Benefits Of Work Life Balance Management Essay

Benefits Of Work Life Balance Management Essay Work Life Balance doesnt necessarily mean fewer hours at work. It is about people feeling satisfied by having an extent of control over how, when and where they work, how they can manage their time and stuffs they want and need to do. This balance is achieved when an individuals right to a fulfilled life inside and outside paid work is accepted and respected as a norm, to the mutual benefit of the individual, business and society. The key aspect of work life balance only from an employers viewpoint is numerous. They are of importance because providing an employee with a balanced work-life existence is for the employer and employee. For an example, if the employee is satisfied and happy, the whole exercise must make business sense to the enterprise. In 21st century, life is increasingly difficult with people managing multiple roles. Therefore, they will only stay with a job that offers flexibility. Different people have a different satisfactory balance, but most of the people results from combination of different aspects. The first aspect is the time balance which concerns the amount of time they have to work or the time they do not have to work. The second aspect is involvement balance which means the level of psychological participation or obligation to work and also the level of control on the work whether when and how they will do it. The third aspect is the satisfaction balance which is the level of satisfaction and value on the works given to them. It is important for a company to provide work life balance because it ensures employees are highly effective and motivated while they are on the job. All individuals have different requirements at different points in their life and therefore the concept of work life balance assumes different meanings at each of these stages in life. During young age, an employee would enjoy doing more work and work hard to achieve their targets. However, as soon as he or she begins a family life, the time spent at home with family also consider important. What works for an individual at one point in time need not be a motivator all the time. Therefore as an employer, it is crucial to track and notice on these requirements so that to ensure what is offered to an employee is what an employee needs and wants. Employer must also aware that ensuring a work life balance for the employees is a way to help them fulfil their objectives and their responsibilities. Providing for a work life balance also provide s for time sovereignty which is outmost importance these days. Employees prefer to work flexible hours and like to work when they believe they are most productive. Benefits of Work Life Balance Work life balance able to enhance companys reputation. A company which contain socially responsible employer that treat their employees with respect and ensure a favourable working environment are respected by the wider community. Besides that, a company that build good reputation will be able to attract more potential employees as they want to work for companies that have attractive work-life balance policies and are more likely to show loyalty to companies that provide these. Other than that, work life balance enhances recruitment and retention. Organisations have mutual motivation which is retaining and attracting staff. More and more employees, not only the younger generation which known as Gen Y, but mature workers too, are looking for work-life balance. Therefore, employers who manage to prove that work life balance is possible for their employees will attract more candidates during recruitment especially in a tight labour market. Research shows that increasingly such benefits are valued as much as, or more highly than financial remuneration. Companies that offer work-life balance options are better able to retain the staffs in whom they have already invested and who might otherwise consider leaving if the environment is too stressful or inflexible. Alarmingly, 21st century employees would consider leaving their current job for better work-life balance elsewhere. For example, Kirkcaldie and Stains Ltd, surveyed the students who work in their departmen t store on a part-time basis and found that 84% of them said that the ability to get a satisfactory work-life balance has a lot of influence on whether they would continue to work there. Work life balance able to reduce absenteeism. Absenteeism is a crucial aspect that will affect the productivity and also morale of an organization. This is due to limited amount of staffs that can take over other staffs job and even if there are sufficient staffs, it might not perform as efficient as the staffs which hold that position. Thus, it leads to low productivity and low morale. Work life balance able to increase productivity and shareholder value of an organization. It allows all employees to be developed in every respect due to retention of talent and development of work environment as men and women incorporation and permanence in the job market. Employees who are less overworked and stressed produce a higher quality of work and make fewer mistakes. Employees who are encouraged to consider their personal wellbeing take less time off due to sickness and poor health. In overseas, the evidence that it leads to gains in productivity and increases shareholder value is convincing. For example, in a study covering 500 companies in 12 Asia Pacific countries including China, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan, Watson Wyatt found that organisations with strong human resources practices were three times as profitable as the organizations with poor human resources practices which are 64% against 21%. The same study showed that flexible work arrangements incr eased shareholder returns by 3.5%. Besides that, Hewlett-Packards implementation of a compressed work week in the US resulted in a 200% increase in the number of transactions conducted daily. Other than that, a study polled 2,191 managers of different workplaces in Britain. 