Internal and External Analysis of M-TRONICS

Internal and External Analysis of M-TRONICS M-TRONICS was founded during the consolidation of small local machine shops in the early 1900s. From early 1900s to 1999, M-TRONICS has struggled and faced with many operating and personnel problems within its organization. One of the positive aspects of this company is EBIT Margin. According to the EBIT Ratio, M-TRONICS has done very well in the last decade (90-99). At present it has a bright future. M-TRONICS has to consider every alternative they have in order to make sure that their organization is able to continue with its growth strategy. The alternative that is mentioned below for M-TRONICS will allow them to solve the issues that are being restricted in the organizations growth strategy. After analyzing the main issues and the internal and external factors, the best alternative for M-TRONICS is to realign the organization so they can think closely about on one strategy and one focus. This case analysis will recognize the issues that are being faced by M-TRONICS, an analysis o f the external and internal factors, and to provide the most feasible solution for the organization. Key Issues M-TRONICS must evaluate the different options they have that would allow their company to grow within their competitive industries. The key issues and questions that needs to be addressed in this case analysis are: 1. Should the Entrepreneurial Subsidiaries be a key part of M-TRONICS growth strategy? The Entrepreneurial Subsidiaries at M-TRONICS is causing a money drain as large amount of the companys budget is going towards the subsidiaries instead of their two major divisions (Electronics and Machinery Division). 2. Should changes be made within the organizational structure and strategy? The structure and strategy at M-TRONICS are different in each division. As each division has operated in different manner, it has resulted in conflict of culture, structure, and strategy of the overall organization. M-TRONICS has been faced with an increase in turnover over the past few years. The increase is due to employees being unsatisfied with how the organization is operating. External Analysis (page 7 ) There are two industries in consideration have vastly different characteristics. The industrial machinery industry is characterized by its inactive nature. Success in this industry relies more on quality and a strong sales force rather than on innovation. As it is a slow growth industry, being a market leader is not necessarily dependant on having a first-mover advantage. The market is in a mature phase; therefore, factors like cost, quality, and reputation are important for survival. The electronics industry is contrary to the machinery industry. The electronics industry is constantly growing and evolving. It is characterized by innovation and development, and longevity is dependant on an evolving product line. Research and technology are the cornerstones of the industry and being a pioneer is essential to success. Other industries are involved depending on which industry a subsidiary is created in. These industries generally have synergy with the two above and are also reliant on development. Internal Analysis M-TRONICS structure has made its culture highly reflective of its history. By keeping the electronics and manufacturing divisions separate, each was able to retain the characteristics and management of Datronics and McKenna Machine Company respectively. Before acquiring Datronics to form M-TRONICS, McKenna Machine Company was a leader in industrial machinery. Datronics was a highly innovative fledgling engineering company focused on high-tech developments. The two together formed a comprehensive manufacturing company with an emphasis on stability in the manufacturing division and development in the electronics division. Sales following the acquisition increased from $600 million to over $2 billion and gross profits grew from $12 million to $104.3 million. Henry McKenna, who had little involvement with the actual operations of the company, but was acting more as a figurehead until his retirement, oversaw the two divisions. The manufacturing division is essentially the McKenna Machine Company component of the company, who is led under the same leadership of George McElroy. McElroy was an essential part of the companys success and was extremely involved with the company. McElroys division is driven by performance and stability, reflecting the stagnancy of the industry and the division. Compensation reflected this, as its basis was only 10% based on return on investments and a lower use of incentives. Datronics founder John Martell led the electronics division, effectively what the Datronics component comprised. Martells style was entrepreneurial, and he believed in fostering innovation and a creative atmosphere. The division was constantly growing and searching for new enterprises to engage in. This dynamic style of leadership is what led to Martells appointment as McKennas successor as president and CEO of M-TRONICS. Martells appointment as president brought several wide sweeping changes as he infused his entrepreneurial spirit and open culture throughout the organization. This was to help develop into new high growth markets, while retaining their current customer base. One of Martells biggest implementations was the Entrepreneurial Subsidiary approach. The Entrepreneurial Subsidiary program was to hedge risks while capitalizing on new investments and retaining talent within the company. The program gave M-TRONICS 80% ownership of the new subsidiary formed by M-TRONICS employees and otherwise staffed by new talent. Depending on the success of the subsidiary, it would eventually amalgamate into the company. The program was designed to entice employees to develop breakthrough concepts without losing out on the benefits of the innovation or the loss of talented employees. Employees were able to expand their ideas in independent ventures with the security and support of M-TRONICS backing them while also making potential substantial gains. Martells changes to the company were very effective in promoting growth and development. However, these changes began to have trouble integrating into the company and dissatisfaction with employees began to rise. Martells appointment of Grennan as the new leader of the Electronics division was creating some dissension as his alliances from his subsidiary were causing some dissension. Another issue was that the focus on electronic development had left the manufacturing division behind their competitors and as a result their top-rated sales force was beginning to leave. Costs were rising considerably in the electronics division