Name : James C.

Martinez, III

Subject : Organization and Management

Week : 2nd

Case Study : More than a good story

1. As the top managers of their company, what types of issues might Daria and

Heart have to deal with? Be specific as possible. Which management functions

might be most important to them? Why?

The type of issues that Daria and Heart might deal with will be also depends

on their environment. However as top manager of the company they must

establish their goals, plans and objectives.

The following issues may arise:

Leadership Issue – They are lacking of conceptual skill which is very essential

to a manager an ability to visualize the enterprise as a whole and understand

how its parts depends on one another.

Motivational Issue - Employees need to know what the stakes are, what the

game is and how it’s played. There’s no clear vision for the company, everyone

in the organization must understand the company business goals, its unique

selling proposition, brand promise, operating environment and marketplace

realities.
Decision Making Issue- it seems that Daria and Heart in this case are

considered as mentor rather than a leader or manager. They allow their

employees to make majority decisions (“Do what you like, like what you do”).

Team Unity – employees needs to understand how they can make the biggest

contribution to the vision. Let their staff know how their work fits into the larger

picture for the organization and for the consumer, client or other audience.

Managerial Issue – having friends working for business sometimes are not

healthy. Balancing personal relationships at work is complicated.

Planning is the management function might be most important to them.

Planning is looking ahead, they must take the organization’s available

resources and flexibility of personnel into consideration as this will guarantee

continuity. Daria and Heart got their shot when they succeeded on their “Life is

good” slogan however they need to plan for the continuity of their company.

Trends are always changing, they must be always updated with consumer’s

changing preferences.

While planning may be the most important function, the three other functions;

organizing, leading and controlling, are also required to be performed to

achieve the goals. After planning, comes organizing. A manager needs to

organize his/her team and materials according to their plan. Tasks are grouped,

and certain decisions are made, before implementing the plan. Managers work
 with people, set examples, and resolve conflicts. And lastly, controlling.

Assessment on what has been done to measure on whether they are actually

moving towards the objective. If there is a problem in the operation of the plan,

the problem is identified and solutions are performed.

With all of these being said, every function is an integral one to achieve

success. Planning might be the most important, but they go alongside one

another with organizing, staffing, leading and controlling.

2. Using the descriptions from the case, describe Daria and Heart’s managerial

approach? Would this approach work for other organizations? Why or why not.

Daria and Heart’s managerial approach is for the high risk takers and optimistic

people. Their company’s motto “Do what you like, like what you do” emphasizes

their personal values and perspectives. They are looking for passion driven

people where they love what they do, that’s why it’s not possible that some of

their friends whom they asked about the slogan are now working with them.

Yes, approach will also work with other organization, however, this approach

will not work with the risk averse people. Most of the investors calculate the

cost of their investments and its returns same with the employees. They will not
 invest their efforts, time and talents to a business wherein there’s no definite

vision, plan and goals.

3. Which among the 14 principles of management is/are applicable to this case?

Explain.

Authority and Responsibility – in order to get things done in the organization,

management has the authority to give orders to the employees with authority

and responsibility

Discipline - this is needed in order that the organization will run smoothly and

with endurance.

Unity of Direction - All employees deliver the same activities that can be linked

to the same objectives. All activities must be carried out by one group that forms

a team. These activities must be described in a plan of action

Subordination of individual Interest - The primary focus is on the

organizational objectives and not on those of the individual.

4. Which among the change management model Daria and Heart utilized to adapt

in the market completion?

Probably Daria and Heart use the Lewin’s Change Management Model. Their

first strategy is to sell their tee shirts door-to-door in nearby college dorms at

university belt which is not successful. They break their status quo (Unfreeze)

they need to do something. They asked their friends for advice and come up

with “life is good” slogan and a drawing of Jake (Make Changes) when they

sold 48 shirts they recognize something about it (Refreeze).

5. Would you want to work for a company like this? Why or Why not?

A slogan might give an insight on the company’s philosophy. They believe in

the power of positivity and having positive disposition will take a company to

thrive. This good management style encourages the employees to learn new

things and improve their performance and thus leading to a positive productivity

note. Yet, words are not enough, actions would show if they really put into their

heart and positive disposition, but the company promotes a stress free working

environment, which an ideal company to work for. It’s a Yes.

6. In what ways would the Life is good managers (corporate and retail store) have

to deal with the challenges of customer service, innovation and sustainability?

Be specific in your description.

Customer is the most important in the business and what keeps it running. The

“Life is good” already arrest the significance of their “first and most important

customer” - their employees. A delighted employee produces a happy

customers. Meaning the company exceeds the customer expectations in return

there will be a patronage of products. Which is beneficial for the company.

Manager’s needs to sustain to have this kind of culture in their company.

Moreover their involvement in corporate social responsibility helps them gain

beautiful public image. A company’s public image is at the mercy of its social

responsibility programs and how aware consumers are of these programs.

Consumer’s feel good shopping at institutions that helps the community. It also

boost employee engagement when companies show that they are dedicated to

improving their communities through corporate giving programs they are more

likely to attract and retain valuable, hardworking and engaged employees.

Investors who are pouring money into companies want to know that their funds

are being used properly Not only does this mean that corporations must have

sound business plans and budgets, but it also means that they should have a
strong sense of corporate social responsibility. Instead, they show that they

have an interest in the local and global community.

Investors are more likely to be attracted to and continue to support companies

that demonstrate a commitment not only to employees and customers, but also

to causes and organizations that impact the lives of others.

Aside from continuing their good organizational culture and effective CSR, “Life

is good” also needs to improve their R&D for their products. Even though they

gain favor on consumer eyes, they also meet and exceeds customers’

expectations thru their products.