97% of those in organisations with extensive work-life strategies reported above-average financial performance, compared with 59% of those in typical workplaces. In addition, another study of more than 1,500 managers and employees in the US found that 7 in 10 managers reported that flexible work arrangements increased productivity and improved quality of work. Lastly, an innovative study of Fortune 500 companies found that when a company announced a new work-life programme, its stock price rose an average of 0.48%. This amounted to an average dollar value of US$60 million per company. For comparison, the study also found that when a company announced retrenchments, its stock price dropped an average of 0.38%. Work life balance also raises morale and improves employee relations. Employers use it to encourage culture change among organization and support their employees. Besides that, work arrangements that fulfil the individual needs of employees and provide a greater degree of control over when and how work is done also leads to raised morale and increased loyalty. By using the development of work life balance strategies, it enables social interaction between employees to build trust, boost morale and team spirit. Work life balance can help in lower turnover and manage costs. Flexible work arrangements such as home working can reduce office overheads, save office space and cut down on travel costs. A healthier, less stressed work-force means less costs associated with health-care and absenteeism. Recruitment and training costs can be reduced through improved staff retention and low turnover rate. Work life balance also helps in meeting customer expectation especially businesses with a strong need for customer service have found that developing a successful work-life balance strategy for employees has enabled them to retain staff who are happy to be at work and more responsive to the needs of their customers. Some employers believe that both customers and colleagues have found these employees more interesting and fun to work with. In addition employers understand that to keep their business competitive they need to have the right number of staff, in the right place, at the right time, to meet customer demands. Work life balance able to improve flexibility and fulfil business needs. There are times when all businesses need flexibility from their employees. It may be to change working hours or shifts to meet changing customer demands. It may be to back up colleagues who are on leave or away on training. It could be to complete an important project with a tight deadline. Employees are much more likely to be willing to meet their employers needs if the employer has an established track record of being flexible in meeting their needs. Implementation of Work Life Balance Strategy The model above contains of four crucial steps that an organization should take to implement an effective and sustainable work life strategy. An organization just starting out on work life strategy would need to first establish what work life strategy can do for it. These objectives could include high turnover, low motivation, poor customer service and others. The second step involves assessing business and employee needs. In the third step, these needs are used to design and implement the organisations individual work-life programmes. The fourth step in the cycle involves evaluating the work-life programmes. Evaluation findings can then be used to determine whether the work life programmes and the overall Work-Life Strategy have succeeded, and whether modifications are necessary. Areas for improvement and new objectives could be identified. It is useful to think of these four steps as a continuous cycle of activities. Work-Life harmony is not just a destination but a journey. To be successful it needs to remain relevant to the changing needs of the business and employees which itself may change over time. Step 1: Establish the need to implement or modify a Work Life Strategy Work life strategy is a business strategy, therefore top management as a whole needs to buy into it and align organisational processes to it in order to make it work. Most organizations have implemented work life strategy for one or more reasons. The first reason is to attract and retain talent. Secondly, it is to raise morale and job satisfaction in work place. Thirdly, it is to increase productivity. Fourthly, in order to save on real estate and overhead expenses. Fifthly, it is to reduce health care costs. Sixthly, it is to provide work flexibility in response to changing employee needs. Seventhly, it is in order to increase commitment. Eighthly, the implementation of wok life strategy is to combat burnout. Ninthly, in order to become an employer of choice. Tenthly, it is to ensure the organisation stay ahead of the competition. After establish the need for implementing work life strategy, organisations can then move on to set targets and a timeframe in which to achieve these targ ets. Step 2: Assess business needs and employees work life needs

