The problem that Wernick is discussing is the rising competition between universities for private funds (157). There is a shortage of funds and the only way out in this case is fundraising a very common method of attaining funds, but one which is becoming a lot of problems. These are funds to be used in the building, running, and managing of the university. More suggestions are coming up as to where to get more funds and therefore the university has to choose the best option to hustle for donors even though there is competition among universities to acquire funds from a common source. The university gathers fees from the students but that is not enough they are also subsidized through grants that the government transfers regularly (160). University governance and management is also another issue addressed. Beyond fundraising, there are issues of academic activity in which promotionalization can be said to have occurred, student recruitment, accreditation faculty career competition, and academic publishing (158).
As Wernick points out as cited by Rectanus promotional culture exists on the boundary between the symbolic and the material the boundary that cannot frequently be discerned (70). Wernick’s analysis of advertising within promotional culture traces the erasure of boundaries between advertising entertainment and politics. In this case, it’s a positive idea that promotional culture is enhanced and it is relevant. This is because the issue for instance it is important for a university to have guidelines as to how they will be undertaking their curriculum like a course outline, reading materials a lecture schedule and all these provided beforehand will enable the students to be well prepared. Another relevant issue is the numbers that a university can admit and maintain. This is because the number determines the extent to which a university’s facilities will be utilized. To ensure a somewhat balanced equation between revenue and expenditure a university should first ensure proper utilization of resources, underutilization would only lead to a strain. This strain results from the fact that a very small number is trying to maintain a very big facility. On the other hand, a university should watch out for “over admission” this puts a strain on existent facilities something which may reduce the quality of services rendered. This harms the university in the long run as individuals rethink enrolling in institutions that are performing dismally.
The teaching method being used will enable student and lecturer close interaction as per this case students are consumers, so when they pay hefty amounts of money, in terms of fees this should be able to be reflected in their performance and the value of their money reflected. Unfortunately, this is not always the case and students often get short-changed. They have to do with substandard education which is not commensurate with the number of fees they pay to the universities. This is largely because universities have failed to come up with defined teaching practices that will ensure quality education at all times. As mentioned earlier if a University requires the use of course outlines by the lecturers, and provides reading materials continuously then it is quite obvious that the interaction levels between the students and teachers would improve, and in turn, productivity would increase. Therefore, it remains largely a responsibility of the universities to provide guidelines that favor students’ teacher interactions by improving teaching methods and providing the right environment for continuous contact and delivery of educational material.
During grading students should be accessed in terms of behavioral and academic terms to reflect a students’ performance. Admitting the students based on their previous academic records is very important and selecting those with good or high academic records will help the university to accord more prestige. It is expected that students who performed well in the past will bring the same level of competency into these universities. If this level of performance is brought into the University the institution stands a better chance to have its name regarded highly. It is not good however to bank on academic excellence only but on admission, other attributes such as participation in sports should be accessed to give the institution an upper hand in other fields apart from academics. As Wernick states that students are not just customers they are property, a bankable asset and so the higher the quality of student intake the more prestige is accorded to the university, therefore, the higher the university’s reputation the greater the career. A higher reputation means a sustainable future as the institution would be in a position to attract more individuals who bring in a variety of skills as well as boost the university’s ability to generate revenue.
Aldridge quotes Wernick (1991.172) saying university students, academics and managers have a shared interest in boosting the promotional capital of their university Wernick captures this terming it as a blend of consumerism and managerial discipline (153). The issue of choosing the content with which to use is given to the students during their learning is also relevant. For instance which books to put on a course and for students to look through the outline and see what it is they can read.
It is important to note that extracurricular activities have also greatly impacted learning for instance promotional self-interests like music groups, student unions, and sporting activities these are issues to be mentioned somewhere on resume and will earn the student a lot of credit while job hunting as it is a form of career preparation (168). As the corporate world changes face they want to be competitive in every face, this prompts them to look for all-rounded individuals. Thus it is the responsibility of the university to provide an environment fit to develop these extra aspects. It is widely believed that students who participate in extracurricular activities have better socialization skills and in most cases than not are extroverts. These qualities are particularly useful in the workplace as corporate look for team players and outgoing individuals who are not shy to criticize or put forward ideas. Besides acting as “supplements” in resumes some individuals develop an immense interest in them and they may take them as lifelong careers. In such cases, those activities during learning motivate the students as they can also undertake those activities as part of their careers. It should be noted that such activities are not only fun but educative and contribute to a greater part of learning both in school and in life.
