Question

a. Multi-national Enterprise Case Study Introduction You are a graduate with Degree in ICT with major in Business Information Systems who's just been hired by a fast growing multi-national organization dealing in Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) called XYZ Global Enterprises. This organisation has its presence in 10 Africans countries. Each country has a number of outlets and manufacturing plants where different goods supposed to be manufactured and packaged according to the organization's standards. It is part ofXYZ Global's strategic plan to ensure that it standardizes the branding and quality of goods across the globe. On goods such as fresh products and local goods, XYZ has plans to sign some memorandum of understanding with various local farmers and other producers. The organizations has other plans such as creating a reliable distribution channel through partnering with local and international distributors who are expected to distribute goods both at local and international level. XYZ Global group president appoints you as a regional Chief Information Officer (CIO) in- charge of all African branches and tasks you to ensure that you put systems in place to ensure that operations run smoothly. Part of your duties include; introducing systems that will take care of the following pronlems:- 1. Stock Handling and control 11. Manufacturing and Branding ~ 111. Employee Management Process IV. Managing Clients v. Sales VI. Report Management VB. Marketing, Promotions and discounts Vlll. Monitoring Sales Across the region 2 IX. Participate in Global Activities such as Meetings x. Other related activities The above problems plus many others are reasons why you have been hired, the XYZ Group President has hope in you to deliver your tasks diligently and help XYZ run profitably and competitive with very few or no risks at all. You are therefore asked to prepare a workable plan and budget for approval prior to implementation. 1. Explain the first step you are likely to take to help you decide on what systems to put in place. 11. Mention and explain some of the systems you will put in place to take care of the problems indicated above. Ill. To ensure a standardized quality of products being manufactured in different regions, what system would you recommend for XYZ? And why? IV. Your directors and managers at both at group and regional level will need to do reports meant for different recipients of different level (positions). Explain the system(s) you will put in place to handle this activity. v. What other system would you recommend to the company especially to handle meetings involving all regional managers and directors without incurring any travelling costs and minimized communications costs? Use examples to justify your answer. •••

Answer 1

As a newly appointed Chief Information Officer for a Multinational giant, it's highly recommended to be very careful before implementing your ideas or before immediately changing any of the rules previously been implemented in the company. While doing so, you can safeguard your position and at the same time can build trust with other employees. Anyhow, you need to tackle the given assignment with minimum risk. So for the successful completion of the task, certain procedures are there.

i. Thoroughly evaluate all the available records about the mode of operation, profit & loss analysis and strategy implementation of the last quarter. So it will help you to get a rough idea about how the company performed in the past or before your appointment. After evaluating the above data just follow the golden rule. “Never try to fix it unless it’s broken”. If you find any shortcomings then you can try to find a better alternative for it.

ii. For signing a new memorandum and finding local partners in production and distribution it is always recommended asking for the support of your local managers and other staff who knows the geography very well than you. For both local and international markets.

iii. To ensure the standardized quantity you can brief the subordinates and implement stricter rules while selecting the raw materials but for quality of an FMCG you can get into a contract with laboratories to scientifically ensure that everything is up to the mark. Acquiring a quality certificate both from the local government will boost the goodwill of the company for sure.

iv. Just implement the usual reporting hierarchy like Workers<Supervisors<Asst Managers etc. So your point of contact should be with your immediate subordinates unless there is a need for extra precaution in certain matters. This is well applicable for Stock Handling & Control, Manufacturing & Branding, Monitoring sales and fine-tuning Marketing strategies, etc.

v. The most efficient and affordable mode of communication suitable for the requirements of a large enterprise nowadays are smartphones with internet connectivity. The internet rates in African continents are far more affordable than anywhere else. These methods cost you only a fraction of flight tickets or other road transport system intended for business meetings. You can instruct the subordinates to install any credible VoIP application in their cellphones for smooth communication flow including video conferencing and live monitoring of activities.