...Vitality health enterprises was formed by kikuchi when his wife complained tat she cudnt find the kind of cosmetics she wanted whn she was in japan. Vision : outer beauty can only be achieved as inner harmony is reached. So they brought in the Herbalpure nutraceuticals which included health, wellness and beauty products. They expanded their consumer target. In mid 2008, global economic crisis hit, which brought vilitiy’s growth to stagnation. So kikuchi decided to bring in fresh executive suite. So he brough Williams. Points to be noted: - There was a poor earnings in 2009. Exhibit 1a and 1b shows. So the PMS had to review the policies and track the perf goals of all non sales n non executive employees in the entire company. - PMS had to hold employees accountable for their actions n incentive strong employee performance by offering thoughtfully designed compensation packages, including salaries, bonuses n equity opportunities in the form of options. - The PMET studied evaluation n rewards system. Employed internal n external bench-marking, focus groups n employee interviews. PROBLEMS that PMET discovered: - There was problems for 2500 professional staff approx. Which consisted of mostly scientists n engineers in R&D labs. - 113 different rating levels (from A to E including pluses and minuses) - Managers were worried about offending employees so they gave almost everyone a C or a B, provided few D or A ratings n rarely gave Es/ this resulted in homogeneous ratings...
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...POLYTECHNIC OF NAMIBIA HAROLD PUPKEWITZ GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS Performance Management at Vitality Health Enterprises, Inc Case Report By Leonardo Imerne Strategic Human Resources Management (SHM910M) Date: 21 June 2014 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report will focus on the performance management at Vitality Health Enterprises, Inc, which is a cosmetics and beauty products oriented business. The business started off well with a fast expansion approach. As the company grows, performance management of its staff was necessary to reward top performers as a motivation factor, and also to identify poor performers so they could be trained further or relieved from their positions. The report will therefore highlight the problems associated with performance management and rewards appraisals at Vitality Health Enterprises Inc, such as failure to reward top performers accordingly, identify worst performers, and recommends solutions thereof. STATEMENT OF KEY PROBLEMS OR ISSUES Vitality Health Enterprises Inc was founded in 1987 in Ames, Iowa by an Fred Kikuchi who identified a market niche of health, wellness and beauty products in the Ames where he resided after he left Japan. The company at the beginning of its operations relied on importing re-branded beauty products from Japan until it established its manufacturing plant in the United States of America. As planned, the company grew rapidly and later acquired Herba Nutraceuticals to increase its market share and profitability...
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...Harvard Business Review Case study Analysis BY John Raphael Marty Vitality Health A better Corporate Performance Management System to Retain Top Talent Vitality Health Vitality Health Introduction Issues Beth Williams stepped in to fill the shoes of Fred Kikuchi in 2009 as the new CEO. Her primary stated purpose was to “find a better way to identify and reward top performers in order to keep ‘A’ players in their positions and accelerate company growth by attracting new top talent.” To do this, Beth created a new performance management team (PMET) to study the existing rewards & compensation, and uncover changes that needed to be made. With over 50% of the staff in Des Moines consisting of scientists and engineers, and a total R&D budget nearing 30% of total gross revenue in 2009; Vitality’s growth depended heavily on continued human resources for R&D, especially due to Vitality’s focus on emerging markets and the volatility that comes along with such growth. Beth’s prompt delivery of a new performance management system only eight weeks after discovering problems likely delighted Vitality’s board as well as some staff, but her no-nonsense approach must have also been a shock internally as she was “a notable contrast from Kikuchi’s more conciliatory management style.” The email sent to management to simply review the online guidebook of the new performance management system hardly created “buy-in” within the organization, that was...
