Global Communication

Gap Analysis: Global Communications

Global Communication has just received the news that the shares of stock is still decreasing but now it is at an all time low of $11 per share. The stakeholders are upset and want to see changes immediately. They have to brainstorm and begin the decision making process, that will eventually lead them into another part of the world. The paper will identify the 4 issues that have led them to the fall of stock and tools that will allow them to revitalize their organization.

Situation Analysis

Issue and Opportunity Identification

Global Communication has a long history of creating and marketing telecommunication products. Historically, competition provided companies with an edge that kept them on their toes until now, when the once ordinary product turned into technological prototype that was introduced by the cable companies that went far beyond the normal telephone service. The cable companies introduced a package that included "complete solutions that captured the computer, television and plain old telephone service (POT)".

The management team has to priority the issues at hand. The first issue is the significant fall of the stock prices. The stakeholders are displeased with the stock that was once $28 per share, now being valued at $11 per share, which is more then a 50% loss. The second issue is the increased competition. The third issue is the forecasted lay-off. The lay-off is a hurdle that is going to be painful but necessary. The necessity to relocate their call center from the USA to India and Ireland has its pro's and con's. The fourth and final issue is the internal communication Global Communication has to correct. "Communication is the process by which information is transmitted and understood between two or more people. Information exchange is an essential part of the coordination process, allowing employees to develop common mental models that synchronize their work. Second, communication is the glue that holds people together. It helps people satisfy their drive to bond and, as part of the dynamics of social support, eases work-related stress (McShane & Glinow, 2005)." After careful brainstorming the executive team decided upon a new approach that would provide Global Communication with the new edge that they so desperately needed to remain in the telecommunication game. The first plan of action is to introduce new services that would focus mostly on the small businesses and consumer customers that would now be exposed to the local and long-distance arena. Global Communication has also identified a cost-cutting variable that will increase their profit and market itself more aggressively on a global level.

Stakeholder Perspectives/Ethical Dilemmas

Global Communication is a private trading organization where the stakeholders need to see positive returns. Unfortunately, that hasn't been occurring but instead a 50% drop in the stock value. The stakeholders want to see an immediate turn around. The management team consists of 5 members in which all represent different values, interest and rights. The team has decided to implement a plan without consulting with the Vice President of Technologies Workers Union. The plan includes outsourcing the call center to Ireland and India to increase the productivity and cut cost at the same time. With outsourcing abroad come lay-offs, that is will be a shock to the employees since they already gave up 20% of their educational and health benefits. The employees who do not lose their jobs will receive a 10% deduction in pay. Management also recognizes the urgent need to communicate their plans to the employees before they hear the news from the media or a grapevine. The company has a strong history of treating employees well. How will Global Communication handle the potential communication debacle?

The VP of Technologies Workers Union wants to meet with the management team to re-negotiate the terms that will allow for an integrative negotiation. As of now, the negotiation is in distributive mode. (La Piana Associates, Inc.) The employees are on the losing end of the spectrum.

End-State Vision

Global Communication has outsourced the call centers to Ireland and India and profit is beginning to rise. Employees are finally beginning to believe in the company again. I envision that management begins to keep a closer eye on the competition and be aware of any drops in their stocks in Wall Street, sales and marketing. If the statistics are not consistent, a plan needs to be created and implemented immediately in order to avoid history. Historically, Global Communication has had to somehow increase their stocks, out do competition, introduce new services and loss employees. With strong management and with the help of our committed employees, Global Communication will continue to build a steadfast foundation that will continue to blossom and grow with truth, respect and integrity.

Gap Analysis

"The gap analysis is a business resource assessment tool enabling a company to compare its actual performance with its potential performance. The goal is to identify areas that have room for improvement. The gap analysis process involves determining, documenting and approving the variance between business requirements and current capabilities. Gap analysis naturally flows from benchmarking and other assessments. Gap analysis' is a formal study of what a business is doing currently and where it wants to go in the future. Gap analysis provides a foundation for measuring investment of time, money and human resources required to achieve a particular outcome (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gap_analysis)."

Currently, GC needs to get a handle on the competition and save cost at the same time. They have to bare the burden of trying to increase the now slumping shares of stock from $11 per share to the minimum of $28 per share. They have created and prepared a two-prong approach that will realize growth through the introduction of new services and identified cost-cutting measures to improve profitability. A fraction of the two-prong approach will narrow in on the small businesses and consumer customers who will need local and long distance markets on a global scale. GC has teamed up with satellite providers to offer video services and satellite versions of broadband. The partnership will allow GC customers the anytime flexibility needed to stay ahead in the game.

Conclusion

Global Communication has fallen victim to the new millennium where technology has soared and taken over the various industries.