Business operational Essay Example for Free

Business operational EssayTo provide learners with an understanding of the role and importance of operations care (OM) in the efficient and effective production of goods and services. Scenario WH Smith is a major, well-known and publically-quoted book retailer and newsagent in the UK. Recently it was reported how Kate Swann, the former chief executive officer for the last 10 years, has turned the company around from ? 135m losses to ? 106m profit in a decade. (source www. theguardian. com/business/blog/2013/jan/23/wh-smith-kate-swann-profit, accessed 1 October 2013) (Also see re-create attached)This is an example of how the principles of operations instruction can be used to reactivate a firm. How did she do it? Using the above as a starting point, unitedly with other information sources, which you should look into yourself, on WH Smith, you are asked to address the Tasks be natural depression regarding operations counseling. Task 1 (this bets LO 1, ACs 1. 1, 1. 2 and 1 . 3) Based on the Scenario, bring almost a document explaining the nature and importance of Operation Management and its key elements. Your document for this Task must include the following elements (among others as you wish) I.A definition of OM and an business relationship of its importance II. The key elements of OM III. The need to realize goods or services on time and to cost, with the right whole tone and within the law IV. The role of OM in achieving strategic objectives and V. Produce systems and sub-systems diagrams for any WH Smith operations processes, including a brief ex deviceation of your diagrams. Task 2 (this meets LO 2 ACs 2. 1, 2. 2 and 2. 3) Based on the Scenario, produce a document explaining the relationship between OM and strategic readiness. Your document for this Task must include the following elements (among others as you wish) I.II. III. Explain the implementation of the 3Es in WH Smith critically review the tension between cost minimisation and qu ality maximization in the context of WH Smith and Assess the importance of the five performance objectives that patronize operations management. Task 3 (this meets LOs 3 and 4 in full) Base on the Scenario, produce a document explaining how to organise and apply pertinent techniques in a typical production process. Your document for this Task must include the following elements (among others as you wish) I. II. III.IV. Comment briefly on the importance of operational training and control. Explain what linear programming is, and give an example in relation to any part of the operations of WH Smith Produce a network plan and indicate the resultant critical path for any operation in WH Smith. (for this task, you should include a set of operational outcomes, which are clearly defined). Explain how quality can be defined and maintained. teaching outlets and Assessment Criteria In order to Pass this unit, the register that the learner presents forassessment needs to demonstrate tha t they can meet all the Learning Outcomes for the unit. The Assessment Criteria determine the standard required to Pass this unit. The Assessment Criteria will act as a guide to help you hurtle into context your answers to fulfill the Learning Outcomes. Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria 1. 1 explain the importance of operational management 1. 2 explain the need to produce safely on time to cost to LO 1 transform the quality and within the law nature and importance 1. 3 explain the link between operations management and of operational strategic planningmanagement 1. 4 produce a systems diagram to illustrate a typical business 2. 1 explain the tether Es (economy, efficiency and effectiveness) LO2 Understand the link between operations 2. 2 explain the tension between cost minimisation and management and quality maximisation strategic planning 2. 3 evaluate the significance of the five performance objectives that underpin operations management 3. 1 explain linear programming LO3 U nderstand how 3. 2 evaluate critical path psychoanalysis and network planning to organise a typical 3. 3 explain the need for operational planning and controlproduction process LO4 Be able to apply relevant techniques to the production of an operational plan for a typical business 4. 1 produce a set of clearly defined operational outcomes 4. 2 produce a network plan and indicate the resultant critical path 4. 3 explain how quality could be defined and maintained. INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION FOR LEARNERS This assessment and the Tasks above are designed to assess your get throughment of all four of the Learning Outcomes and associated Assessment Criteria for a Pass in the Employability Skills unit of the qualification you are undertaking.Your tutor/ deliverer will advise you when you should start work on the assignment, the experience when you must hand in your completed work and when you can expect to get your mark and feedback on your work. Guidance on this subject is provided o n knave 1 of this assignment brief. You should make sure that you plan your work carefully, to ensure that you cover all four learning outcomes of the assignment, and complete it within the time recoil specified. There is no official guideline wordcount or percentage marking (other than Pass/ Merit/ Distinction/ Refer).By way of guidance only for this accompaniment assignment, it is recommended that you write a minimum of 2000-2500 words total and match the weighting of your efforts to the wordcount indicated. Your statements in answer to the Learning Outcomes need to be prefixed with the specific Learning Outcome title or at least the Learning Outcome number. This will help you keep on track and should ensure you address the details. You must make sure that you acknowledge any sources you have used