1-1 School of Computing – Management Continuous Assessment - Written Assignment Boundaries -  Due Date for hand-up – Dec 14 th 2009 – Final Lecture Session before Year End  MS Word Hard Copy Only - Signed and Student ID  Approx 1,500 words (inclusive of intro / summary) - excessive over-runs will incur points deductions  Constitutes 30% of your overall semester mark  If you have a mitigating reason for not meeting the above deadline, make that known to me now and when you can make it available

1-2 School of Computing – Management Report Structure 1,500 words in total  Introduction – approx words  Main body of report – approx 1000 words  Executive Summary / Next Steps / Recommendations 300 / 350 words  Graphical representatives of appropriate course models and / or appropriate theory Bibliography

1-3  The Challenge – The Brief Your Role – Director of Operations, at a safety equipment, manufacturing and exporting (to EU / Middle East) Company based in the midlands, 15 years in existence, 200 full time semi-skilled Employees in a semi-automated facility Currently operates on a 12hr / 5 day week shift structure, this is an Irish started and privately owned operation with no union representation / membership among the workforce School of Computing – Management

1-4 School of Computing – Management The brief  The Organisation enjoyed business turnover of $8.m in 2007 with a net profit of 1.65m, $5.3m turnover in 2008 with a net profit $850k  Forecast for 2009 is that turnover and profits will shrink further by 20-30%  You have been asked to assess a diversification opportunity – the purchase of a US owned medical equipment manufacturer nearby which your GM has established will soon be offered for sale on the market.

1-5 School of Computing – Management  As an initial assessment, you have been asked to prepare an briefing document to cover the likely impact / potential on the following areas  Finances  Management and organisational structure / design  Organisation Culture  Prospects for future business – both companies  Employees – profile and training  Sales and Marketing impact  Possible redundancy impact  Investment decisions required  Any other areas of concern / potential 