Generic Benchmarking Worksheet

Generic Benchmarking Worksheet

Task A: Problem/Opportunity Statement

Instructions for Task A: In the Response row, write out the problem/opportunity statements for the scenario for each of the team members.

Response to Task A:

* Global Communications will meet our customer and shareholders' needs by creating by creating win-win partnerships that stimulates product expansion.

* Global Communications will meet our customer needs by product globalization and customer service superiority.

* Global Communications can use satellite technology and strategic partnership to regain market share and become a global leader in telecommunications.

* Global Communications can become an industry leader by outsourcing labor and operations cost to revive the company's financial health.

* Global Communications can redesign its product line, break away from the current stale communications market and successfully place itself as a successful pioneer in its field.

* Global Communications can expand into a global market and expand its international competitiveness without reducing its American footprint.

* Global Communications can forge a winning partnership among labor and management officials by negotiating the most profitable solution between its international labor and union representative.

Generic Benchmarking--The purpose of generic benchmarking is to identify potential solutions to the problem statements defined in Task A. You will do this by looking at how companies in other industries have dealt with similar issues.

Task B1: Generic Benchmarking: Topics

Instructions for Task B1: In the Response row, identify the topics for which you need information in order to identify potential solutions to the problems identified in Task A.

* In the Response row, list three to five topics that you will research in peer-reviewed journals, on Web sites, and in popular publications such as magazines and newspapers.

* In the Response row, provide a justification for each topic.

Response to Task B1:

Topic 1: Outsourcing

Outsourcing has become an emotional touch point for the United States economy's two-year-old recovery from recession. This is an issue political parties particularly the Democratic Party, has paid close attention to. Their argument is there are no new jobs, there are 700,000 less positions within the United States companies' and on government payrolls today then in 2001 November, the month, the recession was declared over Norton, Stephen J.( 2006). Outsourcing affects manufacturing, service workers, those who provide telephone assistance, to software buyers, to technical support positions, and even those who read X-rays.

The workforce has included outsourcing from countries such as India, Russia, and the Philippines among others. Democrats are asking "Where will the jobs of the future come from?" they are reaching for every opportunity to raise awareness on this subject, from committees hearings, during floor debates, and campaign appearances to address shortages of job opportunities. This can pose a threat to the goals of Global Communications becoming an international company, by means of outsourcing.

To begin, the Democrats are developing legislation that will prevent U.S. companies from considering outsourcing a means to get ahead. This development includes deterrents such as; requesting more statistics collected on companies who outsource, in efforts to shame the companies into reconsidering, as well as, restricting the use of federal contracts and loans to companies that create jobs overseas, while eliminating jobs here Norton, Stephen.(2006)

Not only will Global Communications have to consider political backlash, but also, the security of sensitive information, a breach of confidentiality as a risk in outsourcing as well. Based on a survey study conducted by Booz Allen Hamilton on 158 senior executives from a cross-section of industries, on the most important things they consider when selecting an outsourcing partner, of high concern was security. "28% said the security risk of offshore partners is much higher than domestic, and 34th stated it was simply higher. Among the consideration of quality of service and reputation for growth a huge concern lays with the risk of security breach.

Topic 2: Image reform/ Redesign Product Packaging

New product designs, ideas, and developments can help companies please their customers and reassure shareholders confidence. Companies can use innovation strategies to create better products and services. Creating and re-designing products and services have several advantages and disadvantages. Some advantages include boosting investor's confidence, increasing their customer base and recovering market share. Some drawbacks include cost, time, and product failures.

Topic 3: Create Strategic Alliances/Joint Ventures

Strategic alliances and partnerships are particularly important to companies that need a boost in market share but are unable to accomplish this without collaboration with a partner that satisfies some need or weakness in a company. Strategic alliances and partnerships are important for increasing both market share and company position among competitors. A strategic alliance is a mutually beneficial long-term formal relationship formed between two or more parties to pursue a set of agreed upon goals or to meet a critical business need while remaining independent organizations (2006). Through these alliances or partnerships to include satellite providers, Global communications has the opportunity to offer product packages that will promote more competition due to their increased technical advantages combined with lower cost to the customer. By creating partnerships with satellite and wireless providers, a full range of telecommunication products can be offered.

Topic 4: Expand Global Market Presence

Expanding Global Communications international presence is an opportunity to grow socially and Financially. There are opportunities to growth in economics, social, governmental, and industrial. Expanding global market presence