to complete this assignment, listing reference material and web sites used.The assignment result will be print on BITEs Moodle online education materials platform, normally within 6 weeks of the submission date. If your assignment is assessed as referred, you will be notified with an indication of the areas to be addressed. You whitethorn resubmit an assignment, or submit a new assignment, on a further two occasions during your period of registration as an Institute learner with Edexcel. If there is anything in these instructions or in the assignment itself which you do not understand, please seek guidance from your tutor/ deliverer. Merit outrank DescriptorsFor learners to achieve a Merit they must Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions Indicative characteristics Learners must demonstrate that An effective approach to assignment planning, study and research is in evidence Evaluations and judgements, using evidence, have been made Problems with a number of variables have been considered Select/design and apply appropriate methods/techniques A range of relevant theories have been included Relevant theories and techniques have been applied t o the case study A range of different sources of information have been usedThe selection of methods/techniques of analysis and use of source material have been justified Information/ data has been synthesised and processed Present and communicate appropriate findings The written assessment is coherent, shows logical discipline and a sound understanding of theories, concepts and research evidence The written assessment demonstrates that an appropriate structure and approach has been used The written assignment demonstrates a indite style appropriate for audiences both familiar and unfamiliar with the subject. The written work is clearly written and technical languagehas been accurately used Distinction grade Distinction descriptors For learners to achieve a Distinction they must Indicative characteristics Learners must demonstrate that Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and liberate valid conclusions. Conclusions have been arrived at through synthesis of ideas and evalua tion of research evidence and have been justified The validity of results has been evaluated using defined criteria Realistic and inform recommendations have been proposed against defined characteristics for success Take responsibility for managing and organising activities.The written assignment shows excellent planning, is organised coherently and is clearly expressed Independence of thought and convention of research material has been demonstrated Material used has been clearly understood and well organised The importance of individual and group behaviour in organisations and its management has been recognised and addressed Demonstrate convergent/lateral/creative thinking. There is evidence of self-generated ideas with evaluation Convergent and lateral thinking are transparent in the written assignment Creative thinking is evidenced with unfamiliar material. Problem-solving is in evidenceInnovation and creative thought are in evidence Receptiveness to new ideas is evident Idea s have been generated, evaluated and informed decisions/ recommendations are made. Case Study WHSmith WH Smith Kate Swann turns ? 135m losses into ? 106m profit in a decade unmatchable of the UKs some highly regarded and highly paid retailers achieved success by going against the grain WH Smith chief executive Kate Swann favours the old retail adage gross sales are vanity, profits are sanity. Photograph PA When Kate Swann arrived at WH Smith in 2003, there was a widely held view that the chains days were numbered.A decade on, she has turned losses of ? 135m into a profit of probably ? 106m this year, and shares that were languishing at 250p are now changing hands at 650p. Swann is now one of the UKs most highly regarded and highly paid retailers. Yet she has achieved this remarkable feat by breaking many of the rules of running a successful high street retail business. When Swann announced she was pulling out of selling music and DVDs because the profit margins were thin and getting thinner, rivals thought she had taken leave of her senses she was instantly kissing goodbye to about 30% of Smiths turnover.On a same-store basis on the high street, WHS now sells roughly ? 65 of goods for every ? 100 of custom seven years ago. The dying of Zavvi and HMV in the face of online competition shows it was a brave and correct decision. Swann favours the old retail adage sales are vanity, profits are sanity. By way on profitable sales and cutting costs relentlessly, she has boosted profit margins according to analyst Nick Bubb by an almost incredible 15 percentage points. composition other retailers have been pouring resources intothe digital world, Smiths big online strategy is its Funky Pigeon card site. Instead, Swann plans to open more shops, even though they are, to be frank, deeply rebarbative places to shop, stuffed with stock and screaming promotional banners. While the supermarkets have to tread carefully in the products they offer and have been t argeted for displaying sweets at the checkout, Smiths has sold stationery aimed at teenagers and youth women adorned with the Playboy bunny motif and Swanns checkout assistants attempt to force-feed the nation giant bars of Galaxy and chocolate oranges.Her secret? Maybe its the low profile. While many rivals enjoy the limelight, holding forth on the woes of the economy, the lack of women in the boardroom and political issues such as the in-out debate, Swann says nothing. She doesnt give interviews. On Wednesday, at Smiths AGM, a shareholder stood to offer thanks for her transformation. Asked to respond, she merely said Thank you, lets move on. No doubt she will. There will be a align for her services.