Assignment:
DRAFT 1
Operational Intelligence LLC (O&I) was founded in September 2009 by managing partners Amy Lewin and John Wisor. The company specializes in providing quality candidates to supporting government customers; the company's primary focus is to support the Intelligence field; however over the course of five years has branched into multiple support functions. The company works in an extremely competitive environment requiring constant vigilance for growth opportunities, competitor companies, and improved operating abilities.
Remote, Industry & External Operating Environments
"O&I brings some of the most experienced and knowledgeable Information Operations...and all-source analysts to the customer. Our company and employees are devoted to developing the best solutions to meet the nation's rapidly evolving intelligence requirements." (Lewin & Wisor, 2013)
Internal Strengths and Weaknesses
O&I specializes in the Intelligence division, mainly supported by the Department of Defense (DoD); 90% of the employees, and 100% of the support staff have a military background. The knowledge from the military field can be a major benefit to interpreting DoD guidance and determining customer needs and desires in a candidate. The ability to filter guidance gives O&I an advantage to recruiting the best-fit candidates for meeting and exceeding customer expectations.
A weakness in O&I is the limited ability to seek out future growth. As a small company of 26 employees, the ability to win work as the sole company is difficult. Facility restrictions, security classifications, storage requirements are all hurdles that O&I hasn't established to be granted the ability to pursue larger work. Until O&I pursues the accreditation required for winning contracts, the company will remain small. The small status requires O&I to rely on parent organizations to financially support the company. O&I provides billing and invoicing on a consistent basis requesting payment, however, the supporting customer may not fulfill payment as reliably. The fluctuation in payment places a stress on O&I as the funds required for seeking future growth opportunities are burdened.
Assessment of the organization's resources
The company's resources are its' employees; the ability to recruit and manage the best candidates are one of O&I's strongest skills. Employees are treated with respect and professionalism and provide O&I with high regards upon exit from the company. The company manages many lengths of contracts, ranging from a few weeks' employment through years.
Competitive position and possibilities
After a contract has been awarded to a customer, the vacancies are provided to multiple sources for staffing. O&I is in direct competition with other companies and candidates in order to fill that position. The company operates with minimal overhead, the support staff consists of two managing partners and an office manager which all work from their homes. The ability to work from home allows to company to save thousands of dollars in overhead costs by reducing no facility costs, no maintenance costs, and no travel expenses. When employees are hired to the company, the site lead meets them at a local coffee shop and welcomes them to the company.
Structure of the organization/ Performance evaluation
One method O&I uses to address performance evaluation is the exit interview implemented at the time of termination from an employee. O&I uses these forms to evaluate what the employee thought of the benefit packages offered; the management review, and the reasons for termination. These forms and information provide O&I with historical data that can address a consistency in employee viewpoints. If multiple employees are discouraged with the leave accrual policy; O&I can use that to consider revising their policy to remain competitive with similar companies.
All O&I employees report to and conduct work on customer locations, balancing customer needs can be a hurdle for the company. No two customers expect the same conduct, standards, behavior from their staff. This places a unique burden on management to create individual performance evaluations customized to each employee. Positive performance reviews internally can assist O&I with earning future contract awards allowing the company to increase its staff.
Conclusion
O&I has the potential to be a major force in the market, with the goal of becoming a Fortune500 company. The company has the ability to manage its resources and identify itself as a major force in the market. One of the company's greatest strengths is recruiting; improving benefits and increasing employee morale will increase and improve retention rates.
References
Lewin, Amy & Wisor, John. (2013) Operational Intelligence LLC Company Handbook.