Cost Reduction & Application to Global Markets

Cost Reduction & Application to Global Markets
Cost Reduction & Application to Global Markets

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Cost Reduction & Application to Global Markets

            Most firms have become disillusioned with sales in the global marketplace as old markets become infiltrated and new ones should be established. How can companies personalize products for needs of new markets? With crafty global competitors giving them a run for their money, many companies think the game just is not worth the shot. Properly managed organizations have moved from focusing on customizing products to providing internationally standardized items that are improved, functional, reliable, and low prices.

Only multinational corporations will accomplish long-term success by expending their focus on what everybody needs, as opposed to worrying about the information of what everyone thinks they might like. A great force powers the world towards converging harmony, and that force is technology. The outcome is a new viable reality-the rise of international markets for homogeneous consumer goods on an initially unexpected degree of magnitude. Companies devoted towards this new reality benefit from great economies of scale in production, distribution, marketing, and management.

The era when prices, margins and proceeds abroad were collectively higher than at home are finally over. The internationalization of markets is ongoing. The international company with resolute constancy-at low relative cost, as if the whole world was a distinct body. Which policy is effective is not a matter of belief but of importance. If a firm’s forces costs and prices down and increases quality and reliability, while sustaining rational concern for suitability, consumers will favor its global-standardized products. The international competitor will pursue constantly to homogenize its offering all over the globe.

Cost Reduction & Application to Global Markets

References

Stiglitz, J. (2012). Globalization and its Discontents. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

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Prioritizing Community Assets

Prioritizing Community Assets
Prioritizing Community Assets

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Prioritizing Community Assets

The three most relevant assets that should be given the highest priority in the response to, recovery from, and planning for managing the BP oil spill include the following: National Guard, insurance agencies/adjustors, and communications/media. Prioritizing community assets in the BP oil spill can be summarized as:

National Guard

In response to the oil leak in the year 2010, the Louisiana National Guard was mobilized by the Secretary of Defense to provide assistance in the efforts of helping local communities in the Gulf of Mexico region in the cleanup and removal of oil. The Louisiana National Guard was also helpful in protecting critical habitats in the area from contamination (National Guard, 2015). Soldiers from the National Guard from three other states in the Gulf region were also deployed to protect habitats and beaches from the oil spill.

Given that BP was responsible for this occurrence, it was accountable by the federal government for all the costs of the deployment. In essence, members of the National Guard participated in the response effort following the oil spill catastrophe at the Gulf of Mexico. These National Guard members served as cleanup workers. On the whole, in excess of 1,650 members of the National Guard supported Operation Deepwater Horizon in 4 states located in the Gulf of Mexico region: Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida (National Guard, 2015).

Prioritizing Community Assets

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Insurance agencies/adjustors

Insurance agencies and adjustors were very important in recovering from the oil spill disaster and to rebuild. The oil spill, which took place close to major population centres, threatened to damage valuable properties on the beachfront, to harm significant tourism and fishing industries, and to hamper transit through the shipping channels (Hartwig, 2010). There is 1st party insurance coverage which was available to business organizations that suffered business interruption losses or property damage as a result of the BP oil spill.

A lot of companies in the region owned 1st party property insurance policies that covered losses for physical damage, in addition to monetary losses as a result of business interruption. Furthermore, there was a 3rd party coverage available to business organizations identified as defendants in court cases that relate to the BP oil spill (Epstein & Keyes, 2010). As for business organizations that faced possible liability for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, more than 110 court cases have been filed by plaintiffs who were allegedly injured by this oil leak.   

Prioritizing Community Assets

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Communications/media

The significance of the role played by the media and communication systems following the massive oil spill in the year 2010 cannot be overestimated. Following the BP oil spill, the disaster was trending on Twitter and the mainstream news on radio and in broadcast and cable television was in twenty-four hour reporting mode. The internet was also crucial in the communications during this disaster (Pew Research Centre, 2010).

It is worth mentioning that as photos of leaking oil in the Deepwater Horizon and dead animals and birds surfaced, outrage and interest from members of the public increased, and so did political pressures on the United States President’s administration to punish the oil and gas multinational corporation BP. As a result, this company had a vested interest in restricting media access to the oil spill.

On the whole, there were many horrific and awful images that members of the public saw and this made the public very angry at BP as regarsd the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Images were shown by various media outlets of oiled animals, dying dolphins and dead animals. These images circulated. The public depended on news organizations for information pertaining to the oil leak. The interest of members of the public went hand-in-hand with the immense amount of news coverage of this oil leak (Meyer, 2014). Information was also communicated to the public by the federal government.      

References

Epstein, H. B., & Keyes, T. A. (2010). BP oil spill: An insurance perspective. New York Law Journal, 244(34): 1-2.

Hartwig, R. P. (2010). The Deepwater Horizon Disaster: Insurance market impacts. New York Law Journal, 241(25): 65-68.

Meyer, J. (2014). Media coverage creates oil spill amnesia. Grist Magazine, 23(5): 14-17

National Guard. (2015). National Guard Oil Spill Response. Retrieved from http://www.nationalguard.mil/Features/2010/OilSpillResponse.aspx

Pew Research Centre. (2010). 100 days of gushing oil: Media analysis and quiz. Washington, DC: PRW

Prioritizing Community Assets

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Project Controlling and Closing

Project Controlling and Closing
Project Controlling and Closing

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Project Controlling and Closing

Project control activities go hand in hand with project development activities so that while the work of the project is being handled, the project is being managed and monitored through the implementation of proper oversight levels. Project controls should effectively address cost controls, project planning, and scheduling, productivity, and change management (Shohreh 2015).

Project controls include data gathering, analysis, and management of process used to predict and manage the results from a project program. Project controls encompass project strategy, risk management, project scheduling, document control, forensic assessment and cost control. The project controls must be effectively implemented and managed for a positive outcome from a project.

For effective project control, ABC organization review metrics and reports to identify variances from the planned project. Variances are determined by taking the actual performance value of a project and comparing it against the planned performance. If problems are anticipated, control measures are also taken into place (Shohreh 2015). Project controls used by the organization include planning, cost management, cost estimation and cost analysis. The project controls are implemented into the project by directing other people to take corrective actions. All stakeholders are informed of the changes, and they then discuss to update the changes required in their specific sections of the project.

Project Controlling and Closing

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Project controls are managed through configuration system. The configuration system has processes for submitting changes, tracking the project for reviewing and provision of methods to approve the required changes. The system mostly includes change control system. The system has formal documented procedures that are used in the application of technical and administrative directions. Project control management involves the identification of the features of a product, applying the necessary changes, and record changes and implementation status of the project. Configuration management ensures consistency in a project by integrating all the project control elements.

According to Nick (2013), control measures include:

1.    Scope control

A scope control is implemented to identify and manage all features of a project that may increase or decrease its scope beyond the approved scope. Scope control determines when a change has occurred and managed the changes when they occur. Change in scope requires additional project resources and; therefore, all stakeholders involved in the project should discuss the change.

2.    Schedule control

Schedules are affected by funding, climate, vendors. Schedule control is characterized by determination of the change in schedule and management of the schedule. Once a problem in the schedule is discovered, it is investigated and updated.

