Work Related Project Analysis Paper
Work - Related Project Analysis
Description of the Organization
Edible Arrangement is an organization, which exclusively imports fresh fruit and creates beautiful fruit arrangements that are created by the personnel that work for the organization. Products include elaborate and beautiful, handcrafted arrangements, which can be quite expensive. Considering that the freshest fruit bouquets, arrangements, and chocolate covered fruit are the main selling points, the organization can be viewed as part of the retail gift market. With that being said, it is also true that there are some customers who buy the products for themselves. The organization’s head-quarters is situated in East Haven, Connecticut, with the first franchise located in Waltham …show more content…
Massachusetts, whereas its franchises are in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom.
Tariq Farid , the founder and CEO and Kamran Farid, COO of Edible Arrangements, is a management major who has both in-depth knowledge as well as extensive experience in the fruit bouquet and arrangement production industry. The organization’s management team is made up of William Stern (Marketing and Public relations) and Keith Tandler (Finance). Currently the organization is using the TPS, CRM, and ERP systems to execute the majority of its business processes and ensures customer retention rates of 80%.
The Problem
The fact that the products are completely handcrafted gives the organization a competitive advantage over its rivals. Lack of similar products in the domestic market meant that the organization’s products became a unique option to customers. As the organization continued to grow and diversify though, the need to improve efficiency and cut down costs also increased. With tremendous scope to gain entry into new product markets across the country, the company looked to expand its business. The problem that the organization faced though is that it lacked a management plan and adequately trained sales people to embark on such a mission. Another problem would be that implementing the new system would minimize labor hours because the reorder system eliminates the need for employees from having to count inventory levels at the end of the day and have to call for supplier’s orders. Communication channels are not clear, and the flow of information is interrupted.
Benefits of having a Management Plan
The benefits that the organization could receive on successful completion of the plan include: * Gain an understanding of markets and the organization’s prospects * Address different aspects of products and services * Evaluate competition and set long term goals * Guide to management activities * Bring focus, direction, and clarity to organizational activities * Keep track of the costs * Define image, pricing, promotion, and sales strategies * Structure development, production, an delivery methods
Project Mission * This system will satisfy customers by being able to visually see the product, choose specific adjustments, and ship to any desired location.
* The information is already available on the computer, and the employees will better utilize the three infrastructure building blocks, and unite the three into one cohesive system for improving performance. * The system will be controlled using target inventory levels that should be maintained. When the inventory runs below the target inventory level, the system creates a notification and puts it in the invoice for the supplier. After implementing the system, manual labor hours will decrease 75% from the total weekly hours 14, to 3.5 hours counting inventory. * To realize international levels of excellence in product and service sales with emphasis on customer delight and cost cuts. * To build unshakeable corporate identity as well as brand equity by establishing high standards for business ethics and TQM. * To optimize revenue, value, as well as satisfaction for the concerned stakeholders. * To gain leadership in developing and adopting state-of-the-art technology and put it to attain competitive …show more content…
advantage. * To build a culture of innovation, growth and teamwork wherein every sales person can apply their skills and capabilities to the fullest. * To create an SDLC System that all franchises will use in their day-to-day operations, including order processing, training manuals, production, and cost-effectiveness tracking, and supply chain management. * To provide more franchise opportunities to interested clients that live in areas that need a new franchised business. * To be able to provide more jobs, which help the economy by having enough personnel that are, trained to use different computer systems.
Project Chart
Project Goals * To set up a three-day training session for prospective franchise buyers brought-in from various parts of the country * Provide comprehensive inputs about the environment that the sales people are going to work under * To familiarize sales people with not only the organization’s products and services, but also industry-specific sales techniques and the target markets they are going to work in * To train employees on the new computer system for placing orders, tracking orders, and receiving payment. * Achieve sales of $1.5 million for the first year * Setup direct mail catalogs in the second year
* Maintain a 20% gross margin and growth rate
Preparation * A project manager will be picked by the top management
* An itemized budget for the project will be created
* An execution checklist will be created to serve as a step-by-step guide for organizing the training session
* A working committee with representation from top management will be assembled for organizing the training
* The working committee will report to the project manager and organize all activities of the training session
* Measurable training objectives including attendance and exit test performance will be identified * Handouts containing comprehensive information not only about target markets, but also about products and services of the organization will be prepared * Top-performing sales personnel from the organization and externally-hired professional trainers will form the faculty for the two-day training session * Topics for the training session and methods through which the training will be imparted, will be carefully selected * The content of pre- and exit tests along with the evaluation criterion will be prepared * The new reorder point system will be able to ensure the quality, freshness, and timeliness in a timely manner.
