Decision Making and Problem Solving

Question: Discuss about the Decision Making and Problem Solving. Answer: Introduction According to Marwala (2014), decision making and problem solving is a very usefully approach which when employed, it brings harmony within an organization. Most companies have realized the massive damage due to bad choices have caused on their companies reputation (Fox, 2014). On the contrast, Wesfarmers limited have been on its forefront to embrace a proper mechanism to curb this unethical vice. The senior partners come to a conclusion to make a major reshuffle on its leadership managerial team. Wesfarmers limited is among the top ten most performing companies in Australia. The company has its headquarters in Perth Western Australia. The firm focuses mostly on retailing fertilizers, chemicals and safety industrials items. It has various branches within the country thus prompting them to hire more employees (Proctor, 2014). Research Questions The decision making and problem solving in an institution is intended to provide answers to management decisions by tackling the following questions: What are some of the current challenges surrounding effectiveness of decision making in a firm? How can the management in this firm employ effective decision making in their daily operations? What approaches are effective in leadership and decision making? Managerial Performance With the rise on people working in this organization, Wesfarmers decided to track down those lazy managers who were dragging the company behind. Those managers who were not sticking with the companys policies, vision and mission were cut off from continuing providing their services to this firm. This was done by Wesfarmers top managerial team to avoid losing money unknowingly due to poor leadership. Furthermore, the company empowered its workers and encourage them to always raise alarm whenever they feel oppressed by their supervisors. Decision making has impacted both positively and negatively on both minor firms and also mega multi-international companies (Carmichael, 2013). Wesfarmers are hiring its supervisors based on their performance under which they are put on three months probation, before being fully hired for the task. This is done to avoid choosing wrong candidates, who always at the end tarnish the companys image. The company is providing a friendlier environment for all of its employee to work in. This had been a success due to the use of managerial grid theory formulated by Blake to fully analyze the leadership of the managers. Ideally, an effective leader is that who makes effective decision making. This can be well realized in an organization if the executive fully engages their workforce in daily operation of the firm. It is important to underscore that a team leader would have an easier time in carrying out their activities as the employees feel fully integrated due to the approach that has been employed by the management to harness harmony and mutuality. Use of Both Secondary and Primary Sources (Methodology) It is important to underscore that both secondary and primary sources were used to source for this relevant information in determining how decision making influences managerial activities in the firm. The secondary sources include the publications such as journal, magazines and books that has information about Wesfarmers limited. Moreover, it other relevant information would be sourced from the companys sites and its financial records to determine how their decision impacts to the success or failure of the company. Some of the primary sources that was explicitly used to source for information are use of questionnaire and interviews. Three managers of Wesfarmers were interviewed to give their view on how they employ decision in the firm and the impact it results to the company. Approximately 40 employees were given questionnaire to fill so as to fully give their opening on the effectiveness of decision making in the firm in which they operate. Managers have a significant impact on the growth of any organization (Li, 2014). They are usually at the top of those adding to an organizations wellbeing. That is why managers must at all times, whether at work place or in public areas, adorned to showing good ethical behavior. Leaders at Wesfarmers are being urged to deal with any problem in a critical and confidential manner to avoid negative retaliation from those affected. This method has helped the company a lot by avoiding unnecessary commotion within the companys premises. Wesfarmers limited is involving its stakeholders in decision making before implementing new changes. This has shown a rise in employees trust with the managerial staff. Employees feel appreciated and cared for. Workers are now working in harmony with their supervisor thus increasing productivity (Aldag, 2014). The firm has come up with a system of teaching every staff to observe respect onto one another. Notably, this approach is geared towards making the employees work in harmony for the firm to realize its core objectives. This system has proven to work very effective. Because from the time it commences up to now it has positively impacted on how workers interact and do a given task as a team. Analysis of the Findings The information sources from both the primary and secondary sources is explicitly examined to establish the impact of decisions making in Wesfarmers Company. It was evident from the three mangers who were interviewed that the type of leadership too influenced the decisions making in the firm. Similarly, different managers employed different managerial strategy and this was taken differently by the employees. From the sources, it was evident that employees do prefer those managers who engage them in their daily operation for efficacy of operation and in order to harness good cordial relationship. Moreover, it became apparent that when the decision that has been arrived at favors all the parties, there would be simpler and easier time to conduct the companys operations. However, if there