with some products obsolescing before they reached their break-even mark. The successes of the subsidiaries were now showing weaknesses as loyalties were forming cliques within the company and as returning employees felt dissatisfied in their roles back in the company. Meanwhile, the manufacturing division required an investment of $200 million to $250 million t o update their facilities and product line to keep up with the industry. Alternatives Realignment The alternative that we ranked number one is that of realignment. We chose this alternative because we feel that it would bring the company back to one strategy and one focus. This would enable the company to reduce the money drain of the Entrepreneurial Subsidiaries, reduce the talent loss, and allow for investment in both the machinery and electronics divisions. In order to realign the company, the first step would be to eliminate any future subsidiaries and bring any existing subsidiaries that are profitable into the company under the electronics division. This would stop the losses and loans to those companies, as well as bring back the talent that left to manage those companies. This would leave M-TRONICS two divisions, which could then be managed with one strategy. Under a single strategy both units would have the same, or very similar, compensation packages and rewards. This would create an environment for all to flourish while retaining and attracting talent, while also increasing morale. It would also create an innovative company, which could return to the high profits while being a leader in the industry. It would also ensure that both divisions would be managed under the same management style, which is not the case at the moment. Eliminating the Entrepreneurial Subsidiaries The second alternative that M-TRONICS can consider is to eliminate the Entrepreneurial Subsidiaries. M-TRONICS is better off eliminating the Entrepreneurial Subsidiaries because it has been a money drain on the company. By eliminating the subsidiaries, it would be beneficial to M-TRONICS, as it would enable them to invest more money towards the Electronics and Machinery Divisions. With the savings in cost, it would allow M-TRONICS to directly invest more money into the RD departments of the Electronics and Machinery Divisions. It would enable the divisions to enhance and improve existing products as well as developing new products. Also by eliminating the Entrepreneurial Subsidiaries, it would reduce the tension within the organization between the employees from the different departments within the divisions. In doing so, it would eliminate the conflicts in the divisions and improve the productivity of the organization. Flatten Organization The last alternative that M-TRONICS could adopt is to flatten the organizational structure of the company. Warring factions were developed in many of the organization departments, particularly in the RD department and between research and other departments (for example, marketing and manufacturing). The conflicts led to poor decisions, lack of cooperation, and wasted energy, which could have limited the future growth of M-TRONICS. It is necessary to make changes to the organizational structure. The result of the changes could benefit the organization just by using resource more efficiently. They could join the two divisions research and development department together, which could help Machinery Division improve their product quality by using Electronics Divisions resources. They can also join other similar function departments, such as marketing departments. Machinery Division have too many salespeople, they could use joint sales force to sale both divisions products. This could res ult in a reduced total sales force. For Electronics Division, they could also join their sub research departments and division research departments together in order to save research costs and increase development speed. Implementation It is time for M-TRONICS to rethink their strategy and approach. This will require a realignment of the existing strategy with an increased focus on current profitable subsidiaries and talent retention rather than future subsidiaries. Initially all ideas for future subsidiaries and interests will be put aside and a thorough re-assessment of existing profitable subsidiaries will be conducted. In order to determine if the current approach, they are using needs to be modified or changed in any way. By using a single strategy to manage both departments, a new compensation and rewards package will be introduced to both departments. This new reward system will be implemented immediately with increased focus on boosting worker morale, giving workers more empowerment then before, and an improved rewards system. A similar management style will be introduced to both departments as well, which will make organizational practices in both departments more consistent with each other. With increased rewards, career growth opportunities and higher levels of recognition by upper management, these wild ducks will not only get the opportunities to challenge themselves in a competitive work environment, but also grow as talented individuals. This new rewards system will insure that current talent is retained and new talent is attracted. If strategies for profitable subsidiaries are modified then there will be a 6-month test period for their new strategies. Afterwards, performance will be evaluated against pre-set benchmarks regarding revenues and operating margins along with potential growth opportunities. At the moment, there will be a shift of focus from future subsidiaries, as they will not be considered for some time in order to reduce current financial strains. Focus will be reduced mainly to existing profitable subsidiaries, which will come under the electronics division, and the machinery division. The main area of focus in the machinery division will be employee motivation and product quality. The main aim will be to reduce turnover and bring back the motivation that the employees had, especially in the sales force. However, one of the reasons why the sales force was losing its motivation was due to inferior quality products that were being produced. This new strategy will cause a shift of focus in the organization and reduce financial strain. It will allow M-TRONICS to invest more in the machinery department in order to bring back the quality that M-TRONICS have been known for. With improved product quality, more standardized management practices throughout the organization, improved rewards and bonus systems, increased worker empowerment and morale, and a new approach, M-TRONICS will be on its way to once again becoming the market leader it was before.

