THE SYSTEMS CONCEPT-3

Today we continue our discussion on System Concept. The importance of the systems concept to the manager is that it helps him to identify the critical sub-systems in his organization and their inter-relationships with each other and the environment. It is a responsibility of a manger to use the system in such a way that it can generate internet profit. 

A system is always seeking an equilibrium state, that is, where all the sub-systems are at the optimum level, in tune with and at rest with each other, and the desired output is being achieved. In an open system, this level of equilibrium is never static but is always dynamic. This is because the environment is never static, it is always changing and since the open system is all the time interacting with environment, what may have been an equilibrium level today will not be so tomorrow. It is the concern of the manager to seek this equilibrium level. An individual can make money from home while it is a responsibility of a manager to establish en equilibrium level which helps company to make internet profits.

One of the most important interactions between an organization and the environment is that of information. A manager who has information about the impending government legislation which will affect his organization can suitably modify his decision and avoid costly mistakes. Similarly, a manager who is well informed about his employees’ activities, expectations, opinions and grievances can take corrective action much before a crisis develops. We now turn our attention to this information flow and see how best it can be organized from the manager’s viewpoint.

Add comment February 13, 2009

THE SYSTEMS CONCEPT-2

A system can be biological (human body), physical (machine) or social (commercial organizations, voluntary bodies, etc.). Social systems re man-made systems and the relationships of the sub-systems is the most critical element. Further, since social systems involve human beings, their beliefs, values, attitudes and perceptions have an important bearing on the working of the system. This aspect is dealt with in the section on motivating and leading. 

A system can be closed or open. A closed system is self-sufficient and self-regulatory and has no interaction with the environment in which it exists. The feedback from the output triggers off a control mechanism which then regulated the input to bring back the output to the desired level. 

An open system is one which interacts with the environment in which it exists. All living, biological and social systems are examples of open systems. An organization is an open system and its sub-systems are its various divisions and departments. But at the same time, it is a sub-system of the environmental system within which it operates. The environment itself consists of social, economic, political and legal sub-systems. 

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Add comment January 27, 2009

THE SYSTEMS CONCEPT-1

A system has the following components: 

1.      A number of parts of sub-systems which when put together in a specific manner form a whole system

2.      Boundaries within which it exists

3.      A specific goal or goals. This goal is expressed in terms of an output which is achieved by receiving input and processing it to form the output

4.      Close inter-relationship and inter-dependency amongst the various sub-systems

 

The inter-relationship of the sub-systems can be define in terms of: 

  • The flows which exist among them, such as flow of information, money, materials, etc. The most important of these is the information flow which we shall discuss in the next section.
  • The structure within which they related to each other. This structure may be physical, geographic or organizational and shall be dealt with in the section entitled ‘organizing’.
  • The procedures by which the sub-systems relate to one another. By procedures we mean those planned activities which affect the performance of the entire system. In the context of an organization, this refers to planning and we shall discuss these under the heading ‘planning’
  • The feedback and the control process and mechanisms which exist to ensure that the system is moving towards its desired objectives. In this unit, we have dealt with this in the section on controlling.

Add comment January 23, 2009

THE SYSTEMS CONCEPT

Every practicing manager knows form experience that whatever actions and decisions he takes, in any particular area of activity, have results which extend well beyond that specific activity. The impact of decisions in some cases affects the whole organization and even external environment. A simple decision to throw out an inefficient, lazy worker can trigger off union activity which can, in extreme situations, even result in strike. For example, in a company who are selling blinds, vertical blinds and roman shades products. The marketing person who is not able to complete the given targets to them, a manager is supposed to remove such under performing marketing team member.  

The situation may become so hot that the union forces the neighboring units also to join the strike. Thus when a manager takes a decision he never views its impact in isolation but tries to understand and anticipate its repercussions on the entire organization and the environment. The manager understands that his organization is a totality of many, inter-related, inter-dependent parts, and put together for achieving the organizational objectives. This is a nutshell is the very essence of the systems concept. In Term life insurance Company who is selling providing Instant Life Insurance Rates online, if their agents are working with good performance and targeted output, it is in favors of company to remove them from team. 

A system is defined as a sum total of individuals but inter-related parts (sub-systems), and is put together according to a specific scheme of plan, to achieve the pre-stated objectives.