3.    Risk control

Risk control is the process of carrying out risk management plan to take necessary precautions resulting from risks over the course of the project. Risk control involves identification of the threat, quantifying and qualifying the risk, and responding to the risk. Workarounds are tools used to assess and analysis risks as they are short term, and the response is not defined before the occurrence of risks.

4.    Quality control

Quality control is a project control measure that monitors the result of the project to determine whether they conform to the required standards. Quality control is carried out through the project by the quality control engineers.

5.    Cost control

Cost control determines if forecasted project budget has changed; manage the change through corrective actions, and then informing the stakeholders of the changes. A project is managed through revised cost estimates that provide a modification to the cost information.

6.    Contract administration control

Type of project control that ensures sections within organization performance is in accordance to the contractual agreements.

Recommendation

For effective project control, cost control and scheduling should be interlinked to manage better variations from the budget and schedule by integration of the two controls to look at the big picture of the project.

Some of the methods used to assess project effectiveness include cycle-time reduction, the number of processes and steps, and customer satisfaction. However, one way to assess the effectiveness of a project is to evaluate its present level of efficiency and effectiveness. Current project efficiency and effectiveness provides a complete evaluation. Assessment is done for each of the segments in the project (Nick 2013).

Customer satisfaction measures effectiveness while resources measure efficiency. By measuring customer satisfaction and resource utilization, it is possible to determine the process to focus on for improvement together with other tools and measurements.

Use of current efficiency and effectiveness allows project managers to make quick decisions, visualize outcomes and simultaneously make a comparison of the processes. The current evaluation helps in generation of discussion by stakeholders for consensus. Current evaluation of efficiency and effectiveness creates focus and coordination within projects and helps in identification of gaps for improvement. The process is done by taking all resources and rating them as per the progress of the project on the planned results (Shohreh 2015).

Project Controlling and Closing

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Project managers apply project controls to keep up with the changes that happen during the implementation of a project. The controls include cost, schedule, risks, and quality. Proper management of the controls through integration leads to successful completion of a project. Changes in the control elements are identified and stakeholders informed to apply the necessary changes. Integration of the different control elements and stakeholders is a sure way to effectively enhance project management.

References

Nick Gamino (2013). Tips to manage projects effectively. Retrieved from https://www.huddle.com/blog/manage-projects/

Shohreh Ghorbani (2015). Key role of project controls in successfully managing your projects. Retrieved from http://www.projectcontrolacademy.com/key-role-of-project-controls-in-successfully-managing-your-projects/

Project Controlling and Closing

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Federal Contracting Activities and Contract Types

Federal Contracting Activities and Contract Types
Federal Contracting Activities and Contract Types

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Federal Contracting Activities and Contract Types

Overview of the history and background of each company vying for the government contract

VectorCal: This is a big corporation which was established in the year 1976 and has a workforce of roughly 722 employees. It has its head offices in Providence, Rhode Island. The yearly revenue of VectorCal is about $317 million. It specializes in the production of navigation systems for drone as well as stealth drone aircrafts. VectorCal Company sells its products directly to the United States federal government.

It is notable this corporation is one of the few firms in the United States with the ability of producing drone navigation systems in mass for the federal government’s stealth drones. For this reason, VectorCal is a major contender for the government contract. This firm serves many clients including the federal and state governments and various businesses in the United States as well as foreign governments and companies.

Drone Systems Limited: this is the company which is also vying for the federal government contract and the only competitor of VectorCal for this contract. Drone Systems Limited is my firm and was established roughly 2 years ago. It is a small business with the head offices located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This region is classified as a historically underutilized business zone.

This firm largely specializes in the production and retailing of drone navigation systems to private clients. Being a start-up and a small business, Drone Systems Limited has a workforce of only 29 full time staff members including myself, who is the company’s founder and owner. This firm has been in existence for just 2 years and in the past year, the firm achieved revenues of $210,000.

The vision of this small business is to become a $100 million dollar company over the next decade. Its mission is to be the best drone navigation systems company in the world that offers highly technologically advanced navigation systems for individuals, businesses and governments throughout the globe.  

Federal Contracting Activities and Contract Types

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Recent major contract awarded to both firms

One recent major contract which was awarded to VectorCal Company was the repair and maintenance works of Department of Defense’s drone navigation technologies. This contract was awarded by the Department of Defense, which is an agency of the federal government. The company won this contract because requirements stated that the eligible company should be an established firm, not a small business.

The contract was worth $623,000 hence only large businesses were eligible. The Public Law 95-507, which made amendments to the Small Business Act 1978, made official the Small Business Subcontracting Plan requirement in contracts of more than $500,000 to big, established companies. Government contracts worth over $500,000 can be awarded only to large businesses (Handley, 2015). As such, the small business Drone Systems Limited could not vie for it.    

One recent major contract that was awarded to Drone Systems Limited was the supply of 5 navigation systems to the federal government in September 2014. This small business won this contract because the contract was worth $98,000 and this small business was eligible to vie. The Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act which was enacted in the year 1994 was passed for the purpose of simplifying government purchasing procedures.

It got rid of most competition limits on federal government buys of less than $100,000 (Kearns, 2015). New procurement reform laws require that all purchases by the federal agencies that are worth more than $3,000 and less than $100,000 must be awarded to small businesses, except if the contracting officer is not able get offers from at least 2 small firms which are competitive on delivery, quality and price (US Small Business Administration, 2015a).

Furthermore, under the Small Business Set Aside Program, with the exception of acquisitions reserved for businesses that are very small, every acquisition of supplies services with a dollar value of more than $2,500 and not in excess of $100,000 is set aside only for small businesses such as Drone Systems Limited. According to the simplified acquisition procedures, procurements of more than $3,000 but less than $350,000 are also set aside or reserved for small firms exclusively (US Small Business Administration, 2015a). As such, large businesses such as VectorCal were barred from vying for this contract.

Federal Contracting Activities and Contract Types

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Contracts for which both firms qualify

The main types of federal government contracts for which both Drone Systems Limited and VectorCal Company both qualify include the following:

Fixed-price contracts: these are completion contracts and often provide a firm price. At times, an adjustable price level might be utilized for a target price, a ceiling price, or both (Deltek, 2014). Under fixed-price contracts, payment is dependent on the delivery of the required service or product.

Given that the price is fixed, the contractor will take full responsibility for all the cost as well as the resultant loss or profit. Federal agencies particularly favour fixed-price with economic price adjustment and firm-fixed price whenever they procure commercial products. Unless clearly described in the contract, the target price or ceiling price could be adjusted only through clauses of the contract that provide for fair and reasonable adjustment (Deltek, 2014).

The contractor, under a fixed-price contract, will agree to deliver the items or services at a price that does not surpass the agreed-to maximum. These types of contracts must be utilized whenever the contract risk is comparatively low or the government and the contractor could reasonably agree on the maximum price (Handley, 2015).

Federal Contracting Activities and Contract Types

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Cost-plus or cost-reimbursement contracts: these are types of contracts in which the contractor is paid by the government for all of its allowed expenditures up to a preset limit, in addition to extra payment in order to allow the contractor to make some profit. These types of contracts are different from fixed-price contracts in that in a fixed-price contract, the government pays the company a negotiated amount of money no matter the expenditures incurred (Deltek, 2014).

