A Climate for Change Essay Example for Free

A Climate for Change Essay General Motors has been through some difficult times the past ten years or so and appears to have learned some hard lessons. Based on these lessons, General Motors has begun to adopt a strategy of restoring profitability to its North American operations, by aggressive marketing, redesigned products, adopting to new Human resource strategy and a profit rather than a market share goal. Since this assignment is on strategic human resource management, I will be concentrating more on GMs Functional Strategy in HR, which played a major role for GMs success. General Motors Human Resource Management Most companies do not view the HR department as a strategic business partner or as an indispensable part of the organisation (Terri Kabachnick, 1999). By analysing executive assessments, they usually show merchandising, finance, or marketing in the top spot when each departments value and contribution to the companys success as perceived by the company are rated. HR inevitably ranks last, coupled with loss prevention. Traditional HR departments within large, multi-national corporations tend to be powerless with the logistics of managing processes across many departments spanning multiple countries. In addition, GM, like other multi-nationals, has multiple HR groups one at the corporate level and additional ones for each business unit within the corporation. These HR groups typically do not have a central repository of information and lack a coordinated communications infrastructure. As a result, the HR processes of large, multi-national corporations generally are redundant and inefficient. In addition, the sheer number of third-party vendors used by an HR department to handle discrete functions makes management of the process challenging. By necessity, these departments predominantly have focused on administrative functions and typically dont have the time or the resources to devote to strategic planning. At the same time, many are facing a dramatic reduction in resources, and cost-cutting efforts primarily have focused on reducing staff, rather than re-engineering service delivery. A Climate for Change: While many businesses flourished during the boom years of the 1990s, GM, like other U.S.-based automakers, struggled to maintain the status quo. During those years, GMs market share continued to shrink as a steady stream of consumers bought cars from its Japanese, German and Korean competitors. When Wagoner took over as president and chief executive officer of GM in 1998, he knew the company had to change its approach to manufacturing and selling cars or it would continue a downward spiral and eventually lose its place as the worlds pre-eminent automaker. Wagoner set into motion an effort to reorganize and rebuild GM from the inside out. One of Wagoners primary objectives was to refocus and revamp the companys HR department. Wagoner thought HR is paramount to GMs reorganisation effort. If they were to hire, train and keep the best workforce possible, then it must have the best and most up-to-date HR practices possible. While the change in HR is just one element of making GM a more globally focused and competitive company, it is a key element. GM has always been a very siloed corporation with all of its different divisions functioning like separate companies. There have been numerous reorganisation efforts at GM, and most have not fared well, because of the turf battles and independent nature of GMs divisions. However, GM appears to be taking a different approach. Focusing on HR and making it a key element in the reorganisation effort, which GM has never really attempted before. One real challenge has been the effects of change on one large organisation which has set itself to comfort,so to get GMs management team to completely buy into the strategic role for HR was a task in itself. Middle management, however, has been a different story, they were more resistant to change than their managers. But, the effort is under way, and senior-level executives are well aware that it is an evolution not a revolution and therefore will take some time. The key to making the evolution work, is to find the points of resistance and to try to make them understand the need for change. And if they continue to resist then personnel changes should be considered.as the cost is quite big to barter. I personally feel that the approach which GM adopted, provides a best fit to its work environment and structure.

