...Improving organizational performance Paper PSY/428 Improving organizational performance Paper The current economic health of business around the world leaves little to no room for error concerning productivity. With this the science of organizational psychology can make a positive change of the company (Jex & Britt, 2008). The following paper will illustrate what cause and effects can have on a company through the use of the improving organizational performance simulation. In the following the concepts of choices made during the simulation will be discussed; as well, what motivational theories to use and what are the affects to reduce workplace stressors. In the first part of the simulation the student is introduced to the organization as an organizational psychologist for hire. The psychologist is hired to improve the failing company before it is too late to recover. Upon introduction to the company the first search for information done was to implement an JDI (job descriptive index), along with profiling the personal, and viewing a blog that was available (Apollo Group Simulation, 2005). With the information that was available, the members of the company were not happy because that the organization is not living up to his or her expectations prior to joining, and his or her suggestions are not taken seriously. This was the correct choice according to the simulation. As the simulation did demonstrate through the survey, and blog that the employees...
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...Simulation Review Paper Vicky Davis HCS/405 September 12, 2011 Kristin McFarland Simulation Review Paper Financial Accounting from a Cardiac Care Hospital’s Perspective In 1975, the first hospital that was constructed in Kelsey is Patton-Fuller Community Hospital. They are most often dedicated to provide quality customer care; they specialize in programs that can maintain the health and welfare of the local community and other population. Patton-Fuller Health Care is a not-for-profit Community Hospital that services care such as emergency medical care, labor, delivery, physical therapy, radiology, cardiology, and surgery for all adults and children. In this paper I will be analyzing financial indicators for decision-making to understand the strengths and weaknesses of a Cardiac Care Hospital. In addition, I will be implementing strategies to improve the cash flow at Elijah Heart Center (EHC). At the same time, I will also be evaluating the funding options for obtaining medical equipment, and also the funding strategies for the success or failure of capital expansion (Apollo Group, 2011). On behalf of the summary and conclusion, I will need to explain what I learned from this simulation, what I would do differently if I performed the simulation over again, and following how I would apply what I have learned at my current or future job (Apollo Group, 2006). Phase I: Capital Shortage The board members at Elijah...
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...Marketing Research for Kudler Fine Foods Joyce Liupaogo MKT/421 - Marketing April 9, 2012 Gregory Rankin Marketing Research for Kudler Fine Foods Marketing research is a type of business study that gathers records and analyzes data about consumers, competitors and the market. Marketing research can help create a business plan, launch a new product or service, expand into new markets, or fine tune existing products and services. Businesses use market research to configure which parts of the population will purchase their products based on variables such as age, gender, location and income level. “Marketing research finds the characteristics of target markets and plays an important part in an organization’s strategy of expansion (Kotler & Keller, 2012).” Kudler Fine Foods is an upscale specialty food store. Its mission is to provide customers the finest in selected foodstuffs, wines, and related needs in an unparallel consumer environment. “Kudler Fine Foods has experienced significant growth and is now focused on expanding the services, improving the efficiency of its operations and increasing the consumer purchase cycle as a means to increasing the loyalty and profitability of its consumers (Apollo Group Inc., 2011).” Marketing research is important to Kudler Fine Foods since they are expanding their services. Marketing research will help develop a plan for Kudler Fine Foods’ expansion and help them identify their strengths and weaknesses. In addition,...
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...Quality is vitally important to any company when creating and implementing a new quality plan for a new product or service. Quality can be described as the maker or breaker for almost all business. After all customers focus more on quality and customer service more than anything else including price. In this paper, I will discuss Kudler’s quality strategies and strategic plan as well as identify and examine the process of improvement. Furthermore I will also talk about Kudler’s tools and techniques along with the significance of competitive intelligence as it relates to their organization. The History of the Company Kudler Fine Foods is an upscale specialty food store founded by Kathy Kudler in June 1998. The business offers their customers a wide selection of both imported and domestic products from bakery, meat and seafood, to produce, cheese and dairy products, not to mention their extensive assortment of wines. Presently, Kudler Fine Foods has store locations in La Jolla, Del Mar, and Encinitas, California. “Kudler’s mission is to provide their customers with the finest selected foodstuff, wines, and related needs in an unparalleled consumer environment” (Apollo Group 2008). A few years after opening, Kudler Fine Foods quickly began to experience substantial growth. Therefore, the company is currently concentrating their efforts on expansion of their services, improving the efficiency of their operations, and increasing their consumer buying cycle. In order...