In essence, under cost-reimbursement contracts, the company will agree to make its best effort in completing the contract. The contract provides for payment of acceptable incurred expenses to the level that is specified within the contract.  

Time and Materials contracts: whenever possible, the government usually avoids these types of contracts given that they transfer risk from the company to the contracting organization. These contracts are essentially a hybrid of cost-reimbursement and fixed-price contracts (Deltek, 2014). They present the lowest risk to the contractor and greatest risk to the government agency, and are therefore not desirable at all for the federal government.

Direct and indirect costs

Direct costs: these are costs that could be easily traced to individual products made by the company. The direct costs for each company include the following: cost of direct labour such as wages of the factory labourers, cost of direct materials such as electronic components, cost of batteries, and fuel cells, cost of manufacturing supplies, and cost of internal combustion engines. On the whole, these direct costs are directly linked to the production of particular units of finished products/items.

Indirect costs: these are costs that cannot be easily traced to individual products made by the company. For each of the two companies, the main indirect costs include the following: power/electricity, factory insurance, salary of factory manager, quality control costs, and cost of factory depreciation. Indirect costs are also referred to as overhead and they are the production support costs that cannot be easily related to a particular product.

Federal Contracting Activities and Contract Types

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In essence, understanding the cost contributions of indirect and direct costs is of major importance, particular in planning and budgeting exercises. Nonetheless, these costs could also be vital cost concepts in the setting of price, in performing cost/benefit analysis, assessing fiscal accounting reports such as the Income Statement, as well as business case analysis such as return on investment, total cost of ownership, and financial justification analysis (Gormley, 2014).

Since Drone Systems Limited is a small business with relatively fewer employees and comparatively less direct and indirect costs associated with the production of the drone navigation systems than VectorCal, Drone Systems Limited would sell the products to the government agency at a relatively lower cost than how VectorCal would sell the products to the government agency.

In other words, the government agency would buy those products from Drone Systems Limited relatively cheaply than it would pay for them if it purchases from VectorCal, which would sell them at a higher price since it incurred higher indirect and direct costs in producing them. As such, Drone Systems Limited is more eligible to get the contract that VectorCal.   

Federal Contracting Activities and Contract Types

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Company to be awarded the contract

My small company Drone Systems Limited deserves this government contract more than the established VectorCal Company. The reasons are as follows. First, Drone Systems Limited should be given the federal government contract because it is a small business. Federal organizations are lawfully mandated to establish contracting goals such that 23 percent of all purchases made by the government are procured from small businesses (Gormley, 2014). On the whole, government organizations have a statutory obligation of reaching-out and considering small businesses such as Drone Systems Limited for procurement opportunities.

In essence, it is up to the small business to match and market its business products to the government agencies’ purchasing needs. The mission of the federal government’s Small Business Administration is to promote and stimulate economic development through assisting new companies to get started and established companies grow. Even as small firms usually come across significant barriers when they try to win contracts from federal agencies, the Small Business Administration could help them to overcome these hurdles (US Small Business Administration, 2015b).    

Secondly, Drone Systems Limited should be given the federal government contract because it would supply the products to the government agency at a comparatively lower cost or cheaper than VectorCal. Put simply, the government would save taxpayers’ money if it purchases from Drone Systems Limited than if it buys from VectorCal. This is primarily because the cost that Drone Systems Limited incurs in producing one drone navigation system is 40% less than the cost that VectorCal incurs in producing a single drone navigation of the same quality and specifications.

Federal Contracting Activities and Contract Types

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For this reason, Drone Systems Limited will price its products less costly than how VectorCal will price its products. Thirdly, Drone Systems Limited should be given the federal government contract because of its location: it is situated in a place considered as a historically underutilized business zone.

The Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) program offers government contracting opportunities for particular small companies which are situated in eligible HUBZones (US Small Business Administration, 2015b). This is helpful in promoting private-sector investments as well as job opportunities in rural and urban communities. 

References

Deltek. (2014). Types of government contracts. Retrieved from http://iq.govwin.com/corp/downloads/GW-Types-Govt-Contracts-2012.pdf

Gormley, B. (2014). Government Contracting: Explaining the process in 5 steps. US Small Business Administration.

Handley, J. C. (2015). Small business contracting opportunities in the federal procurement arena. US General Services Administration.

Kearns, S. (2015). How to get government contracts for your small business. Business Development, 5(8): 12-18

US Small Business Administration. (2015a). Government contracting. Retrieved from https://www.sba.gov/blogs/government-contracting-learn-how-federal-government-buys-small-businesses

US Small Business Administration. (2015b). Small business size standard. Retrieved from https://www.sba.gov/content/summary-size-standards-industry-sector

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Methodological Triangulation in Qualitative Studies

Methodological Triangulation
Methodological Triangulation

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Methodological Triangulation

Introduction

Human interaction regarding family is somewhat complicated owing to the host of attributes that influence the person’s motives toward the other and the characteristics and effects of communication as the formulation of meaning between two or more individuals. This paper delineates two schools of thought, theoretical and practical, which highlight the significance of methodological triangulation in studying communication.

While the theoretical argument stipulates the modes of logic, inquiry, and explanation employed in research, the practical argument postulates the association between concept, technique and, and the purpose of investigation and validates how methodological triangulation incorporates alternative views on communication occurrences (Wood, 2005). In this paper, methodological triangulation is discussed.

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Triangulation: Determining the Reliability of Qualitative Studies

Accuracy, in a qualitative study, submits to whether the outcomes of a study are probable and reliable- probable in the sense that study outcomes represent the circumstances and reliable within the meaning that evidence underpins the study findings (Wood, 2005).  Triangulation is an approach employed by qualitative scholars to evaluate and determine validity in their results by assessing a research question from various angles.

However, there has been a common misconception that the aim of triangulation is to realize accuracy from different sources of data. The truth is that inconsistencies are conceivable based on the comparative strength of divergent approaches.  In Patton’s perspective, these discrepancies should be seen as diluting the evidence, but rather as an opportunity to unravel the underlying rationale in the data. 

Methodological Triangulation

Methodological triangulation entails the use of various qualitative and qualitative approaches to studying the program. For instance, outcomes from questionnaires, focus groups, and interviews could be evaluated to determine similarities of results.  The reliability of the data can only be evident when results from each approach are similar. For instance, suppose a scholar is piloting a case study of a welfare-to-work participant to examine the transformations in his life for taking part in the program for more than 12 months. 

The scholar would be required to use interviews, observations, analysis or any other practical approach to evaluating the changes (Thurmond, 2001). The researcher can also assess respondents, their family members and event workers for the quantitative approach. If the outcomes from all of the procedures draw the same or comparable results, then validity has been determined.

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Advantages of methodological triangulation

Methodological triangulation increases confidence, create innovative approaches of comprehending a given phenomenon, demonstrate distinct findings, difficulties or integrate theories and provide a clearer recognition of the issues. All these benefits are a result of diversity as well as the quantity of information that may be used in the analysis. For instance, methodological triangulation has been used to get the detailed opinion of family needs in critical care (Thurmond, 2001).

