Microsoft Hazel Case Essay

filbert had pop offed for the same Fortune 500 Company for almost 15 years. Although the company had g 1 through approximately tough times, things were starting to override almost. Customer orders were up and smell and productiveness had improved dramatically from what they had been entirely a few years earlier due to a company-wide quality improvement program. So it came as a real shock to chromatic and about 400 of her fellow coworkers when they were suddenly terminated following the unfermented CEOs decision to downsize the company.After recovering from the initial shock, cob tried to find employment elsewhere. Despite her efforts, after eight months of searching, she was nowhere closer to finding a job than the day that she had started. Her funds were universe depleted and she was getting much and more discouraged. There was one glistering spot, though She was able to bring in a little cash by mowing lawns for her neighbors. She got involved quite by chance when she heard one neighbor remark that now that his children were on their own nobody was around to cut the grass. Almost jokingly, cob asked how much hed be willing to pay. Soon filbert was mowing the lawns of five neighbors. Other neighbors wanted her to work on their lawns, but she didnt feel that she could spare any more time from her job search.However, as the rejection letters began to pile up, cob k parvenue she had to situate an important decision in her life. On a rainy Tuesday morning, she obstinate to go into business for herself taking business organisation of neighborhood lawns. She was relieved to let up the stress of job searching, and she was excited about the prospect of world her own boss. But she was too fearful of being completely on her own. Nevertheless, Hazel was determined to make a go of it.At maiden business was slow, but once people realized Hazel was available, galore(postnominal) asked her to take care of their lawns. Some people were simply glad to worm the work over to her others switched from other lawn care services. By the end of her first-year year in business, Hazel knew she could earn a living this way. She also performed other services such as fertilizing lawns, weeding gardens, and trimming shrubbery. Business became so correct that Hazelhired two part-time workers to assist her and, even so then, she acceptd she could expand further if she wanted to.QuestionsIn what ways are Hazels customer s likely to judge the quality of her lawn care services? Hazel is the Operations Manager of her business. Among her many responsibilities are forecasting, entry management, scheduling, quality assurance, and criminal maintenance.What kinds of things would she likely forecast?What inventory items does Hazel probably cause?What scheduling must(prenominal) she do? What things might disrupt her schedules and cause her to schedule? How important is quality assurance to her business? Why?What kind of maintenance must be perfo rmed?Hazel decided to offer the students who worked for her a subsidy of $25 if she implemented one of their ideas on how to improve the business, and they responded with several good ones. One idea that she initially rejected now appears to hold wide promise. The student that proposed the idea has unfortunately left, and is currently working for a competitor. What should Hazel do?Hazel Case RevisitedQuestionsWhat competitive advantage does Hazel energize over her competitors? Hazel would like to increase her profits, but she doesnt believe that it would be wise to raise her prices considering the current state of the local thrift (she is aware of this current state because of her keen environmental scanning abilities). kinda she has given few thought to increasing productivity.Explain how increased productivity could be an alternative to increaseprices? What are some of the ways that Hazel could increase productivity?Hazel is thinking about purchasing some new equipment. One type of new equipment she is considering is condition sidewalk edgers. She believes that power edgers will lead to an increase in productivity. Another type of new equipment would be a chain saw, which would be used for tree pruning. What trade-offs must Hazel think about in her analysis?Hazel is fair successful in her neighborhood and now wants to expand into other neighborhoods, including some that are up to five miles away. What would be the advantages and disadvantages of doing this? (this is a classic expansion dilemma) Hazel does not have a formal mission statement and a destine of objectives. Take one of the following positions and defend itHazel does not need a formal mission statement and a set of objectives. Many small businesses dont have them. She by all odds needs a formal mission statement and a set of objectives. They would be extremely beneficial. There may be some good to Hazels business, and she should consider developing one.