HRM 592
Professor: Eileen Domerchie
Cherie L. Hayes
July 19, 2015
The purpose for a needs assessment is to determine the gaps between current conditions and desired conditions. A needs assessment is a critical part of the planning process which provides individuals with the opportunity for improvement, education, and training. In order to gather the information required to improve employees’ performance, an analysis of the work environment is a key aspect to creating better conditions. The company that is being assessed is Verizon and efforts by the company to maximize efficiency are under evaluation. The desired outcome of a needs assessment is to develop a business strategy that integrates the company’s actions, goals, and policies. The ability to have a functional organization with employees operating at their maximum potential requires new technologies for training delivery and the impact of these cutting-edge practices. A high-performance work system within a company is crucial and needs development strategies to achieve success among multiple departments. The first level of analysis implemented in the Verizon workplace was individual which involves the study of learning, perception, creativity, motivation, personality, turnover, task performance, cooperative behavior, deviant behavior, ethics and cognition. “At this level of analysis, organizational behavior draws heavily upon psychology, engineering, and medicine,” (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_three_levels_of_analysis_in_your_organizational_behavior_model). Verizon is constantly reinventing their networks around mobility, broadband and global connectivity to create a platform for long-term growth. The office of Verizon contains a variety of departments that exist to maintain an operational organization which includes a sales team, customer service, installers, and upper management. The individual employees in each department all have their own responsibilities and daily goals which need to be met in order to produce desired profitability for the company. A new hire brought into the company is assigned to their particular department and given proper training that pertains specifically to their job duties. A broad overview of the company objective is provided to every employee but knowledge of different employees tasks remains as information that is only disclosed to those responsible for completing them. An observation of the workplace revealed that departments and teams feel comfortable sharing information but only to an extent that is deemed necessary. The productivity of employees was strong because of the equipment available for utilization and the capability to complete a job is likely because of the resources available to team members. The second level of analysis performed was task which provides data about a group of jobs and the knowledge, skills, attitudes and abilities needed to achieve optimum performance. “At this level of analysis, organizational behavior draws upon the sociological and socio-psychological sciences,” (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_three_levels_of_analysis_in_your_organizational_behavior_model). Verizon places a great deal of importance on employees’ profiles and performances by offering awards to those that go beyond their mission objectives. The collective goal of Verizon is to be the most respected brand in communications by making and keeping promises to their customers, communities, shareholders, and employees. The job description of employees varies by department because of the different activities performed by staff. Verizon assigns specific tasks for each job including knowledge, skills, attitudes and abilities required of incumbents. A majority of employees are capable of meeting performance standards but lack information about other departments within their facility. An observation of the work environment revealed that expressing opinions at work is risky because of the fear of repercussions. Operation problems in the company lead to wasted time and a poor quality of control. The final level of analysis was organization which looks at the effectiveness of the organization and determines the training that is needed and the conditions they will need to be conducted under to achieve work development. “At this level of analysis, organizational behavior draws upon anthropology and political science,” (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_three_levels_of_analysis_in_your_organizational_behavior_model). Verizon aims to benefit society and create new business opportunities by using technology to transform education, energy management, and health care. Political trends such as sexual harassment and workplace violence are addressed by the company upon hire along with maintaining a zero tolerance policy. Senior managers frequently interact with employees and engage in open conversations but only to a certain extent. The company sets clear objectives and milestones that are both realistic and challenging for employees. A struggle that faces Verizon is reaching sales quotas which can be improved by top management support and a strategic plan. The coordination of work projects would assist in overall performance and encourage team spirit. The majority of the Verizon workforce has a clear sense of direction and priority.
References
Training Needs Assessment Survey from HR-Survey.com. (n.d.). http://www.hr-survey.com/TrainingNeeds.htm Retrieved July 19, 2015. http://www.crenyc.org/_blog/News_and_Views/post/Why_do_a_Needs_Assessment/
References: Training Needs Assessment Survey from HR-Survey.com. (n.d.). http://www.hr-survey.com/TrainingNeeds.htm Retrieved July 19, 2015. http://www.crenyc.org/_blog/News_and_Views/post/Why_do_a_Needs_Assessment/