An Interesting Connection :: Rhetorical Analysis Culture Cultural Essays

An Interesting Connection Many times people can be put into a situation that would make them feel uncomfortable. It may be even worse when a situation like that is the way and style that you live. In the two stories A Body Ritual Among the Nacirema, by by Horace M. Miner, and Reclaiming Culture and the Land: Motherhood and the Politics of Sustaining Community by Winona LaDuke, this situation is just that. In both of the stories, the main character or characters are living in a situation where they are considered the outsider or the outcast. Although the main characters find a number of ways to improvise and work around the situation, it still remains and is one of the big and important factors within their lives. In the story Reclaiming Culture and the Land: Motherhood and the Policies of Sustaining Community, the author describes just some of the challenges of working while being a Native American living on and off within a normal Caucasian society. One of the issues brought up in the story is that the author does a poor job in raising her children while they are at the most important stages in their childhood. In this Indian community, everyone knows each other and it is a close, tight knit community throughout. One of the principals which backs this up is that one or more mothers in the community take care of all of the children of the community, kind of like a daycare center. The author is indeed one of these caretaker mothers that would spend a lot of time with all the children. As a result, outsiders look at her and believe that she is doing a poor job at what she considers to be a fine parenting job. And other hardship that she has is trying to understand her place in socie ty because she is a woman. In the story, she describes how things are constantly being taken from her and assumed by the male sex. These and more are some of the problems that she has to deal with in the story. In the article, Body Ritual among the Nacirema, by Horace M. Miner, some of these same problems are faced.

