hinder production. Researchers like Mr. Huckman are trying to highlight the key aspects of using electronic health records of (EHRs). Even though there are a considerable amount of benefits of using EHR, there are instances where there are losses in productivity, but those losses can be avoided. The key take away from the implementations of EHR’s is that they have altered the communication between staff members, as well as patients.

One of the best points to take away from this article is “.. when we ask how that technology can improve productivity, we have to consider that the true capability of the system depends on the context in which it is adopted.” This point reminds me most of outsourcing, a fad that has started to die out. Most companies originally believed outsourcing or production, IT and other such components would reduce spending. What some companies soon discovered is that there are certain key parts of their business that cannot afford to be outsourced. This concept now seems to stand true in the medical field.

With EHRs becoming so prominent, it is easy to highlight key strengths and weaknesses. The introduction of the EHRs to the medical field has extensively added to the dehumanization and production in these practices. Staff have become more focused on mastering the technology instead of focusing on the patient. Staff members could easily get frustrated, which now decreases productivity and prevents excellent customer service. Face-to- face meetings have become less critical since information is available at a physician’s fingertips. For larger practices this may be sufficient, but for smaller practices this communication could be vital and is now undermined. However, adopting a new technology that could categorize and allow for the easy access of information could be beneficial process is streamlined correctly to what already exists. EHRs allow for time and cost saving opportunities, quick retrieval of data, less errors and patient portals that allows patients to view reports, lab results and even schedule appointments.

In a world where technology has taken over, relying on a system like EHR will not be detrimental to practices, however, these practices must keep in mind that patients desire an emotional connection. The lack of a physician-to-patient relationship could hinder productivity. It is important to remember, productivity includes both quality and quantity, and without both, losses in productivity are bound to occur.

 

http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/7452.html#commentform

 

The Retuen of the Ice Age

Posted on by tania30113f14

Operations management is one of the three most important things to understand when learning the functions of an organization. Learning more about operations management helps us learn more about understand how organizations work and how people organize themselves. I honestly do think that being able to understand and organize are very important skills to know when managing anything. Operations management is also a very costly part of the organization.

The past few weeks have being interesting. The only job that I had I recently had, but I also recently quit. I was working at Chipotle Mexican Grill during the summer. I only worked there for a month, but a month was good enough for me to learn more about the company, how the managers work, and I learned more about myself and how I work. It was interesting to see that there are different types of managers. I had a total of three mangers. They didn’t all have the same responsibilities but they had similar responsibilities as in telling employees what they had to do. I noticed that I would only like to do my job that I was supposed to do if a certain manager told me to do. I believe that I would do that because I sometimes wouldn’t like how the manager would talk to me when he would tell me what I had to do. So like I learned in class, some of the basic functions that operation managers do consist of planning, organizing, staffing, leading, and controlling.  I definitely saw these function being applied with the employees. The manger had to plan around with the employees and being able to schedule them and they tried their best to work around with the employee’s schedules. The also had to make sure that everything was running smoothly that the throughput was good and that they had all the supplies that the needed to make sure that everything was prepared and ready to go.

I haven’t had a job for longer than a month put I have noticed that some of the skills that I have learned in the class can also apply to any organization. There are many skills that you can learn through participating in organizations at school that you can later apply to your job. These five functions, planning, organizing staffing, leading, and controlling can apply to a job or like previously mention it can also be applied to extracurricular activities. For example, I been involved in organization at DePaul such as DePaul Alliance for Latino Empowerment (DALE) as well as MEChA. I’m also part of a fraternity. In the three organizations that I have been involved with, I know that I have applied these skills.  For example, we have to e able to work with other people that are in the same group to have events, we have to stay organized and make sure that everyone is participating one way or another. In addition we have to make sure that we are staying within our budget. I have definitely improved my skills by being involved with different organizations on campus as well as working at Chipotle.

In what ways have you applied the basic operations in your life? Do you think that they have improved over time? What are your experiences with the basic functions?

5 Things AT&T Management Wants You To Know

Posted on by alisha30113f14

With an abundance of phone carrier options available to choose from, it’s often difficult to even pinpoint which company has the best price after comparing all the different options included in that specific offer. It is becoming increasingly more difficult, yet imperative, than phone providers develop creative and attractive offers beyond just pricing. AT&T revealed some of their recent stand-outs, and how these have placed them in the top tier of their industry.

“There’s more to AT&T than just a wireless phone service, which is running into hurdles to further growth as the industry matures. The AT&T U-Verse TV service has become a major growth engine, bringing Internet-based entertainment to nearly 6 million American households”. By sustaining their growth model through different avenues other than simply wireless service, AT&T has managed to create a mark in the phone industry rather than become lost in the battle like some of their competitors. From an operations standpoint, this company has managed to retain their customer loyalty but continuously improving services already offered, while introducing new ones at the same time. If one was to use AT&T for their wired and wireless phone services, AT&T is able to offer a quadruple of entertainment including phone, TV, and internet services. The only company than can even compete with offering such a bundle at the moment is Verizon. In addition to offering a bundle pack of entertainment, AT&T chose to package their wireless services together, creating simplicity for their customers and a higher revenue for themselves. “AT&T’s family plans with shared data subscriptions were controversial at first, but customers have embraced the shared-data model…This is significant, because AT&T charges much more for these larger data plans”. Lastly, keeping up with smart phone prices has been a task that has left many competitors limited. AT&T has been happy to offer their customers the lowest price for new smart phones to hit the market, and an even cheaper line of “good-looking, functional devices” that attract customers for not just their price but also functionality and ability to keep up with fellow Android and iPhone users.

