Pandemic: Major Effects on Planning for Smithfield Custom Furniture ✓ Solved

As the pandemic continues to spread it can impact Smithfield Custom Furniture Company in a negative manner. Companies look at strategic planning to guide the organization to success and to integrate the different functions and activities within the company, now they will have to relook this phase again in order to adjust to this environmental change. This instability and uncertainty will create a major effect on their strategic goals (Lumen Learning, How Environments Affects Strategy, para. 7).

The most significant planning action that the company must do is to reassess its strategic goals and objectives. They can do this by first completing a SWOT analysis based on the internal and external factors impacting the company under the new pandemic conditions. (Lumen Learning, Common Frameworks for Situational Analysis, para. 14).

The pandemic is an external factor that can impact organization design of the company. The pandemic can cause shortages of raw materials needed for the construction of the furniture or it can cause delay on how the furniture is distributed across the globe. This external factor will cause a shift on how the organization is structured (Lumen Learning, Factors Impacting Organizational Design, para. 2).

The company will have to reorganize its structure in order to adapt to the new norm. It can create teams across the different departments and functions that will specialize in finding solutions or alternatives to the shortage of raw materials or the delay in transportation (Lumen Learning, Common Organizational Structures, para. 14).

Once again, the uncertainty of what the pandemic will cause to the overall company can create employees to be frustrated or on the edge that they may get lay off due to the current circumstances (Lumen Learning, Employee Separation and Termination, para. 13). This is will leading will become crucial in order to keep employees motivated and trying to find the best options to avoid this action.

The company will have to enforce good leadership attributes to keep employees motivated. They can shift personnel across functions and provide cross training as necessary in order to avoid any layoffs. This job rotation can also help with boredom and increase job satisfaction among employees of the company (Lumen Learning, Job Characteristic That Affect Motivation, para. 3).

The most organization control that will be affected due to the pandemic will be the financial aspect of the company. The company must ensure that right financial controls are in place in order to maintain its stability and competitive advantage (Lumen Learning, Control in the Business Setting, para. 7).

The company must ensure to take financial control action by closely monitoring its budget controls. They can analyze standard benchmarks across all the factories in order to implement best practices and make improvement on how they manage resources. They can shift production to other companies based on utility rate, which will help managers assess the financial health of the company (Lumen Learning, Financial and Nonfinancial Controls, para. 2).

Paper For Above Instructions

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented disruptions across various industries, and Smithfield Custom Furniture Company is no exception. Understanding the critical impacts on planning, organizing, leading, and controlling helps the company navigate these challenging times effectively. In this discussion, I will explore how the pandemic fundamentally influences the strategic plans and organizational structure of Smithfield while detailing the significant actions needed to address these changes.

Effects on Planning

Planning during the pandemic is particularly challenging, as companies like Smithfield must adapt to rapidly changing market conditions and consumer behaviors. Strategic planning, traditionally a structured process, must now be flexible and iterative to respond to unforeseen challenges arising from the pandemic. Companies often develop strategic frameworks to evaluate their objectives; however, the uncertainty created by the pandemic demands a reassessment of these goals regularly.

The foremost planning action for Smithfield would be conducting a SWOT analysis to identify internal strengths and weaknesses alongside external opportunities and threats brought on by the pandemic. This analytical tool will help in developing robust and resilient strategic objectives tailored to the new business environment. The company’s responsive strategies may include diversifying supplier bases to manage raw material shortages or enhancing online sales capabilities to cater to changing consumer preferences (Lumen Learning, n.d.).

Effects on Organizing

The organizational structure of Smithfield Custom Furniture is also likely to experience significant transformations due to the pandemic. Changes in the supply chain can necessitate the restructuring of teams to ensure that adequate measures are in place to deal with raw material shortages and distribution delays. Existing hierarchies may need to become more fluid, allowing for cross-departmental collaboration to foster creative problem-solving.

One potential organizational response is to establish task forces within the company that focus on critical issues arising from the pandemic. For instance, creating a dedicated team that identifies alternative materials or local suppliers can streamline the production process and reduce reliance on international shipments that may be delayed due to pandemic-related restrictions (Lumen Learning, n.d.). Such restructuring not only accommodates immediate operational needs but also promotes a culture of adaptability and resilience.

Effects on Leading

Leadership during a crisis is vital, and the pandemic presents unique challenges that could impact employee morale and productivity. Uncertainty about job security may lead employees to feel anxious and disengaged. For Smithfield, effective leadership will involve transparent communication about the company’s strategies to navigate the crisis alongside initiatives that support employee well-being. Regular updates and reassurances about job stability and organizational goals can help foster a positive work environment even amid uncertainty (Lumen Learning, n.d.).

Moreover, leaders may need to adopt adaptive leadership styles that promote innovation through employee involvement. By encouraging employees to participate in decision-making processes and developing cross-functional job roles, Smithfield can mitigate the adverse effects of boredom and promote job satisfaction. Leaders should also emphasize skill development through training opportunities, enabling employees to pivot to different roles that might emerge as necessary in the evolving business landscape.

Effects on Controlling

Controlling mechanisms within Smithfield Custom Furniture will primarily focus on financial stabilization during and after the pandemic. The health crisis has highlighted the importance of maintaining stringent financial controls, as uncertainties in revenue necessitate closer monitoring of budgets. Effective cost-control measures will ensure that resources are allocated efficiently while sustaining operational capabilities (Lumen Learning, n.d.).

Implementing financial controls may include continuous analysis of production costs and adjustments based on current demand. For instance, when overseeing expenses related to utilities, the company might explore shifting production to locations or partners that offer more favorable utility rates. Financial benchmarking against industry standards can also provide insights into best practices that enhance sustainability and profitability.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated that Smithfield Custom Furniture Company re-evaluate its approach across all aspects of management—planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. By conducting regular SWOT analyses, restructuring for enhanced collaboration, fostering adaptive leadership, and tightening financial controls, the company can develop a resilient strategy to overcome current challenges. Such proactive measures will not only help stabilize the organization during the pandemic but also position it for long-term success in a post-pandemic world.

References

  • Lumen Learning. (n.d.). Principles of Management. Common Frameworks for Situational Analysis. Retrieved from [URL]

  • Lumen Learning. (n.d.). Principles of Management. Common Organizational Structures. Retrieved from [URL]

  • Lumen Learning. (n.d.). Principles of Management. Control in the Business Setting. Retrieved from [URL]

  • Lumen Learning. (n.d.). Principles of Management. Employee Separation and Termination. Retrieved from [URL]

  • Lumen Learning. (n.d.). Principles of Management. Environments Affects Strategy. Retrieved from [URL]

  • Lumen Learning. (n.d.). Principles of Management. Factors Impacting Organizational Design. Retrieved from [URL]

  • Lumen Learning. (n.d.). Principles of Management. Financial and Nonfinancial Controls. Retrieved from [URL]

  • Lumen Learning. (n.d.). Principles of Management. Job Characteristic That Affect Motivation. Retrieved from [URL]