 

Add comment January 13, 2009

MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND PROCESSES

Objectives

·         to develop familiarity with various types of systems and processes involved in managing an organization

·         to understand the concept of a system and learn what the management information system is

·         to develop an understanding about the necessity of each managerial process and its logical sequencing in relation to the other processes.

·         to identify the major elements of each process

 

You know the various responsibilities and tasks expected of you as a manager. Now you have to get down to the nitty-gritty of actually performing all these tasks and discharging you responsibilities. For this you must understand the various systems and processes involved in managing. It does not matter whether you manage a private company, a public sector company, or even a non-commercial organization. The essentials of managing remain the same.

 

In this unit we began by introducing the systems concept and see how it can be applied to organizations. We then move to the all important concept of management information systems and examine it in detail. Later on we shall take up for discussion the management processes of planning, controlling, organizing, Motivating, leading and decision-making.

Add comment January 8, 2009

RESPONSIBILITY OF A PROFESSIONAL MANAGER

As a part of our talk on role of manager we have already talked on so many important factors and role. Those are belonging to society segment like professional management, manager role, quality management, product management etc… Today we are going to talk on another factor which is also play a important role between the company and consumer and that is the professional manager. 

Your responsibilities a manager arise out of the various social interactions in which your firm is engaged in the pursuit of its business. You may be directly involved in these as in the case of interactions with employees, shareholders, customers, etc. where the interaction is based on a fair and obvious exchange of money, goods and services. The interaction can also be indirect as in case of interaction with society where both the firm and society impinge upon and affect each other in hundreds of different ways. For example a blinds company hires professional manager to bridge for selling of their roman shades and vertical blinds products with the customer. That manager is supposed to keep relation between their clients and company.

A firm which wants to maintain a positive image in the society must assume and discharge with utmost sincerity its social responsibility. Gone are the days when firms confined themselves solely to running their business without a thought for the society in which they existed. Today every firm, big or small, is expected to make its contribution towards a better quality of life for the entire society. Big companies are having their own philanthropy or trust to help needy people.

Add comment January 3, 2009

RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS SOCIETY-2

Manager have much to learn by emulating the example of Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Limited (IPCL), a government undertaking, which is playing a very positive and active role in fulfilling its social responsibility.

A truly responsible manager not only takes steps to prevent or minimize any negative impact of his firm’s operations on the society, but also takes the initiative in playing a more positive role towards society. Tata Steel’s attempts at educating people about leprosy through advertisements in newspapers and magazines is an example of the useful and constructive role firms can play in creating a more harmonious society. Many companies have founded educational institutions and free medical facilities for the benefit of society at large. Irrespective of the motivation behind such acts, the result is a tangible benefit for use by all society members.

In times of calamities such as earthquakes and floods, many companies finance teams of doctors and rescue workers for relief work. In our aim towards a peaceful and prosperous society we need business firms who are willing to step our of the narrow confines of their offices into the larger arena of society and take bold decisive actions to create a better quality of life for all of us

Add comment December 31, 2008

RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS SOCIETY-1

The pattern and extent of rainfall is changing, leading to frequent droughts in widespread areas. Rare species of animals, birds and plants have become extinct in the wake of the destruction of their natural habitat. People are deprived of their traditional means of livelihood and the rich cultural heritage is destroyed for ever.

All this does not imply that there should be no factories, industry or no economic development. Certainly we need development, economic as well as ecological and environmental. The solution lies in matching economic development with development of the environment. When a firm puts up its factory it must also install a plant for treating and disposing of its industrial waste. When timber merchant cuts 15 trees he must plant at least that many new saplings. Offices who want to use roller shades and woven wood shades and other blinds it looks good if they plan that many new plants in their areas. Nature’s resources are limited. When we consume them faster than they can be replenished or provided anew, it is our responsibility to ensure that our children inherit a world which is healthy, green and safe for all living creatures. 

It is your responsibility as a manager to make sure that the operations of your firm do not in any way obstruct, disturb, disrupt or destroy physical structures (historical buildings, monuments), the flora and fauna, and animal and human life.

Add comment December 30, 2008

RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS SOCIETY

Apart form the specific society segments with whom the firm interacts in the course of conducting its business, the manager also has responsibility towards his surroundings and the people living in the vicinity of his factory and office. 

Firms behave irresponsibly when they pollute their physical environment by releasing harmful smoke and gas into the atmosphere, discharging toxic effluents into nearby rivers, lakes or seas, and dumping their waste matter in surrounding lands. All these have a detrimental effect on the environment and affect the health of the people by polluting the air they breathe, the water they drink and the food they eat. The Bhopal tragedy where poisonous gas leaking  from the factory of Union Carbide caused the death of thousands of innocent people is and example of the extent of damage which can be caused if proper precautions are not taken. 