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...Engagement Letter, Checklist, and Timeframes Engagement Letter, Checklist, and Timeframes October 29, 2012 Eric Unum Vice-President-Finance Apollo Shoes Inc. 100 Shoe Plaza Shoetown, ME 00001 Dear Sir, This letter is to confirm our understanding of the terms and objectives of our engagement and the nature and limitations of the services we will provide on the Apollo Shoes Company internal audit services. The objective of our audit is the expression of an opinion whether your financial statements are fairly and materially presented. Our audit will aligned with auditing standards GAAP and will include tests of your accounting records and other procedures we consider necessary to enable us to express such an opinion. If our opinion anything but unqualified, we will discuss this with you before issuance of the opinion. If, we are unable to complete the audit or are not able to form an opinion, we may not express an opinion or we may issue a report pursuant to this engagement. Our procedures will include tests of documents and evidence in support of the transactions in the accounts, tests of the physical inventories, and direct confirmation of certain receivables and payables via correspondence with selected random customers, vendors, creditors, and other financial institutions. At the end of our audit, we will need some written documentation from you about the financial statements and related matters. Our audit will involve our decision regarding the amount...
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...------------------------------------------------6 About Apollo Information Services----------------------------------------------------------------------6-7 Inside Apollo------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8-9 The need for change---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9-10 Talent management practice Findings----------------------------------------------------------------10-11 Apollo’s Induction program----------------------------------------------------------------------------11-14 Suggestions--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14 Conclusion------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14-16 Appendix------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------17 References----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------18 Introduction Going forward, companies are faced with an array of challenges. They have to focus on costs cutting, evaluating and reevaluating business strategies and developing leadership competencies for top executives. To keep employees happy and for a company to thrive, employers must manage their talents; implement effective compensation and rewards strategies. Apollo Information Services, Inc. (AISI) is the largest medical...
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...NASA Research Paper Chelsea Best 4138567 LSTD 300 Professor Kerney Since its beginning the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has been pivotal in the scientific advancements made in the United States. Their vision, “To reach for new heights and reveal the unknown so that what we do and learn will benefit all humankind.” The scientist and researchers for NASA are trying to answer questions not just about the universe at large, but also about everyday human lives here on Earth. There are four focuses of NASA’s activity, called mission directives. Aeronautics, which focuses on meeting the worldwide demand for more eco-friendly and sustainable aircrafts. Human Exploration and Operations which involves operations on the International Space Station (ISS), developing commercial spaceflight and the ability for humans to explore beyond low-Earth Orbit. Scientist are exploring not only the Earth itself, but the universe beyond as well and works on charting the best exploration paths for us to continue discovering the universe. Space Technology is the final mission directive of NASA which combines elements from the others to develop and create the most innovative technology to aid future missions. NASA is also working hard to aid in the development of a private sector in space travel. Their hope is that by commercializing some aspects of space travel, such as routine trips to the ISS, more of their resources will be available for furthering their overall goals...
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...to WritePoint, the automated review system that recognizes errors most commonly made by university students in academic essays. The system embeds comments into your paper and suggests possible changes in grammar and style. Please evaluate each comment carefully to ensure that the suggested change is appropriate for your paper, but remember that your instructor's preferences for style and format prevail. You will also need to review your own citations and references since WritePoint capability in this area is limited. Please see the other helpful writing resources in the Tutorials and Guides section of the Center for Writing Excellence. Thank you for using WritePoint. Running head: Corporate Compliance Plan for Riordian Corporate Compliance Plan for Riordian Robert Trujillo University of Phoenix Corporate Compliance Plan for Riordian Riordian Manufacturing Inc. makes plastic products through the process of plastic injection molding. The main industries that use Riordian products are automotive parts manufactures, aircraft manufactures, aero space manufactures, beverage manufactures, and home appliance manufactures. The company’s annual revenues are $46 million. The company employs 550 people throughout three plants located in Georgia, Michigan, and China. Research and development is done at the corporate headquarters in San Jose, California. In 2000, Riordian Manufacturing Board of Directors decided to expand its operation...