The promotional culture of completion between students of different departments’ enlight the students and equips them with different skills not only academically but also socially and students learn a lot and display a clear image not only to themselves but to the departments. This ensures enhanced interactions between students as well. Any interaction between students will enhance their lives as they exchange ideas and develop personal ambitions. Close contact between students has an intrinsic value not only to them but to the university. This is because it increases the chances of innovativeness and creativity, if this happens the university stands a good chance to rise above similar institutions which may not have an enabling culture that supports innovativeness and creativity. Better even, if this interaction is enhanced right from the departments there will be a better chance as the instructors help in shaping innovativeness as they continuously hold interactive sessions with the students. At the end of the day, it becomes a win-win situation for students, it improves their ability to develop new ideas, and the university gains from these innovations building on its image and fame.
Another promotional culture that has changed the structure of the university along with the delivery of higher education, is the mode in which they recruit, students will apply in large numbers and this leads the university to be choosier, as such they get some limiting factors like who applied first, the academic records of the applicants to woo quality students (161). Having these elimination methods ensures that they only admit the best and admit a number that fully utilizes the available resources. Being choosier cannot be avoided as many more individuals now seek entry into universities this is large because of the job standards which rise every day. These external factors directly affect promotional culture. This calls for leaders in these universities to be well informed of these external factors and try to create a balance between the need to produce a workforce to support the economy and the need to ensure proper utilization of resources within the universities.
Another issue is that of the book trade. This is particularly done where the lecturers write books and then sell them not only to the university but to other institutions. This greatly helps in sharing of materials and research thereby connecting the learners, this also helps to expose talent by including them in the course outline. This will serve the student in terms of the curriculum. Integration of knowledge is invaluable, especially where different lecturers come up with reading resources. This helps in two ways, it gives students a chance to access knowledge promptly without having to look for the lecturers, and secondly, it has an economic benefit as the universities breeding these lecturers benefit from a book published within them. This contribution to knowledge is essential and forms part of promotional culture.
After qualifications, one now has stepped into another level of being awarded a degree that goes beyond mere possession. It is a method of evaluation for all that one has been doing. This then exposes the candidate to the world with more than just academic knowledge but also how to tackle life in different dimensions.
Works cited
Alridge, Alan. The market. London: Polity publishers, 2005.
Rectanus, Mark. Culture incorporated: museums, artists, and corporate sponsorships Culture incorporated: museums, artists, and corporate sponsorships. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2002.
Wernick, Andrew.Promotional culture: advertising, ideology, and symbolic expression. New York: Sage publications, 1991.
McGraw Hill Publisher: The International Marketing Analysis
Executive Summary
McGraw Hill Publisher is one of the oldest publishing companies and has served many students world wide. This company has invested heavily in educational publishing and controls a significant world market share. The company has managed to capture local markets and ensure it has firm grounds on which it lays its other structures. Local marketing has been diversified to include home delivery and customised services to attract local markets. Internationally, this company has managed to acquire significant market shares courtesy of its elaborate e-marketing strategies that allow customers to purchase goods online. Both local and international marketing concepts target consumer satisfaction through the provision of quality and timely services.
In addition, this company is highly segmented to make use of the available demands for various services. Even though, most of its operations revolve around educational publishing it has also diversified its activities to include managerial and broadcasting services. The company faces stiff competition from Pearson and Amazon companies that continue developing and implementing complex strategies to continue dominating local and international markets.
This company is investing heavily in ensuring its products and services reflect and meet the demands associated with modern technology by recently incorporating the use of internet marketing and customer care solutions. Consequently, it has managed to grab a significant market share that has boosted its performance. Moreover, inventions and innovations (Smartlearner and Create) have enabled this company to soar above most of its competitors. This company strives to uphold professionalism in offering quality and low priced services and products to its customers.
