Analysis of UMUC Haircuts’ business process will be developed from the identified areas in the previous case. These can be presented as follows:
- Generic Strategy: Broad Market and Low Cost
- Strategic Business Area: Employees
- Process to Be Improved: Customer and Employee Scheduling
Business Process Models
Feed employee and customer data into the database The above process model is the current process used by UMUC in handling employee and customer scheduling. However, the processed model will entail the following:
Customer and Employee Scheduling
Customer and employee scheduling was identified as the business process that needs improvement. The process needs information technology to improve how Myra makes appointments with the customers and schedules work processes. It has become difficult for the entrepreneur to match customer appointments with the employees’ work programs. Moreover, the organization is losing a lot of business to the competitors since most of the walk-in customers are turned away.
Work Scheduling Software
Information technology solution that will be used to solve the problem is a work scheduling software. The program will integrate internet connectivity with communication devices such as telephones. It will be installed in the computers of the organization. The program is easy to use and therefore will not require many funds to install and operate. Myra will install the program using the manual, which is very easy to read and understand.
Required Components
Work scheduling software will require different components for its installation. In terms of services, the program will require internal employees of the organization. The employees will be informed about the program and how it operates. It will require one computer. However, it will be operated from a single computer in case the organization cannot afford several computers. The software will rely on internet connectivity and telephone devices (Cousins & Stewart, 2008). The program may not require additional housing facilities since it can be installed in one computer, which can be set in one of the offices within the building.
Process Improvement
Implementation of the program will enable Myra to improve customer and employee scheduling in the organization. It will require the business to identify arrival time, departure time, and the total hours available for each employee. These elements will be fed into the program and every employee will be assigned various duties based on the data. On the other hand, the organization will identify reporting and departure time for each customer. Myra will use the two sets of data to ensure that reporting and departure time for the employees and customers is consistent. After allocating the employees and the customers according to the schedule, Myra will have extra time to attend to walk-in customers. The entrepreneur may hire additional staff who will attend to the customer or handle cases of emergency.
Proposed Technology and Generic Strategy
Broad market and low cost require an organization to offer a wide product line to different consumers in the market. The strategy entails product diversification and reduced cost of operation for increased profitability. Work scheduling program proposed in this case will be used to ensure that UMUC can offer a wide a variety of services that will include hair styling, barber services, manicures, and shampoo services. Without proper scheduling the business will not manage to provide the services to a large number of customers. The program will also improve the performance and productivity of the employees through proper planning.
Reference
Cousins, J. & Stewart, T. (2008). What is business process design and why should I care? New York, NY: RivCom.