Dahlia Case Study Essay

OVERVIEW 1.Time Context The problem has to be solved by the year 1985. 2.Viewpoint Mr. Chua Boon Kang and Mr. Leong Sim Lam 3.Major Policy Statement Dahlia Furniture Private Limited is a local furniture industry, which supplies usually kitchen cabinets, wall units, bedrooms set and dining set. It also has metal and wood furniture sets. 4.Background of the Case a.The Company Dahlia Furniture made its entrance into the furniture industry in 1972 as subcontractors to two large furniture concerns, Ching Lin and Diethelm. It supplied mainly wall units and kitchen cabinets while bedrooms sets and dining sets were subcontracted out or obtained from local suppliers. Business went well and the company decided to branch into retailing. The business was successful in its operation especially during the time when Singapore conducted a massive public housing programs. In fact their sales increased from $4,800,000.00 to $5,500,000 in 1980 to 1981. However, during that year, the company’s sales declined especially in 1983 in which it reached only $289,000.00, and somehow recovered in 1984. Contributory factors to the decline in sales include mismanagement of Mr. Lim. Because of this, reorganizations were happening and most of the employees resigned. Also furniture industry was very competitive. b.The Industry Furniture industry in Singapore began only as an extension of the country’s oldest industry which is the sawmilling. But the demand for the furniture expanded which led to it as the leading local industry. The growth of the local furniture industry has been closely linked to the growth of the country’s construction and building industry. There are now more than 200 establishments manufacturing furniture of which 59 are both manufacturers and exporters of wooden knock-down, 35 rattan and 12 steel furniture. There has been a change in the attitude towards purchase of furniture. Fashion trend has been the latest consideration of the customers. Singporeans have become more willing to spend money to decorate their homes. 5.Environmental Analysis a.SWOT Analysis STRENGTHS †¢Safe Environment †¢Good quality of the products †¢Run the new division with the present set of designers. †¢Dahlia Furniture line was of a higher quality and price than those of other retailers. †¢Dahlia’s furniture line is more for those who want exclusivity. †¢Retail outlets are now carrying wider range of furniture. †¢Dahlias is considered as one of sophisticated furniture dealer with exclusive design for their customers. †¢Dahlia has a long experience in the field of furniture. Since 1972 they are in this field and they have worked at almost all levels of the industry like subcontracting, importing, manufacturing and retailing. †¢They have good support from local manufacturers who are in turn also working as their sub contractor. †¢The company has taken timely decision to go to retail market to get sizeable customers from medium to high class range. WEAKNESSES: †¢The company is in need of competent managers that would be of great help to the success of the furniture company. †¢Dahlia Furniture has the previous dilemma of filling their showroom with salable imported furniture and disregarding the domestic demand that the great impact in the performance of sales. †¢Dahlia has no advertisement. †¢Dahlia’s market share has become eroded by some big players in the decreasing revenues from current product †¢Poor management †¢Many workers resigned due to Ang Mo Kio Factory’s failure in. OPPORTUNITIES †¢Domestic demands for furniture rise by about twelve percent annually †¢ Increasing demand in exports to United States, Australia, Canada, Western Europe and in the Middle East. †¢Singaporeans are more willing to spend money to decorate their homes. THREATS †¢Intense competition between domestic U.S. manufacturers. †¢Powerful competitors. †¢Other companies offer lower prices b.Competitor Analysis Dahlia Furniture, aside from its manufacturing operations, aides the maintenance on the supply of their inventories to some of the local suppliers. Some of them are manufacturers while others are retailers who have their own showrooms. They can be possible competitors of Dahlia. Other competitors comprise of foreign manufacturers and retailers. Some of these are Ikea , Fly, Homestead and soon to operate Scandinavian, Italian, Japanese and American manufacturers. 6.Present Company Departmental Plans a.Product Planning Dahlia mainly supplies wall units and kitchen cabinets. It subcontracts local suppliers of bedroom sets and dining sets. b.Market Planning Dahlia Furniture advertises in Straights Times. In connection to its retailing operations, Dahlia rented a showroom to a department store in Orchard area, in Bukit Timah area and Upper Thompson area c.Production Planning The purchase of Upper Thompson and Ang Mo Kio factories are sought to increase the company’s supply. d.Manpower Planning Dahlia acquired two factories namely Ang Mo Kio and Upper Thompson. The workers of these two factories were also hired. Staffs: Sales person11 persons Clerical workers4 persons Production workers (Thompson Factory)6 persons e.Organizational Planning Dahlia Furnitures is managed by Mr. Chua and Mr. Leong. Other staffs of the company are as follows: Personnel Position †¢Chua Soo Lee General Administartion †¢Robert