Operational management is the process where the management is involved in the control, design, and overseeing of all production processes and operations of the business, which are involved with goods, services, and production. This process aims at ensuring that the resources allocated by the business are used in small tones to permit its effectiveness and also ensuring that it fulfils the requirements expected by the customer. This process is involved with the conversion of raw materials to finished products. This is the reason why many businesses still grow. The operational management should be swift to ensure that all expectations of customers are fulfilled. Operational management involves strategic, tactical, and operational levels. Operational managers have the responsibility of overseeing that all operations run smoothly. This management is also supposed to fulfil all what the customer expects from the company (Chase et al. 1998).

Operational function is very important to the business, but there are others, which are interchangeably used. Marketing is another aspect that is used together with this function. The products that the companies produces must be advertised and marketed to all people to ensure they know the product. This should be well-planned to ensure that all methods of marketing are used. The company should ensure that it has a very important and strategic plan, which will be used for marketing. Finance is another aspect that goes together with operational function. This function deals with resources, which are used for the production of services or goods. This function must be considered as it ensures that the products produced are of quality. The failures of these functions lead to failure of company while the success of the functions lead to the success of the company.

To achieve success and good performance, a company must be able to identify the necessary supply that should be fulfilled and also the demand that the customers want. The company must realise that the cooperation of the three functions leads to the success of the company. Any business must comprise of these three functions. The operational function is the main determinant of the business as it is involved with the production of the demands of customers. Supply chain is an aspect that is also common and most important to the business. This chain must be articulately used with operations. It involves the production of services and goods and the actual delivery of those services and goods. This aspect starts from the production of raw materials, which are changed to a product that is final and that is sold to the customer. Supply chain involves external and internal operations. This process is one where labour, capital, and information are used in the process of changing raw materials to finished products. During this process, the company must take in all the feedbacks sent by the customer in regards to the products. This makes it possible for the company to review the products it produces to ensure it gives out what the customer wants (Bounds 1994).

The product that the company produces indicates the consumers’ willingness to pay. This makes it possible for the company to produce products that are of high standards, so that the customer will purchase them at the best price. There are factors that are known to have considerable effect on the company’s operational functions. These factors include the technology used. The technology used by the company outlines the kind of products that will be produced by the company. The company should make sure that it uses the current technology to ensure that it produces the best products. The other factor is customers. The involvement that customers show towards the company will, to a great extent, determine the performance of the company. In this regard, if the customers are well involved in the process of production, then the company will have to benefit from this. The participation of the customer in this process ensures performance of the company and vice versa.

Process management is one area that is very vital to the operational function of a company. A process defines the aspect of transforming inputs into finished products, i.e. outputs. The output produced should be related to the total demand. Furthermore, operational management is involved with various aspects like the design of the product, the selection of the product, and technology management. Operational management is important in the sense that all operations must be accounted for in the production of services and goods. Operational strategy and efficiency are two important fields in operational management. However, many people are unable to clarify the two terms. Operational efficiency involves production of services and goods using a better technique than competitors. Operational strategy is also important as it entails the plan of how to compete in the market. Operation strategy is the plan that looks for the future plan of resources, which are allocated for the production of services and goods.

The organisation must ensure that finances are used prudently in the production process. This involves budgeting the whole amount that is needed. It also involves identifying the nature of the current economic environment. Marketing is another aspect that is greatly important to the company. In simpler terms, marketing involves advertising of the services and products. Marketing also involves the aspect of communication where the information needed for the production of short-term goods is enhanced. This communication also makes it possible for the design of the product to be decided. Production, design, and marketing are fields, which should communicate frequently to ensure that they achieve success in the production of services and goods.

Marketing makes it possible for the company to understand all what the competitor is doing. This also makes it possible for the company to understand what the customer wants. Marketing makes it possible for the design of the product to be obtained as the communication got from the customer makes it possible to design better products. The communication obtained makes it possible for the company to add or remove some materials from the product designed. This communication obtained from marketing makes it possible for the company to know the funds needed to either change or add materials to the product. This information obtained makes it possible for the company to estimate the total time taken to fulfil the desires of the customers. Operations are also known to have attachments with legal, public relations, human resource, MIS, and accounting.

The operational manager is a person who has total control over the processes of a product. This entails supervising the production of services or goods, which are meant for the satisfaction of customers’ needs. The operational manager also has other duties apart from overseeing the production process. This manager is involved with the making of decision. These decisions are associated with the design of the product. The manager should make sure that the design is eye-catching and entices customers.

Operational strategy is a very important aspect for the firm. Operational strategy is also important as it entails the plan of how to compete in the market. Operation strategy is the plan that looks for the future plan of resources, which are allocated for the production of services and goods. The strategy used by the business is the one that is determinant on the expectations of the customer, environment, and the competencies that the organisation has. The strategy used should be very unique as it ensures the success and growth of the company. Cost leadership is a process that is very important in the use of strategy. This implies that the company’s price is below what the competitors are offering. This makes it easier for the company to enjoy a better customer ground (Meredith & Shafer 2002).