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...Performance Management at Vitality Health Enterprises, Inc. The Health and Vitality of Vitality Health Enterprises James Hoffman, the newly appointed vice president of Human Resources of Vitality Health Enterprises, was pleased when he saw an early preview of the earnings figures for the fourth quarter of 2011. But he knew better than to relax. Competition in the personal care products sector was cutthroat, and complacency was a recipe for obsolescence and loss of market share, particularly in cosmetics and nutraceuticals. Vitality was riding high on a six-quarter string of strong revenue growth that had surpassed analyst expectations. However, as emerging markets represented a growing portion of business revenues, the company was becoming increasingly exposed to volatility and uncertainty and, without prompt corrective action, would soon be poised to trip over its own feet. The cost of research and development continued to climb, and Hoffman feared that the chain of success was allowing employees to relax, leading to a culture of ineffective performance management. There were even whispers of discontent from the marketing team about a growing number of missed product launches. Hoffman knew that Vitality had recently struggled to maintain its position as an industry leader in innovation and he worried about the slow but notable increases in employee turnover, especially among the highly talented research scientists. Without their expertise, Vitality couldn’t remain vibrant...
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...Third Case Question 1. Vitality’s old Performance Management System presented some problems that were affecting some of its most talented employees. The analysis of those problems as well as the identification of their root causes will allow us to make a reflection about the company’s previous Performance Management System in the following paragraphs. Firstly, the old system was prone to central tendency error. It had 13 rating levels and lacked a described evaluation criteria. As one can understand, if the rating scale is large and the different levels are not sufficiently explained, the evaluators will be more likely to evaluate less accurately. In the case, one can read that managers gave almost to everyone a B or a C, provided few A or D ratings. This is a problem because it shows that the managers do not take the performance and evaluation system as a serious and fundamental tool, which consequently affects employees who are not able to receive valuable feedback on their performance. In our opinion this problem has two main root causes. The first one is that managers do not want to upset employees and the sense of teamwork and egalitarianism, so they give medium ratings to everyone. They might believe that a medium grading does not affect neither positively nor negatively employees’ performance. We believe that the other cause could be the lack of clarity in the rating levels description. The fact that the grading system is not clear for managers hampers a precise...
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...Arck Systems Case Study Introduction This paper will discuss how an optimal sales system should be implemented by Arck Systems through analyzing the changes incorporated by Bryan Mynor for the recently acquired Lux Software’s sales force’s compensation plan. We will begin with an overview of the major issues Arck Systems faced when assessing how the company should modify the plan. An examination of Arck Systems and Lux Software Inc.’s current compensation plans as well as the benefits and disadvantages of making changes to those compensation plans will then be introduced. Next, our recommendation for Arck Systems to create one unified compensation plan for both sales forces will be discussed, stressing the importance of a meticulous implementation of well-defined multiple customer value source plan into Arck Systems’ business strategy. Finally, we will conclude the paper by briefly reiterating the key details of the case, our analysis and recommendation. Background: Arck Systems and Lux Software Inc.’s Compensation Plans Arck Systems acquired Lux Software Inc., who enjoyed faster growth and higher margins, in an effort to grow market share through the expected synergies the two companies would experience once completely integrated. The acquisition resulted in Lux’s EVP of Sales, Chris Snyder, leaving the company. Snyder also recruited most of his sales management team with him leaving only Lux’s key salespeople. Bryan Mynor, EVP of Worldwide...
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...1. SYNOPSIS John Compton, The president of the company, at the executive staff meeting explained that we are no longer competitive in the marketplace because they have no project management methodology. Most of the Requests for Proposal (RFP) need the companies identify their project management methodology which they will use on the contract. They have just a few templates they use based upon the PMBOK®Guide. The executive staff did not like to develop a methodology and made some excuses for him not to develop a methodology because they are afraid to lose their power and authority once the methodology is up and running. Last year, a consultant was brought to describe the benefits of project management and the value of an enterprise project management methodology (EPM). The consultant explained that the time needed to develop and implement an EPM system can be shortened if the company has a project management office (PMO) in place to take the lead role. In that session, the executive staff became reluctant to visibly support project management since they understood executive gets control of the PMO may become more powerful than other executives. A PMO was formed reporting to the chief information officer. The PMO was comprised of a handful of experienced project managers that could hopefully take the lead in the development of a methodology. The PMO concluded that there were five steps that had to be done initially. After the five steps were done, the executive committee would...