The government is only now realizing the irreparable harm which firms, in pursuit of their business, are causing to the environment and the ecological balance. Vast forests have been indiscriminately felled by firms in their narrow, single-minded pursuit of profit. This has created and imbalance in the ecology of the area. Floods have become a recurrent feature in areas which had never been known to be flood-prone.

Add comment December 29, 2008

RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS GOVERNMENT

It is wholly the responsibility of the manager to ensure that the constitution and operations of the firm are within the legal framework as specified by the government. This legal framework may vary, depending upon the nature of ownership of firm (proprietory, partnership, private limited, joint stock, Indian or foreign, etc.), size of the firm, and specific industry within which the firm operates. The government has laid down specific industry within which the firm operates. The government has laid down specific rules, guidelines and norms which impinge upon the firm right form the stage of its inception.  

For Blinds Company who manufactures roller shades, there are specific rules and guidelines and norms from government than for term life insurance agents. The governments’ rules and regulations, norms are made for different types of business and different type of size of industry. It changes with the type, size and category change. 

There be as a responsible manager you must ensure that your company is operating well within the legal framework and is fulfilling all its obligations towards the government. Whether it is a matter of posting a copy of the company balance sheet to the Registrar of Companies or setting up a joint venture in a foreign country, the actions must not violate the laws and regulations. 

The second area of discharging your responsibility towards the government is in the matter of paying regularly and fairly all taxes, dues and duties. The recent raids on large industrial groups are an attempt on the part of the government to unearth unpaid taxes and undeclared assets. A manager who acts in a responsible manner will be ensuring that his firm never has to face such a situation. The manager must strive to make firm a model corporate citizen.

Add comment December 25, 2008

RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS UNION-1

The union will always bargain with you for the maximum benefit. As a manager you should not try to block this bargaining process but aid it by providing the union with the correct facts and figures about costs and profits and thus aim for a realistic, workable agreement which suits both the parties. 

Besides providing the correct information you should attempt to involve the union in the process of managing the firm. You can do this by inviting representatives of the union to sit on the management board. This is known as participative management. The chairman of Japan’s Matsushita Electric Company often makes this little speech to his workers about participative management: 

“Don’t think I run this company. Each of you has a part to play in its management. We need the ideas, skill and knowledge of everyone to make a reservoir of wisdom for more efficient operation, better product and service quality, and effective management. We have a good future if we can work that way.” 

The basic requirement for encouraging participative management is the manager’s positive attitude and creation of an atmosphere which encourages free and frank exchange of views among employees and management.

Add comment December 24, 2008

RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS UNION

Your first responsibility towards your employees’ union is to acknowledge it as a friend rather than as a foe of the firm. Most problems with unions arise because of the assumption of the managers that unions have no constructive contribution to make but are interested only in playing a negative role. As a responsible manager you must understand and appreciate the fact that the management and union have a great degree of mutual dependence and the union cannot further its interests at the cost of the firm’s interests and vice versa.  

A responsible manager always advises their union member to go with term life insurance. Only a relationship based on mutual trust and cooperation will best serve the interests of the firm and the union. Window blinds and Roller Shades companies who are having big team size need to have good and smooth relation between manager and union.

The union represents the collective strength of all the individual workers. In dealing with the union the manager must recognize and acknowledge the bargaining power of the union arising out of its collective strength. The union will always bargain with you for the maximum benefit. As a manager you should not try to block this bargaining process but aid it by providing the union with the correct facts and figures about costs and profits and thus aim for a realistic, workable agreement which suits both the parties.

Add comment December 17, 2008

RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS INDUSTRY AND COMPETITION-2

Today we continue our discussion on Responsibility towards Industry and Competition. Healthy competition encourages firms to improve their performance and nurtures progress and it is the responsibility of each firm to ensure that the competition it indulges in is fair and ethical. Resorting to unfair practices, trying to push out other firms on the basis of political influence or financial strength may yield some short-term gains but will eventually tarnish the image of the entire industry. All you actions must be guided by concern for the stability and prosperity of the industry.

A firm fulfils a need or needs of the society. It exists within the society and has a two-way interaction with it. It seeks inputs in the form of money, men, materials, machines, technology from the society and processes then to produce goods and services for consumption by the society.

