Business decision making - reflection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Business decision making - reflection - Essay Example For example, we also kept in mind the availability of housing for hospital staff. Even if site A would seem less costly to develop; still, we cannot decide simply based on costs. Quality must always be part of the decision process because a hospital is not just about medical equipment, it is more on providing services to the patients as well as to the employees. We have to choose from the best possible alternative that can reward us with the greatest pay-off coupled with minimal issues. For this reason, we arrived at Site B because even the insects would receive some benefits that we have planned. The first stage that we went through is identifying the problems and problem definition. Using the rational model, we need to properly determine what are the potential causes of problems for each site that we have to consider. In a rational decision model, we have to look into all possible alternatives so every bit of information that we can get hold would prove useful. When we were identif ying the problems, we decided to set out the criteria which were required. Each site would have to meet these criteria in order to be chosen as the optimum site. The basic criteria were: †¢ Good access points to and from the hospital. †¢ Produce a 15 – 20% return on shareholders’ investments. †¢ Easy to obtain staff, particularly of the high-skilled variety. †¢ Aesthetically pleasing. †¢ Gaining political support. †¢ Replacing the older hospitals in the region For example, we really needed to verify if Site A was a hazardous dump because there were hear says about the site. The only way to confirm such beliefs was to objectively make an investigation of the facts, so there is no room for mistakes. Although the group members were keen about the information gathering process, we observed that each member became very analytical. Everyone wanted to provide the best possible solution to the point that we became obsessive-compulsive. In fact, we also became directive in approaching one another especially when expressing our viewpoints verbally, at times, quite harshly. Our personal commitments were subdued in the interest of choosing the best decision. This rather slowed-down the decision making process because we often argued at the claims we are presenting during group meetings. The good thing is that we have some members who act as facilitators and reminded us about the value of team-work. When we have to sit down and look at the widest range of alternatives, we need to start considering not only the technical or financial elements involved but other important factors as well. We have to consider the political element, since we don’t want any protests that would involve bad publicity. However, aside from looking at possible moral issues, each of us has to change our attitude and look within ourselves. The team leader involved everyone in participative decision-making and allowed us to present solutions that are c reative – like relocating the animals to another place like what Saintburys Supermarket accomplished. We knew that if all of us helped one another in choosing the best alternative, the whole group would benefit from such a decision. We wanted a win-win outcome that would have the least possible disadvantage to all stakeholders. For one, we considered the political factor by knowing if our decision would have any effect on the campaign of MP Thompson. Furthermore, we liked the idea that it would not

How has the 'American Ideology' changed since 1980 Answer with Essay

How has the 'American Ideology' changed since 1980 Answer with reference to notions of self reliance, equality of opportunity - Essay Example Self reliance is the conception that free and independent individuals should take responsibility of their social well being (Weir 2007, p. 746). Weir continues to argue that individualism closely relates to self reliance in the United States. However, this issue raises numerous controversies to various people. Since the eras of George Washington after the founding of America to the era of Ronald Reagan in the 1980s, Americans had been embracing self reliance. Weir states that one of the founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin is known for his statement â€Å"God helps them that help themselves,† which many Americans misunderstood as a quotation from the bible (2007, p. 746). The government of Ronald Reagan since he assumed power as president in January 20, 1981 to 1989 greatly supported the ideology of self reliance. The former president is quoted saying â€Å"Every time the government acts, we lose self-reliance, character, and initiative (About.com n.d.). The current government of the United States in the leadership of President Barack Obama does not support self reliance. At a fundraiser in San Francisco in the last week of October 2011, the President warned the audience that if they do not re-elect him, they stand to face a new era of self reliance in America (Fleming 2011). Self-reliance implies that Americans do not stand a chance to rely on the government for provisions such as health care, education or anything they consider as a requirement. Fleming (2011) argues that most Americans would consider it unthinkable to do away with entitlements, they would worry if let to use their own resources. The American federal government takes the active role of including entitlements and safety nets such as retirement saving for its citizens in its budget. However, some Americans support the aspect self reliance because it comes with a sense of freedom. For example, most of the funds used for entitlements come from the taxpayers. The government takes a large sh are of the taxpayer’s income in the form of tax by using regulations which ensure Americans’ minimal requirements are taken care of. There is a lack of freedom in such situations because taxpayers have no control over what to do with their money. In fact, the government takes its portion before taxpayers can access their share. The main problem arises when needs keep increasing and changing with time. For example, health insurance is a right to the Americans while electricity and water are basic needs. The use of resources to provide the society with basic necessities is the key reason why Americans continue to wallow in dependency. As a nation, America opts not to risk gaining freedom by accepting self reliance. Equal opportunity is the provision that all people should receive similar treatment with the absence of obstacles such as preferences or prejudices and artificial hurdles except in cases where they are justifiable. The provision of equal opportunity supports s ituations such as offering job prospects to candidates with proper qualifications with the certainty that they can perform ably in the task. It disregards use of connections such as friendships, race, ethnicity, religion, birth relations and involuntary attributes such as sexual orientations, disability and age to whoever has control of offering the job. Equal opportunity provides advancement chances to all parties with interest, and allows them to compete on equal