Logistics
* A comprehensive plan will be created to consolidate the logistics tasks * A recreation center in Wallingford, with a training room capacity of 350 people will be rented for 2 days * Tables, chairs, tents, signage, stationery, and cleanup will be provided through a local event management group * Flight tickets for the sales people coming in from all corners of the country will be booked in advance to avoid high costs of last minute bookings * Contacts from public services, including the police and fire departments will be secured as part of the emergency plan
Presenter Issues
* Understanding the specific needs of the prospective sales people attending the training
* Determining the optimal preparation strategy
* Selecting the right content for the training and ensuring that it is in agreement with what the training set out to achieve
* Selecting the right visuals for the training to make it interesting
* Getting the participants to believe that the training will help them and having them participate with enthusiasm
Participant Issues * Maintaining attentiveness across hectic schedules and information overload.
* Understanding their training needs and knowledge gaps.
* Approaching faculty with their questions and having them clarified amidst other participants.
* Unable to relate to the relevancy of the training content and how it can help them become better sales people.
* Having the employees train and use the new computer system, learning how to order, and being able to process the orders through the reorder point system.
Accommodation * Accommodation for the 350 sales people, faculty, and organizers will be provided at the Fairfield Inn West Haven, Connecticut. * Taxis will be arranged for transporting sales people and faculty members between the hotel accommodation and the training center. * Shuttle provided from hotel to Bradley Airport, Wallingford Connecticut
References
Barnes, N. (2012, August 27). The Edible Arrangements Story. Retrieved from http://wallingfordpatch.com
Satzinger, J. W., Jackson, R. B., & Burd, S. D. (2009). Systems analysis and design in a changing world (5th ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix ebook Collection database.
Hardy, D., Rohn, J., & Waitley, D. (2012, May). Success. Edible Arrangements’ Tariq Farid. Retrieved from http://www.success.com
http://wallingfordpatch.com
Edible Arrangements Adds New National Creative Agency to Advertising Mix. (2012, January). Retrieved from http://www.prnewswire.com
Description of the Organization
Edible Arrangement is an organization, which exclusively imports fresh fruit and creates beautiful fruit arrangements that are created by the personnel that work for the organization. Products include elaborate and beautiful, handcrafted arrangements, which can be quite expensive. Considering that the freshest fruit bouquets, arrangements, and chocolate covered fruit are the main selling points, the organization can be viewed as part of the retail gift market. With that being said, it is also true that there are some customers who buy the products for themselves. The organization’s head-quarters is situated in East Haven, Connecticut, with the first franchise located in Waltham …show more content…
Massachusetts, whereas its franchises are in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom.
Tariq Farid , the founder and CEO and Kamran Farid, COO of Edible Arrangements, is a management major who has both in-depth knowledge as well as extensive experience in the fruit bouquet and arrangement production industry. The organization’s management team is made up of William Stern (Marketing and Public relations) and Keith Tandler (Finance). Currently the organization is using the TPS, CRM, and ERP systems to execute the majority of its business processes and ensures customer retention rates of 80%.
The Problem
The fact that the products are completely handcrafted gives the organization a competitive advantage over its rivals. Lack of similar products in the domestic market meant that the organization’s products became a unique option to customers. As the organization continued to grow and diversify though, the need to improve efficiency and cut down costs also increased. With tremendous scope to gain entry into new product markets across the country, the company looked to expand its business. The problem that the organization faced though is that it lacked a management plan and adequately trained sales people to embark on such a mission. Another problem would be that implementing the new system would minimize labor hours because the reorder system eliminates the need for employees from having to count inventory levels at the end of the day and have to call for supplier’s orders. Communication channels are not clear, and the flow of information is interrupted.
Benefits of having a Management Plan
The benefits that the organization could receive on successful completion of the plan include: * Gain an understanding of markets and the organization’s prospects * Address different aspects of products and services * Evaluate competition and set long term goals * Guide to management activities * Bring focus, direction, and clarity to organizational activities * Keep track of the costs * Define image, pricing, promotion, and sales strategies * Structure development, production, an delivery methods
Project Mission * This system will satisfy customers by being able to visually see the product, choose specific adjustments, and ship to any desired location.