LamProduction and General Management PROBLEM RESOLUTION 1.Background of the Case On August 1984, Mr. Chua Boon Kang and Mr. Leong Sim Lam bought over Peter Lim’s forty six percent (46%) stake at Dahlia Furniture Private Limited. Although co-owners at one time, Mr. Chua and Mr. Leong have found Mr. Lim’s management of the company to be unsatisfactory. Some reorganization took place as most of the production workers who were doing subcontracting orders solely for Dahlia had resigned due to poor company performance in 1982. Dahlia also sold off seventy five thousand dollars ($75,000) worth of machinery used for mass producing furniture which was previously purchased by a former Managing Director, who has since left the company. Now at the helm, both are uncertain about the long term direction of the company. Meanwhile, they are both concerned over maintaining sales growth in a highly competitive industry. 2.Statement of the Problem What should the management do to maintain sales growth and improve company’s position in a highly competitive industry? 3.Statement of Objectives oLong term – To become the largest manufacturer of furniture and exporter in the furniture industry. oShort term – To maximize the profit of the company. 4.Areas of Consideration ïÆ' ¼Taxes applied to importation: The Singaporean government imposes 5%import duties for goods imported in the country. This area should be taken into consideration because this will affect the entity’s expenses when such importation has been made. ïÆ' ¼The government’s policy regarding foreign labor: In the production of the furniture , the company needs to employ the services of the laborers. The company should determine the amount of labor force needed and if there is a need to avail of the foreign laborers’ services because the government of Singapore discourages the use of foreign labor. ïÆ' ¼Competition : With the advent of the furniture industry in Singapore , more and more competing manufacturers and retailers come to exist not just from the local but as well as with the foreign brands. ïÆ' ¼Trend in the furniture industry: It should be noted that the market demands in Singapore largely depends on the buyers’ perspective of what is the â€Å"in- thing† in the fashion of the furniture industry. The company should be always updated with these current trends so that they will not be left b ehind by other contenders. 5.Alternative Courses of Action 1.Find a competent person to be the General Manager of the company 2.Intensify advertisements of the company – in the domestic and international market through joining product conventions, trade expos, putting up advertisements in local and foreign furniture and interior design magazines , broadsheets and home- Television shopping. 3.To formulate a proportionate inventory acquisition with some products imported and some manufactured, to drive away competition and at the same time, maintain its present image, also to reach all brackets of prospective clientele. 6.Analysis of Alternatives ALTERNATIVE 1 Advantages: †¢When a General Manager for the company is hired, the over- all operations will be supervised – from the production, especially to the sales operation will be given the right attention. †¢Necessary solutions will be implemented in to solve the problems of the company with the right person to handle the position and monitor the operations Disadvantages: †¢The company finds it hard to keep a competent GM to handle the operations of the company either he leaves the company to start his own business or leaves the management for another company. †¢There is a risk that the person positioned as GM be a future competitor just like what happened to one of their previous GM who decided to run his own furniture company. ALTERNATIVE 2 Advantages: †¢Intensive advertisements and promotions in domestic and international market will be the easiest gauge for the company to set awareness to the market the existence of the firm in the furniture industry. †¢Advertisements in all media forms can reach wide-range of customers, from all walks of life. Likewise joining trade expos in which the company can showcase their products and attract future clients. Disadvantages: †¢Putting-up advertisements would be costly, especially those which are shown on high class magazines or the TV channels. The company should limit expenses during this time because the company is just recovering from their losses from past years operations. †¢The market, especially the international market in which the company wishes to conquer, is highly competitive and a huge battlefield for the company. Advertisements may not be enough to outwit the competitors. ALTERNATIVE 3 Advantages: †¢Costs related to importations will be toned down because only proportionate of the inventory is imported and the remaining inventories are manufactured by the company. †¢Cost to overhead and labor will be regulated †¢The company will not have to depend largely on the local suppliers which could possibly be competitors in the long run. †¢The company could cater to middle class clients as well as the mass. †¢Insufficiency of the supply will be eliminated because the goods imported will cover up for the deficit in the manufactured goods or vice versa when imported goods have been delivered in delay. Disadvantages: †¢With the intuition that Singaporeans prefer the imported goods than those of locally made products, the goods manufactured by the company will be disregarded and will turn to