Segmentation is an aspect that should be considered as a marketing concept. Segmentation is the aspect of breaking down your products, so that you can reach a target group. The diamond sector should try to segment, so that it can reach all the target groups. Segmentation means that it is able to reach any age. Since this business targets the wealthy, it should narrow its operation to target this group in a better approach. Segmentation involves considering geographical factors, which involves the region. The other factor in segmentation to be considered is demographics, which involves age, race, gender, income, education, and nationality. The other form of segmentation to be considered is the behavioural factor. This involves products designed for the rich or for the poor. Physiological segmentation should also be considered. This involves people’s lifestyles, interests, and personalities. Technological segmentation should also be considered. This rates people on the basis of the technology that they are using. Differentiation is another aspect that is important in strategy of the company. Differentiation makes it possible for the company to produce products that are different from what the competitors are producing.

The strategy used by the operation manager is the one that is determinant on the competitive nature of the firm. A strategic plan is a very vital and important document that a business should have. Strategic planning is an activity where priorities are set, energy is focused, resources, operation, employees, and all those who are directly or indirectly involved in a business are set to be one team to help achieve the results and objectives set by the business. This involves communication on how the objectives set will be achieved. This plan makes the organisation discover all it has to do to its customers, environment, and also to itself. A well-scripted plan ensures that an organisation becomes successful. The management should ensure that it manages and follows the plan word-by-word, so that success is achieved. Each employee should have an understanding of the plan, so that they can help lead to the achievements of the objectives set by the business (Russell & Taylor 1995).

Organisation success is dependent on the structure it uses and its culture. These two aspects determine the performance of an organisation. Organisation structure involves the methods used, which enable the success of an organisation. This includes how people and jobs are planned to ensure that the organisation performance is maintained. Organisation success in a nursing firm is enhanced by identifying the correct people to undertake special jobs and ensure the success of the organisation. This includes the key responsibilities that each employee has, who they have to report to, and the respective managers who have patterns after them.

Organisation culture includes the behaviours and values that contribute to the social environment, internal and external factors of an organisation. These cultures may include issues like the experiences and expectations of an organisation. This attribute is evident by how the organisation runs its affairs, the freedom it has and how it uses its freedom in matters that involve decision-making, and how its hierarchy runs. This involves how power is used in different structures. Culture also includes how the organisation information is spread through different hierarchy levels. Organisation culture is also evident among employees by how committed they are towards achieving the goals set by the organisation. Organisation culture affects the organisation as it determines the services that it provides to the public and the overall performance of the organisation.

There are different types of organisation structures. They include matrix, divisional, and traditional methods. These structures bring success to an organisation if correctly and well-applied. The correct structure for our organisation is the divisional structure. This structure is relevant because in the nursing organisation different patients are treated by different divisions. This enables each different division to correctly identify their problem and handle it using the correct measures. This enhances the organisation to meet each demands of a different division in a more specific way without any intertwining of issues of different divisions.

This structure has various advantages associated with it. These advantages involve the total support of each client in different divisions. This is characterised by the fact that each division has the capability and the ability to serve each client associated with the different division. Special attention is given to each client, enhancing the success of the organisation. This structure enhances the organisation to focus closely on its services and its members to enhance its success. Full attention to each individual is enhanced as each division has the ability to handle its issues without regarding any other division’s problem. The aspect of all divisions having to report to the highest office enables all issues to be resolved without any conflicts. The structure of an organisation relates to the support and services it offers to public (Harrington 1991).

The use of information systems and communication in organisation has become prevalent. Information system is the application of technology in the process of making decisions. This method is becoming very useful and common while leading to better services offered. There are different types of information systems, which include informal, manual, and computer-based ones. The combination of these systems enhances that the organisation provides efficient service. These systems enhance the organisation to provide better operation, which leads to the better achievements of performance of the organisation. The use of these systems also enhances the organisation to achieve and attain the competitive advantage, so that it can compete with other organisations. Another advantage of using these systems is that it has the propelling power, which enables the organisation to attain long-term goals set by the organisation. The use of these systems enhances each organisation to establish its performance and achieve its set goals and targets while bringing success.

The organisation structure of the organisation starts from the top management. This includes the director. The director provides full management to all the employees of the organisation. All issues that are complex are turned to them for answers. The director also works with stakeholders who provide support and information that leads to the success of the organisation. The ladder goes down to the deputy director. The deputy director helps the director in undertaking various activities. These activities include overseeing the day-to-day activities. This is among other uses, which include the seeing of overall activities and measuring the performance of the organisation. The other chain leads to the director of finances. This director brings the accountability of finances to enhance that each division runs its activities well. This ensures that the accountability of the organisation is enhanced. The other chain leads to deputy director who is involved with communication and overall planning. This is involved with better integration of communication and services between different stakeholders. This ladder goes to the deputy director who is involved with planning and relation. This director is involved in enhancing better relationship between different stakeholders and also different divisions of the organisation. The organisation should ensure that it develops a help centre and desk, which responds to different questions asked by customers. This help centre should ensure that it handles all queries posted by customers. This help desk should also include the complaints desk, which deals with all complains that are directed towards the organisation as a way of conducting business. The organisation should establish an office, which handles issues that involve its image. This office should ensure that the transparency of the organisation is known to all customers (Alexander et al. 2004).

