The concept of Operations management has been considered as a field or a process which is chiefly concerned with the planning, supervising and organizing in the contexts of production, manufacturing or also providing the best set of services. Moreover the concept is delivery-focused and ensures a successful conversion of the inputs to outputs of a business organization that to in an efficient manner. Furthermore this activity is also concerned with installation of relevant and efficient management mechanisms and tools for the execution of varied operations and functionalities which comprises of collection of significant data or information, communication of messages internally and externally of the business corporation (Agrawal and Smith, 2015). Enabling the managers in taking quicker and better decisions which provides an increase in the growth chart of the business organization in each and every aspect and this has been considered as the biggest benefit of adaption of this approach. The second concept which has been addressed in this report is operations management which refers to administration of the approaches and the theories which are concerning to the growth and development of efficiency with the highest possible level within the business corporation. Also the process is further involved into conversion of the available resources with the organization i.e. workforce and products and services and that to in an efficient manner which will be enhancing the profitability bar of the business entity. The concept also enables the business corporation in making a balance between the costs or expenses incurred with the revenues for the achieving a higher level of profit (Fogel, 2005). The below analyzed report has been made focus on Craven books which is a comic magazine retailer and seller in Utah City USA and has been operating the business activities from last 40years. Moreover the business corporation has been facing an intense level of competition from some of the book sellers in the region. The further focus has been given on the business process models and the strategic analysis of the above mentioned entity.
Business process models
Business process models are the approaches or the theories which are concerned with an analytical representation of the operations and functionalities of Business Corporations. For the success of business process management (BPM) the concept of business process model plays a significant role and is also critically one of the vital component for the term (Heizer, 2016). Craven books can also make implementation of this approach for mapping out current operations which is done for developing the baseline and also for enhancing and making improvements in the process. Moreover this installation will be proven beneficial for designing and developing the future functionalities which can also involve earlier executed improvements. Business Process Modeling Notation has been considered as one of the most significant approach and can also be taken as a standard mechanism which can be adapted for illustrating the operations by making use of flow charts and diagrams. Business process modeling notation is an approach in the form of graphical presentation which has can be proven beneficial in the modification of the steps for the planned business practices (Krajewski, Ritzman and Malhotra, 2013). The approach has been considered as a key factor to the business process management. Further the process management also provides depicts visually the business operations and the related activities in a detailed sequence and information flow which can be considered as relevant for the completion of the process.
Figure 1 Business Process Model
(Source: Business process Model, 2017)
This approach can be proven beneficial in providing a competitive advantage over the competitors and will also bring necessary and required improvements and developments if adapted by Craven books. A slight change has been observed in the name i.e. Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) and this is due to the standardization processes which has been executed over the mentioned approach in the last few years (Kavanagh, 2006). Business Process Mapping and BMPN both are different concept as BPMN is concerned with the current processes whereas business process mapping can be carried out providing training sessions to the workforce, quality management, standardization and audit compliance.
This approach can be proven beneficial for the business organization in a number of ways which has been mentioned below:
The mechanism’s prime concern is attainment and development of an understanding by taking the help of an easy-to-understand visually represented steps and this is done by targeting the customers and the other stakeholders. Moreover this targeting can also consider the individuals who are being involved in the application of the operations and also will be providing sufficient, relevant and a precise implementation of the mechanism (Willcocks, 2013). The mechanism wills also enabling the stakeholders by providing a standard, common language, which can be segmented in technical or non-technical aspects. Furthermore the next level comprises of the analysis of the business, managers and technical developers, process participants and also some of the external teams are included and consultants. Development and establishment of the connections by bridging the gap between process intention and implementation is done and this can be executed by providing sufficient and relevant information and clarity into the sequence of business operations, this has been considered as the prime concern of this process. As observed the diagrams are proven a better option in comparison to that of the narrative text (Laudon, Laudon and Brabston, 2011). And due to which an easier communication process can also be developed for attainment of objectives of an efficient process which will be ensuring a high-quality outcomes.