change in the proportionate inventory rate. †¢The company will still incur costs for productions and importations 7.Decision Statement After further analysis of the alternatives presented, it will be best for the company to use Alternative 3 which is to formulate a proportionate inventory acquisition with some products imported and some manufactured, to drive away competition and at the same time, maintain its present image, also to reach all brackets of prospective clientele. The last alternative would best fit to answer the problem of the company regarding its inventories, maximizing profit returns and improvement of the company’s position. It should be noted that the company has a dilemma of filling up their showrooms because of the resignation of the workers in one of the factory of the company, the Ang Mo Kio so they turned out to importing goods. In turn, only the medium-class clients and upper income gainers become its customers. With proportionate inventory acquisitions, the company can control overhead, labor and importation costs. In that way, the company will minimize operating expenses leaving the company with greater profits. In using the third alternative, the company can also cater to both the middle class clients for they prefer imported furniture and the mass client for lower priced furniture which are locally made, therefore expanding the market of Dahlia. IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM 1.Action Plans a.Long-term action plans ï‚ §Putting –up additional showrooms for the mass clientele and for the middle class customers b.Short-term action plans ï‚ §Expansion of the company’s market through advertising and promotions 2.Proposed Company Operational Plans a.Product planning ï‚ §The company should produce unique furniture designs which will attract the customers b.Market planning ï‚ §Intensify advertising and promotion schemes for furniture products not just on the Straight Times for those middle class customers but to other forms of media so that it can reach other people from all walks of life. c.Production planning ï‚ §Upon expansion of the production, Dahlia should re-avail of machineries that will be used for the additional production of furniture d.Manpower planning ï‚ §The company will employ additional laborers to keep up for the additional inventory requirements. e.Organizational planning ï‚ §The management should hire a competent person to be designated in the position of the General Manager. 3.Other problems and proposed solutions †¢Strict competition in the industry oDahlia Furniture should develop innovative products so that they can have an edge over other manufacturers. The management should know its target market. In that way they can cater what their clients wish to have and in return they can develop goodwill and loyalty among their customers. OVERVIEW 1.Time Context The problem has to be solved by the year 1985. 2.Viewpoint Mr. Chua Boon Kang and Mr. Leong Sim Lam 3.Major Policy Statement Dahlia Furniture Private Limited is a local furniture industry, which supplies usually kitchen cabinets, wall units, bedrooms set and dining set. It also has metal and wood furniture sets. 4.Background of the Case a.The Company Dahlia Furniture made its entrance into the furniture industry in 1972 as subcontractors to two large furniture concerns, Ching Lin and Diethelm. It supplied mainly wall units and kitchen cabinets while bedrooms sets and dining sets were subcontracted out or obtained from local suppliers. Business went well and the company decided to branch into retailing. The business was successful in its operation especially during the time when Singapore conducted a massive public housing programs. In fact their sales increased from $4,800,000.00 to $5,500,000 in 1980 to 1981. However, during that year, the company’s sales declined especially in 1983 in which it reached only $289,000.00, and somehow recovered in 1984. Contributory factors to the decline in sales include mismanagement of Mr. Lim. Because of this, reorganizations were happening and most of the employees resigned. Also furniture industry was very competitive. b.The Industry Furniture industry in Singapore began only as an extension of the country’s oldest industry which is the sawmilling. But the demand for the furniture expanded which led to it as the leading local industry. The growth of the local furniture industry has been closely linked to the growth of the country’s construction and building industry. There are now more than 200 establishments manufacturing furniture of which 59 are both manufacturers and exporters of wooden knock-down, 35 rattan and 12 steel furniture. There has been a change in the attitude towards purchase of furniture. Fashion trend has been the latest consideration of the customers. Singporeans have become more willing to spend money to decorate their homes. 