The organisation structure of an organisation is classified as either formal or informal. Informal structure is associated with smaller organisations, which have fewer activities to be carried out. These organisations do not have the mandate of employees reporting to the higher authorities. The success and better performance of an organisation is influenced by the type of structure chosen by the organisation. Based on our organisation, the better structure for its success is the formal structure. Formal structure ensures that all employees must report to different chains of command. The complexity of the organisation ensures that all employees must report to their different administrators in each division. This enhances that all employees conduct their programs according to the rules stipulated by different divisions.

Lifestyle of different people is dependent on their culture. Culture poses an obstacle to the attainment of better health in different societies. These two aspects have great impact on health and many researchers are using them to ensure they get a solution. Many have been identified to ignore culture to obtain health services. This aspect has been classified as a structural factor, which is gaining momentum. Culture limits various health services, which are efficient in better health. The social status of a customer also limits the attaining of better services (Poole & Van de Ven 2004).

The generation factor is an aspect that greatly influences the organisation’s way of providing services. Different generations have different aspirations of services they should be offered. This aspect has made many organisations derive different services for different generations to enhance that they provide the best services. This is determined by self-awareness. Each organisation should ensure it identifies each generation. This enhances the organisation to have mixed generations working to ensure it provides better services.

The use of information system is the one that is very critical to the business. This involves the collection of information and data that are useful for the company. The use of this system ensures that management, operations, and decision making articulate and intertwine to help achieve the success of the business. The use of social media is one of the systems that are currently being used by the companies. This system makes it possible for the customers to communicate directly to the organisation. The use of management information technology is the aspect that has made it possible for the company to manage itself. The use of MIS makes it possible for the company to manage itself efficiently and also effectively. This attributes to the fact the company uses systems in order to be effective and efficient. The use of MIS is very relevant with operational managers. This makes it possible for them to make and give decisions that are used for the design and development of a product (Kroenke 2008).

Internet is one of the pathways that have been introduced and it is a stimulator in information system. Internet is one of the most used sources by people in the world. This has helped in the management of operations of a company as it has led to the interaction of the customer and the management. The internet consists of various aspects like social sites such as Facebook or twitter and also emails. The use of emails is another aspect, which is becoming common with organisations and companies. This is also another form of social media, which is gaining popularity and which many customers have embraced. This makes it possible for companies to interact regularly with their customers. Customers are increasingly using these social media many hours of the day, making it possible for organisations and companies to contact them. This has made and promoted updating of activities, which the organisation entails to undertake. The use of Facebook and twitter allows the use of remarks. These remarks can be viewed by the organisation, which will in turn do its best to tackle those problems arising because of their products. Solving these problems makes it possible for customers to realise that their problems can be heard and that they can be addressed at any time they are raised (Kroenke 2008).

The process of operational management has also increased because of globalisation. Globalisation is the issue, which is rocking the news today. It is the process where connectivity is increasing, and business and the world markets are becoming interdependent. Thus, this entails that the growth of every aspect of the economy is increasing and is independent. Technology is on the increase and has contributed to the rate of globalisation. It has made easier for people to communicate and transact business even when they are abroad. Furthermore, Internet is an aspect that is on the increase as well and has made it possible for globalisation to progress. Moreover, it is needful to say that the increase of economies has also made it possible for globalisation to develop. Globalisation is associated with the increase of competition, thus enhancing better opportunities for those who exist. Transport and communication are among the factors that have hastened the process of globalisation in order to achieve a fast maturity.

Supply chain is very effective in the use of business. It helps in the reduction of cost, offers the best platform for improvement of investments, and also helps in the growth of profit margin. The downfall of supply chain is attributed to three factors: technology, vendors, or data. The lack of data is an aspect that makes supply chain fail. Quality data makes it possible for the management to carry out their work in the most efficient way. The use of technology is the other factor that leads to the downfall of supply chain. The lack of advanced technology makes it impossible for the company to manage its information well. This makes it impossible for the company to communicate with its suppliers and also its vendors.

Conclusion

The use of operational management is very important in a company. The company must make sure that it is able to monitor and control all its operations in the right way and must ensure that it produces only what is meant to satisfy the needs of the consumers. The articulation of factors like information systems is very critical to the company. This makes it possible for the company to obtain all the information that it requires. The managers should also be very careful in the decisions that they make. This makes them enhance the performance and effectiveness of the company. Supply chain should also be articulated with operational management. This makes it possible for the company to link with suppliers and vendors. The structure and culture of the organisation also have an impact on the operational management of the company. This should be taken into consideration to ensure the success of production.

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