Using questionnaires and interviews, participants can use such sessions as therapies while non-participants may communicate their disappointments on the questionnaires. Therefore, interviews and questionnaires enhance the depth of findings, which could be impossible through a single method, thus increases not only validity but also the utility of results.

Disadvantages

Methodological triangulation may be time-consuming. Gathering information requires planning and resource organization something that may not be available to researchers. Also, it can lead to disharmony of researcher’s bias and conflict due to theoretical framework inadequate understanding of the importance of methodological triangulation.

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Conclusion

By and large, methodological triangulation is an important strategy in the qualitative study; however it is necessary to weigh the benefits and challenges before using it. If a researcher integrates triangulation in a study, some triangulations may be applied; environmental, methodological, data and theory. Methodological triangulation may be employed to maximize the investigator’s comprehension of the problem while increasing confidence in results of qualitative research.

References

Thurmond, V.A. (2001) The Point of Triangulation. The Journal of Nursing Scholarship. 33 (3): 253-8

Wood, J. T. (2005). Communication Mosaics: an Introduction to the Field of Communication. Belmont, CA: Thomson.

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Pathophysiology and Leadership in Clinical Practice

Pathophysiology and Leadership
Pathophysiology and Leadership

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Pathophysiology and Leadership

Introduction     

In clinical practice, medical promptness is an essential element of any given organization. The use of methods that integrate cohesiveness, principles, promptness and good communication presents room for inclusive clinical practice. Also, leaders have the power of using different headship skills to help clinicians work synchronously within the organization. Leaders are also the main people in charge of supervising with the ability as well as skills for clinicians when required.

Again, leaders create their capabilities by incorporating the ideas, ethics, and support of their juniors. On the other hand, clinicians require good leaders to help them in decision making related to assessment, planning treatment, good communication and proper practice. Both Psychopathology and Pathophysiology are relevant to psychology. As such, they can be used to show the level of understanding and skills one should possess so as to facilitate efficient organization leadership.

Explain psychopathology and pathophysiology

Psychopathology involves the study of mental disorder and commonly used in describing mental ailments (College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia, 2008).   On the other hand, Psychopathology can be called psychological illness. Assessing mental disorders based on the psychology or dysfunctional character provides delusional views. It encompasses the inability to effectively function, behaving normal or act by the set standards.

Dysfunction hinders individuals the ability to control their sentiments or even characters. For instance, being hysterically sad can lead to dysfunctional traits. Psychological ailments also entail dysfunctions that are used to demonstrate painful impairment, which hinders people ability to work normally.

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With regards to Pathophysiology, it is an uncharacteristic disordered physiological process associated with an ailment or damage. The pathophysiology involves assessing the progress of the illness in the body, which make the patient look for various treatment approaches.

Additionally, Pathophysiology is widely used by health practitioners to not only treat but also diagnose some ailments (College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia, 2008).  The manner of carrying out interviews is rather individualized as such it purposes to facilitate the collection of data, engage and motivate patients when it comes to assessing and treating the condition.

Review how these terms relate to behavioral assessment, intervention, and implementation in an organizational setting

            In clinical field, psychology is associated with behavior assessment, intervention, and execution within the organization by the nature of the study and the wider practice. Psychology is also a comprehensive are of scientific evaluation that is connected to individual issues and psychological principles involving assessment, hindrance, amelioration and convalescence of mental pain, infirmity, flawed personality while increasing psychosocial health.

Assessment, intervention, and implementation can be used in any given clinical institution, which promotes and practices the physical and psychological health of the larger public. For that reason, it is necessary to put into account particular clinical methods including Assessment involves developing behavior, interests, cognition, emotional and understanding. In this case, many approaches can be used to interrogate clients such as psychometric tests, interviews, and observations. As such, psychologists should be competent in so as to select the best approach (Ellis & Hartley, 2005).

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Diagnosis entails using the appropriate diagnostic method based on the client’s intellectual degree, cognitive capacity, psychological state, and behavior. DSM-IV-TR is a suitable tool to diagnose and assess clients with flawed characters.

Intervention: while many interventions can be applied across the organization,  clinical experts need particular understanding to diagnose effectively, develop and executed treatment plan.  Moreover, they need the knack to examine the correctness and entirety of planning, conceptualization and implementing the results of the intervention or treatment (Guyatt et al. 2008).

The original assessment allows clinicians to make the right diagnosis, provide relevant information on a treatment plan and assistance to patients and their families.

Discuss how an understanding of these concepts will help the clinical supervisor (leader) in the operation of the organization.

Clinical leaders should have a clear and comprehensive recognition regarding the basis and the manner in which the organization can operate routinely. Additionally, they should recognize the leadership concepts, operation, and facilitation.

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For instance, good managers are linked to significant medical supervision when it comes to satisfaction, commitment to the organization and retention.  Excellent leadership has a perpetual impact on employees regarding curtailing the high turn-over.  Frontline workers are critical to a firm, particularly in a medical facility. The management in tandem with receptionists, medical employees and administrators play a vital function in deducing and understanding the required leadership for sustainable reasons.

The medical manager should ensure the entire team recognizes their obligation and approach work-related tasks to the best of their abilities, towards enhancing the smooth running of the establishment. The leadership should engage its employees in establishing a working culture that is ethically sound in a healthcare environment (Ellis & Hartley, 2005). Moreover, these analytical models will help with upholding strong work standards within the organization.

Analyze the role of a leader when clinicians are involved in individual or group assessments.

The management should participate in frontline supervision for medical personnel working with individual and team assessments to leverage any discrepancies (Guyatt et al. 2008). The management has the solemn obligation; to be readily available in case of any eventuality.  In addition, the leadership ought to ensure that medical personnel are executing their functions competently and for the benefit of their clients.

Medical practitioners are the mainstay of the operation within the healthcare facility, as such; the management should ensure clinicians observe work ethics and medical practices (Muir Gray, 1997). Being conscious of the transformation within an organization is rather critical for key leaders overseeing medical personnel in individual and group assessment settings.

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Again, the leadership can assist clinicians in the analysis phase of treatment to establish the attributes of a patient; remedial plans that are suitable for the patient and evaluating behavioral information of the patient.  Ultimately, the appraisal and remedial planning should culminate to personalized treatment, appropriate patient treatment and ensuring the organization’s mission is realized through better service delivery (Guyatt et al. 2008).

Conclusion

The mental health workers have the responsibility to work relentless for clients and workmates, particularly if they hold leadership positions. Nonetheless, on many occasions, leaders have often been unable to realize the issue of effective communication. Having the understanding to assemble and keep the right team is dominant for consistency.

The leadership mindset towards their employees will depend on the outcome and nature of work (Ellis & Hartley, 2005). In a nutshell, the leader should be effective when it comes to guiding medical personnel within a health care facility to determine competent leadership skills such as servant, transformation and engaging leadership.

References

College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia. (2008). Problematic substance use in  the workplace: A resource guide for registered nurses.  Halifax: Author.

Ellis, J. R., & Hartley, C. L. (2005). Managing and coordinating nursing care, 4th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Guyatt, G., Rennie, D., Meade, M. O., & Cook, D. (2008). Users’ guides to the medical literature:  Essentials of evidence-based clinical practice, 2nd Edition. New  York: McGraw-Hill.

