Patterson Operation

STRENGTHS

WEAKNESSES

1. Development of an assembly line which facilitated work speed, hence, bonuses
2. Employee participation in decision making
3. Completion of an air-conditioned rest break area from employees’ pockets
4. Employees’ sense of ownership
5. Mutual cooperation (esprit de corps)
6. Cultural diversity (blacks & white)
7. 32.8% increase in productivity on year 1
8. Management tolerance in line with schedule changes and dress codes
9. Formation of own softball team
10. Low grievance rate

1. Old brick structure suitable only for warehouses 3 miles from main plant
2. Dark, poorly ventilated, not airconditioned, inadequately heated working conditions
3. Poorly suited building for assembly operations
4. No cafeteria or food service
5. 10⁰C in winters, 32⁰C in summers
6. Poor restrooms
7. Violations of certain company personnel policies
8. Infrequent visits from main plant managers/supervisors

OPPORTUNITIES

THREATS

1. Fix coordination problems with receiving goods very early in the main plant for earlier assembly operations
2. Renovation of the warehouse into a better working space for assembly lines
3. Creation of a cafeteria funded by employees or creation of a cooperative cafeteria which will provide food for everyone and funds for renovation
4. Formalize the formation of “Patterson Warriors” regarding company policy
5. Formation of other sports and interest groups such as “fun run groups, “craft groups”, “bake-sale groups” which in turn, will provide funding for different employee needs.
6. Betterment of work records concerning absenteeism, tardiness and turnovers
7. Positive management reactions

1. Run down, low income housing neigborhood
2. Mugging, and other crimes from the neighborhood
3. Sickness because of the varied and intense temperature changes in the warehouse
4. Natural disasters such as earthquakes, fires or hailstorms that might easily destroy the Patterson operation building.
5. Change of management – new management may not be as liberal or as tolerating as the previous ones
6. Coordination problems form the main plant could make them work in the hot afternoons of summer
7. Negative and ambivalent management reactions

ACA

ADVANTAGES

DISADVANTAGES

ACA 1. Creation of sustainable fund source to renovate the Patterson building/facilities

Employees will feel ownership of the Patterson Operations. They will feel confident about themselves and will have a sense of independence that will enhance their “esprit de corps” and in turn will promote job satisfaction.

Some might complain that the renovation funds are coming from their own pockets. Management might complain that their activities might interfere with their jobs. But May will make sure that these will not take place during business hours.

ACA 2. Submit new policies and regulations concerning the Patterson Operation

The violations that the management are tolerating will be made official and part of the usual operations at Patterson.

Other units of the Carrington company might feel that the Patterson operation has a special treatment from the upper management.

ACA 3. Request for renovation fund from the management for workplace improvement

The funding will not come from the employee efforts and pockets.

Highly unlikely, because the management did not even care about the working conditions of the Patterson Operations, also, this will not foster “esprit de corps”.