Manage Innovation and Continuous Improvement in A.C. Gilbert

Manage Innovation and Continuous Improvement in A.C. Gilbert 0
Title: Manage Innovation and Continuous Improvement in A.C. Gilbert
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Manage Innovation and Continuous Improvement in A.C. Gilbert 1
Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Assessment Task One................................................................................................................3
1. Key Processes at A.C. Gilbert.........................................................................................3
2. Analysis of the Key Processes........................................................................................5
3. Evaluation of the review strategy and suggestions for improvement.............................6
4. Performance Analysis up to 1966...................................................................................7
5. Trends..............................................................................................................................8
6. Recommendation...........................................................................................................10
Assessment Task Two..............................................................................................................10
1. Performance Improvement Strategy.............................................................................10
2. Management Team Briefing.........................................................................................12
3. Lead Session..................................................................................................................13
4. Risk Analysis Strategy..................................................................................................15
5. Cost-benefit analysis.....................................................................................................16
Assessment Task Three............................................................................................................16
1. Implementation.............................................................................................................16
2. Action Plan for Transition.............................................................................................18
3. Contingency plans.........................................................................................................19
4. Follow Up......................................................................................................................20
Conclusion................................................................................................................................24

Manage Innovation and Continuous Improvement in A.C. Gilbert 2
References................................................................................................................................25

Manage Innovation and Continuous Improvement in A.C. Gilbert 3
Introduction
The aspects of innovation and continuous improvements facilitate an organization to
adapt to the changes that occur due to the emerging trends in the market. It is vital for
organizations to identify these changes as it helps in attaining competitive advantages. Also,
if an organization ignores these new innovative trends then the organization may face
humongous losses, in the same manner, the organization A.C. Gilbert faced. It is through
innovation and continuous improvement that an organization incorporates the trait of being
flexible and adapting to any change with the transforming times. In this assignment, the case
of A.C. Gilbert has been analyzed to explore the various issues that lead to the downfall of
the organization.
Assessment Task One
1. Key Processes at A.C. Gilbert
a. Supply Chain
The supply chain management in an organization has a responsibility of
transferring products from suppliers to manufacturers to wholesalers to retailers and
finally to the customers. At the A.C. Gilbert, the supply chain consisted of three main
people that are suppliers, manufacturers, and retailers.
 Suppliers – They conducted the task of recognizing the demands of the
customers and they also have the responsibility of taking orders for the toys
from the customers.
 Manufacturers – They were responsible for the production of the toys which
was conducted on the basis of demands and orders.

Manage Innovation and Continuous Improvement in A.C. Gilbert 4
 Retailers – The retailers offer the product to the customers and functions as a
mediator between the customer and the suppliers1.
b. Organizational Systems
The organizational system at A.C. Gilbert includes various different aspects,
which helped the organization in attaining their goals. The organizational system
includes –
 Designs – The designs of the toys were conducted with boys as the main target
market. The designers of the organization were finalized according to the
demands of the customers.
 Planning – After the finalization of designs, effective planning is conducted
for the development of the product, the sale of the product, and to fulfill the
main organizational objectives.
 Purchasing – For the production of toys, the organization requires raw
materials for its development and packaging, which is purchased from the
suppliers.
 Manufacturing – The process of production and packaging are included in
the manufacturing process.
 Distribution – The process of distribution includes the delivery of the product
to the final customer and the retailers. The process of distribution also includes
the storage of the final product in the warehouses.
c. Product & Service Delivery
In the A.C. Gilbert, the product delivery is conducted through an efficient
manner, as proper planning is conducted for delivery the toys on time to the retailers
and the customers.
1 M A. Hitt, R Ireland & R E. Hoskisson, Strategic Management Cases: Competitiveness and Globalization, in ,
10th ed., Texas, Cengage Learning, 2012, pp. 120-240.

Manage Innovation and Continuous Improvement in A.C. Gilbert 5
2. Analysis of the Key Processes
The analysis of the process that is practiced in the organization A.C. Gilbert,
highlights the aspect that these processes can help in elevating the performance of the
organization. The different assessment tools and sustainability measures that can be
utilized by the organization are –
 Key Result Areas
The key result area is determined by the organization's outcome that is,
the profit attained through sales. Thus, in the A.C. Gilbert, the organization’s
profit will be the best way to identify and examine the KRAs.
 Key Performance Indicators
The key performance indicators of the A.C. Gilbert Company are –
 The toys quality.
 Customer satisfaction.
 Performance Review Processes
The customer’s preferences have evolved with the changing times. The
shift in the customers demand to more realistic toys, will force the
organization to provide new products to the customers. The performance of
the A.C. Gilbert can be reviewed through the feedback that customers will
provide on the new approaches of the organization2.
 Service Level Agreements (SLA)
The main customers of the organization are children and teenagers,
thus their assessment about the delivery, durability, and quality of the product
will be most effective for the assessment of SLA.
2 G Arzu Akyuz & T Erman Erkan, "Supply chain performance measurement: a literature review",
in International Journal of Production Research, vol. 48, 2010, 5137-5155.