Muir Gray, J. A. (1997). Evidence-based medicine: How to make health policy and management decisions. London: Churchill Press.

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Psychopathology and Leadership in Clinical Practice

Psychopathology
Psychopathology

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Psychopathology and Leadership in Clinical Practice

Introduction     

In clinical practice, medical promptness is an essential element of any given organization. The use of methods that integrate cohesiveness, principles, promptness and good communication presents room for inclusive clinical practice. Also, leaders have the power of using different headship skills to help clinicians work synchronously within the organization. Leaders are also the main people in charge of supervising with the ability as well as skills for clinicians when required.

Again, leaders create their capabilities by incorporating the ideas, ethics, and support of their juniors. On the other hand, clinicians require good leaders to help them in decision making related to assessment, planning treatment, good communication and proper practice. Both Psychopathology and Pathophysiology are relevant to psychology. As such, they can be used to show the level of understanding and skills one should possess so as to facilitate efficient organization leadership.

Explain psychopathology and pathophysiology

Psychopathology involves the study of mental disorder and commonly used in describing mental ailments (College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia, 2008). On the other hand, Psychopathology can be called psychological illness. Assessing mental disorders based on the psychology or dysfunctional character provides delusional views. It encompasses the inability to effectively function, behaving normal or act by the set standards.

Dysfunction hinders individuals the ability to control their sentiments or even characters. For instance, being hysterically sad can lead to dysfunctional traits. Psychological ailments also entail dysfunctions that are used to demonstrate painful impairment, which hinders people ability to work normally.

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With regards to Pathophysiology, it is an uncharacteristic disordered physiological process associated with an ailment or damage. The pathophysiology involves assessing the progress of the illness in the body, which make the patient look for various treatment approaches.

Additionally, Pathophysiology is widely used by health practitioners to not only treat but also diagnose some ailments (College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia, 2008). The manner of carrying out interviews is rather individualized as such it purposes to facilitate the collection of data, engage and motivate patients when it comes to assessing and treating the condition.

Review how these terms relate to behavioral assessment, intervention, and implementation in an organizational setting

In clinical field, psychology is associated with behavior assessment, intervention, and execution within the organization by the nature of the study and the wider practice. Psychology is also a comprehensive are of scientific evaluation that is connected to individual issues and psychological principles involving assessment, hindrance, amelioration and convalescence of mental pain, infirmity, flawed personality while increasing psychosocial health.

Assessment, intervention, and implementation can be used in any given clinical institution, which promotes and practices the physical and psychological health of the larger public. For that reason, it is necessary to put into account particular clinical methods including Assessment involves developing behavior, interests, cognition, emotional and understanding. In this case, many approaches can be used to interrogate clients such as psychometric tests, interviews, and observations. As such, psychologists should be competent in so as to select the best approach (Ellis & Hartley, 2005).

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Diagnosis entails using the appropriate diagnostic method based on the client’s intellectual degree, cognitive capacity, psychological state, and behavior. DSM-IV-TR is a suitable tool to diagnose and assess clients with flawed characters.

Intervention: while many interventions can be applied across the organization, clinical experts need particular understanding to diagnose effectively, develop and executed treatment plan. Moreover, they need the knack to examine the correctness and entirety of planning, conceptualization and implementing the results of the intervention or treatment (Guyatt et al. 2008).

The original assessment allows clinicians to make the right diagnosis, provide relevant information on a treatment plan and assistance to patients and their families.

Discuss how an understanding of these concepts will help the clinical supervisor (leader) in the operation of the organization.

Clinical leaders should have a clear and comprehensive recognition regarding the basis and the manner in which the organization can operate routinely. Additionally, they should recognize the leadership concepts, operation, and facilitation.

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For instance, good managers are linked to significant medical supervision when it comes to satisfaction, commitment to the organization and retention. Excellent leadership has a perpetual impact on employees regarding curtailing the high turn-over. Frontline workers are critical to a firm, particularly in a medical facility. The management in tandem with receptionists, medical employees and administrators play a vital function in deducing and understanding the required leadership for sustainable reasons.

The medical manager should ensure the entire team recognizes their obligation and approach work-related tasks to the best of their abilities, towards enhancing the smooth running of the establishment. The leadership should engage its employees in establishing a working culture that is ethically sound in a healthcare environment (Ellis & Hartley, 2005). Moreover, these analytical models will help with upholding strong work standards within the organization.

Analyze the role of a leader when clinicians are involved in individual or group assessments.

The management should participate in frontline supervision for medical personnel working with individual and team assessments to leverage any discrepancies (Guyatt et al. 2008). The management has the solemn obligation; to be readily available in case of any eventuality. In addition, the leadership ought to ensure that medical personnel are executing their functions competently and for the benefit of their clients.

Medical practitioners are the mainstay of the operation within the healthcare facility, as such; the management should ensure clinicians observe work ethics and medical practices (Muir Gray, 1997). Being conscious of the transformation within an organization is rather critical for key leaders overseeing medical personnel in individual and group assessment settings.

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Again, the leadership can assist clinicians in the analysis phase of treatment to establish the attributes of a patient; remedial plans that are suitable for the patient and evaluating behavioral information of the patient. Ultimately, the appraisal and remedial planning should culminate to personalized treatment, appropriate patient treatment and ensuring the organization’s mission is realized through better service delivery (Guyatt et al. 2008).

Conclusion

The mental health workers have the responsibility to work relentless for clients and workmates, particularly if they hold leadership positions. Nonetheless, on many occasions, leaders have often been unable to realize the issue of effective communication. Having the understanding to assemble and keep the right team is dominant for consistency.

The leadership mindset towards their employees will depend on the outcome and nature of work (Ellis & Hartley, 2005). In a nutshell, the leader should be effective when it comes to guiding medical personnel within a health care facility to determine competent leadership skills such as servant, transformation and engaging leadership.

References

College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia. (2008). Problematic substance use in the workplace: A resource guide for registered nurses. Halifax: Author.

Ellis, J. R., & Hartley, C. L. (2005). Managing and coordinating nursing care, 4th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Guyatt, G., Rennie, D., Meade, M. O., & Cook, D. (2008). Users’ guides to the medical literature: Essentials of evidence-based clinical practice, 2nd Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Muir Gray, J. A. (1997). Evidence-based medicine: How to make health policy and management decisions. London: Churchill Press.

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The Role of Technology in Supply Chain Management

The Role of Technology in Supply Chain Management
The Role of Technology in Supply Chain Management

The Role of Technology in Supply Chain Management

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Introduction

The supply chain is concerned with fusing several elements of the industrial processes. This includes not just the fabrication and delivery of products to clients, but also ensures the quality standards are not compromised.  It also encompasses taking minimal timespan to manufacture and deliver goods without comprising market demands for quality. At the core of the market economy lays spirited competition, which demands the cost reduction in a bid to streamline expenditure. With this in mind, almost every company is looking to enhance their operations with more efficient supply chains (SC).