Still today already we have discussed on different types of marketing relation with various society segments like responsibility towards customer, responsibility towards shareholders, responsibility towards employees, responsibility towards suppliers, responsibility towards distributors and retailers, responsibility towards industry and competitions. We will talk on other society segments like responsibility towards union, responsibility towards government, responsibility towards society etc…. in next posts.

Add comment December 16, 2008

RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS INDUSTRY AND COMPETITION-1

Other firms within the industry are your competitors in the market place but are your associates when you have to lobby for or represent and an industry and not as individual firms. Most industries have their own associations at the local, regional, national and international level. The objectives of organizing such bodies are to protect and promote the interests of the industry, seek concessions from government and represent against any discrimination, and provide a forum for sharing and disseminating information on the latest technological and market trends. 

As a manager it is your responsibility to register your firm as a member of your industry association and comply with all its rules and regulations. The information which you provide to your association must be correct so that the association can improved technology you may consider sharing it with other fellow firms. 

All industry associations are voluntary bodies formed with the idea of providing support to individual firms within the industry. The onus of successfully managing the association is on all managers of individual firm members. You must be always willing to step forward and take an active responsibility in the association. It may impinge on your already tight schedule but it is good to remember that the interests of your firm are best served when the interests of the industry as a whole are served. 

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Add comment December 15, 2008

RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS DISTRUBUTORS AND RETAILERS-2

Today we continue our talk on responsibility towards distributor ands retailers. The company had to absorb the increased cost of the heavier carton, but it was more than compensated by the fact that return of stock sharply declined and the distributors had no more cause for complaints. A television marketing company provides service engineers to all its outstation distributors for testing each TV before it is dispatched onwards for dale. This adds an extra cost but ensures that the distributors and retailers receive sets which are trouble-free. 

The distributors and retailers who sell your products are in it for business and they must earn a fair return. Apart from the fixed percentage which you provide to your dealers, target based incentives, commissions and rewards will motivate your dealers to push your products harder. Providing support to the dealers by way of extending credit, sharing promotion cost, after sales service and help for decorating the showroom also form part of your responsibility. You must also nurture and maintain cordial relationship with all your dealers. Many companies hold regular dealer meets in an attempt to build up dealer relations for better corporate gains.

Add comment December 12, 2008

RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS DISTRUBUTORS AND RETAILERS-1

Distributors and retailers are the link between the firm and the actual customers who consume the product. In your capacity as a manager you are responsible for ensuring regular supplies to your distributors. Persistent delays in processing and supplying distributor’s order can lead to a situation where the distributor eventually loses interest in your product and switches over to a competitor firm. Timely supplies have their relevance provided they are as per the order specification. Supplying spoons instead of forks, simply because forks are out of stock in the factory, is not a responsible way of dealing with your distributors. 

The products that you supply to the distributor must be checked for quality to ensure that second grade or inferior quality goods are not shipped. Outer packaging of the product should protect it from damage in transit, because the dealer will return all spoilt and damaged stock which will eventually reflect negatively in your profits. A company manufacturing and marketing plastic bottles switched over from 5-ply to 7-ply cardboard carton when it started receiving complaints that the bottles were being dented and crushed out of shape in transit. 

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Add comment December 11, 2008

RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS SUPPLIERS-2

Today we continue our talk on responsibility towards suppliers. The manager’s responsibility towards suppliers of funds, i.e. banks and other financial institutions is that not only he has to make the interest payments, but make the repayment on time as per the agreed repayment schedules.  

By doing so the firm is not only helping the bank but also helping itself because the health of the bank will determine the health of the firm and vice versa. An added dimension of responsibility towards the banks is that the manger must provide accurate and complete information about the various facets of its business when applying for financial assistance. This will help the bank in assessing the risk and return potential of your project and determine the amount of loan it can sanction. 

Advertising agencies supply creative inputs used in promoting your company’s products. Since their services are not of a very tangible nature, most firms have the tendency to postpone or delay making their payment. As a responsible manager you must check against this tendency. Advertising agencies after all, run a business, like any other, and are your suppliers, and a payment delay from your end puts undue pressure on them and affects the efficiency of their operations.

