Assignment
In order to gain insight into the management strategy related to evolutionary management, you will assume that you were hired as a manager by the founder of a small, start-up, technology company and her vision is to become like VMware Inc. In order to better understand their business, review VMware's Company and Timeline sections and respond to the following questions:
A. You have been asked to meet with your boss to discuss ideas for transforming the business. Characterize the role of entrepreneurship in the evolution of an organization by addressing the following:
a. Define entrepreneurship and describe three traits that an entrepreneur would typically possess.
b. Define intrapreneurship and provide an example of how an employee in this role contributes to the growth of an organization.
c. Explain the role of a business plan in the management of an evolving organization.
d. Provide an example of how the U.S. Small Business Administration provides assistance for small business management.
B. Next, you have been asked to address how the company could achieve the growth plans that your boss would like to target. You believe that a focus on technology and innovation would be the most appropriate strategy. Describe sources of technology and innovation by addressing the following:
a. Internal Sources: describe the role of research and development and provide an example of how your employer could utilize this process.
b. Describe how a joint venture and contractual arrangement would facilitate the development of new innovation and technology.
C. The final area of your discussion with your boss focuses on managing all of the issues which will affect the organization as it continues to grow and evolve. Discuss the environment of evolutionary management by addressing the following:
a. Discuss the importance of managing technology and indicate how your employer would approach this process for each of the following:
i. Planning
ii. Implementation
iii. Evaluation
iv. Control
b. Provide one example of an innovation which could occur in your employer's operations and discuss the role of innovation management in encouraging and managing the related change.
c. Discuss how leadership and followship impact the management of technology and innovation.