5.Environmental Analysis a.SWOT Analysis STRENGTHS †¢Safe Environment †¢Good quality of the products †¢Run the new division with the present set of designers. †¢Dahlia Furniture line was of a higher quality and price than those of other retailers. †¢Dahlia’s furniture line is more for those who want exclusivity. †¢Retail outlets are now carrying wider range of furniture. †¢Dahlias is considered as one of sophisticated furniture dealer with exclusive design for their customers. †¢Dahlia has a long experience in the field of furniture. Since 1972 they are in this field and they have worked at almost all levels of the industry like subcontracting, importing, manufacturing and retailing. †¢They have good support from local manufacturers who are in turn also working as their sub contractor. †¢The company has taken timely decision to go to retail market to get sizeable customers from medium to high class range. WEAKNESSES: †¢The company is in need of competent managers that would be of great help to the success of the furniture company. †¢Dahlia Furniture has the previous dilemma of filling their showroom with salable imported furniture and disregarding the domestic demand that the great impact in the performance of sales. †¢Dahlia has no advertisement. †¢Dahlia’s market share has become eroded by some big players in the decreasing revenues from current product †¢Poor management †¢Many workers resigned due to Ang Mo Kio Factory’s failure in. OPPORTUNITIES †¢Domestic demands for furniture rise by about twelve percent annually †¢ Increasing demand in exports to United States, Australia, Canada, Western Europe and in the Middle East. †¢Singaporeans are more willing to spend money to decorate their homes. THREATS †¢Intense competition between domestic U.S. manufacturers. †¢Powerful competitors. †¢Other companies offer lower prices b.Competitor Analysis Dahlia Furniture, aside from its manufacturing operations, aides the maintenance on the supply of their inventories to some of the local suppliers. Some of them are manufacturers while others are retailers who have their own showrooms. They can be possible competitors of Dahlia. Other competitors comprise of foreign manufacturers and retailers. Some of these are Ikea , Fly, Homestead and soon to operate Scandinavian, Italian, Japanese and American manufacturers. 6.Present Company Departmental Plans a.Product Planning Dahlia mainly supplies wall units and kitchen cabinets. It subcontracts local suppliers of bedroom sets and dining sets. b.Market Planning Dahlia Furniture advertises in Straights Times. In connection to its retailing operations, Dahlia rented a showroom to a department store in Orchard area, in Bukit Timah area and Upper Thompson area c.Production Planning The purchase of Upper Thompson and Ang Mo Kio factories are sought to increase the company’s supply. d.Manpower Planning Dahlia acquired two factories namely Ang Mo Kio and Upper Thompson. The workers of these two factories were also hired. Staffs: Sales person11 persons Clerical workers4 persons Production workers (Thompson Factory)6 persons e.Organizational Planning Dahlia Furnitures is managed by Mr. Chua and Mr. Leong. Other staffs of the company are as follows: Personnel Position †¢Chua Soo Lee General Administartion †¢Robert LamProduction and General Management PROBLEM RESOLUTION 1.Background of the Case On August 1984, Mr. Chua Boon Kang and Mr. Leong Sim Lam bought over Peter Lim’s forty six percent (46%) stake at Dahlia Furniture Private Limited. Although co-owners at one time, Mr. Chua and Mr. Leong have found Mr. Lim’s management of the company to be unsatisfactory. Some reorganization took place as most of the production workers who were doing subcontracting orders solely for Dahlia had resigned due to poor company performance in 1982. Dahlia also sold off seventy five thousand dollars ($75,000) worth of machinery used for mass producing furniture which was previously purchased by a former Managing Director, who has since left the company. Now at the helm, both are uncertain about the long term direction of the company. Meanwhile, they are both concerned over maintaining sales growth in a highly competitive industry. 2.Statement of the Problem What should the management do to maintain sales growth and improve company’s position in a highly competitive industry? 3.Statement of Objectives oLong term – To become the largest manufacturer of furniture and exporter in the furniture industry. oShort term – To maximize the profit of the company. 4.Areas of Consideration ïÆ' ¼Taxes applied to importation: The Singaporean government imposes 5%import duties for goods imported in the country. This area should be taken into consideration because this will affect the entity’s expenses when such importation has been made. ïÆ' ¼The government’s policy regarding foreign labor: In the production of the furniture , the company needs to employ the services of the laborers. The company should determine the amount of labor force needed and if there is a need to avail of the foreign laborers’ services because the government of Singapore discourages the use of foreign labor. ïÆ' ¼Competition : With the advent of the furniture industry in Singapore , more and more competing manufacturers and retailers come to exist not just from the local but as well as with the foreign brands. ïÆ' ¼Trend in the furniture industry: It should be noted that the market demands in Singapore largely depends on the buyers’ perspective of what is the â€Å"in- thing† in the fashion of the furniture industry. The company should be always updated with these current trends so that they will not be left behind by other contenders. 5.Alternative Courses of Action 1.Find a competent person to be the General Manager of the company 2.Intensify advertisements of the company – in the domestic and international market through joining product conventions, trade expos, putting up advertisements in local and foreign furniture and interior design magazines , broadsheets and home- Television shopping. 