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...Alen Sonny Mr. Lewis APUSH Period 5 13 April, 2014 The War between Communism and Democracy for Dominance of Space The Space Race was a war of firsts between the United States of America and the Union Soviet Socialist Republics. But it was also the culmination of the dreams of man for many millennia and the team who worked on the space programs was able to discover what so many of the people that came before and after them could only dream of. It was an endeavor that all of humanity was invested in at the time. It was a testament to the power of the human spirit and it showed how nothing was impossible if we persevered and strived to be better. The space race did not start as one would expect with the respective American and Soviet space agencies. But rather it began with the German V2 missile launches towards the end of World War 2. The V2 missile was designed by Wernher Von Braun a German scientist who had dreamed of traveling to the moon for many years; however this dream had to be secret as it was considered to be treasonous and not helpful to the German cause. Von Braun and many other amateur rocketeers were drafted into the German war machine in order to help build a super weapon and their base was Peenemünde. When the war was nearing its end the Third Reich unleashed its secret weapon, the V2 missile. It could hit anywhere within its target range and there would be no warning. When it hit, it caused scenes of mass destruction. The V2 missiles were to be Hitler’s...
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...the U.S. government more accessible to its citizens and small businesses by easing the process of navigating through the federal bureaucracy in order to apply for government contracts and resources. In addition, the organization’s growth has allowed The Elias Group to distribute grants to fund academic and professional research of importance to group members (Apollo Group Inc, 2013).. The purpose of the establishment of The Elias Group is stated in the organization’s mission which is “Through research and professional expertise, we provide opportunities for businesses (particularly small and disadvantaged businesses) to supply goods and services to U.S. Government entities through the General Services Administration schedules and contracts.” Moreover, this mission exemplifies the founder’s continuing expression of the spirit of public service (Apollo Group Inc, 2013). As a result, The Elias Group continues to strive to accomplish their mission by employing a full-time staff of 31 personnel and a network of over 100 specialist that provide consultations, services, research, and assistance needed for businesses to contract with the U.S. government (Apollo Group Inc, 2013) . Benefits of Information Systems Although The Elias Group has experienced organizational growth from its beginnings in 1997, the organization can benefit from new and improved information systems. The new or improved information systems will allow the organization to identify solutions to current or...
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...the organization wants to promote growth, but because of a performance gap, which is preventing Riordan from achieving more revenue and accomplishing specific monetary goals by 2013, this new strategic plan in developed. Team B recognizes the dilemma, found an objective, explored options, and recognizes the ideal solutions. The issue is how to bridge the performance gap with a purpose to increase revenue from $40 million to $50 million by 2013 (Apollo Group, Inc., 2006). Through a SWOT analysis and further research, Team B realizes that there are options available to overcome and take advantage of this area of opportunity. To reach the long and short-term goals of Riordan, a differentiation focus is the most beneficial competitive strategy to manage threats, trends, and opportunities. The differentiation focus will make sure to dial in on specific endeavors on total quality improvement and expediential growth in the markets of the United States and China. The company strengths are a synergistic team and ground-breaking research and development. Riordan also needs to take advantage of the booming health care field and provide plastic products that meet the needs of clients in the health care industry. By focusing on the improvement of quality with Six Sigma, and surpassing ISO 9000 expectations Riordan can remain the industry leader in manufacturing of plastic products and obtain new clients. Using this proposal will allow Riordan to reach their goal of achieving the $10...