Thus, the supply chain in tandem with the global logistics works proficiently with the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system (Blanchard, 2007). While the supply chain is mainly associated with the movement of raw materials, fabrication, production and delivery, the ERP system happens to structure information supply chains employ for efficient operations and companies can only risk running into a problem in the absence of this technology. In short, the success of supply chain management is dependent on technology.

Although the supply chain outlives the internet technology, it only through the use of web-based application and communication that the supply chain can reach its fullest. Ultimately, technology helps SCM in global logistical companies to enhance safety delivery of products, boost profits and control wastes based on three fundamental principles; time, cost and quality.  This paper discusses the role of technology in the successful supply chain in connection with global logistics or supply chain management.

The Role of Technology in Supply Chain Management

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Technology

In logistics, technology is used to predict varying conditions as well as requirements to respond to unexpected costs. Technology is helping companies ensure that their operations are successful. In this case, they can meet the needs of their clients. This has provided the organization with the opportunity to work collaboratively with their customers. While it is complex to establish these partnerships, modern technology helps organizations to create practical and frequently updates plans, predict, and assess demand details, deliveries, and orders.

This technology is essential for incorporating planning process that subsequently assists planners to use up-to-date information on inventory, sales, and production. In fact, this helps them in meeting the requirements and increases the capacity to satisfy demand while ensuring the effectiveness of supply chain (Blanchard, 2007).

The well-organized automation network provides the flow of SKU pallets efficiently while connecting all pieces seamlessly. Moreover, the solution is unique in a way that it synchronizes and dictates that number of products required to be loaded in the mini-load and the sequences the distribution of cartons to the palletizer.

This helps organizations to measure precisely and minimize product damages, meaning that is meeting its clients’ needs. Moreover, it has presented the organization with the opportunity for considerable logistic effectiveness leading to proper usage of trailer cubes and make stores well-organized (Krajewski & Ritzman, 2005).

The Role of Technology in Supply Chain Management

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Technology is helping firms to leverage demand and supply by developing practical business processes. Proper supply chain schedules entail creating recurrent business systems to deal with exceptions.  Proper planning is also elementary for the firm’s production regarding streamlining the supply chain’s activities. The S&OP technology plays a fundamental role in the running and management of the supply chain (Krajewski & Ritzman, 2005). With technology, supply chains are better placed to handle the unexpected issues that may result from inadequate supply, unpredictable demand, and production disruptions.                                                                                   

Nonetheless, the firm can produce various sizes and variety of products in a consistent matrix. This way, organizations can be in a position to save time and financial resources. Moreover, technology has helped firms to combine effectively volume of sales and operations roles.   Therefore, to reach a collective agreement, technology is important in making sure that all the organizations departments work in a synch.

The manufacturing, sales or purchasing departments could not perform with an edition of ambiguity as such; technology offers firms with an edition of certainty (Quayle, 2006). Below are some of the technologies used by logistical companies along the supply chain: 

TechnologicaL innovation used in SCM

RFID

Several companies consider radio frequency identification (RFID) technology as a useful tool in securing supply chain because it can be incorporated in the supply chain to help increase the efficiency of the entire process. Regarding locating, tracking logistics enhancing movement of a product or controlling inventory, RFID is important. Improves supply chain processes by increasing productivity as well as considerably increases traceability. Because RFID technology can monitor objects, provide it with the opportunity to help companies with a real-time visibility of distinct products (Closs et al. 2008).    

    The Role of Technology in Supply Chain Management   

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RFID can be integrated with global positioning systems that assist companies to collect all the required product information such as manufacturing and expiry dates; product descriptions; delivery time and location of producers. In this case, RFID presents an extraordinary level of visibility in the supply chain that can be attained with bar codes. For example, in retail industries where inaccuracy is the primary problem, RFID allows for increasing and guaranteeing sufficient visibility.

Because RFID has advanced automation procedure, closed loop monitoring and tracking capacity, it presents supply chain process with clarity. This is necessary to assist companies in the identification of mixed pallets without having to unpack. This technology can support a high degree of checking and managing automated goods. This capability is important for companies’ warehouses since it reduces the time required for the management of products and errors throughout operations such as counting products, cross docking, and clearance.                                                                                                                               

Moreover, RFID provides a unique identification characterized by greater information capacity. This presents organizations with the capability to ensure excellence record keeping as well as recovery ability. For example in medical industry, the technology is utilized to keep track of medical appliances, in casinos, it is employed to game chips and in flower companies to bloom seeds (Closs et al. 2008)

The Role of Technology in Supply Chain Management

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Transportation Management System (TMS) technology

TMS is a reliable way of enhancing efficiency in route, mode, and carrier of a shipment. This is true, considering the definition of a TMS as software whose purpose is to manage an organization’s transportation operations (Alan, 2006).

One of the most noticeable methods of determining an efficient choice of transporting goods is weight. Nevertheless, this is not widely used technique considering that there are many factors involved in transportation. Customer needs are always an important priority, and there are internal company policies to consider as well. With the entrance of a TMS, it becomes so easy to meet a conglomeration of demands regarding business requirements; customer needs strategies, and so on.

Strategic planning, as this role is called, is one of the categories of new types of TMSs (Alan, 2006). These systems simply use their optimizing and planning tools to analyze all the options and choose the most efficient option for transport. In case rates have already been negotiated, this transportation system comes in handy in the automatic selection of carriers. As Alan M. notes, transportation management tools improve the efficiency of getting answers to supply chain configuration in the top level of management (2006). 

The Role of Technology in Supply Chain Management

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When it comes to visibility of logistics, the TMS is miles ahead of the conventional methods of fax and email. The old methods are not only labor-intensive and inefficient but also very prone to errors that can cost the company dearly. This can be addressed through a reliable TMS.  With this approach, it is possible to connect an unlimited number of shipment businesses and customers.

This is a collaborative tactical planning method, whereby companies cut costs by enjoining their transportation commitments and processes (Alan, 2006). Freight payment is probably one of the riskiest activities of a shipment process. It is usually tough to ascertain the correctness of a charge on an invoice without wasting time. In most cases, the business may end up paying more for the process.

All this changes when a company adopts the strategic sourcing tools of a TMS. As such, advanced instruments in this category, which are quite helpful transportation spending analysis (Alan M., 2006). Unlike the conventional method where invoices are a headache, the TMS may be designed to notify the shipper every time the bill exceeds a specified amount. Through this tool, TMS introduces a lot of efficiency in costing and reporting.

The Role of Technology in Supply Chain Management

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When a company management hears about a TMS package for the first time, they may deem it too expensive to implement. However, a company does not have to go the sophisticated way to benefit from new TMS tools. A small-sized shipper may use the services of a simple hosted offering from a vendor and do just fine (Alan, 2006).  The days of fax, emails and spreadsheets for logistics are on the blink of an end. The efficiency introduced by TMSs is too good to ignore.

How TMS increases efficiency in logistics

Increasing operational expenditure and capacity limits encourage organizations to use transportation management systems. This is because transportation management systems concentrate on tools that fulfill regular tactical demands. Unlike other applications that focus on a particular set of issues, TMS tools gather, integrate information regarding current transport activities, sourcing, predicting and scheduling the supply chain process (Krajewski & Ritzman, 2005).