The concept can also be termed as a tool which can be considered relevant for auditing the entity and its environment . SWOT is the acronym for strength, weakness, opportunities and threats and analysis of the same is the tool which can be considered as significant if adapted by a business entity for determining the strength and weaknesses, and the upcoming (opportunities and threats which can be faced by the organization. The above mentioned is the analysis in which the management team of makes identification of the internal and the external factors which will be impacting the future growth and development of the business entity. The below mentioned is the SOWT analysis which has been executed for Craven books for identification of the dominating factors:
Strength: These are the internal attributes for a business entity and whose prime concern is to support the business for attaining a successful outcome. The business entity has been executing the business operations from the last 40 years and this has made Craven Books to enjoy a well-established name and loyalty of the customers for the brand and which can be considered as the biggest strength of the firm. This is a factor which will enable the firm to tackle the rivals and the competition provided by them and will also make to remain stable and sustainable in the competitive environment (Schwalbe, 2015). A good and sustainable firm also enjoys a competitive advantage over the rivals. Strength of a business organization can be depicted by some of the significant factors such as marketing expertise, set of the innovative products or services, location of the production units and stores, and all the other aspect which can be proven beneficial for adding the value to the products and services of the firm. Craven books have been planning to extend the markets and business operations to new markets and regions for providing boost to the development and growth of the business operations. The targeted market regions are North America and Mexico. Moreover the business has also planned to establish a digitalized presence for attaining the markets of Europe and this will be done by adaption of some of the contemporary means of promotion such as social media and multi-interface e-commerce.
Weaknesses: The opposite to the strength can be considered as the weakness of the firm. Weaknesses can also be considered as the loop holes which can be proven harmful for the business organization (Alexander, 2013). For determination or identification of the weaknesses of the business organization, a timely evaluation of the organizational structure and culture is essential. This will make the business entity aware about the weaknesses and errors and which will aid the enterprise in the development of the plans and strategies for necessary improvements. Craven Books has decided for establishment of IT system with an expectation for the business entity to get a great time, efforts and savings in various aspects. But a failure has been experienced by the business organization (Ginesys. 2014). The business corporation’s management system have less capability in determination of the best relevant and appropriate systems which are very much useful in various operations, the system also lacks skills of strategic planning.
Opportunities: Taking advantage of the situations or he trends in such a manner that they prove beneficial to the business organization are to be considered as the opportunities (Hill and Hill, 2012). In other terms the concept can be considered as the chances which are required to be taken or accepted by the business entity for attaining gains and positive outcomes from them. These opportunities provide varied range of chances, which enables the business organization to maintain a sustainable position so as to earn competitive advantage over the rivals (Paton et al, 2011). Moreover making developments and establishments in the current operating regions, entrance in the new markets, adaption of the changing trends and latest technology and planning for the strategies for future growth can be considered as some of the significant opportunities which can be proven for the business entity. In case of Craven Books the implementation of the strategies for growth has led the business organization to have a rapid increase in the volume of sales and which has accounted a rise in the profitability of the firm (Brown, Bessant and Lamming, 2013). Furthermore by the implementation of the processing customers’ orders in time and also installation of a digital strategy, which requires being consistent to the business strategy of Craven Books?
Threats: Intensification in the level of the competition which is to be faced by each and every business corporation can be considered as one of the biggest threat. There are other related aspects which can also be proven as threat for an entity such as expenses are incurring more as compared to the revenues, competitor offering similar products that to at lower prices etc. In case of Craven books the business entity has been facing an intense level of competition from some of its rivals which are well known book sellers in the markets (Noyes, 2010), Dreamland comics, forbidden planet and metropolis comics are the three of them. And this has become the main reason for the issues of the business organization. One more issue which has come-up as a threat for the entity is the failure of the digital strategy which was outsourced and due to which the firm lost 90% of its customers and also made the 60% of the employees superfluous and this issues developed miss-alignment between the business strategies and IT strategies.
Open Source Software Comparison Table
The term open source software refers to computer software which can be accessed through its source code made available with its license which is provided by the copyright holder. Moreover this is a mechanism which can be altered by the clients and the users and can also be shared as its design is made publically accessible. Open source software is a tool which is provided with a source code and the system can be monitored, inspected and developed as per the convenience by the system user (Rouse. 2017). One of the key components of the system is the source code, but the same is not visible to most of the system users. But manipulation can be done by the computer programmers in the source code so as to bring a change in the operations of the software, program. If the programmers have a proper access over the system then necessary developments and improvements can be brought in the program (searchenterpriselinux.techtarget. 2017). The changes are the addition of some features or upgrades or also by fixing the parts that mostly are not in a working condition. Open source software has been considered as very much significant and beneficial for the entity but as mentioned in the case study the below presented table consists of the comparison between the Open source software and Retail management solutions which can be adapted by the Craven Books:
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Open Source Software |
Retail Management Solutions |