3.To formulate a proportionate inventory acquisition with some products imported and some manufactured, to drive away competition and at the same time, maintain its present image, also to reach all brackets of prospective clientele. 6.Analysis of Alternatives ALTERNATIVE 1 Advantages: †¢When a General Manager for the company is hired, the over- all operations will be supervised – from the production, especially to the sales operation will be given the right attention. †¢Necessary solutions will be implemented in to solve the problems of the company with the right person to handle the position and monitor the operations Disadvantages: †¢The company finds it hard to keep a competent GM to handle the operations of the company either he leaves the company to start his own business or leaves the management for another company. †¢There is a risk that the person positioned as GM be a future competitor just like what happened to one of their previous GM who decided to run his own furniture company. ALTERNATIVE 2 Advantages: †¢Intensive advertisements and promotions in domestic and international market will be the easiest gauge for the company to set awareness to the market the existence of the firm in the furniture industry. †¢Advertisements in all media forms can reach wide-range of customers, from all walks of life. Likewise joining trade expos in which the company can showcase their products and attract future clients. Disadvantages: †¢Putting-up advertisements would be costly, especially those which are shown on high class magazines or the TV channels. The company should limit expenses during this time because the company is just recovering from their losses from past years operations. †¢The market, especially the international market in which the company wishes to conquer, is highly competitive and a huge battlefield for the company. Advertisements may not be enough to outwit the competitors. ALTERNATIVE 3 Advantages: †¢Costs related to importations will be toned down because only proportionate of the inventory is imported and the remaining inventories are manufactured by the company. †¢Cost to overhead and labor will be regulated †¢The company will not have to depend largely on the local suppliers which could possibly be competitors in the long run. †¢The company could cater to middle class clients as well as the mass. †¢Insufficiency of the supply will be eliminated because the goods imported will cover up for the deficit in the manufactured goods or vice versa when imported goods have been delivered in delay. Disadvantages: †¢With the intuition that Singaporeans prefer the imported goods than those of locally made products, the goods manufactured by the company will be disregarded and will turn to change in the proportionate inventory rate. †¢The company will still incur costs for productions and importations 7.Decision Statement After further analysis of the alternatives presented, it will be best for the company to use Alternative 3 which is to formulate a proportionate inventory acquisition with some products imported and some manufactured, to drive away competition and at the same time, maintain its present image, also to reach all brackets of prospective clientele. The last alternative would best fit to answer the problem of the company regarding its inventories, maximizing profit returns and improvement of the company’s position. It should be noted that the company has a dilemma of filling up their showrooms because of the resignation of the workers in one of the factory of the company, the Ang Mo Kio so they turned out to importing goods. In turn, only the medium-class clients and upper income gainers become its customers. With proportionate inventory acquisitions, the company can control overhead, labor and importation costs. In that way, the company will minimize operating expenses leaving the company with greater profits. In using the third alternative, the company can also cater to both the middle class clients for they prefer imported furniture and the mass client for lower priced furniture which are locally made, therefore expanding the market of Dahlia. IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM 1.Action Plans a.Long-term action plans ï‚ §Putting –up additional showrooms for the mass clientele and for the middle class customers b.Short-term action plans ï‚ §Expansion of the company’s market through advertising and promotions 2.Proposed Company Operational Plans a.Product planning ï‚ §The company should produce unique furniture designs which will attract the customers b.Market planning ï‚ §Intensify advertising and promotion schemes for furniture products not just on the Straight Times for those middle class customers but to other forms of media so that it can reach other people from all walks of life. c.Production planning ï‚ §Upon expansion of the production, Dahlia should re-avail of machineries that will be used for the additional production of furniture d.Manpower planning ï‚ §The company will employ additional laborers to keep up for the additional inventory requirements. e.Organizational planning ï‚ §The management should hire a competent person to be designated in the position of the General Manager. 3.Other problems and proposed solutions †¢Strict competition in the industry oDahlia Furniture should develop innovative products so that they can have an edge over other manufacturers. The management should know its target market. In that way they can cater what their clients wish to have and in return they can develop goodwill and loyalty among their customers.