In logistics, technology is used to predict varying conditions as well as requirements to respond to unexpected costs. To effectively work, this technique needs a tight connection between transport scheduling and implementation.                                                                                

TMS tools are important in increasing the efficiency of logistics. To ensure logistics efficiency is enhanced these tools can be used in different areas including;

  • Strategic planning;  in this case the TMS tools respond to issues such as methods of matching warehouses with the requirements of the clients as well as the location of suppliers. Also, the tools allow organizations to model procedures, facilities, shipping, inventory, vendor, and client needs to top-level strategic issues regarding the arrangement of the supply chain.

The Role of Technology in Supply Chain Management

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  • In strategic sourcing, TMS tools play a crucial role in minimizing freight and administration expenses, reduce the number of carriers and enhance the performance of shippers and compliance by making sure that the organizations employ the appropriate mix of transporters. Because these tools are advanced they allow organizations to assess transport costs, predict changes, choose shipper to bid procedure, mechanize multi-round consultations, assess bids and load data on transport management systems.
  • In tactical planning, TMS uses simulations to provide responses to issues such as if at a new client will require extra shipment capacity on a particular route. As, such the tools have the ability to collect information about historical orders, delivery and apply any adjustments to develop a real shipment activity in a given time frame. With regards to two-way tactical planning, TMS help organizations find suitable techniques of reducing expenses by connecting transport procedure and dedications across many firms.
  • Moreover, in operational transportation scheduling, TMS utilizes inbound, outbound and transfer orders to produce transport schedules which comprise of modes, selection of carriers and pickup periods. These tools have the ability to model a variety of operational restrictions (including client lead times), asset restrictions (requirements for refrigerated carriers) or door-to-door limitations. These are vital in systematically assessing more combinations for shipping schedule alternatives compared to an organization conducting it manually. Subsequently, they help organizations to schedule accurately, minimize the number of consignments and distance covered, and reduce the use of premium shipment channels.

The Role of Technology in Supply Chain Management

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TMS can reduce costs, increase delivery and inventory reductions.  This way, transport management system provides organizations with a chance to fully use technology since most of them are located in regions where shippers, systems, and prices change always. On the other hand, TMS is like a vehicle that ensures that prices are accurate, constraints are practical, and other dynamic features are sustained and regularly restructured. This helps to guarantee continuous enhancements (Field, 2006).

Since TMS leads to increased productivity, it assists organizations to manage order delivery and sizes. TMS is designed in a way that it provides stand-alone solutions that help in maintaining fleet and parcel shipping. In this manner, it helps organizations to manage shipping activities effectively (Upton & Harpal, 2007). Furthermore, TMS can assist in controlling transport processes and reduce transport related spending in different ways including;

The Role of Technology in Supply Chain Management

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  • Improve processing through the use advanced TMS, which helps in controlling operation expenses whereby carrier selection, shipment scheduling are automated. This leads to increased productivity and centralizing all transportation functions at the system level.
  • TMS provides the ability to process automatically orders as well as an optimally select cost-effective transport mode. Orders can be optimized at reasonable rates, reinforce plans that help in reducing transportation costs. This involves consolidating LTL delivery into multi-truck via inbound and outbound carriers. By continuously linking processes transport costs are reduced unlike managing each shipment.
  • TMS provides the capacity to reduce rates and increase quality through main shipper program. In this manner, guidelines for carriers can easily be transmitted assisting transporters to classify quality issues with ease and take necessary measures.

Not all shippers require TMS; rather organizations should begin understanding the importance of sophistication. A company with moderate shipment needs may simply go for a simplified hosted provision or provision from suppliers instead of using a complex transport system (Field, 2006).

The Role of Technology in Supply Chain Management

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VAS and Cross-Docking in supply chain

The advents of Value added Systems (VAS) have necessitated many companies to put in place distribution channels.  In most warehouses, VAS plays an integral role in not just picking goods but also in processing items. Thus, VAS makes it possible for various distribution hubs to underpin store needs. Approximately 40 percent of received goods can be cross-docked to minimize stock levels in the delivery centers (Forger, 2005).

Warehouse control system entails the harmonization processes. For instance, it ensures proper management of incoming goods, storage, and distribution. Warehouse control systems enhance the usage of stored catalog by way of synchronized data. With the help of Wide Local Area Network (WLAN) or RFID, logistical companies can ensure on-time delivery of goods. 

Technological advancement is responsible for shared obligations in modern firms (Lysons and Farrington, 2006). This shows firms dedication to supplying chain. Since the clients have varying needs, and the market is competitive, it is important for companies to use technology to reduce costs while enhancing productivity.

Wal-Mart Case Study

In its unrelenting quest for low customer prices, Wal-Mart incorporated technology that made it pioneer the way stores track inventory and replenish their shelves, hence enabling the company to lower costs. The technology works by Wal-Mart’s supply chain (Closs et al. 2008). The company runs the largest information and technical system of any private establishment globally. 

The highly sophisticated technology enables Wal-Mart to project demand, track and predict inventory levels, develops highly efficient transportation routes and manages client support and service response logistics. For instance, Wal-Mart uses Universal Product Code, where information at the store level is stored and immediately collected and evaluated.

The company runs a satellite communication system known as Retail Link, which is connected to a vast Bentonville repository.  By way of a global cable system, Retail Link is associated to reviewers who predict purveyor demands to the supplier network that display real mode sales from cash inventories and Wal-Mart’s distribution hubs.

The Role of Technology in Supply Chain Management

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With technology, purveyors and manufacturers along the chain have the ability to harmonize their demand estimates under a joint planning, forecasting and replenishment pattern (Closs et al. 2008). Again, every link in the chain is integrated through technology that entails a central database, store point of sale applications and a satellite system. Wal-Mart’s strategy is implicit of the regular, informal collaboration among stores, distribution hubs and suppliers with less centralized control. 

Moreover, technology allows the firm’s supply chain to track clientele sales and demand. This enables customers to pull products to stores as opposed to having the company push goods on shelves. Wal-Mart uses RFID to track pallets of goods on transit along the chain from any location. This is done not just by Wal-Mart but suppliers as well.  With smart tags, employees can determine which products ought to be replaced to ensure consistent stocking of shelves. This also allows the inventory to be carefully monitored.

Some expected innovations in the area of technology used in SCM

Collectively, the SCM processes bring about novelty in businesses by way of coordination and integration of tasks along the chain to enhance the design, improvement, and distribution of solutions. Innovation in this context can be comprehended as notable improvements in goods and procedures and services in the market. SCM processes involve the cooperation and IT integration of global logistical companies with clients.

Shared processes include strategies formulated between suppliers and clients, regarding tailor making goods or determining and assessing market patterns, for mass-production products, and considering innovative in production lines, using new raw materials and integration of software (Kaminski, Oliveira, and Lopes, 2008). The internet infrastructure has been a major revolution in the modern business world. Most SCM roles executed within and from without the firm by people in the chain take advantage of this platform.

The Role of Technology in Supply Chain Management

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Technological adoption in SCM creates value that allows for the evolution of pertinent competitive benefits by enhancing the association of suppliers and clients. Technology enhances not just the collaboration of activities, but also the sharing of new ideas and information for the development and delivery of solutions.  The main challenge of the SCM activities is the assimilation of the company with customers and the purveyors.

