Category: Management

Understanding that it may not be a problem when suppliers are also customers if the customer/supplier is the best source relates to which ISM standard for supply management?

Using Stephen Drotter’s theory, list the SHRM competencies that should be considered to ensure a continued organizational competitive advantage post COVID-19. (15 marks).

➤ How do engineering controls differ from administrative controls and personal protective equipment?
Engineering controls alter the environment to remove or isolate hazards. Administrative controls change work practices through policies, training, and scheduling. Personal protective equipment shields the worker rather than the hazard. Engineering measures usually provide steadier protection because they do not rely on consistent human action or correct PPE use.

➤ When is expansive problem framing useful and when should you narrow it?
Expansive framing is useful during early-stage research, discovery, and ideation when you need to map possibilities and uncover root causes. It helps generate diverse concepts and identify novel directions in complex systems. Move to a narrower scope before implementation by selecting promising options and defining measurable goals, constraints, and timelines for execution.

➤ How does Mary Kay’s direct-sales model affect the product life cycle?
Direct sales accelerate diffusion and extend product life. Consultants provide demos, samples, and personal recommendations that boost trial and repeat purchases. That hands-on distribution supports steady growth, sustains maturity longer, and supplies fast consumer feedback for product tweaks and targeted relaunches.