Do Organizations Really Establish Objectives?

EXPERIENTIAL EXERCISE 7B: DO ORGANIZATIONS REALLY ESTABLISH OBJECTIVES?

PURPOSE:

Objectives provide direction, allow synergy, aid in evaluation, establish priorities, reduce uncertainty, minimize conflicts, stimulate exertion, and aid in both the allocation of resources and the design of jobs. This exercise will enhance your understanding of how organizations use or misuse objectives.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Join with one other person in class to form a two-person team.

2. Contact by telephone the owner or manager of an organization in your city or town. Request a thirty-minute personal interview or meeting with that person for the purpose of discussing "business objectives." During your meeting, seek answers to the following questions:

* Do you believe it is important for a business to establish and clearly communicate long-term and annual objectives? Why or why not?

* Does your organization establish objectives? If yes, what type and how many? How are the objectives communicated to individuals? Are your firm's objectives in written form or simply communicated orally?

* To what extent are managers and employees involved in the process of establishing objectives?

* How often are your business objectives revised and by what process?

3. Take good notes during the interview. Let one person be the note taker and one person do most of the talking. Have your notes typed up and ready to turn in to your professor.

4. Prepare a five minute oral presentation for the class, reporting the results of your interview. Turn in your typed report.

TEACHING NOTES:

Consider using this exercise as an extra credit assignment and then allow some class time for the results to be presented.

CHAPTER 8: Implementing Strategies: Marketing, Finance/Accounting, R&D, and MIS Issues

ASSURANCE OF LEARNING EXERCISE 8A: DEVELOPING A PRODUCT-POSITIONING MAP FOR MCDONALD'S

PURPOSE:

Organizations continually monitor how their products and services are positioned relative to competitors. This information is especially useful for marketing managers, but is also used by other managers and strategists.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. On a separate sheet of paper, develop a product-positioning map for McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King, and Hardee's. Include in your diagram.

2. At