Question
Write brief paragraph and follow instructions for EACH homework
Answer
Human Resources Management
Contents
Introduction
Homework 1
The position in question is a general management position. In terms of tiers, the position is located at the top level. The primary skill set required is primarily human. In this position, the top-level manager must understand diverse aspects of relationships among individuals, workgroups, teams, departments, and divisions within the organization as well as how the dynamics of these relationships can be altered to facilitate the achievement of the organization’s stated objectives.
Homework 3
The article that is discussed in this section was published in The New York Times on November 21, 2015 (Gelles, The New York Times). It reports on a decision by Unilever Chief Executive, Paul Polman, to prioritize sustainable production. This is an example of an effort by a top manager to change the general environment within which a company operates. The news article reports that to achieve sustainable production, Polman intends to put a lot on emphasis on operational aspects such as reformulating detergents to use less water, enhancing packaging efficiency, and enhancing the eco-friendliness of the preliminary steps used to make the main ingredients for making most of the company’s products. The Chief Executive hopes that by the year 2020, the company’s environmental impact will be reduced in half. The company has already come up with a sustainable living plan, whereby the objective is to create brands that are environment-friendly, primarily in terms of improving health, enhancing livelihoods, and reducing the impact of the company on the environment.
According to the New York Times, Mr. Polman has already started establishing a reputation as a sustainability evangelist. This move is bound to have an impact on the general environment in which Unilever operates. He believes that corporations have the obligation and capacity to play a leading role in combating climate change. The New York Times reports that despite the current buzz surrounding the debate on environmental impact, sustainability remains a fuzzy concept. Nevertheless, reports The New York Times, Mr. Polman is determined to ensure that by 2017, all the soy oil it buys from the United States comes from sustainable farms. This change in the general environment by way of sustainable production may have a positive impact on business in the long run in terms of improving corporate reputation, reducing operating costs, and enhanced social wellbeing.
Homework 4
The point being made in the article is that human lives are being reshaped by the revolutionary power of technology particularly in regards to geo-economics (Friedman, The New York Times). Globalization is not over; it is just starting to manifest itself in a highly interconnected business environment. A major impact of this geo-economic change is outsourcing. For example, American companies are increasingly outsourcing numerous tasks to Indian companies. For these Indian companies, it is now possible for managers to organize virtual meetings with key participants within global supply chains online. The second theme is that massive worldwide investment in information technology during the bubble era has contributed to the “flattening of the world”. The flattening in this sense entails the ability for people to do business in any region of the world, thus reflecting the emergence of a 24/7/365 economy.
The third theme in the article is about the ability by people to innovate in the flattened world without having to emigrate. The creation of the euro as a regional currency is an ideal example of this emergence of a global economy that operates on a 24/7/365 basis. Currently, one euro is worth 1.08 US dollars. The emergence of a European currency that is stronger than the US dollar is a major pointer to the shifting tides of the globalized economy, where the United States is unlikely to lead the way in future as far as global economic operations are concerned.
Homework 11
One of the most dramatic changes I have experienced in life is the shift from dumb phones to smartphones. For a long time, I did not believe that dumb phones would be phased out by the emergence of smartphones. I loved dumb phones because of their efficiency and simplicity. I was reluctant to buy my first smartphone but when I finally did, I understood why dumb phones were no longer the most preferred mode of communication. This cultural change has significantly impacted business. Today, I am heavily dependent on my smartphone for my business activities. I get live email updates, and this is a major benefit for my business.
One article that highlights the change from dumb phones to smartphones was published in The Wall Street Journal on December 1, 2015 (Stern, The Wall Street Journal). The article highlights some of the features to look out for when buying a smartphone today. Some of these features include high-resolution cameras, Wi-Fi connectivity, and Android Apps. Wi-Fi connectivity can impact business positively because it facilitates optimal use of broadband internet for business communication.
Homework 13
The article chosen for this section was published in The Washington Post on October 29, 2015. The article highlights some of the human resource practices that Google has recently introduced, such as new perks, paid maternity leave, new platforms for sharing management ideas, and anti-bias training (McGregor, The Washington Post).
The interview questions that I would ask an entrepreneur about starting a business include:
- What is the ideal starting capital?
- How should I prepare to start?
- How should I assess the market?
- What is the best way of creating a competitive advantage?
- How long should I wait to reach the break-even point?
- What are the risks involved?
- Which HR practices should I adopt?
- Which is the best organizational culture?
- Should I build a flat or hierarchical organization?
- How should I prepare to compete with established businesses on a platform of innovation?
Works Cited
Friedman, Thomas. “It’s a Flat World, After All.” The New York Times, April 3, 2005. Web.
Gelles, David. “Unilever Finds That Shrinking Its Footprint Is a Giant Task.” The New York Times, 21 November 2015. Web.
McGregor, Jena. “With new site, Google makes public many of its internal HR tactics.” The Washington Post, October 29, 2015.
Stern, Joanna. “The Best Smartphones You Can Buy Right Now.” The Wall Street Journal, Dec. 1, 2015. Web.
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