Course Project: Visual Journal by Eric Williams

Management as People

painistemporary13 — 2025-04-30 01:34:22 UTC

I like learning the distinction between management of people and management of process. I've always considered them to be one in the same, but never interpreted them as separate processes. Managers make things happen (like the quarterback). They direct, run plays, motivate their team, and hopefully win!

Corporate Social Responsibility

painistemporary13 — 2025-04-30 01:45:58 UTC

It was interesting exploring these topics for me. With CSR learning that companies that act responsibly earn loyalty from their customers was an expectation of mine. However, unexpectedly, I learned that there are a lot of grey areas that should be addressed in regards to Corporate Social Responsibility. For instance, my discovery of Walmart leaving small towns in economic turmoil.

Multidomestic strategy

painistemporary13 — 2025-04-30 02:01:50 UTC

Multidomestic Strategy is was interesting learning that companies will tailor their products to meet the needs of the customers in that region or country. Learning the folly of Pepsi in Mexico was really interesting. Moving forward this will be a learning experience that I will try to burn into my memory as it is something that I think would be most beneficial to me in future endeavors.

Competitive Advantage

painistemporary13 — 2025-04-30 02:13:03 UTC

Competitive Advantage is a company distinguishing themselves from the competitors. What makes your company unique? A favorite store of mine is Rural King. I think I'm a country boy at heart. I love the fact that this store caters to the rural people. The layout, the products, really tells a customer that they want to attract people that lives in rural areas. That gives them an competitive advantage over a lot of other retailers. Also they sell products in bulk without requiring a membership!

Management as Process

painistemporary13 — 2025-04-30 02:19:56 UTC

Management of Processes is the playbook. You gameplan, strategize, create schematics, practice, implement, and analysis. Figure out what works and what doesn't. Hopefully evolving the team as whole into something more cohesive and efficient.

Employee Diversity

painistemporary13 — 2025-04-30 02:24:25 UTC

Also I have a new understanding of employee diversity. I never thought of it as a way to help companies grow and be innovative. I've always considered it as a way to connect people, and honestly a way to discourage discrimination. A means to an end. It was insightful to open my mind to this knowledge.

Value Proposition

painistemporary13 — 2025-04-30 02:30:55 UTC

Value Proposition is the message you want to convey to your customers. You want to tell your customers "why" your product is the best. Rural King's slogan is "America's Farm and Home Store." This slogan stands out because their aren't many true farm retail stores. I think this is a simple and effective way to create value in its brand.

Standardization

painistemporary13 — 2025-04-30 02:33:35 UTC

Standardization Strategy for me is common. I've traveled to a lot of countries over the years. One country in particular that i experienced Standardization was in Brisbane, Australia. I asked for all my favorite America foods and they didn't sell any. The most recognizable product that I bought there (and any other country I visited) was Heineken. No matter where I went I was able to get that. No changes were made or anything. It was fun learning why this was the case.

Customer-Based Structure

painistemporary13 — 2025-04-30 02:40:43 UTC

Learning the different organizational structures. I particularly showed interest in customer and product based structured. with customer based structures, you focus on a distinct customer. I can associate this to my previous business as a property manager. It's insightful as my line of thinking wasn't in regards to this type of structure. I never knew this structure existed. Now having this knowledge I can pinpoint certain areas that caused me to go out of business.

Product Structure

painistemporary13 — 2025-04-30 02:47:20 UTC

Companies organize their company around their products or services. This is interested because I believe their more companies out there that has the structure more than I realized. For instance, I would think that almost every shoe company is implementing a product structure. So are gaming companies. I'm a gamer so I know some companies will dedicate most of their resources to this one product. Its really interesting to think about how one may use this structure. Especially if its more a project based product. That has a shelf life before creating another product.

Authoritarian Leadership

painistemporary13 — 2025-04-30 02:57:11 UTC

I can't help but to think of previous world dictators when thinking of the Authoritarian Leadership Style. Nicolo Machiavelli wasn't a dictator but he was an analyst of power. Some of his philosophies are still practiced today in the corporate world. He advised leaders to solely make decisions, centralize power, and use ruthless tactics to get results. I can't help but associate this with this management style. Though I don't agree with this from a management perspective I still use some of these ideals in uncommon situations that I may encounter in life.

Democratic Leadership

painistemporary13 — 2025-04-30 03:04:24 UTC

Now I think the ideal person to portray Democratic and Transformative Leadership is Queen Elizabeth II. Democratic Leadership is not making decisions alone. Considering the collective and making decisions for the greater good of the company. This is my ideal way of management.

Six Sigma

painistemporary13 — 2025-04-30 03:10:56 UTC

Perhaps this is my most passionate subject. Six Sigma improves quality by finding and eliminating defects. I love finding issues and finding ways to improve them. Toyota is perfect example of using six sigma effectively to achieve continuous quality improvement. Rated for decades as one of the most reliable cars in the US.

JIT (Just-In-Time Inventory)

painistemporary13 — 2025-04-30 03:20:33 UTC

JIT is inventory management strategy that cuts waste, shrinkage, holding cost, operating cost, etc. Its a very intricate and delicate process. Its take a lot of variables to achieve. Proper demand forecasting, proper account of available inventory and strict supply chain policies and procedures. I'm really passionate about this because once I was watching Jax 4 news, and there was an reporting about one of Jacksonville oldest barbeque restaurants struggling from inventory issues and crime. I wish I had the confidence, knowledge, and credentials to suggest best inventory practices to this business and hopefully see them strive in todays economy.

Conclusion

painistemporary13 — 2025-04-30 03:23:59 UTC

Professor Glanton, this has been a class that really taught me about what it means to run a business. As short as it seems I feel I can walk away not just a better manager, but a better person. There's so much I still don't know, but hopefully your lessons will continue to make great managers in the future. I thank you!