* The information is already available on the computer, and the employees will better utilize the three infrastructure building blocks, and unite the three into one cohesive system for improving performance. * The system will be controlled using target inventory levels that should be maintained. When the inventory runs below the target inventory level, the system creates a notification and puts it in the invoice for the supplier. After implementing the system, manual labor hours will decrease 75% from the total weekly hours 14, to 3.5 hours counting inventory. * To realize international levels of excellence in product and service sales with emphasis on customer delight and cost cuts. * To build unshakeable corporate identity as well as brand equity by establishing high standards for business ethics and TQM. * To optimize revenue, value, as well as satisfaction for the concerned stakeholders. * To gain leadership in developing and adopting state-of-the-art technology and put it to attain competitive …show more content…
advantage. * To build a culture of innovation, growth and teamwork wherein every sales person can apply their skills and capabilities to the fullest. * To create an SDLC System that all franchises will use in their day-to-day operations, including order processing, training manuals, production, and cost-effectiveness tracking, and supply chain management. * To provide more franchise opportunities to interested clients that live in areas that need a new franchised business. * To be able to provide more jobs, which help the economy by having enough personnel that are, trained to use different computer systems.
Project Chart
Project Goals * To set up a three-day training session for prospective franchise buyers brought-in from various parts of the country * Provide comprehensive inputs about the environment that the sales people are going to work under * To familiarize sales people with not only the organization’s products and services, but also industry-specific sales techniques and the target markets they are going to work in * To train employees on the new computer system for placing orders, tracking orders, and receiving payment. * Achieve sales of $1.5 million for the first year * Setup direct mail catalogs in the second year
* Maintain a 20% gross margin and growth rate
Preparation * A project manager will be picked by the top management
* An itemized budget for the project will be created
* An execution checklist will be created to serve as a step-by-step guide for organizing the training session
* A working committee with representation from top management will be assembled for organizing the training
* The working committee will report to the project manager and organize all activities of the training session
* Measurable training objectives including attendance and exit test performance will be identified * Handouts containing comprehensive information not only about target markets, but also about products and services of the organization will be prepared * Top-performing sales personnel from the organization and externally-hired professional trainers will form the faculty for the two-day training session * Topics for the training session and methods through which the training will be imparted, will be carefully selected * The content of pre- and exit tests along with the evaluation criterion will be prepared * The new reorder point system will be able to ensure the quality, freshness, and timeliness in a timely manner.
Logistics
* A comprehensive plan will be created to consolidate the logistics tasks * A recreation center in Wallingford, with a training room capacity of 350 people will be rented for 2 days * Tables, chairs, tents, signage, stationery, and cleanup will be provided through a local event management group * Flight tickets for the sales people coming in from all corners of the country will be booked in advance to avoid high costs of last minute bookings * Contacts from public services, including the police and fire departments will be secured as part of the emergency plan
Presenter Issues
* Understanding the specific needs of the prospective sales people attending the training
* Determining the optimal preparation strategy
* Selecting the right content for the training and ensuring that it is in agreement with what the training set out to achieve
* Selecting the right visuals for the training to make it interesting
* Getting the participants to believe that the training will help them and having them participate with enthusiasm
Participant Issues * Maintaining attentiveness across hectic schedules and information overload.
* Understanding their training needs and knowledge gaps.
* Approaching faculty with their questions and having them clarified amidst other participants.
* Unable to relate to the relevancy of the training content and how it can help them become better sales people.
* Having the employees train and use the new computer system, learning how to order, and being able to process the orders through the reorder point system.
Accommodation * Accommodation for the 350 sales people, faculty, and organizers will be provided at the Fairfield Inn West Haven, Connecticut. * Taxis will be arranged for transporting sales people and faculty members between the hotel accommodation and the training center. * Shuttle provided from hotel to Bradley Airport, Wallingford Connecticut
References
Barnes, N. (2012, August 27). The Edible Arrangements Story. Retrieved from http://wallingfordpatch.com
Satzinger, J. W., Jackson, R. B., & Burd, S. D. (2009). Systems analysis and design in a changing world (5th ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix ebook Collection database.
Hardy, D., Rohn, J., & Waitley, D. (2012, May). Success. Edible Arrangements’ Tariq Farid. Retrieved from http://www.success.com
http://wallingfordpatch.com
Edible Arrangements Adds New National Creative Agency to Advertising Mix. (2012, January). Retrieved from http://www.prnewswire.com