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...Riordan HR Request Service Request SR-rm-022 Janet Chase BSA 375 February 11, 2013 Karen Knox Riordan Manufacturing Service Request SR-rm-022 Hugh McCauley, Riordan’s Chief Operating Officer, submitted Service Request SR-rm-022. In his request, he specifies a need to centralize the company’s human resources functions. With the “more sophisticated, state-of-the art, information systems” (Apollo Group, 2013, p. 1), Riordan desires an integration of all human resources tools into one platform. Completion date is set for six months allowing the new system to be in place by the beginning of the second quarter. The scope of this project will follow the System Classic Life Cycle (SCLC) Model. This model allows Riordan to complete this project in stages with the results of one stage aiding the completion of the next stage. High-level Scope: Deliverables (Mochal, 2007) The outcome of this project will integrate the human resources systems into one application. An analysis of this system will define the business requirements for the new system. Based on that definition a team will create a detailed system design and a project implementation plan to be put in place. High-level Scope: Boundaries This project will affect the human resources department of all Riordan plant locations. All other departments are out of scope. Low-level Scope: Process In an effort to fulfill the request in the short amount of time given, an analysis of the current system and needs for the...
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...Supply Chain Strategy, Riordan Industries All over the world; supply chain is upgrading or adapting to new technology that encompasses companies. This paper explains the Supply Chain Management strategy to the new hires in Hangzhou, China. Supply chain management theory can help Riordan Manufacturing as to how each function in the supply chain connects to meet efficiency. By using a competitive strategy Riordan Manufacturing plans to “go green”. Riordan’s mission relating to customer fulfillment is “strive to be a solution provider for our customers and not be a part of our customer’s challenges” (Apollo Group Inc., (2005, 2006, and 2012)). As a new hire use process thinging to look for how to improve business practices within Riordan Manufacturing, and to enhance, or improve, the way tasks are done. Supply Chain Management Theory Riordan Industries supply chain management theory starts from the top and flows down to each employee working for the company. Supply chain theory has garnered recognition as an important “integration to increased value across the whole of the supply chain” (Janvier & Assey, 2012). As an employee the company values the employees input on every level. Riordan believes that in today’s global market each firm is linked in a networked supply chain. Hangzhou China is Riordan’s first offshore venture. Adapting supply chain technology and strategic planning on a global scale will test each employee’s willingness to learn new processes in supply...
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...Competitive Advantages Paper Christopher Crehan, Sarah Franzen, Nicole Hadad, Kimberly Scott, and Leeza Steindorf MGT/ 498 April 26, 2014 Cheryl Boehm Competitive Advantages Paper Among large corporations there are many similar competitive advantages and they often share the same thought process on which competitive strategies will best result in long-term organizational performance. With that being said, this paper will discuss Riordan’s competitive advantages in association to some other major corporations, the competitive strategies that may help to increase the innovation and sustainability of their operations, how these strategies will affect the long-term performance of the business, and what global consideration should be taken into account for their business strategy. Coca Cola, Starbucks and Riordian have a number of competitive advantages in common, with the most significant as market leaders, having a strong brand, having a focus on corporate climate, and focusing on a product or product group. Other areas of strengths are being leaders in their field: Coca Cola as a giant in the beverage industry, Starbucks masters the art of producing, brewing, and serving high quality coffee in an upscale environment, and Riordian dominates in the plastics industry by using plastic injection molding for their containers, producing medical equipment parts, and the various fans and parts they produce. Another competitive advantage that these companies possess is diversification...
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...Riordan Manufacturing Service Request Team B BSA/310 Steve Johnson February 21, 2012 Riordan Manufacturing Service Request Introduction The Riordan Manufacturing Company is an industry leader in plastics manufacturing and has earned international acclaim for its state-of-the-art plastic designs since 1991. Riordan Manufacturing is a company owned by Riordan Industries. “Riordan Manufacturing currently employs 550 people, and has manufacturing plants in Albany, Georgia, Pontiac, Michigan, and Hangzhou, China, and Corporate Headquarters in San Jose, California” (Apollo Group, Inc., 2006). They have taken the lead for the past 20 years in their design of products such as plastic bottles, fans, heart valves, and medical stents. As the company has expanded over the past few years, their business systems have expanded as well. This review analysis will identify existing system and subsystems for Riordan Manufacturing, Inc., and provide recommended system solution software, hardware and applications to improve current business processes and standards. Home Page Optimization In view of Riordin’s electronic information presence, the Web site Home page displays a meaningless banner that lends the company to twentieth-century technology. It provides no Web market presence. Optimization of the Riordin Web site Home page needs to be the focal point of their business system and sub-system upgrade. Now, companies have realized that database...
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