was lack of cooperation and involvements in decision reached, the employees may go-slow or rather fail to religiously provide their services since they feel distanced from the firm. For the company to achieve its millennium goal, it must make sure that all its policies are followed to the latter. When managers are imposing this rule, wisdom is the key principle to be applied. Without wisdom in implementing a rule, those subjected to it may misinterpret thus causing state of anarchy. Researches have shown that those leaders who show respect to their juniors have a higher chance of having collaboration with other workers (Migdalas, 2013). Moreover, they have easier time governing the workers whom respect has been shown to. Those leaders who ignore this important element of respect tend to have a rough time at their working station. Good ethical behavior is considered a powerful tool which can influence negative plans against the company to be defeated (Roberto Roberto, 2014). Wesfarmers limited had been reciprocating this approach for a long time so as to win its employees trust. To avoid negative cases being experienced due to unprofessionalism, Wesfarmers limited are hiring people based on their positive records and those who possess a valid academic credentials (Chitpin Evers, 2014). They end up getting the right people who are very passionate about their job thus giving maximum performance as well as adding new innovative ideas which has seen a rapid profit margin. Furthermore, less confrontation between the employer and the employees have been significantly reduced. Laborers are now comfortable when doing their assigned duties. Potential clients always interacting first with the receptionist before proceeding to other departments. When the receptionists have bad communication with their managers, they will definitely react to a rude customer, thus creating bad image which could have been avoided, and the case sorted out in a humble manner (Proctor, 2013). In most organization, managers are the ones who make most of the decisions (Hatfield, 2012).Those decisions sometimes end up being received in an awkward manner, due to the nature of which it is delivered. Wesfarmers is solving this issue of misunderstanding by respecting the decisions made by its partners and stake holders. Those decisions when reached, managers responsibility is to make sure they are adhered to by all employees. The company is striving to make sure all of its employees welfare is catered for. Managers who take their time to analyze a problem, will ultimately come to a mature solution, on the best way to tackle that issue. Overrating to unconfirmed allegations, just worsen the issue, presented to the manager. Knowing who, when and who to consult when faced with a difficult adversaries will help a lot. Consequences of dodging a problem are immense. Communication barrier is the root cause of most conflicts experienced by organizations. How employees interact with the authority and also how they communicate within themselves have a great impact on how problems will be addressed (Innocenti Sirigu, 2012). For managers to have smooth leadership skills, they must embrace clear channel of communication from the junior subordinate staff up to the managerial team.The companys production varies depending on the environment at which their workers work under. Workers who work in unconducive environment will produce less compared to their counterparts who are given a clean and hygienic surrounding to work in (Xu Zeng, 2014). Wesfarmers limited has provided safety gears for those whose work with machines and equipment which emits harmful substances. All workers must be equipped with proper tools needed to accomplish a given task in an effective way. Wesfarmers firm do encourage its staff to work in groups as one family. This bond has raised morale for those who seemed to be weaker in specific fields. Workers are working under minimum supervision (Bolland, Fletcher, D'antonio Eldridge, 2012). According to Pant, Deep, Nagar Bansal (2014)motivating employees make them have a sense of belonging. Research has shown that employees who are motivated do develop emotional connection with an organization. Wesfarmers firm gives rewards to those who excel in their department. The company also grant leave from work to its employees with paid leave allowance. In addition to that, the Wesfarmers workers are being provided with health care membership card payable by the company to them and their family. This health benefits has led to many employees to continue working with Wesfarmers limited. Less job shift to other company is minimal (Rao, 2013). Employee usually have many problems ranging from straining at work to meet the set target to family pressure and financial burden. Wesfarmers had come up with a mechanism in which workers receive guiding and counseling. They are also being advised to save their earning and invest in projects which will benefit them and their families (Lu, Jain Zhang, 2012). Wesfarmers is motivating its employees by giving them regular training on new machines and equipment purchased. This is very useful in that cases of accidents being reported have been reduced. Those accidents are not taking place because employees are more trained and conversant with the new technology which they use in their daily tasks at the industry (Guntenspergen, 2014). Conclusion Proper first aid training from certified trainer must be administered to all employees to avoid frequent occurrence of accidents. When hiring employees, companies should give first priority to those with adequate skills and who shows interest and passion for the job and who have valid academic credentials from recognized institutions. This will avoid chances of recruiting a wrong person who just forget the academic credentials. Leaders should think critically when handling crisis in an organization. When poor decisions are made the company losses millions of money trying to resolve issues arising. 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