Strategic Operations Management: Skills, Challenges, and Solutions

This report provides a detailed analysis of strategic operations management, combining a reflective analysis of personal skill development with a report on operational challenges. Part A focuses on the student's journey to improve organizational skills, detailing the strategies employed and their effectiveness. Part B delves into the role of an operations manager, examining a job description and identifying potential operational challenges. The report then applies relevant theories and techniques from the module to propose solutions for these challenges, covering topics like time management, team leadership, and resource coordination. The report concludes with an overview of quality planning and control strategies to solve the problems.

Running Head: STRATEGIC OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
1
Strategic Operations Management and Operational Research
Student Details

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT 2
Contents
Part A.................................................................................................................................3
Introduction........................................................................................................................3
Exceptional Organizational Skills......................................................................................4
Role of Organizational Skills in Different Fields................................................................7
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................11
References.......................................................................................................................12
Part-B...............................................................................................................................13
Introduction......................................................................................................................13
Job Description for Operations Manager by Maxim Recruitment...................................14
Operational Challenges Faced by Successful Candidates and its Relevant Solutions. .15
Solving Problem by Quality Planning and Control Strategy............................................21
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................23
References.......................................................................................................................25
Appendices......................................................................................................................26

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Part A
Introduction
All this while, I was assuming that I have all the required skills that are essential to
become a good manager. I have strong communication skills, motivational skills, and
general awareness. Despite of possessing all these qualities I was not able to manage
all my tasks in an orderly manner. I was basically lacking exceptional organizational
skills. Since then I was only focused on achieving it to become more confident and
ready to face the organizational world. As an adult we have different areas to focus on
and utilize our time, but due to lack of proper planning we usually fail to do it. Therefore,
to circumvent this problem I started applying managerial skills at home. I prepared a
weekly schedule and included things-to-do in the list. Initially it was quite difficult to
match up with the list and accomplish work on time, but later on I developed a habit of
doing tasks on time and in appropriate manner. My first step towards learning
exceptional managerial skills was successful as I started accomplishing my targets and
brushing up my organizational skills.
Exceptional Organizational Skills and its Importance
Organizational skills are the most transferable and important job skills which are
important for an employee to obtain. It encompasses a group of activities that helps us
to prioritize, plan and achieve our goals. Organizational skills helps an employee to
increase productivity and workplace efficiency by letting them keep the work organized
and to focus on different areas without getting lost or disoriented. Staying organized will
help the company to save time and resources. It is essential for multitasking and
running a business successfully. The nature of organizational includes that such skills
are exposed to be changed according to the need and requirements of an
organizational. Organizational skills include managerial skills as well.
The organizational learning theory gives a clear justification to this nature. In a
constantly changing environment, an organization must change their strategies and

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT 4
actions in order to survive and be competitive. The contributors of this theory are Chris
Argrys and Donald Schon, and according to them organizational learning is an element
of organizational inquiry (Namada, 2018). Learning takes place by interacting with other
members working in an organization. I realized to improve this skill when I saw myself
not being able to complete my priority tasks on time and could not balance my
professional work with ease.
Exceptional Organizational Skills
Organizational skills are important skills which are required in a workplace. Recruiters
usually tend to select those candidates who exhibit exceptional organizational skills.
The same process is applied to employees who are responsible for making or breaking
the tenure as an employee in an organization. There are different types of
organizational skills and each type has a different role to play. These skills collectively
help in promoting positive conducts, eliminates problem and creates more cohesive
environment in a workplace. Some of the types of skills along with their role are
described below:
1. Teamwork Organizational Skills
An operations manager should be capable of making the team to work together with
maximum competence and motivation. A manager should have peer and superior skills
to accomplish tasks assign to him/her as well as project the tasks of others (Black,
2015). When a manager successfully performs this role, it is said that the manager has
exceptional skills to manage the organization.
2. Time Management Skills
It is very important for an operations manager to know the importance of time
management. Once time gone, it never comes back. Time management means to bring
into knowledge the approaching deadlines and to work towards accomplishing the task
within the deadlines (Keppeler, 2019). It also expects the manager to be on the top by
reaching on time for a meeting and presenting the reports.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT 5
3. Physical Organizational Skills
Physical organizational skills are equally important as all other skills of organization. A
manager should maintain a clean and kept-up office. There should be organizers for
different types of things. All the files should be placed up in a rack with a name on it, so
it becomes easy to identity the files (Englund & Bucero, 2012). Personal items should
not be thrown on the office desk. The physical appearance of the manager also falls
under this category. The manager should have a clean physical appearance, because
people might not see his inner ability as an effective manager but can see his/her
disorganized work desk.
4. Planning Organizational Skills
In order to avail promotion, a manager should know how to plan. We need to know how
to plan projects and complete with at the right time. We also need to match up the plans
prepared by other people and the plans of the organization. An effective and efficient
planning of what is to be done, how it is to be done and when it is to be done should be
noted (Worth, 2014).
5. Scheduling Skills
Scheduling skills are quite different from planning skills. This type of skill reflects that a
manager is aware about the project, task and people working in and around them. The
manager is responsible for allocation of time to other employees.
6. Resource Coordination Skills
An operations manager should know how and when to apply the resources. A manager
is responsible to maintain a sustainable utilization of available resources in the best
possible manner. Both internal and external resources are a part of this. Some
employees know how to reach organizational excellence whereas, some employees
lacks this ability. Therefore, this separates the employees amongst stellar and average
ones.