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...A) The name of the company is Apple. The reasons of choosing this company to explore its experience using the concepts of International Business are as follow: Global pattern of trade * Apple is the global company in the retail industry. 43,000 of Apple employees in the United States to work in the 30,000 Apple stores. Apple retail store employees to do more than the average wage of employees, and provides money for universities, as well as a gym membership, 401K plans, health care plans, product discounts and lower prices for the purchase of shares. * Apple has 453 retail stores (such as in March 2015) in 16 countries and 39 countries in the online store. Each store is designed to meet the requirements of the position and the regulatory authorities. Apple has received numerous architectural awards for its store design, especially its location on Fifth Avenue in midtown Manhattan on. Competitive advantage * Before the company advertised its products are being made, the late 90s of the last century the United States; however, as a result of the outsourcing plan in 2000, almost all of the manufacturing process is now abroad. According to a report the New York Times, Apple insiders "that huge overseas factories, as well as flexible, diligent and industrial skills of foreign workers have to make more than their American counterparts that" Made in USA "is no longer a viable Alternatively, for most Apple products. " * The company's production, procurement and logistics...
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...State versus Private Ownership Andrei Shleifer Department of Economics Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts. Abstract Private ownership should generally be preferred to public ownership when the incentives to innovate and to contain costs must be strong. In essence, this is the case for capitalism over socialism, explaining the "dynamic vitality" of free enterprise. The great economists of the 1930s and 1940s failed to see the dangers of socialism in part because they focused on the role of prices under socialism and capitalism, and ignored the enormous importance of ownership as the source of capitalist incentives to innovate. Moreover, many of the concerns that private firms fail to address “social goals” can be addressed through government contracting and regulation, without resort to government ownership. The case for private provision only becomes stronger when competition between suppliers, reputational mechanisms, the possibility of provision by private not-for-profit firms, as well as political patronage and corruption, are brought into play. 1 What kinds of goods and services should be provided by government employees as opposed to private firms? Should government workers make steel and cars in government-owned factories? Should teachers and doctors be publicly employed or should they work for private schools and practices? Should garbage be picked up by civil servants or employees of private garbage haulers? Should the whole economy be "socialized"? Although...
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...Healthy Communities Cross-sector partnerships are sparking widespread action to improve community health COATESVILLE , PA SEATTLE, WA Access to healthy foods Access to preventative care and healthy housing LOS ANGELES , CA Quality early child care and education CHICAGO, IL Data and evidence to build health into all policies and practices MIAMI , FL Opportunities for physical activity and healthy living health community development • community development finance • community planning • early child care/education • human services • housing Introduction “ Building a healthier America is feasible in years, not decades, if we collaborate and act on what is making a difference.” —Robert Wood Johnson Foundation In 2008, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation convened a commission of nonpartisan leaders to identify opportunities to improve the health of all Americans by creating environments that protect and actively promote health. Their report, Beyond Health Care: New Directions to a Healthier America, included 10 recommendations for improving the health of our communities, several of which focused specifically on the health of children. Because of the large role that social and economic factors play in shaping the health of communities, the Commission issued a call for collaboration that emphasized the need for leaders from all sectors— not just health...
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...1. Introduction HSBC is one of the famous banks around the world. Its high efficiency work and accountability award great reputation among public. Its mission includes five words: leading, delivering, achieving, building and creating. Human recourse department is a crucial role in the amazing mechanism. In general, training refers to a planned effort by a company to facilitate the learning of job-related knowledge, skill, or behavior by employees. From company’s perspective, training is strategic for business goals related to human resources as well as productivity, costumer service, and motivation. The following case study spends time on talking about special training programs in HSBC, particularly on in-house training and external training. 2. Objectives of Training Plan in HSBC 1. Training plan should be relevant and focus on a specific task. 2. The training plan should match with the standardization measurement in the job performances. 3. Maintain the training objectives always follow the business objectives. 3. Importance of Training Training is the one of the most important activities in human resource. It is essential to put the right worker ant the right place with the trained employees in today’s global market. As human resource is the blood of all the organizations, only well-trained employees can an organization really achieve its goals. Nowadays, training has played a significant role on maintaining and improving interpersonal and intergroup...