The Dream Essay -- essays research papers fc

The Dream   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the early twentieth century, film maker and producer Adolph Zukor met Jesse Lasky, owner of Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company. The two men admired each others previous work and, in 1916, decided to combine forces. They created Paramount pictures and had one of the most familiar slogans in the film industry, â€Å"If it’s a Paramount Picture it’s the Best Show in Town†. Proving their slogan true they started turning out more than two pictures per week. During it’s peak in the silent film making era, Paramount was making 5 million dollars a year more than other production companies such as Warner, Fox, and Universal.(Paramount)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Paramount Pictures has come a long way since the silent film era. Now owned by Viacom, they have expanded their enterprise from simple movies to state of the art motion pictures, television shows, and other forms of home entertainment such as VHS and DVD. They have been an important driving force in film and television, and have been impacting our entertainment industry for almost 90 years. Paramount engages in many activities, and has influenced telecommunications and films through these. Paramount is comprised of three separate entities, which work together and individually to produce revenue for Paramount and Viacom. Paramount has increased its revenue by profiting from all of its many sources of income, which have helped the company to remain a leader in the film industry.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Paramount’s many activities, including movies, television shows, home entertainment, and theme parks have rocketed Paramount to huge success. Some of Paramount’s box office hits include Titanic, which is the all time box office leader, Mission Impossible, Ghost, Forrest Gump, and many film collections such as The Godfather and Indiana Jones. Paramount also teamed up with other Viacom owned companies such as Nick Movies to produce Rugrats in Paris: the Movie and Snow Day.(Viacom) Paramount did not only focus on movies, it branched out and stirred up the television industry also. Paramount’s Television history is â€Å"Home to award-winning comedies, the most successful franchise in syndication history, and a library of classic shows† (Viacom) and boasts over 55,000 hours of programming. The Paramount Television group has also created hits such as Melrose Place, Beverl... ..., and make into something everyone wants. Paramount has mastered the art of amazement with their skilled writing, acting, and movie making and their ability to continue to stretch the limits of telecommunications and film. Paramount is not just about money, it’s about people. One man had the dream, now everyone can experience it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Works Cited Huettig, M.D.(1946). Economic Control of the Motion Picture Industry. Philadelphia: University   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  of Pennsylvania Press. Mirabile,L.(Ed.)(1990)Telecommunications and Film in International Directories of Company   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Histories(Vol. II, PP.154-155).Chicago: St. James Press. PBS.(2005).Retrieved February 28, 2005, from Public Broadcasting Station.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Website:www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/Hollywood/business/rev.html Viacom.(2004). Retrieved February 26, 2005, from Viacom Home Page.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Website:www.viacom.com Youngerman,J.(1995). My Seventy Years at Paramount Studios and The Directors Guild Of   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  America. Los Angeles, CA: a Directors Guild of America Publications.

Marketing Of Landscape Gardening Essay

Landscapers use their aptitude for art combined with their knowledge of plants to create breathtaking landscapes. But a landscape artist cannot share his knowledge unless he promotes his business. Business promotion is a combination of activities that create and maintain a positive image in a customer’s mind. Customer service, broad knowledge of the business and fair pricing strategies support promotional activities and contribute to the success of any business. Word of Mouth (Recommendations) This is the cheapest and best method of advertising your Landscape Gardening business, but it requires that you already have done some work. Your existing clients can be your biggest help in spreading the word about your business. This business thrives on referrals, so make sure that you talk to your existing customers and ask them if there’s anyone that may benefit your service. Advertisements Advertise on newspapers, tv ads, local ad magazines, billboards, your vehicle etc, however, the ads should be short and easy to read. Plant Exhibitions Contact convention organizers and event planning agencies in your area and learn about business exhibition opportunities. Many events are geared toward the small business owner and are reasonably priced. Attend plant exhibitions to promote your business. Plant exhibitions allow you to promote your products or services at a venue related to landscaping. Such exhibitions provide a venue to network and reach out to customers. Trade shows are also a good place to distribute promotional items. Create Business Cards Create business cards that match your brochures and website design. Creating matching promotional collateral creates a cohesive feel and helps establish your brand. Make Brochures Create visually pleasing brochures. Make sure the brochure lists your services, pricing, contact information and a bit about the business. You can also hire a designer to prepare brochures for you. Create a Website Contact a Web developer or create a website on your own. Your website’s content should appeal to people in your area. Include helpful information, such as guides to weeding, planting and winterizing gardens. Several services offer website packages that make creating a site simple. Link your site to Twitter and possibly a dedicated business page on Facebook