Introduction
This report is an analysis of the role of marketing concepts, and implications at local and international levels that ensure the company succeeds in promoting its products and services. In addition, the report gives a detailed evaluation of the implications of segmentation, targeting and positioning on the company as well as the role of customer acquisition and retention on the organisation’s performance. There is an evaluation of the impacts of innovations, future trends, social, economic, political and legal environments at international levels for this company.
McGraw’s Marketing Analysis
Nature and Role of Marketing
Marketing is an indispensable business aspect since it determines the future of all investments. An effective marketing strategy ensures the available opportunities are used to the advantage of the business. There may be demand for a product or service but without effective marketing strategies a producer may not enjoy the benefits of high demand. McGraw Hill Publishing is a well known company having been in existence for more than 100 years (Jacqueline 2011). This company has managed to develop marketing strategies that target the local and international markets.
McGraw-Hill penetrated the Canadian market in 1919 by first purchasing the Embassy Book Company of Toronto and made its franchise distributor for the McGraw-Hill title in Canada. In December 1990, McGraw-Hill Book Company bought Ryerson Press and the two names were combined in 1971 to become McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited.
Local market refers to all customers located in the United Kingdom while international market refers to clients located in other countries. This case will base most of its discussion on two international clients that include the United States of America and Canada. The local market is well enfranchised to make use of the available market for McGraw’s products (Mikini 2012). There are thousands of learning institutions and other companies that require reading materials in the United Kingdom and this company has tapped most of these clients. Having been established many years ago and with a rich performance history the company has managed to convince most locals to buy their products (Simons 2010). Local marketing ensures this company establishes its roots and base at its location. In addition, this gives the company a competitive advantage over other companies located in other areas. Most of its local publications are in English language even though there are other publications depending on individual’s preferences.
Internationally, this company has managed to expand its market through signing contracts with related companies. Recently, this company has signed several contracts with Learn360 to expand its interactive media services that have targeted the K-12 learning market (Naminse 2011). This programme will offer various opportunities to people world wide. It provides easy navigation through the McGraw site to other multimedia education resources materials. In addition, this company has collaborated with the Texas’ based M & A Technology to produce the McGraw Companion Touch that will offer students and teachers various digital and print options to facilitate learning. This company has also established the McGraw-Hill Education Group to offer efficient learning, reference, assessment and evaluation services to more than thirty three countries. This company has about sixty five language translations of services offered under this category.
Moreover, this company has launched several programmes that will facilitate easy access and navigation to various sections that offer different services to its clients. The launch of the ConnectED has been welcome by thousands of McGraw clients due to its ability to offer educators easy and quick access to millions of learning materials. It should be noted that recently this company has adopted a technology based approach to offer its services to local and international consumers.
Digital communication has simplified McGraw’s local and international marketing making it to offer services and products to almost all corners of the globe. Ordering, purchasing and payments have been facilitated by these innovations and consumers can track their product’s movements through the online portals provides.
Marketing Concepts and Approaches
The discussion above illustrates the power of effective marketing and approaches that win consumer’s confidence and trust. Marketing strategies vary depending on products, services audience, time, price and consumer preferences; therefore, a marketing strategy may be effective for one product and ineffective for another (Johnson 2008). Local and international markets have many similarities and thus it is not a mistake to embrace similar strategies.
First, this company has shifted its focus from its point of view to that of its clients. It has put on the client’s shoes and known the needs of modern day learners and educators. This has enabled the company to produce products and offer services that are tailor-made for their clients. This makes people to get exactly what they ordered and not what looks like what they ordered. McGraw Company has identified its clients in terms of their educational needs and how urgent they want their products. Traditionally, most people wasted their time looking for bookstores to purchase reading materials. In addition, when a bookstore is located it is not easy to identify the book required or the author for the reading materials.
However, this company has managed to keep a data base for all reading materials making them available at any time from any location around the globe. The company has managed to collect all genres of studies and stores them as soft or hard copies (Adams 2011). The introduction of e-readers has made it possible to offer reading materials in audio and visual forms which can later be converted to hard copies. Therefore, this company focused its attention to consumers’ shopping challenges and addressed these problems effectively.