Collaboration with suppliers is a cost-benefit; moreover, service delivery to the customer is an essential attribute for the success of the SC. Customers also contribute to the success of this process when they work together with the company in creating goods and services that meet their needs. IT in SCM is employed to ensure collaboration between firms and their suppliers and clients. The major argument is that a synchronized development of processes along the supply chain is essential to guarantee the flow of data within and across various domains underpinned by technology (Kaminski, Oliveira, and Lopes, 2008).

Conclusion

Technology is the engine that drives supply chain, particularly global logistical firms. The demands of the market economy warrant every firm to have the best technology in a bid to enhance the quality of products, cut down costs and reduce the amount of time taken to manufacture goods.  TMS, for instance, is used to increase efficiency; on the other hand, VAS and Cross-Docking in the supply chain are used to improve the management of product movement and delivery. The paper demonstrated that technology is a game changer. This has been evident with how Wal-Mart improves productivity and efficiency across the supply chain by the use of smart tags and RFID technology.

The Role of Technology in Supply Chain Management

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References

Alan M., F. (2006). One Platform, Many Uses. Journal of Commerce, 34-35. Retrieved from      http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.trident.edu:2048/docview/312948154/fulltext/13F632B259229C3249/1?accountid=28844

Blanchard D. (2007). Supply Chain Management: Best Practices. John Willey and Sons, Inc. Hoboken: New Jersey.

Closs, David, Cheri Speier, Judith Whipple, M. Douglas Voss (2008) A Framework for Protecting your Supply Chain, Logistics Management (2002) Highland Ranch: Vol.47,     Iss. 9; pg. 45, 1.

Field, A. M., (2006). One platform, many uses. Journal of Commerce, New York August 21. 

Forger, Gary (2005). “Kirkland’s New Home,” Modern Materials Handling (Warehousing Management Edition), Boston Vol 60, Iss. 4: pg 22. 

KAMINSKI, P. C., Oliveira, A. C., Lopes, T. M. (2008). Knowledge transfer in product development processes: a case study in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of the metal mechanic sector from São Paulo, Brazil, Technovation, 28, 29-36.

Krajewski, Lee J.; Ritzman, Larry P. 2005. Operations Management: Processes and Value Chains. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Lysons, K., and Farrington, B., 2006, Management Chain for Purchase and Supply, US, FT. Quayle, M., 2006, The Strategies in Management, Hershey, Idea Group Inc, p. 366.

Tommelein, I.D., Akel, N., Boyers, J.C. (2003) Capital projects supply chain management: SC tactics of a supplier organization. Construction Research, 120(44):1-7. (Accessed 27th January 2016 from ASCE Library Research).

Upton, H & Harpal S. (2007) Balanced S&OP: Sunsweet Growers’ Story, Supply Chain   Management Review. New York: Vol.11. Issues 2; pg 51. 

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Negotiation: Gambits to Look Out For

Negotiation
Negotiation

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Negotiation: Gambits to Look Out For

The way one behaves during a negotiation can highly affect the outcome. Since negotiations are a voluntary agreement, there is no guarantee at the onset that an agreement will be reached upon (Edward and Roy 2015). It is through the use of proper negotiating skills and application of tactful behaviors that a consensus can be reached (Roger 2012).

A good negotiation approach entails both competitive and cooperative behaviors. Enhancing the deal during the negotiating process require both parties to be cooperative. When both parties are working towards a mutual goal, the process ends up in a win-win situation that usually leads to a future working relationship. Having a cooperative mindset establishes a relationship between the negotiators for value creation.

On the other hand, a competitive mindset is used for claiming of value. Though competitive strategies that claim value usually tend to undermine cooperation between the parties, a cooperative strategy also tends to make one vulnerable to the competitive bargaining techniques. It is, therefore, to apply both cooperative and competitive behaviors during the negotiations.

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One should be mindful of competitive and cooperative negotiating behaviors for some reasons. A competitive mindset gives one the power to control the negotiation process. Since the Navigation system under review had been used to the negotiating and proved to be effective, it will give more value to the company while striking the deal.

Prior information about the government representative can be used to bring cooperativeness in the negotiating process by talking about it and not stating the first quote for the deal. A better deal will be received by having a language and nonverbal behavior that convey confidence and power (Nick 2015).

Negotiation activities are either contractual or for personal purposes. Negotiation with the federal government is a contractual negotiating activity while one involving purchasing of a personal car is a personal purchasing negotiation. A contract exists as a voluntary agreement between parties that have made a promise in exchange for value and negotiating is the process that leads to making the mutual agreements (Edward and Roy 2015).

In negotiated contracts, both parties surrender some measure of power to each other, yet both end up gaining more that they previously had. In personal negotiation, there is no surrendering of freedom by either of the parties since each of them is after a personal gain. While in contractual negotiations there are preparations made, personal purchasing negotiations are random and at the convenience of the buyer.

Some skills are critical in negotiating contracts with the federal government. Preparation is important before entering into a bargaining contractual negotiation. History of the relationship between the two parties and past relationship are crucial in reaching a common goal. Some of the skills a powerful negotiator should possess include:

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  1. Making sure that the other side commits first

According to Roger (2012), power negotiators give the other party the chance to commit first in a negotiation. When the other party commits first, one is in a position to bracket their proposal, gain more information about them and possibly get a better deal than expected.

  • Pretending to be dumb

A skilled negotiator is able to act stupid in order to get a better perspective of the other party. Acting dumb gives a negotiator an upper hand since the other party sees the negotiator as less intelligent and gives them a better deal in order to help them.

  • Ability to understand real value of a deal in a warm way.

Instead of giving the real value of the deal, it is wise to break the amount into bits so that the other party doesn’t feel the weight of the whole amount. When the price is broken into small amounts, it is easier for the other party to go ahead and accept it.

  • Committing to the core issues.

Skilled negotiators learn to focus on real issues in the negotiation rather than be distracted by the other party’s movements. One should be calm and remain in control during the negotiation process for a possible win.

  • Being complimentary

Even if the other party didn’t perform well in the negotiation, it is highly advisable to congratulate them. When the other party is complimented, chances are that they will raise price for the deal.

Negotiating with a federal government requires the use of skilled tactics to come to a compromise. Failing during a negotiating can hugely affect the growth of a business, and that’s why preparation is adamant for success. Since the government representative is known in advance, the negotiator is at an advantage. It is important to allow the agent name their price first as it will give room for a powerful negotiation.

References

Edward Tomlinson and Roy Lewicki (2015). The negotiation of contractual agreements. Retrieved from http://jsc.sagepub.com/content/1/1/85.full

Roger Dawson (2012). Secrets of power negotiation: Get the Other Side to Commit. Retrieved from https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/secrets-of-power-negotiating/id516804836?mt=11

Luanne Kelchner (2016). Top Ten Effective Negotiation Skills. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/top-ten-effective-negotiation-skills-31534.html

Nick Kolenda (2015). The Psychology of Negotiation: 31 tactics and strategies. Retrieved from http://www.nickkolenda.com/negotiation-tactics/

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