The study of human psychology is a fascinating subject because it deals with universal human concerns and issues. Human behaviour and performance is one focus area within broader psychology. The book titled Discovering Psychology co-edited by Nicola Brace and Jovan Byford deals with this area at length. By perusing the contents of the book and…
Category: Management
Just In Time (JIT) Variability
Just In Time (JIT) is a production technique, which relies on the philosophy of constant enhancement via problem-solving. Closely allied to Lean Production methods, the aim of JIT production is to offer value to the customer, when it is wanted and with very little waste. Variability in the context of JIT systems is ‘deviation from…
The five supply-chain strategies
Supply Chain Management (SCM) has become an integral part of many manufacturing companies’ production processes. SCM came to be recognized as crucial to the success of a business especially if there is high competition within the industry and room for inefficiencies are low. First pioneered by Japanese automobile companies like Toyota, SCM is essential in…
Different techniques for improving service productivity
As manufacturing industries are steadily replaced by services industries, the concept of productivity assumes new meanings and dimensions. Improving productivity automatically reduces costs incurred by companies, thereby boosting the bottom line. As a consequence, the company has more resources at its disposal to spend on R&D and supplementary services. So, there is incentive for managers…
The three phases of a project and the responsibilities of project managers
Project Management can be seen to contain three distinct phases: Planning, Scheduling and Controlling. During the Planning phase, the requirements of the project are properly understood. The Project Manager (PM) fits the new project within the broader Project Organization, so that existing projects continue to run smoothly. The PM also interacts with the clientele and…
The advantages and disadvantages of using an employee referral campaign for recruitment purposes
There are both advantages and disadvantages in using an employee referral campaign (ERC) for recruiting staff members. A clear advantage is that a new candidate is brought to the notice of the management by an incumbent employee. And if the reputation of the incumbent worker is impressive, it can then be taken as a rough…
What is litigation public relations, and what are its pro and cons?
Litigation public relations (LPR) are the set of communication activities that a company undertakes during the process of a litigation. The core objective of litigation public relations is to reduce damage to the image of the company; and this objective is usually achieved through skilful handling of media and a positive portrayal of the company’s…
What are the elements of a good crisis communications plan?
Crisis occurs in all organizations and hence there should be a robust crisis response plan in place to deal with it. A key component of the crisis response plan (usually implemented by the Emergency Response Team) is to draw up a Crisis Communications Plan (CCP) either in anticipation of a crisis or in the wake…
Employee drug testing
It is only a tiny minority of employees who are found out for taking illegal (or recreational) drugs during their term of employment. The list of banned drugs include Marijuana, Cocaine, Opiates, Amphetamines, etc. Excessive use of alcohol can also be in conflict with terms of employment. The Medical Review Officer (MRO) collects samples of…
What are the six steps involved in an MBO program?
MBO (Management by Objectives) is a process whereby a consensus between managers and employees on business objectives is brought about. The term Management by Objectives was first coined by management Guru Peter Drucker in his book The Practice of Management published in 1954. The core of the system is the belief that by making employees…