Secondly, marketing is not an independent activity since it must be connected to other production and sales processes. Therefore, there is the need for coordination amongst various departments to ensure marketing is as successful as it is planned. Most companies focus a lot of attention on marketing and forget that other activities are useful in ensuring successful marketing takes place (Portny 2010). However, this company has managed to integrate various productions, distribution and advertisement processes with marketing to ensure there is coordination and smooth work flow (Fried 2010). The recent launching of the McGraw-Hill Centre for Digital Innovation is a significant move that will enable this company to offer a world class educational facility to all regions. As a result, this company will handle all the challenges associated with learning and technology and thus have a head start in competing with Amazon and Pearson. This shows how coordination is an important concept in developing marketing strategies.
Thirdly, all business ventures aim at making profits at all costs since this is their sole purpose. Therefore, no matter the volume of sales made or the clients served a company must make profits to know where it stands (Lillian 2011). Most companies invest a lot in production, advertisements and distribution and forget to make an analysis of whether they are making profits or not. Some companies prepare financial statements and realise they are neither making profits nor losses. Even though, this company does not release its financial reports to the public there are enough illustrations to prove that it is making profits.
Implications on International Organisations
Segmentation
Segmentation refers to the division of production activities to ensure a company does not only focus on one line of production but diversifies its expertise to maximise the local demand. This company has diversified its production lines and included other non- academic services. However, company segmentation should ensure the new businesses introduced have a link with existing traditions.
On the international level and local level, McGraw-Hill has targeted Prek to Grade 12, students, instructors and professionals who wish to acquire more knowledge and also to develop their skills.
Initially, this company had focused on academic publishing but with time it has embraced other businesses like broadcasting, financial services, and media and information. Publishing is slowly becoming a forgotten activity as the company continues to engage actively in business oriented productions. Recently, this company has invested heavily in broadcasting and business management that seem to be more profitable than educational publishing.
This company is segmented into three parts namely education, media and financial services. The education segment includes McGraw-Hill Higher Education, CTB/McGraw-Hill and McGraw-Hill School Education McGraw-Hill Professional. This section specialises in publishing books, journals, articles and other academic publications (Gilbert 2007). However, there has been a twist in technology that has challenged this company to adopt modern technology in its activities. Even though, this technology has not been fully adopted it is evident that with time it ids going to wipe out analogue activities.
The second segment involves information and media services that are widely used in many organisations. The segment has other departments that include McGraw-hill construction, J. D. Power and Associates, Platts and Aviation Week Group (United States 2009).
The third segment is the Financial Service that offers consultancy, researching, auditing and rating to various organisations. This company established the Standard & Poor’s division to offer the above services without interference from other sections. It is necessary to note that these segments operate as individual entities even though they are centrally controlled (Zacky 2011). This segment has offered financial advice to many companies regarding market trends and world economy that are key aspects in business planning. A good example of this group of companies is S&P 500 that has been tracked for several years.
Targeting
This company has encountered several challenges before arriving at its present state. It is not easy to find a company investing and offering a similar product or service for this long. Many companies start with a product and end evolving into another producer. This illustrates how McGraw-Hill Publishing has maintained its market and service delivery. It has targeted learning institutions since this sector will never run out of learning content (Kelvin 2009). This company takes advantage of the many loopholes in learning and has developed mechanisms to grab this market. Today, this company serves more than seven million clients every year and plans to increase this number to nine million by 2015.
Moreover, with the establishment of media and business consultancy services the company has also targeted medium and small scale businesses. Moreover, the media and broadcasting section will target business communication aspects like investments and planning (Velinas 2010). Therefore, the above two segments have multiplied this company’s target audience and continues to think of other options.
Positioning
This aspect involves the preparations a company takes to achieve a competitive advantage in the local and international market. This company has developed strategies that will ensure it keeps its clients and also attract other new market. First, the segments above safeguard the company against any unforeseen events in publishing. Most clients are taking to digital reading materials which are readily available and abandoning hard copies (Lydia 2007). However, this company has invested in broadcasting and financial services that are viable investments. There is no doubt that this company will not suffer any financial breakdown should there be a change in market trends due to introduction and use of modern technology.
