Musings 'n scribblings of a philanthrope ..
A train of thoughts and writings on development, technology and the economy focusing on the socio-techno-economic-cultural surge of developing economies to regain and partake in leadership of the world. Written by George Easaw, member of the faculty of Business Administration of Allliance University, Bangalore, India. (This is purely an academic site, no commercial use is allowed. Photography rights lie with the respective organisations). Mention credits as needed.
Wednesday, April 02, 2025
Ten traits of successful Indian corporates
Friday, February 21, 2025
Class discussion on Tata Nano failure ..
Yesterday in the MBA sem 2 Innovation class, I discussed the case study on Tata Nano, why it failed in the Indian market. This is a copy of the case.
The students took part very well in the case. Some of the points they listed are highlighted here.
- It was a big branding blunder, branding the car as a cheap car for the masses.
- The car does not have basic safety features, or air bags
- The first couple of incidents of the car catching fire spread bad publicity about the safety aspects of the car.
- Instead of looking at rear engine as a step to increase the car seating space volume, the public found it difficult initially to accept the rear engine at all.
- Good mileage and low maintenance costs are advantages for Nano.
- The car can be used only for city driving, not for long distance drives as it does not have enough safety features.
- The rebranded Nano, electric model, is picking up in the country.
- The fact that Nano is picking up in sales in Europe and South America is because of the affordable model branding done there.
The class finished with a quiz on the case.
George.
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Technologies to dominate space sector ..
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Effective Operations related Role Playing
Role Playing scenarios for Operations students
Role-playing scenarios can make MBA operations management classes highly engaging and
insightful. These scenarios not only provide hands-on learning experiences but also help
students develop problem-solving, teamwork, and decision-making skills essential for
successful careers in operations management. Below are some interactive and realistic
scenarios tailored for operations students:
Scenario 1: Supply Chain Disruption Management
Context: You are a supply chain manager at a global consumer electronics company.
A critical supplier in China has suddenly halted operations due to a natural disaster.
Objective:
Work with your team to:
1. Identify alternative suppliers.
2. Prioritize the most critical components to source.
3. Develop a communication plan to inform stakeholders.
Roles:
- Supply Chain Manager
- Procurement Specialist
- Logistics Head
- Production Manager
Outcome: Students should present their mitigation plan, including a timeline, costs, and risks.
Scenario 2: Warehouse Optimization
Context: You are tasked with optimizing warehouse operations for a leading e-commerce
company. Complaints about delayed shipments and misplaced items are rising.
Objective:
1. Redesign the warehouse layout for efficiency.
2. Suggest technology interventions (e.g., AI, RFID, robotics).
3. Propose a plan to train warehouse staff.
Roles:
- Operations Manager
- Technology Consultant
- HR Manager
- Financial Analyst
Outcome: Teams should provide a visual layout and a step-by-step improvement plan
with cost estimates.
Scenario 3: Inventory Management Crisis
Context: A retail chain is experiencing excess inventory for seasonal products while facing
stockouts for high-demand items.
Objective:
1. Analyze sales and inventory data.
2. Propose an AI-based inventory optimization model.
3. Suggest promotional strategies to clear excess stock.
Roles:
- Inventory Manager
- Data Analyst
- Marketing Manager
- Store Manager
Outcome: Present a data-driven inventory management strategy and marketing plan.
Scenario 4: Lean Operations in Manufacturing
Context: A car manufacturing plant is suffering from high lead times and increased waste.
You need to implement lean principles to enhance productivity.
Objective:
1. Identify waste areas (overproduction, defects, delays, etc.).
2. Propose lean tools like Kaizen, Kanban, or 5S.
3. Develop an implementation timeline.
Roles:
- Plant Manager
- Quality Control Head
- Process Engineer
- Operations Consultant
Outcome: Teams should present a roadmap with measurable KPIs for lean improvements.
Scenario 5: Omni-Channel Retail Strategy
Context: A fashion retailer wants to implement an omni-channel strategy to seamlessly
integrate its physical stores and e-commerce platform.
Objective:
1. Design a unified inventory and order management system.
2. Propose solutions for real-time customer interaction across channels.
3. Develop a training program for staff on new processes.
Roles:
- Retail Operations Manager
- IT Specialist
- Customer Experience Manager
- Marketing Head
Outcome: Students should present an integrated strategy with customer experience
enhancements.
Scenario 6: Quality Assurance in Service Operations
Context: A luxury hotel chain faces complaints about inconsistent service quality across
its properties.
Objective:
1. Identify causes of quality lapses.
2. Propose a quality assurance framework.
3. Recommend training modules and monitoring tools.
Roles:
- Hotel Manager
- Training Specialist
- Quality Control Consultant
- Customer Relations Head
Outcome:
Teams should present a comprehensive plan for ensuring consistent service quality.
Scenario 7: Crisis Management in Logistics
Context: A leading logistics company is dealing with a nationwide transport strike that
disrupts last-mile delivery.
Objective:
1. Develop a contingency plan to minimize delivery delays.
2. Identify alternative modes of transport.
3. Propose a communication plan for customers.
Roles:
- Logistics Manager
- Customer Support Head
- Operations Planner
- PR Manager
Outcome: Teams present a crisis management plan with immediate, short-term, and
long-term actions.
Scenario 8: Sustainability in Operations
Context: An FMCG company wants to make its operations more sustainable by reducing
waste and energy consumption.
Objective:
1. Identify areas to implement circular economy practices.
2. Develop strategies for reducing carbon footprints.
3. Propose a plan for engaging suppliers and customers in sustainability efforts.
Roles:
- Sustainability Consultant
- Operations Manager
- Supplier Relations Specialist
- Marketing Head
Outcome: Teams present a sustainability strategy, including measurable environmental
and business benefits.
Scenario 9: Retail Store Layout Planning
Context: A supermarket chain plans to redesign its store layout to improve sales and
customer experience.
Objective:
1. Analyze customer behavior patterns.
2. Propose a new store layout using principles of retail design.
3. Justify the placement of key products.
Roles:
- Retail Operations Manager
- Customer Insights Analyst
- Store Design Specialist
- Financial Analyst
Outcome: Students present a blueprint of the redesigned layout and expected benefits.
Scenario 10: AI-Driven Operations Management
Context: A food delivery startup is experiencing delays in order processing and delivery
during peak hours.
Objective:
1. Use AI tools to optimize delivery routes and order batching.
2. Develop predictive models to manage peak-hour demand.
3. Propose a dashboard for real-time monitoring.
Roles:
- Data Scientist
- Operations Manager
- Delivery Coordinator
- Customer Support Head
Outcome: Teams demonstrate how AI improves operational efficiency and customer
satisfaction.
Enjoy great role playing and learning..
Tuesday, December 03, 2024
To be at the top over next ten years Alliance U should ..
Friday, August 23, 2024
Tools in effective teaching.
20 most effective prompts in teaching pedagogy
Ten traits of successful Indian corporates
Customer-Centric Approach: Successful Indian corporations prioritize understanding and meeting the needs of a diverse and price-sensitive cu...
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