Problem Solution & Defense

Problem Solution: GeneOne

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University of Phoenix

Problem Solution: GeneOne

All organizations have their fair share of problems and internal issues that it has to deal with every day, but it is how that company or organization handles it's problems that usually determine how successful it will be. Although GeneOne has been successful in their operations, they face some issues that they need to overcome before they attempt an Initial Public Offering (IPO) of their stock in the near future. Some of the issues currently facing GeneOne, which is also a common problem among many other organizations, are: the lack of clear and effective communication, the lack of teamwork and understanding one another, and the lack of critical thinking and collaborative problem solving. Like any trial that one might face in life, a great learning experience and opportunity for success comes with these issues for GeneOne. Besides the issues and opportunities, it is important to understand and recognize the stakeholder's perspectives and values, the end-state vision or goals, and some alternative solutions to the problems along with an analysis and selection of the best solution. Every organization and individual faces certain problems at one time or another in their life, but it is how that organization or individual handles the issue at hand that helps to understand and define the entity. This journey to discover and overcome the issues that are currently facing GeneOne, will not only help them succeed and overcome this problem, but will better equip them to successfully overcome any future problems or issues that will surely come to pass.

Situation Analysis

Issue and Opportunity Identification

Although GeneOne is a successful operation with great potential, the company has some issues that need to be addressed before they can fully realize their goals. There seems to be a lack of teamwork and unity amongst the executives and management of the organization. The CEO of the company has set some goals, but other executives seem to have differing opinions and goals that the company should have. With all of these different points-of-view and opinions combined with the organizational culture of casual out-of-the-office secret meetings with the CEO to discuss one's personal opinions, it is easy to see how change is needed in order to prevent more internal issues from multiplying. A transformation of the leadership style and a change in the organizational culture is necessary for GeneOne to realize its goals, both in the short-term as well as the long-term.

Stakeholder Perspectives/Ethical Dilemmas

Even though everyone involved with GeneOne and is a stakeholder in the organization would like to see them succeed, each group of people has differing interests, rights, and values. The executives and leadership of the company is interested in growth and profitability now and in the long-term future. They have a right to make decisions regarding the well being of the organization and value hard work and honesty from those that they employ, purchase from, and deal with on a regular basis. The future stockholders of the company are also interested in profitability, but at usually a shorter term and not much regard for the future. They have a right and value knowing that their share(s) of stock have value and that the organization is not fraudulently producing financial statements, such as the case with Enron where stockholders lost much, at no fault of theirs. The employees are interested in a stable environment in which they can be comfortable and advance in a growing company. The employees have a right to be compensated for their efforts and value an organization in which they are appreciated both financially as well as verbally.

Problem Statement

GeneOne will realize its goals of growing 40% in each of the next few years and have a successful IPO by changing the leadership style and organizational culture in the company.

End-State Vision

After achieving its goals of a successful IPO and annual growth targets of 40 percent over the next few years, the new leadership style and organizational culture will be better suited to overcome any similar challenges or issues that it may ever face. Continued success by adherence to this change will be witnessed by a high employee morale and low turnover, continued profitability and increasing stock value, and the release of many new innovative and industry leading technologies.

Alternative Solutions

In order to better understand some of the solutions available to GeneOne, it is necessary to look at other organizations that experienced the same or similar issues and solutions that they chose to address the situation. The three alternate solutions to look more closely at along with the companies that experienced them are: the hiring of a new CEO at Apple Inc., the implementing of a new communications standards, operating policy, and procedure at MasterCard Inc., and the merging with another organization at ZVUE Corporation.

Apple Inc. "designs, manufactures, and markets personal computers, portable digital music players, and mobile communication devices and sells a variety of related software, services, peripherals, and networking solutions. The Company sells its products worldwide through its online stores, its retail stores, its direct sales force, and third-party wholesalers, resellers, and value-added resellers. In addition, the Company sells a variety of third-party Macintosh (Mac), iPod and iPhone compatible products, including application software, printers, storage devices, speakers, headphones, and various other accessories and peripherals through its online and retail stores. The Company sells to education, consumer, creative professional, business and government customers" (Google, 2007).

One issue that Apple faced in the 1990's was that the rapidly growing demand for personal computers, and the creation of Windows by Microsoft, was increasing the competition at a high rate and Apple was struggling to keep up. After being the industry leader and having success in the 1980's, they were now facing much adversity and being forced to cut costs in order to stay profitable. Apple was suddenly in need of a major overhaul in terms of organizational leadership and innovative new products.

Co-founder of Apple Inc., Steve Jobs left the company to start his own business in 1986. In 1997 when