Implications on Organisations’ Performance
When a company acquires new market it must expand its production to ensure there are enough services or products for the whole market. However, sometimes the rate of stock turn over may be low and this may force a company to seek new markets to avoid having dead stock (Cannon 2006). McGraw-Hill Company has widened its market through the internet and this means it has to increase its productivity. However, the company must ensure this does not compromise the quality of its services.
At the same time, the customer must continue focusing on current customers to ensure they are not forgotten. It is evident that getting ten customers is easier than keeping one. This company has developed customer relations to ensure all clients are kept close to the company’s products by sending them frequent offers and newsletters informing them about the company’s progress.
Planned and unplanned innovations have various implications on an organisation’s performance. This company has been lucky to have planned innovations that have not disadvantaged its operations (Surena 2010). The introduction and use of digital technology is an example of innovations that impact negatively on companies’ performance (Horne 2009). This company has managed to handle this shift without affecting its performance. However, the two inevitable challenges facing the introduction of new technology are increased expenses and delays caused by changes in operating systems. This company has developed future marketing strategies that accommodate changes in technology. In addition, these innovations widen the company’s objectives by ensuring that does not only offer cheap products but also quality services to its consumers. All international organizations must develop marketing strategies that take into account their operation’s future aspects. Therefore, these companies must strategies to handle their future plans and accommodate any eventualities (Atkinson 2012). McGraw-Hill Publishing has developed departments that conduct research to establish the future market trends as directed by consumer preferences.
International Environment
International operations are largely influenced by political environment that dictate trade activities amongst nations. Multi-national companies suffer serious losses due to political instability in undemocratic states (O’Connor 2000). In addition, these instabilities lead to economic stagnation as investors withdraw their investments from nations prone to conflicts. Moreover, some nations have uneconomical taxation policies that limit foreign investors and discourage local traders from participating in international trade. Lastly, some political leaders and investment stakeholders demand bribes before offering tenders to them.
Conclusion
McGraw-hill publishing is set to develop and expand its operations beyond its local boundaries. This company has embraced new technology and developed marketing strategies that will see it’s expand its operations. However, it must continue investing in research and market strategies to ensure it outshines its competitors.
Recommendations
This company is set to gain more international recognition due to its huge investments in research and marketing. However, it should adopt the following measures to win its customers’ trust and confidence.
First, it should focus much of its attention in producing quality goods and services that will retain its current customers. Secondly, this company has to continue investing in research since the world is adopting new technology everyday. Thirdly, shareholders must establish physical offices in countries not targeted by online marketing. Most African countries are usually left behind in term of technology; therefore, physical presence will widen this company’s international market.
References
Adams, P. (2011). Reaching the Publishing and Advertising Heights. Wiley, New York.
Atkinson, D. (2012). Dominating the Digital Market through Strategies. Framer’s, New Jersey.
Cannon, A. (2006). The One-Page Project Manager: Communicate and Manage any Project with a Single Sheet of Paper. Wiley, New York.
Fried, A. (2010). A Contest for Supremacy: The Battle for Digital Publishing. W. W. Norton and Company, New York.
Gilbert, D. (2007). McGraw-hill Publishing: The Balance Sheet: What the World needs to Know about the Super Power. Public Affairs, New York.
Horne, C. (2009). Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Digital Management. Harper Business, New York.
Jacqueline, S. (2011). When Digital Rules the World: The End of the Analogue World. Penguin Press, Westminster:
Kelvin, M. (2009). The Return of Digital Masters and the End of Dreams. Vintage Press, New York.
Lydia, M. (2007). McGraw’s s Rise: Challenges and Opportunities. Peterson Institute of International Economics, Bengbu.
Lillian, P. (2011). Digital America: The McGraw’s View. 1900-2000. State University of New York Press, New York.
Mikini, M. (2012). The Growth and Development of McGraw’s Publishing. CRC Press, New York.
Naminse, S. (2011). The Future of Digital Power. Public Affairs Publishers, New York.
Johnson, T. (2008). Fragile Digital Power. Oxford University Press, New York.
