Discussion Question:

Productivity Status and Initiatives

Reflect on your current or former company in regard to its productivity levels and initiatives; then address each of the following points:

• Has productivity increased, decreased, or remained stagnant at your company?
• What would you do to sustain or improve productivity, in light of the company’s factors of production?
• Have you observed or participated in any initiatives to turn around a struggling business unit or division?

• • If Yes:

• • • What worked well in the initiative?
    • What should be done differently the next time around?
  • If No:
    • What could you do to improve your own or your team’s productivity at work?
    • What area would you focus on first, and why?

Classmates response

The company in the discussion below is Liberty Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Hinesville, GA, a small dealer in the automobile industry. Liberty Chrysler is one of four new dealerships in town.

Has productivity increased, decreased, or remained stagnant at your company?

Liberty Chrysler’s new car sales have declined over the past five years, and the owners are about in crisis mode. JWMI and this class have taught me to see this dealership is not alone. The U.S. vehicle industry has had a Total Vehicle Sales of 17.2 Million vehicles sold in September 2019. Total U.S. vehicle sales are still above average, which is 15.62 from1993 to 2019 (Trading, 1). U.S. Car Production has been steadily declining and is currently 2.2 million units and is expected to remain near 2.7 million units per month (1).

What would you do to sustain or improve productivity, in light of the company’s factors of production?

Improving productivity in today’s world always seems to point towards connectivity and the digital world. Every company wishes for faster internet, bigger, better computers, and faster printers. Additionally, the personnel area needs improving. In a high turnover business, one needs to be more systematic in choosing sales personnel.

Have you observed or participated in any initiatives to turn around a struggling business unit or division?

Yes, I have observed and participated in turning around a struggling business.

What worked well in the initiative?  Carlos Brito stated precisely in this week’s Expert of Practice video that companies must do the routine tasks routinely (2). There must be processes and standard operating procedures in place to accomplish everyday tasks. Written methods are how great companies are consistent.

What should be done differently the next time around?  Ensure processes are followed and be as transparent as possible in all aspects. People generally want to do the right thing, so ensuring supervisors are not glued to the keyboard but are actively engaged with employees.