Types of friends to have

The last thing you want to be described as is someone who's stuck in their own ways. If everyone had a friend from a different culture, the world would be a much better place. Being in a cross-cultural friendship allows you to explore customs, values, and traditions outside of your own culture. Sometimes you might even adopt new ways to do things. Be careful; don't befriend someone Just because they're from a different culture. No one likes to be a token friend.Instead, keep your mind open, and if you come across someone you click with who Just so happens to be from a different culture, make the effort to learn about their customs, values, and traditions while getting to know the person on a personal level. A Wise Mentor Jesse Jackson once said, â€Å"Never look down on someone unless you're helping them up. † If you have someone smart, inspiring, and admirable in your life who practices this philosophy, you're extremely lucky. We all need a friend who inspires us to be otter people without making us feel inadequate.Plus, being around such a person will challenge us to better ourselves every day. The wise mentor in your life doesn't have to be someone who shares the same occupation or hobbies with you. It's simply someone who's a few steps ahead of you in life and has enough wisdom and patience to guide you in the right direction. It can be anyone -? a colleague, a friend who's beyond their years, or an older neighbor -? as long as you look up to this person and want to be more like them. A Loyal Best FriendSometimes a loyal best friend is the only thing you need to stay sane. Everyone needs a non-judgmental friend who will support them no matter what. This is the kind of friend who lets you be a hot mess and knows all of your deepest and darkest secrets, but still loves you all the same. A Work Pal Did you know that with a full-time Job, you spend at least 50% of your waking hours at work? Not only that, but you spend some more time commuting to work, t hinking about work, working overtime, and furthering your career on your personal time.Depressing, isn't it? Statistics show that the more isolated you are at work, the more depressed you get. That's why it makes sense to get a work pal to chat with at the water cooler and to help you get through the week. You spend 50% of your waking hours at work, and so does your work pal. You'll find it much easier to shoot the breeze and complain about work with someone who can relate to you than eating lunch alone every day. Your work pal doesn't have to be your best friend outside of work.They Just need to be someone you click with on some level, and if you two hit it if exceptionally well, you can always start hanging out with them outside of the office. With a loyal best friend, a fearless adventurer, a brutally honest confidant, a wise mentor, a friend from a different culture, a polar opposite, a friendly neighbor, and a work pal in your life, you're bound to live a long and happy! A Frie ndly Neighbor These days, a lot of people don't know their own neighbors. It's a shame, because some neighbors can be the nicest and most helpful people ever.

Afro-Asian Poetry - 1595 Words

AFRICA’S PLEA Roland Tombekai Dempster I am not you – But you will not Give me a chance, Will not let me be me. â€Å"If I were you† but you know I am not you, Yet you will not Let me be me. You meddle, interfere In my affairs As if they were yours And you were me. You are unfair, unwise, Foolish to think That I can be you, Talk, act And think like you. God made me me. He made you you. For God’s sake Let me be me. Breaths Birago Diop Listen more often to things rather than beings. Hear the fires voice, Hear the voice of water. In the wind hear the sobbing of the trees, It is our forefathers breathing. The dead are not gone forever. They are in the paling shadows, And in the darkening†¦show more content†¦He spoke: - Men hearkened to his piercing cry, With smiles, with scorn; But the dim Future felt his threatenings nigh, And shook, - unborn! He died: and race to race did still succeed; And suns did shine; And Centuries passed; and still no eye could read His awful line. You mourn? - Mourn not; nor deem his history vain; Nor vain his strife: To breathe, to feel, to hope are worth the pain Of Death, and Life: And now, - (as generations rise, and far Like vapours roll,) Some few begin to gaze, as on a star, And scan his scroll: And, in its inspiration, vaguely shown, We seem to trace The march of revolutions, come and flown; And of mans race The history. Amidst blots, of blood and tears, The verses run, Until we lose their light in distant years, And - all is done! A prospect of spring - Du Fu The country’s been broken, see, only hills and rivers. In the city here’s the lush growth of spring. These times are splashed with tears before flowers. Grieved at parting, birds startle the heart. Beacons have been burning for three whole months. Any letter from home is worth ten thousand gold. I’ve scratched my white hair so thin It can’t hold even a hairpin in place. THE SONG OF MAISUNA by: Maisuna HE russet suit of camels hair, With spirits light and eye serene, Is dearer to my bosom far Than all the trappings of aShow MoreRelatedThe Past and Present Treatment of Ethnic Minorities in Britain1387 Words   |  6 PagesTwo) Black carrabiens were encouraged to come from their homeland-the carrabien to come and work for Britain. This later evolved into people from other countries coming to work in Britian, e.g. India, Bangladesh, Sri-lanka and many more Asian countries. Britians economy was doing so well but there was a shortage of workers. 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