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7. Delegation Skills
An operations manager should know how to make other people work. They delegate the
tasks to other team members, rather than letting them do their task son their own.
Since, the manager is aware about the credibility and efficiency of the team members,
the work can be divided according to their expertise (Burton, 2012).
8. Sleep Skills
Sleep skills also falls under the exceptional organizational skills. It is important for a
professional to sleep for adequate hours, as waking up late and not taking enough sleep
will lower down the productivity. Therefore, being organized also refers to understanding
the importance of staying fit to manage hectic schedule at work.
9. Goal Setting Skills
We all know that an organization works to achieve its goals, but this is not just sufficient.
One should also know how to determine goals that is to be achieved. An organized
manager knows very well what they wants and prepares a course of action accordingly.
10. Leadership Skills
It is very important for a manager to have good leadership quality. A manager has to
focus on achieving his goals and also work effectively to make his team members
achieve their goals.
11. Mental Organizational Skills
Now days many job demands strong concentration, focus, coherent thinking and
memory. An employee should be mentally alert and fit. Mental skills allow a manager to
process thoughts quickly, translate those thoughts into clear communication. It is
advisable to maintain a special notebook to write down useful strategy and important
information that might escape from the mind later on.

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12. Communication Skills
An organized manager knows well how to communicate needs with other people in an
organization. Good communication skill helps to direct people in whichever direction
necessary for an organization.
13. Self-Care Skills
An organized manner will take time to take care of various things in their live. They
understand that it is important to be healthy both mentally and physically. Spending time
with family and friends, eating healthy meals, exercise, and getting outside comes under
self-love. If a manager ignores these things it will be very difficult to enjoy work life
(Stainsby & Gandhi, 2018).
Therefore, all the above mentioned skills are important in order to organize both,
personal and professional life. All these skills have different role in the life of a manager.
When I started organizing my work at home I started developing all these skills slowly
and gradually. By this practice, I will be able to motivate my team members and create a
positive work environment. Motivation and inspiration are the key hole in building a
feeling of importance in the minds of employees. A manager will be able to organize
his/her team only when he organizes his life first.
Role of Organizational Skills in Different Fields
There are two different types of personalities such as, type A and type B; ambitious and
hardworking people are counted under type A and people who are relaxed and care
free falls under type B. Therefore, people should look for job opportunities on the basis
of their types. The different fields where type A people can apply will be discussed in
this report. Type A people are very organized and focused. The fields are mentioned
below:
1. Event Planner

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A manager who has excellent organizing skills can work as event planner. As they like
planning and organizing they will get more appreciation and promotion in this field. This
profession requires an organizer to work together with their customers and other
intermediaries. They basically have a job role as a middle man in this field and are
responsible for bringing everything together (Damster, 2015). They have to decide
event time, budget, location and various other activities. In other words, they have to
handle all the necessary tasks required to make an event happen.
2. Virtual Assistant
Virtual Assistant is a job suitable for person with good organizing skills. Along with
planning and organizing skills they also need to have the ability to work with high
work pressure. They should be self-motivated, determined, reliable, and
multitasking.
3. Real Estate Agent
Real estate agents have to organize their tasks on their own and meet multiple clients to
coordinate everything between the land owners and customers who are willing to buy
the land. In this task organizing and planning plays a very important role.
4. Professional Organizers
When people have the capability to manage every task as a professional, they can
become whole time professional organizers and get paid for the same. Money is not the
only concern but they will be respected for providing their services to make other people
organize their work.
5. Accountant
Accountant needs to have a good planning and organizing skills. An Accountant has to
focus on every monetary transaction of their clients. They have to track payables and
receivables, prepare invoice, and perform any other such tasks related to their job.
Therefore, this field is suitable for people who are very good in organizing different tasks
at a time.