United States. (2009). Digital and Analogue Developments.: Nova Science Publishers New York,
O’Connor, C. (2000). Digital and Analogue Bridge Loads: An International Perspective. CRC Press, New York.
Portny, N. (2010). Digital Management: Business and Personal Finance. Wiley, New York.
Simons, R. (2010). Strategic Digital and Analogue Management Made Simple: Practical Tools for Leaders and Teams. Wiley, New York.
Surena, S. (2010). From Analogue to Digital Learning and Management. National Geographic, Washington.
Velinas, T. (2010). Using technology in Project Management and Marketing. Wiley, New York.
Zacky, M. (2011). The Post Digital World: Release 2.0. W. W. Norton and Company, New York.
Appendices
Average Growth Rates, Past Five Years
- Revenue(6.00%)
- Net Income(3.21%)
- Earnings Per Share(7.76%)
- Capital Spending(14.97%)
- Gross Margin64.28%
- Cash Flow(28.54%)
An Employee Empowerment Strategy To Achieve Effective Leadership
Introduction
Effective leadership is among the crucial elements for the success of a corporate organization (Mears, 2010). Effective leadership is not only confined to approaches used by a leader within an organization, but it also depends on the situation at hand, which determines the most effective leadership style (Nohria & Khurana, 2010). Therefore, an effective leader should be the one who is able to exhibit the most appropriate style of leadership, depending on the prevailing situation; he or she should be able to tell when a specific kind of leadership is required within an organization (Cameron, 2006; DuBrin, 2012).
Leadership of Bill Gates: Co-founder and Chairman of Microsoft Corporation
Bill Gates has numerous leadership qualities (Daft, 2008). One of the qualities is that of a clear vision. An effective leader has a vision of what he or she wants to achieve and the capability of vividly communicating the vision so that everybody within an organization comprehends what is required to achieve (Daft, 2008). Apart from that, Bill Gates is always willing to take on new challenges so as to achieve new results (Daft, 2008). A leader must always have the courage to create a vision and pursue what it takes to achieve the vision (Dearlove, 2010). This is what Bill Gates does as a leader. Moreover, he is a self-motivated and inspired individual who is always determined to achieve his vision. In this regard, he also has the ability to inspire those around him to promote collective organizational success (Dearlove, 2010).
Bill Gates is also innovative, passionate and intelligent, and possesses entrepreneurial skills. These are qualities that an effective leader should have. The success of Microsoft Corporation is an example of the entrepreneurial skills possessed by Bill Gates; the entrepreneurial skills are among some of the qualities that an effective leader should have (Dearlove, 2010).
Becoming a Great Leader: The Case of Bill Gates
It is an indisputable fact that Bill Gates is an effective leader, especially within the Information Technology industry. However, to be effective is not enough; he needs to go beyond being just an effective leader by possessing certain leadership qualities, skills and characteristics.
One of the leadership qualities Bill Gates needs to have so as to be considered as a great leader is that he should be able to use various leadership styles within the Microsoft Corporation, depending on different situations that may arise. This kind of leadership quality makes a leader be able to deal with different challenges while also taking advantage of new business opportunities that arise (Iqbal, 2011; Bertocci, 2008). In addition, even though Gates has built a remarkable leadership brand in the IT industry, he is said to be arrogant and has little tolerance in relation to other successful industry players (Donlan, 2008). Thus, to be a great leader, Bill Gates needs to be tolerant and cooperative with other industry players so as to further the development of the IT industry leaders.
Moreover, Bill Gates has been viewed as a bully and an antagonist within the IT industry, which makes him a mere effective leader, especially with respect to the success of the Microsoft Corporation (Richardson & Earle, 2006). As such, he needs to develop respect for other industry leaders who have also made immense contributions to the industry. Bill Gates should also be able to share his expertise beyond the Microsoft Corporation as an industry leader. This will certainly earn him respect from other industry players, thereby appearing as a great leader.
