Strategic planning to drive integrated continuous improvement

This case study describes how one company involved multiple levels of all functions to develop a comprehensive strategic plan that drives the continuous improvement initiative. The process involves clearly defining a mission, assessing the current situation, developing goals designed to achieve a preferred future status, and establishing the specific tactics to move toward that preferred future. The plan then drives integrated efforts throughout the organization to help manage the business of providing the highest quality products and services to meet current and anticipated customer requirements.     

Antwerp, a city on the move

Afewyearsago,themunicipalorganizationofthecityofAntwerpwas,duetoitsdisastrousfinancialsituation,forcedtoreduceitsPersonnelandtoshrinkitsbudgets.Allnecessaryandpainfuloperationsresultedinalotofcommotionandunrest.Thecitymanagementfounditselfconfrontedwithanumberofexternalandinternalfactors.overtheyears,thedissatisfactionoftheAntwerpcitizenstowardstheaservice-performance"ofthemunicipalorganizationhadgrown.Ingeneral,thepublicliadanextremelynegativeimageofthemunicipalofficial.Moreover,theresultso…     

When an executive defects

The news that one of the company's senior managers is leaving comes as a complete surprise to Paul Simmonds, CEO of Kinsington Textiles, Inc. Ned Carpenter, KTI's vice president of operations for three years, writes in his resignation letter than he is leaving for a better opportunity. Simmonds soon learns that Carpenter's new job is at Daltex, one of KTI's main rivals in the intensely competitive carpet industry. Hiring Carpenter had helped Simmonds establish his reputation as a topnotch manager. Carpenter came to KTI with lots of ideas and put his enthusiasm to good use. Three years into a five-year change program, Carpenter had turned KTI's operations from one of the worst in the industry to one of the best. He also had helped develop and plan the upcoming launch of a new fiber coating--KTI's first breakthrough in years. In this fictitious case study, Simmonds, along with the company's counsel and vice president of human resources, must figure out how much and what sort of damage control they need. What are they going to tell the company's employees and the media? Should they immediately replace Carpenter with John Brady, the second-in-command of operations? What if Carpenter is taking KTI employees--and strategic information--with him to Daltex? Should Simmonds ask all his managers to sign noncompete agreements-something Carpenter was never asked to do? Should KTI sue Carpenter? Five experts offer advice about communicating with KTI's employees, the media, and Carpenter himself, and about protecting the company's confidential information.     

The big story

When a mega-policy issue--health care reform--runs up against the Information Age, the result is likely to be increased earnings and career-making opportunities for journalists.