The Use Of Consulting Technique Within The Social Approach

Humans can be persuaded and influenced through different techniques. Sales professions, social media, educators, parents, politicians to name a few use these methods. Within my research the common ground is that persuasion is in the moment and influence is invested pursuit. Influence diverts from behavior, and actions. Influences can conspirer through words and modeling. With the utilization of influence techniques, such as, social approach, rational approach and emotional approach. As an educational leader you should influence your staff and students to work at their best. When teachers are appreciated and trusted they will put in more effort. The use of consulting technique within the social approach is going to have teachers/students involved within the situation. According to Terry Bacon, this is the â€Å"Fourth globally in frequency and effectiveness. Works well with smart, self confident people who have a strong need to contribute ideas† (2011). Teacher are innovative, they are in the trenches so to speak and may have a better understanding of a problem to find a solution. Involving other can also gain respect and trust within the staff and administration. Involving students within decision making can give them pride within their work and school. This also leads into alliance building. When others are involved and understand what the goal or plan is, they can support the objective. With more buy-in the more allowance for the spread of the influence.Show MoreRelatedDiscuss Data Gathering and Presentation Skills of Consultants.1064 Words   |  5 Pagesthe consulting process is data collection via a variety of methods. The process of data gathering can be both long and tedious and thus it is essential that consultants attain quality over quality. Some of the most frequently used techniques include group data gathering, interviews, focus groups, surveys, compiling existing documentation and on-site observation. Also some of the com mon tools used include the STEP analysis- a framework that reviews the external environment by focus on social, technologicalRead MoreCharles Kettering, the Famed Us Electrical Engineer and Inventor Said â€Å"a Problem Well-Stated Is Half-Solved.† One of the Key Capabilities in Consulting Is to Develop a Good Understanding of the Problem Situation from a3006 Words   |  13 Pagessaid â€Å"A problem well-stated is half-solved.† One of the key capabilities in Consulting is to develop a good understanding of the problem situation from a number of different perspectives. This stage in the consulting process is known as ‘problem structuring’. The capabilities in Consulting have no limits with extraordinary growth in which is capable to handle and bring solutions for all business problems. 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If the company meets predetermined earnings targets, those top managements will earn a lot from profit sharing. Furthermore, aside from money, those people can maintain their high social status by constantly using those ill-gotten gains to contribute to charitable affairs, whichRead MoreDr. Franz Anton Mesmer s Theory Of Magnetism Essay1599 Words   |  7 Pagessuggestion of a hypnotist. While an individual is in a hypnotic trance, the hypnotist may preform several redolent techniques that are designed to modify behavior for both short and long term periods of time. (Cardena, 2014) For example, chronic smokers often seek hypnosis in order to discard their un healthy habit. In order to fully understand how it developed, its process, and its contemporary use, one must reference its somewhat accidental birth in 1770 by Dr. Franz Anton Mesmer. Mesmer was a GermanRead Moreâ€Å"Compare and Contrast the Different Ways the Person-Centred and Cognitive- Behavioural Approaches to Counselling Understand and Make Use of the Counselling Relationship†1559 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"Compare and contrast the different ways the person-centred and cognitive- behavioural approaches to counselling understand and make use of the counselling relationship†    This essay is written to compare the counselling relationship in person-centred and cognitive-behavioural counselling by outlining both the theory and practice of the counselling relationship. This will be done by outlining the theory of the counselling relationships and the theory in practice. Both person-centred and cognitive-behaviouralRead MoreRepresentation Of A Stakeholder From A Corporation1493 Words   |  6 PagesAbstract Within a company, a stakeholder is a person who has a specific interest in a project or ventures that exist within. Typically, the primary stakeholder of a major corporation is the employers, customers, suppliers, and even investors (2012 Report on Sustainable and Responsible Investing Trends in the United States, 2012). However, with a more modern and contemporary premise the more conservative idea to embrace other stakeholders to include people from the community, representatives of the