Add comment December 10, 2008

RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS SUPPLIERS-1

Responsibility towards your suppliers emanates from the fact that their survival and growth (partly or wholly) is dependent upon your survival and growth. Suppliers provide you the raw materials, components and parts necessary for the production of your products. You are dependent upon your suppliers for regular, timely supplies of the specified quality at the agreed price. The suppliers in turn depend on you for providing correct design specification, adequate time for production, fixation of a fair price and prompt and timely payments. This two-way relationship works best when it is based on the realization of mutual dependence and one party does not try to pressurize the other for its own benefit.

Escorts Limited and Hero Cycles are examples of how firms can play a responsible role in nurturing the growth of suppliers. As these firms have grown form success to success so have their suppliers. A full-fledged bicycle ancillary industry has been established in and around Ludhiana in response to the needs of Hero Cycles and other cycle manufactures. In some cases firms may even provide the seed capital and other necessary infrastructural support to an individual to start and ancillary industry. There are numerous examples where these small ancillary industries have grown to be as successful and large as the firms to which they were originally supplying.

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Add comment December 8, 2008

RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS EMPLOYEES-3

Today we continue our discussion on Responsibility towards employees. The thoughts of J.R.D. Tata, Chairman of Tata Steel, expressed in 1943 in a proposal for the creation of a personal Department in the company are noteworthy. 

 “What are the main causes of our difficulties with our workmen? In many respects we have treated our employees exceptionally well. Our rates of pay and bonuses; our hours of work and conditions of service; the accommodation, amenities and medical care we have provided for them and their families, etc., exceeded what any other company in India had done for its employees. Normally, therefore, it would be reasonable to expect that our employees would be appreciative of the liberal treatment and generous term of employment they get at Jamshedpur.  If, instead they are frequently discontented and mistrustful, and hostile towards us, I think we must assume that the fault lies with us and not win with them. It is, therefore, up to us to find out where we have been at fault and them formulate the necessary corrective.” 

Your responsibility as a manager is also to ensure that all dealings with the employees are fair. Whether it is determining the profit linked bonus that is being calculated or the provident fund of a retired employee which has to be paid, you must ensure that the employees are not cheated, harassed or humiliated. 

The fact that we still have child labor, bonded labor, workers suffering from debilitating diseases because of unhealthy, unsafe working environments speaks volumes for our collective failure to discharge managerial responsibility towards our employees. 

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Add comment December 4, 2008

RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS EMPLOYEES-2

Today we continue our discussion on responsibility towards employees. Instrumentation Limited, Tata Iron Steel Company and Hindustan Machine Tools have developed beautiful townships in Kota, Jamshedpur and Bangalore respectively with the best possible facilities and amenities for the benefit of their employees. Where the company is situated in a remote, undeveloped area, provision of housing and other facilities is necessary to attract and retain the required work-force. But in many other cases, development of such amenities is a reflection of the growing realization by companies that employees are not simply another resource for production, but are beings with emotions, desires, aspirations and have a life outside the factory too. Only a happy, satisfied human being can be a productive worker. Many firms extend their mantle of responsibility to include the employees’ families too. They contribute towards education and marriage of their employees’ children. 

Speaking about the importance of human level personal contact with employees J.R.D. Tata laments:         

“One of the inherent drawbacks of modern industry, with its large and concentrated labor forces, is the difficulty of maintaining personal touch between management and employees. As a result, many petty grievances, negligible individually but substantial in the aggregate, which might have been eliminated by a friendly word or timely action, are allowed to build up a sense of discontent and frustration among the workers.”

Add comment December 3, 2008

RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS EMPLOYEES-1

Your employees are your must important resource. Their hard work, ingenuity, loyalty and dedication are critical contributions to the success of your firm. In return, you have to ensure that you are giving them a fair deal in term of wages and salaries, and compliance with the statutory obligation of provident fund, gratuity, insurance, bounce, etc. The wages and salaries which you give must, of course, be in accordance with other firms within your industry. Result or productivity linked bonus and incentives are a way to ensure that your employees can share in the growth and prosperity of the firm. 

Apart firm wages, provision of a safe, healthy environment which is conductive to work is your responsibility. These must be proper and adequate facilities such as canteen bathrooms, first-aid room, etc. The extent and importance of these facilities will vary from one organization to another. In an administrative office with 30 employees; you do not require a full-fledge first-aid room. A small first-aid box with minimum accessories will suffice. In contrast, in a factory where the incidence of accidents is bound to be higher, a proper first-aid or emergency room with a doctor is an essential requirement. Realizing the importance of a comfortable working environment, many progressive companies have canteens which provide transportation for employees at their own cost.