Selected Empowerment Strategies
One of the employee empowerment strategies is to provide the crucial skills required for the performance of specific tasks (Hickman, 2009). The skills can be provided by raising the education levels of employees (Hickman, 2009). In regards to this, as the education levels increase, employees become more empowered to perform more delegated duties, which allows the employees to work efficiently within their boundaries of skills (Hickman, 2009). Moreover, in providing the crucial skills, effective leaders must focus on training and developing their staff members to succeed in their new empowered roles (Hickman, 2009).
The second employee empowerment strategy is democracy in the workplace. Workplace democracy is an empowerment concept in which employees are to play an active role in all the aspects of an organization’s business operations. Workplace democracy is a concept that advocates for employees to be allowed to freely make contributions to the decision-making process of an organization (Hickman, 2009).
The third empowerment strategy is the improvement of work-life and job enrichment. The main aim of improving work-life is to make employees feel good about the work they do. The strategy may include giving employees more freedom with regard to the actual tasks that they undertake (Hickman, 2009).
Reasons for Selecting the Empowerment Strategies
There are reasons why I have selected the three empowerment strategies. The reason for selecting the provision of crucial skills as one of the empowerment strategies is due to its importance in terms of enhancing job performances (Kerry, 2012). It is often impossible to get employees to perform specific tasks if they do not have the necessary skills. Therefore, this strategy can be used by leaders to model employees for specific tasks by equipping them with relevant knowledge and skills. When employees have the right skills, they are always empowered to tackle tasks relevant to their skills (Kerry, 2012).
The choice of workplace democracy as an empowerment strategy is motivated by the fact that individuals often prefer working in organizations where they get recognized and appreciated (Kerry, 2012). Employees are normally happy and effective when exposed to a democratic work environment. This strategy can be used to encourage innovation among self-driven employees. This implies that when employees are allowed to work in a democratic environment, they are able to come up with new ideas that are crucial for the success of a given organization (Kerry, 2012).
Improving work-life and job enrichment is another strategy that usually works well with various organizations (Kerry, 2012). I have selected this strategy because many organizations consider it as one of the best strategies to enhance employees’ job performances. It has been found out that the training of employees alone may not bring a lot of results if life at work is not up to the expectations of employees (Kerry, 2012). Thus, this strategy can be used to empower employees by providing sufficiently challenging tasks to employees. It also entails ensuring job enrichment, role intervention and job design (Kerry, 2012).
Conclusion
An effective leader needs to have some specific characteristics, qualities and skills. However, effective leadership is not enough, since there is the need for an effective leader to be considered great. In order to achieve this, a leader needs to share his or her ideas beyond an organization and also respect other leading industries.
References
Bertocci, D. (2009). Leadership in Organizations: There is a Difference between Leaders and Managers. Plymouth, UK: University Press of America.
Cameron, K. (2006). Competing Values Leadership: Creating Value in Organizations. Cheltenham, England: Edward Elgar Publishing.
Daft, R. (2008). The Leadership Experience. London, UK: Cengage Learning.
Dearlove, D. (2010). The Unauthorized Guide to Doing Business the Bill Gates Way: 10 Secrets of the World’s Richest Business Leader. Winchester, Hampshire: John Wiley & Sons.
Donlan, T. (2008). A World of Wealth: How Capitalism Turns Profits into Progress. New York: FT Press.
DuBrin, A. (2012). Leadership: Research Findings, Practice, and Skills. London, UK: Cengage Learning.
Hickman, G. (2009). Leading Organizations: Perspectives for a New Era. London, UK: SAGE.
Iqbal, T. (2011). The impact of leadership styles on organizational effectiveness: Analytical study of selected organizations in IT sector in Karachi. Munich, Germany: GRIN Verlag.
Kerry, P. (2012). Crucial Skills and Influence Strategies (eBook Bundle). New York, US: McGraw-Hill Professional.
Mears, M. (2010). Leadership Elements: A Guide to Building Trust. Bloomington, IN: iUniverse.
Nohria, N., & Khurana, R. (2010). Handbook of Leadership Theory and Practice: An Hbs Centennial Colloquium on Advancing Leadership. Boston, MA: Harvard Business Press.
Richardson, C., & Earle, K. (2006). Relationship Based Leadership. Lanham, Maryland: University Press of America.