Discussion 1: "Evaluate an Experience"
Respond to the following:
• From the e-Activity, analyze the importance of production planning and scheduling within an organization. Evaluate a bad experience you have had with an appointment from both perspectives of the customer (you) and the organization due to inefficient planning and scheduling.
• Analyze the experience you provided in Part 1 of this discussion from a technical perspective and an intangible perspective. Suggest ways the schedules could have been created more efficient and effective.
Discussion 2: "Balloons Aloha"
Respond to the following:
• From the case study, suggest short-term recommendations for the set of six jobs at the company. Support your recommendations.
• From the case study, evaluate the efficiency of Balloons Aloha's sequencing system. Provide long-term recommendations with respect to sequencing jobs at the company. Support your recommendations.
Discussion 3: Supply Chain Management
Respond to the following:
• From the e-Activity, determine which best practices can be applied to the greatest number of small businesses. Explain your rationale.
• Analyze the principles of Total Quality Management (TQM) and Six Sigma in regard to quality control of a product or service, and make at least one recommendation for improvement. Explain your rationale.
Discussion 4: Managing Inventory
• Describe a retail business with which you are familiar and determine the most suitable means of inventory control. Provide specific examples to support your response.
• For the same business, discuss what innovative steps you could take to deter employee theft and/or shoplifting.
Assignment 1
Referring to the same business you either started or purchased in the first assignment, write a 6-8 page paper in which you:
1. Outline a financial plan for your small business.
2. Develop a guerrilla marketing strategy for your small business.
3. Discuss the most appropriate location for a second store (an actual street address). Explain your reasoning.
4. Outline a plan for securing sources of debt financing for your second store.
5. Include at least two references outside the textbook.
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the professor's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also Include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:
• Describe and analyze the necessary activities and key decisions to start a small business.
• Analyze the key financial management considerations in operating a small business.
• Develop a guerrilla marketing strategy for a small business.
• Analyze the role of pricing, credit, and equity financing in defining a business strategy.
• Use technology and information resources to research issues in small business management.
• Write clearly and concisely about small business management using proper writing mechanics.
Assignment 2
Research two manufacturing or two service companies that manage inventory and complete this assignment.
Write a six to eight page paper in which you:
1. Determine the types of inventories these companies currently manage and describe their essential inventory characteristics.
2. Analyze how each of their goods and service design concepts are integrated.
3. Evaluate the role their inventory plays in the company's performance, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
4. Compare and contrast the four different types of layouts found with each company; explain the importance of the layouts to the company's manufacturing or service operations.
5. Determine at least two metrics to evaluate supply chain performance of the companies; suggest improvements to the design and operations of their supply chains based on those metrics.
6. Suggest ways to improve the inventory management for each of the companies without affecting operations and the customer benefit package. Provide a rationale to support the suggestion.
7. Use at least three quality resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia and similar Websites do not qualify as quality resources.
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the professor's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also Include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:
• Evaluate the processes used in designing and producing goods and services.
• Determine four layout patterns and when they should be used.
• Utilize the concept of supply chain management.
• Employ the concept of capacity management.
• Evaluate the management of inventories and resources.
• Use technology and information resources to research issues in operations management.
• Write clearly and concisely about operations management using proper writing mechanics.