McDonald’s: The coffee spill

1. What are the major issues in the Liebeck case and in the following incidents? Was the lawsuit â€Å"frivolous† as some people thought, or serious business? The major issues in this case include how hot the coffee should be, when to draw the line on making a case outrageous and how corporations are supposed to please customers without worrying about being sued. I believe that the lawsuit was frivolous because of the amount of money that was being asked for. It is common sense that when you order coffee or any other hot beverage that contents will be hot.I feel that it was the fault of Liebeck and although this is the case, McDonald’s should have paid the medical bills and settled out of court before it was blown out of proportion. 2. What are McDonald’s social (economic, legal, and ethical) responsibilities toward consumers in the Liebeck case and the other cases? What are consumers' responsibilities when they buy a product such as hot coffee or hot hamburgers? How does a company give consumers what they want and yet protect them at the same time?McDonald’s responsibilities are to be honest and fair economically, legally and ethically. Any business should keep the safety of their customers in mind and if an incident does occur, take responsibility. Consumers are responsible for situational awareness. They should pay more attention to what they are doing and if something does occur, consumers should act within reason and not try to get every cent from the company they can. It is impossible to keep everyone happy. 3. What are the arguments supporting McDonald’s position in the Liebeck case?What are the arguments supporting Liebeck’s position? McDonald’s stated that Liebeck had only herself to blame for placing the cup between her legs. It was also stated that Liebeck failed to leap out of the seat allowing the coffee to penetrate her clothing and burning her. A burn expert for Liebeck stated that 170 degree coffe e is capable of causing second degree burns within 3. 5 seconds. It was also argued that 700 complaints, equal to one in every 24 million cups sold, is trivial.This statement was supposed to help McDonald’s but in turn helped Liebeck. 4. If you had been a juror in the Liebeck case, which position would you most likely have supported? Why? What if you had been a juror in the pickle burn case? If I were a juror in this case or the pickle burn case, I would have most likely supported McDonald’s. I feel that people should show a little more common sense when they order food. Most people want to get their food while it is still hot so why don’t people sue when food is too cold?On the other hand, McDonald’s should make the warning on the cup larger and warn consumers as they order. 5. What are the similarities and differences between the coffee burn case and the pickle burn case? Does one represent a more serious threat to consumer harm? What should McDonald's, and other fast food restaurants, do about hot food, such as hamburgers, when consumers are injured? Both the coffee case and the pickle burn case have one big thing in common. Both cases are against McDonald’s.Both cases are based on the same complaint, too hot, but the burns resulted from different sources. As I stated above, fast food restaurants should make labels larger as well as give a verbal warning. Maybe they should make the entire wrapper or cup a warning. I cannot however agree to lower the temperature. I feel that if a customer wishes to have a cooler beverage, ask the server to pour a little cool water in it to cool it off. As far as food is concerned, consumers should have the common sense to wait. 6. What is your assessment of the â€Å"Stella Awards?†Is this making light of a serious problem? I think that the Stella awards are funny. They show us what people are willing to sue over and how outrageous the cases can be. The serious problem that I see is people are losing more and more common sense and businesses are paying for it. 7. What are the implications of these cases for future product-related lawsuits? Do we now live in a society where businesses are responsible for customers’ accidents or carelessness in using products? We live in a society that is growing older.Does this fact place a special responsibility on merchants who sell products to senior citizens? I feel that we are living in a world where businesses are responsible for consumer carelessness and accidents. Senior citizens should be warned over and over if a product is hot but should not place a special responsibility on merchants that sell to senior citizens. As far as implications, for the court systems to remain fair, damages should and need to be given to all but it does not have to be millions and millions of dollars.

Historical Perspective of Alcoholism - 2104 Words

Introduction Alcohol is the oldest and still probably the most widely used drug today. Some consider alcohol as an opponent but many consider it as an ally. Moderate amounts stimulate the mind and relax the muscles, but larger amounts impair coordination and judgment, finally producing coma and death. It is an addictive drug leading to alcoholism. Alcohol is known since antiquity to have some therapeutic value. Opium and alcohol had long been used as analgesics. Greek medicine had employed wine and vinegar in wound care. Now we know that alcohol is a good antiseptic. Alcohol has other values in modern medicine such as pain relief, delay labor, raising HDL level, etc. Pure ethanol is a colorless, flammable liquid (boiling point 78.5 º C).†¦show more content†¦They were the most important scientists in the history of chemistry and chemical technology in Islam. Their works exerted a dominating influence on later generations of Muslims and Europeans. The most important of the great chemica l discoveries in the Middle Ages were alcohol and mineral acids, and the key to finding them was through the process of distillation, which the Arabs developed and mastered. Distillation was one of the most important processes in Islamic chemical technology and was employed for both medicinal preparations and a variety of other technological and industrial uses, including the preparation of acids and the distillation of perfumes, rosewater and essential oils. Several great Muslim chemists clearly described the distillation of wine using specialized distillation equipment. Al-Rahzi, in his book Kitab al-Asrar (The Book of Secrets) described the process of distillation and the apparatus used. He used distillation to concentrate alcohol, which was then taken as an anesthetic. Al-Kindi (9th century AD), describes distillation and the apparatus in his book, Kitab Kimya’ al-‘itr wa al-Tas-idat (Book of Perfume Chemistry and Distillation). Al-Kindi says: â€Å"In the same way , one can distill wine using a water-bath, and it comes out the same color as rosewater.† In Spain, the Arab surgeon Aub al-Qasim al-Zahrawi, (d.1013 AD), known to the West asShow MoreRelatedAlcoholism a Social Problem?1593 Words   |  7 Pages and participating in activities that previously involved alcohol or drug use. Relapse, as a social problem, would be a debatable if people drank alcohol in a responsible manner, however according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (2002), more than half of the adult U.S. population drank alcohol in the past 30 days. Interestingly, approximately 5% of the total population drank heavily, while 15% of the population binge drank. From 2001–2005, there were nearly 80,000 deathsRead MoreThe Effects Of Drug Addiction On Children1506 Words   |  7 Pagesin the context that we do today. 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