Acknowledging the fierce competition between industry leaders, AT&T has taken their operations from a one-track minded operation to a multi-facet organization. How do you feel their marketing has done to voice these differences? Do you feel their operational efforts have been understood by the consumer?

 

Article: http://www.nasdaq.com/article/5-things-att-incs-management-wants-you-to-know-cm396449

The Hunger Games: Apple Edition

Posted on by emily30111f14

Since Apple’s latest press conference, who hasn’t been talking about the iPhone 6? It is easy to say that Apple products are incredibly popular in the U.S., and it is no secret that Apple has been trying to break into other markets abroad, especially Asia. However, few seem to realize the importance Apple has in countries in Asia, not because of their products, but because of the materials that make up their products. In “There’s a Downside to Making Parts for Apple,” Adam Satariano and Peter Burrows give readers a glimpse into the cutthroat negotiations Apple goes through with these companies, and how dependent they are on Apple products. Some companies simply exist because of Apple’s products. For example, 79.6% of Dialog Semiconductor’s, who makes chips within phones, revenue comes from Apple’s revenues. As scary as that sounds, the revenue from Apple is huge; their 79.6% revenue translates into almost $180 million. This seems like a lot of money and the benefits are obviously huge, but the suppliers worry that if Apple switches to a different supplier, as they did with Audience, who makes “mobile audio processors,” they will lose a ton of revenue. In Audience’s case, they not only lost 82% of their revenue from Apple products when Apple decided to use a different company to supply those audio processors, but their shares dropped from $22 to $6. Audience did find a new buyer in Samsung; however, their stocks never reached their heyday of $22 like they did with Apple. TPK Holding, which supplied Apple with the touch controls for the first iPhone, even held an IPO in 2010 because they felt so comfortable and reliable on Apple’s business. However, two years later, Apple decided to change its iPhone design, and began buying the same screens and controls from a rival. TPK Holding’s income fell by 50% in the last year, and its shares fell 73%. All of these companies lost majorly because they thought they could keep Apple around, but they could not.

The suppliers of Apple products are in a dangerous game. Their rises and declines come and go “in large chunks.” Companies often taste the sweet victory of signing a supplier contract with Apple almost immediately. For example, the revenues the companies involved in the iPhone 6 will receive will be huge, especially with a record setting opening weekend. However, there is a scary reality that a lot of these companies, in a few years, could lose Apple’s business, and depending on how reliant they are on Apple, it could be catastrophic.

How do you feel about Apple’s negotiating tactics? Do you think it is smart for these suppliers to go into business with Apple, knowing they could lose a ton of business in the next few years? What do you think the suppliers could do  in order to prevent losing Apple as a client?

Article: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-09-18/some-apple-suppliers-get-cut-off-must-scramble-for-new-business

 

Going Green to Put You in the Black

Posted on by elizabeth3011f14

Climate change, environmental protection, carbon footprint; all of these phrases are familiar to us. But what do they have to do with operation management? A lot, actually! We can see this in the concept of sustainability, “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their needs.” (Heizer 189.) Sustainability is important to operation managers because of how it affects things outside of the company. From the beginning of the supply chain to the end, managers have to consider how the product and the operations will affect not only consumers, but also the environment. To do this, managers can look at raw materials, product design, suppliers, disposal of material and waste, and transportation to reduce the impact on the environment. If the managers do not practice sustainability, the company can receive bad press from different stakeholders. Not only that, if the company is not meeting regulations, the company can be fined. According to our text, “if a firm wants to be viable and competitive, it must have a strategy for corporate social responsibility and sustainability.” (Heizer 199.)

There are many examples of companies changing the supply chain to be more sustainable. For instance, bottle companies using recycled plastic or companies reusing wastewater. Recently, even more companies have promised to reduce their environmental impact. Last week the New York Times reported more companies are supporting greener supply chains, renewable energy, and stopping the destruction of the tropical forests. According to the article, these promises have been a growing trend for a number of years, “…with virtually every major company now feeling obliged to make commitments about environmental sustainability, and to report regularly on progress.” (Nytimes.) This goes back to why sustainability is important for operations management. Because of the growing expectations, managers are looking for ways to make the supply chain sustainable. It also supports the fact that companies have to be sustainable to be competitive. Apple has committed to looking for ways to practice renewable energy and reduce emissions from their suppliers in the supply chain. For instance, Apple has been building solar farms and wind arrays in the United States. Other companies in the article have pledged to stop deforestation. Including Unilever, who has pledged to “…trace all…palm oil to known sources by the end of this year.” (Nytimes.)

Personally, sustainability was really interesting to read about. Though I have chosen to only talk about sustainability in regard to the environment, sustainability also includes other dimensions, as well. I think what surprised me most about sustainability is how companies really do have to practice it in order to stay viable and competitive. I realized that company sustainability influences how I think about a company. I am more willing to buy the company’s products and I think most other customers are like that too.

What are your thoughts on sustainability? Do you agree with the statement that companies need to practice sustainability in order to be viable and competitive? Why or why not?

Sources:

Gillis, Justin. Companies Take the Baton in Climate Change Efforts. Nytimes.com. New York Times, 2014. Web.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/24/business/energy-environment/passing-the-baton-in-climate-change-efforts.html?_r=1

Heizer, Jay, and Barry Render. Principles of Operations Management. Upper Saddle River. 2013. Print.