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1 comment December 2, 2008

RESPONSIBILOITY TOWARDS SHAREHOLDERS-2

Today, we continue our talk on Responsibility towards Shareholders. Having done that, the manager has to ensure that the shareholders are able to earn profit on their capital. Shareholders invest their hard earned savings in your firm with the hope that they will be able to earn more on it than if they keep the money in a bank. Money invested by a shareholder is representative of the faith they have in your competence and ability as a manager to put their money to good use and give them a satisfactory return. The onus is on you to make your firm profitable and provide regular dividends to your shareholders. 

By virtue of the capital invested in your firm, shareholders are owners of your firm. As a manager you have to keep them regularly informed about all important decisions, activities and results. The balance-sheet and the annual general meeting are the usual yearly forums for such information sharing. You have to ensure that the information provided in reports and balance-sheet is correct and authentic, and dose not in any way mislead the shareholders. During the annual general meeting or any other such meeting with shareholders you must encourage them to ask questions about working of the firm and also provide ideas for improvement, and not threaten or intimidate them in any manner.

Add comment December 1, 2008

RESPONSIBILOITY TOWARDS SHAREHOLDERS-1

Stockholders are granted special privileges depending on the class of stock, including the right to vote (usually one vote per share owned, but sometimes this is not the case) on matters such as elections to the board of directors, the right to propose shareholder resolutions, the right to share in distributions of the company’s income, the right to purchase new shares issued by the company, and the right to a company’s assets during a liquidation of the company.

Except in the case of a proprietorship firm where the capital is fully contributed by the proprietor, in all other companies, capital is collected from a variety of sources. The sources may be friends and relatives of the owners, financial institution and, in case of public limited companies, individual members of the public. All those people who contribute capital to firm are known as its shareholders.

The prime responsibility of the manager is to ensure the security of the shareholders’ capital. The manager must ensure that the firm dose not become bankrupt or it is faced with a situation where the shareholders’ capital is endangered. In other words, the manager must, at least, ensure the survival of the firm.  

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Add comment November 29, 2008

RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS CUSTOMERS – 3

As a manager the concern person himself also responsible for ensuring that the dealers of retailers through whom they sell their product provide the correct information about the product to the customers, charge the correct price, sell the correct weight or amount (if your product sold loose) and provide the proper after sales support. A dealer who cheats on any one of these accounts is spoiling the image of your product and company and you should discard such dealers immediately. 

Often firms, in their anxiety to make a success of a new product, make very tall claims about the potential benefits of their product. Such a promotional effort may create a short-term effect but can never provide a long-term stability. In India, there is a tendency on the part of many firms to bolster the image of their products by making claims far from the truth primarily because many customers are not in a position to challenge such claims either through a voluntary or legal framework. In the absence of pressure form consumers, it becomes the responsibility of the manager to promote the products only on the basis of real and not imaginary benefits. 

Finally, there are always some product or service concepts the consumption of which is viewed to be unethical. For instance a private medical clinic promoting the concept of determining the sex of a foetus, knowing fully well that there is a distinct preference for a male child in most families, is certainly promoting an unethical service. Therefore, in terms of responsibility towards customer, the management of a firm should always, aim at marketing the right product, at the right price and of the right quality.

Add comment November 28, 2008

RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS CUSTOMERS – 2

It is the responsibility of the manager to provide the right match between quality and price. This relationship of quality and price is very important. Japan’s economic recovery and rise to the position of world’s number one position in electronics and automobiles is the result of its winning combination of best quality which competitors can’t match and at process which competitors  can’t match and at process which competitors can’t beat. 

Products manufactured by reputed companies carry stickers saying ‘checked for quality control’,’tested’, ‘O.K.’. Over a period of time the customer starts associating certain level or connotation of quality with particular companies and their brand names. If, however, your products do not enjoy this kind of quality association, you can have the quality ascertained by government bodies such as the Indian Standards Institution which puts its ISI mark of approval on your product after testing for adherence to minimum quality standards. Getting such certifications will go a long way in building the customer’s confidence in your products. 

Having ensured the desired quality of your product, and foxed a reasonable price for it, your next responsibility is to ensure that your product is easily and conveniently available to your customers. Unless you happen to be marketing a product in which your company enjoys a monopoly and no substitute is easily available, persistent non-availability of your product will lead your customers to switch over to the best available substitute.

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Add comment November 26, 2008

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