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...1. Type of business, which form do you recommend and why? The most recommended and simplest form of business is a sole proprietorship. An individual proprietor owns and manages the business and is responsible for all transactions. The owner is also responsible for all debts and liabilities. A sole proprietor can own the business for any duration of time and sell it when he or she sees fit. As owner, a sole proprietor can even pass a business to heirs. In this type of business, there are no specific business taxes paid by the company. The owner pays taxes on income from the business as part of personal income tax payments. Sole proprietors need to comply with licensing requirements in the states in which they're doing business, as well as local regulations and zoning ordinances. The paperwork and formalities, however, are substantially less than those of corporations, allowing sole proprietors to open a business quickly and with relative ease from a bureaucratic standpoint. It can also be less costly to start a business as a sole proprietor, which is attractive to many new business owners who often find it difficult to attract investors. Advantages of a Sole Proprietorship • Sale or transfer can take place at the discretion of the sole proprietor. • No corporate tax payments. • Minimal legal costs to forming a sole proprietorship. • Few formal business requirements. • Easy and inexpensive to form: A sole proprietorship is the simplest and least expensive business structure...
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...industry in Bangladesh: A case study of Shell By Delwar 2014 Dissertation submitted to Anglia Ruskin University in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Masters Programme Abstract The research issue is that multinational organisations in the petroleum industry such as Shell and British Petroleum are being pressurised by their stakeholders to take responsibility for their business activities. In view of stakeholder pressure, companies have developed and implemented CSR policies and practices. However, the effectiveness of these CSR policies and practices is questionable as the effects of companies activities have negatively impacted the lives of their stakeholders and continue to do so (Amao, 2013). There is extensive research being carried out on understanding the effectiveness of multinationals CSR practices as there exists a wide gap between what companies are saying and what they are actually doing. Practising CSR makes companies responsible for looking after the needs of their stakeholders, makes companies take steps to protect the environment, improve people's livelihoods, motivates employees and increases organisations' effectiveness and efficiency. Multinational state they are practising CSR. Yet their activities have caused much harm to stakeholders. Shell's activities in Nigeria have caused severe health risk to families’ drinking water containing high levels of carcinogens (BBC, 2011). This study is important as it is seeking...
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...1. Introduction A paradigm shift currently indicates the global challenges that industries are facing and more companies are pressured to embrace sustainability as business conditions change. However, only recently corporations started integrating sustainability as the part of their business strategy as they came to recognize that it is an essential part in growing and establishing themselves as the leader in the competing environment. A well-executed sustainability strategy can enhance the company’s value and reinforce competitive advantage in the market while protecting the capital base. The balance of power has shifted between corporations and it is important to balance economic prosperity along with environmental and social dimensions. Sustainable business strategy represents a marked shift in traditional business practices and companies who do not adapt to the changes in these practices in order to achieve sustainable profitability will be more likely to face the brand value decline or even extinction in the future. For instance, the change represents the need to understand how all three dimensions affect each other and companies ought to consciously create new consumer preferences. However, a lot of companies still are missing guidelines to implementing a marketing strategy of sustainability as an essential part, which is at the core of ensuring organizational, social, economic and environment growth while managing overconsumption issues (White, 2011). Current researches...
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...ResearchersWorld -Journal of Arts, Science & Commerce ■ E-ISSN 2229-4686 ■ ISSN 2231-4172 SIGNIFICANCE OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN ORGANIZATIONS: LINKING GLOBAL PRACTICES WITH LOCAL PERSPECTIVE Akbar Ali, Faculty of Management Information System National University of Sciences & Technology, Pakistan ABSTRACT Present study aims to link the global HRM in local context. HRM deals with the responsibilities, functions, behaviors and importance of employee. Hence the significance of HRM in organization is marvel. Previously not much attention had been given to manage employee in an organized manner, but with the passage of time need were felt to shift to formalization. The level of HRM practices do not show the formalized structure, therefore it is found mandatory to focus our country so that a step towards the identification and filling of gaps is initiated. HRM role is supposed to be very inclined towards humanitarian factors. In Pakistan the issue of traditional management is required to be addressed to transform it to HRM conceptualization in true letter and spirit. In Pakistan context this article is being written with the confidence that it will help managers to link the global HRM practices in local context in their organizations. Keywords: HRM, Organisation Pakistan. International Refereed Research Journal ■ www.researchersworld.com ■ Vol.–IV, Issue–1, January 2013 [78] ResearchersWorld INTRODUCTION: -Journal of Arts, Science & Commerce ■ E-ISSN...
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