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· Open source software is a computer operated mechanism or tool, which can be accessed through the code which is made available with its license which is provided by the copyright holder · The mechanism can be inspected, enhanced and altered as per the convenience of the system user as the software is easily accessible with the source code (Bsmgr. 2017). · The only expenses incurred or required while configuring, maintenance and on-going support and this can be considered as one of the biggest benefit of this system. · If system user is having access over the source code ten the tool can be altered or extended as per the convenience. · No new upgrades, or hardware’s are required for running the system as it is a very less resource intensive (Pickett. 2017) · As compared to the proprietary software, open source software is way better at adhering opening standards than is. |
· The prime operation or the functionality which is executed by the help of the retail management solution is enabling the individuals in getting the right book from the shelf at right time. · This management system will be making aware about the prices of the products and also regarding other relevant details which are required by the customers. · This tool also facilitates the business organization while carrying out the advertising and promotional events as the system stores information and data regarding the targeted customers (Krajewski, Ritzman and Malhotra, 2013). · This software is very much efficient in aiding the business executives in different sections as it provides access over the data collected and also and through which they can analyze and share the data which will be aiding the number of business activities such as building and establishing of statistics, plans and strategies for growth and development, and KPIs for users viewable directly. · Details are also made available regarding the current stock which is available at the stores and the warehouses and moreover the identification stock of materials which is required for execution of the business operations smoothly (Nguyen. 2015). This function of the management system will be aiding the retailers in placing purchase orders and which will make the business organization in avoiding surplus, and will be making reduction in wastage. |
The above presented report has been analyzed and executed for discussing the marketing and services management of a Craven Books which is a well-established book seller and retailer in USA (open-source. 2017). The entity has been operating business from a long span of 40 years in the mentioned sector and this is the reason why the business is facing intense level of competition from some of the big names in the sector. The corporation is a well renowned brand name in the comic selling sector and has number of units and stores in the region. With a motive of growth and development the business entity has decided to expand the business activities and operations to new regions and markets such as North America (Kerpez et al, 2014). Moreover the entity has been also planning for presenting itself in a digitalized form so as to approach and attain the new European markets and this digital strategy comprises of making use of the tools such as multi-interface e-commerce and social media. These tools are considered as very much significant for the business entity as they are contemporary means of promotion and are found to be used by most of the individuals or the targeted customers (Heizer, 2016). These mechanisms wil also aid the business entity in tackling with the competitors such as Dreamland comics, Forbidden planet and Metropolis comics as this tool will keep them a step ahead or forward as compared to the competitors (Lindberg et al, 2016). Also development of the business strategy has also been planned by the business entity which will lead the organization with an an acceleration and enhancement in the operations such as sales which interlinked to profitability. The business entity has decided to process the orders of the customers in from of certain batches and also selection of skilled and qualified store managers and IT professional for the development of the digital business strategies. Moreover the business planned for the implementation of the digital strategy by outsourcing the IT manager (Stevenson, and Hojati, 2007). Furthermore for aiding the internal and external processes two technological tools were also installed, for internal functions weighing machine was implemented so as to keep a check on the order through checking their weight and for external operations an electronic mapping machine was made attached to the weighing machine for linking the orders made by the customers from the digital interface from the store management and also this machine was also installed for locating the required items which were relevant. Moreover CRM is also implemented which cloud is computing system and this (Lerner, 2013)been done for aiding the customers and the employees, as online transactions are executed easily and other related transactions such as payments and the orders made very fast as compared to earlier. And all these implementations were not proven beneficial as implementation made a loss of about 90% of the customers and 60% of the employees were made superficies (Holtshouse, 2013).
|
Analysis of the Issues |
|
Addressing the issues |
|
Proposing the plans and strategies |
|
Planning strategies (Implementation of Management Software) |
|
Monitoring the implemented mechanism |
From the above carried out analysis I analyzed that Craven Books is a book seller which have been facing a healthy competition from the some of the bookselling entities such as Dreamland Comics, Forbidden Planet, and Metropolis Comics. For further expansions and growth and developments the business entity has been trying to establish stores in new markets of North America, Mexico. And also is developing a digitalized presence so as to enter the European markets. And this will be done by adapting the promotional channels such as multi-interface e-commerce and social media (Fitzsimmons, Fitzsimmons and Bordoloi, 2008). A boost has also been observed in the sales due to the promotion of the goods and services and as a result an increase in profitability is observed. The processing of customer orders is also required in the form of batches and further selection of the store manager and IT consultants has been done so as to develop a digital strategy which should be similar to the business strategy. I also observed that the implementations of the strategies done by the earlier appointed IT consultant made a loss of about 90% of the customers and also 60% of the employees were redundant. As a result these strategies were not proven beneficial for the firm and through this it was observed that the issues were due to the miss-alignment between the business strategy and the IT strategy.
Conclusion
In the limelight of the above carried out analysis it can be concluded that some of the core operations for a business organization is marketing and services management. Marketing is considered as the heart of all the operations and functionalities whereas the service management are the activities which are being executed by a marketer after the products are delivered at the end consumer. The focus has been made on the SWOT analysis and comparison table of management systems for Craven Books.
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