Question

Review the discussions below. Response to both discussions and interacted with other students. Responses should be analytical and demonstrated original thought. The flow and direction of the discussion should be positively affected by the contribution. (Please do not attempt if you can not reply both)

Discussion 1

I believe there are many reasons why the knowledge-doing gap has become so common within organizations.

For one, I feel that many are faced with obstacles that require some thinking outside the box. Sometimes, you may have to take some steps outside the normal regimen to figure new approaches to solving a problem, and some can be either uncomfortable with this approach or simply unaware of where and how to start. How the organization is structured plays a major role in this gap. If there are no "think-tanks" or time/place is not allotted for employees to interact among one another (i.e. comfortable break rooms, adequate downtime for meetings, etc.) it can be quite difficult for individuals to put their skills and ideas to good use. I feel that people must relay thoughts and ideas among one another to build upon certain strategies, or even come up with new approaches to tackle an issue all-together, as they say, two minds are better than one. The way training is set-up in the organization is also a major factor.

Obviously, individuals share the same problem. I liked Covey's idea of Independent-will and thought implementing this into your everyday life can definitely make you more effective in professional and personal aspects. " It is the ability to act, rather than be acted upon..", (Covey, p.156). You must have the power to try something that may be obscure to you at first, and while it may be uncomfortable or demeaning to your intelligence if you fail, you must keep in mind that you will learn through this experience. Having managers who support those who are able to attempt the complex issues with their best effort and will, are those who will see the best out of their employees.

Discussion:2

The company has numerous strengths that help to maintain and reinforce its position in the marketplace. I have analyzed the opportunities for the company last week, and this week I will be treating the strengths.

High performance in new markets: Vitamin Shoppe has built different strategies, which have helped the company succeed every time it entered a new market. Every single expansion that the company made have generated new revenues. A good example of those strategies is when the company decided to ship from its new coast distribution center in Arizona to China. By doing so, Vitamin Shoppe becomes one of the quickest suppliers of vitamins, minerals, and supplements from the United States to China.

Strong dealer community: it helps build a culture between the distributor and dealers. Through this strategy, dealers help promotes the company’s product and also through the right training it helps increase the sales. The training will help give the customers receive the maximum benefits from the product and the company will increase the sales and reinforce the loyalty relationship with the customer.

Strong Free Cash Flow: it is well known that Vitamin Shoppe has strong free cash flow, which could be very beneficial when it comes to expand or invest in new products.

Successful track record: Vitamin Shoppe have been using technology as the best tool to keep track of materials and supplements based on the demand of the market. This track record also helped build a reliable supply chain.

Respond immediately based on the demand and of the market conditions. Vitamin Shoppe has been able to create products based on the demand of its customers. People from other countries have been requesting the company’s products and for this reason, Vitamin Shoppe opened two additional franchise outlets in Panama and Guatemala in order to satisfy the new market demand. This is a good strategy that will help the company expand and increase the sales.

Answer 1

Definitely generation gap is a major concern in today's organisation structure. As half of the workforce inside the organisations are young and they found it difficult to work with older employees. This is specific terminology create a generation gap which reduces the overall efficiency as well as the productivity of the system.
Training can be very helpful in reducing the generation gap as it would provide better support to the overall organisational structure and creates a better impact on the overall training regarding different new technologies which is the real concern in the generation gap inside the workplace.
Being innovative and ready to understand new situations would be very helpful in going with the change which is occurring in the workplaces as it is the prime quality for unemployed to adopt a better working

What systems has been the best available tool for any organisation for maintaining a competitive advantage. Is Accord systems has benefited vitamin Shoppe to maintain a competitive advantage by record of their overall working structure and financial structure as well this type of approach has definitely been many beneficial for many companies including the vitamin Shoppe it helps organisations to understand customer demand as well as to focus on weak of the organisation and to improve them accordingly.
Differentiation in cost strategy and implementation of new logistics services are also where is for the organisations to maintain competitive advantage in the specific form and to reduce the overall risk of not having understanding off the market situation. Through the right strategy and training company has increased their overall productivity as well as efficiency which is fine example of the effect of training and other programs implemented into the system.