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6. Data Entry Clerk
This type of job requires consistency and accuracy. Only those who are good in
organizing tasks are suitable for working as a data entry clerk. A lot of entries are to be
made under this job profile’ a person who lacks concentration cannot perform this job.
7. Inventory Specialist
This job requires a person to maintain the right amount of inventory in their organization
to facilitate smooth and continuous flow of goods without creating any damage.
Inventory specialist has to maintain an account of stock being supplied in accordance to
its demand to make sure that the sufficient amount of stock is store with the company.
8. Travel Consultant
Travel consultant is another field where a person having exceptional organizational skill
can start their career. Just like an event planner, a travel consultant has to stay
organized and manage various different tasks. They have to hunt down the best
possible deals and plan an itinerary for the same. A travel consultant has to talk and
meet various hoteliers and travelers to plan an excellent trip. Good services will create
relationship between the consultant and the traveler (Burns, 2010).
9. Proofreader
Proofreading requires a lot of patients and calmness. One has to read a lot of pages to
do his job. Scrolling up and down the pages again and again creates distraction and
procrastination. The more number of pages you read and the more money is offered.
Therefore, only good organizers can perform this task. .
10. Library Specialist/Technician
A library specialist has to maintain shelves and arrange the books according to different
fields and subjects. This job needs patience and a lot of time. People who are very care-
free and unorganized can never take up this job.

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11. Merchandiser
Whenever we walk into a store we see all things are placed properly and this is possible
only when a merchandiser knows how to organize things. They keep the store neat and
clean and place the things in their order time to time. This is what an organizational skill
refers to. Merchandisers tend to work in different stores and hence require time
management skill to excel in this field (Gonzalez, 2016).
12. Project Management
Project management provides us an opportunity to put our organizational skills to test.
The word project management itself signifies that we will have to look into all the
matters of the project ourselves. Budget manager has to manage the budget, resource
planning and schedule tasks. All this can create stress and confusion while working on
multiple things at a time. A person with good organizational skill can smoothly complete
the tasks required in a project and when a person do not have organizational quality,
the project might fail (Cegielski & Cegielsk, 2016).

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Conclusion
From the above analysis, it can be concluded that exceptional organizational skills is
very important. We cannot avoid the benefits of this skill which helps an employee to
perform exceptionally better than others who do not have such special qualities. Since I
decided to obtain this skill I have managed to organize all my tasks with great efficiency
and efficiently. Life has become more simple and smooth. I am able to complete my
weekly tasks and now started organizing the tasks of other members in the family too.
To have great organizational skill is very important because an organized person will
spend less time in redressing mistakes and looking for information to fix this problem.
Productive things can be done only when we will have enough time to amend it. This
skill teaches us to manage time and keeping a track on the progress of the company.
By gaining this skill I have set my priorities and started working on it. I have managed to
gain respect from people around me, who considers me to be trustworthy and reliable
due to my skills. In the similar way I will be able to win trust of clients in an organization.
My productivity at home certainly enhanced. I manage to get up early and do my daily
tasks in a planned manner and order. I was always sure that communication and good
leadership quality makes us a good manager at work, but when I realized to bring
organizational changes in my life my perception towards work has changed entirely. As
mentioned in this report earlier that organizational learning has helped me bring this
shift towards attitude and work. The methods that I implemented to improve my
organizational skills includes; being proactive, preparing lists, formulating a filing
system, and learning delegation. As a result it increased my overall productivity of
managing professional work and I had enough time for my personal entertainment.

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References
Black, R., 2015. Organizational Skills for Teens: For Those Who Want to Gain Control
of Their Lives. South Carolina: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
Burns, J. B., 2010. Career Opportunities in Travel and Hospitality. New York: Infobase
Publishing.
Burton, K., 2012. Business Skills All-in-One For Dummies. New Jersey: John Wiley &
Sons.
Cegielski, C. G. & Cegielsk, C. G., 2016. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for Entry ‐Level
Business Analytics Positions: A Multi‐Method Study. Journal of Innovative Education,
14(1), pp. 91-118.
Damster, G., 2015. Event Management: A Professional and Developmental Approach.
South Africa: Juta and Company Ltd.
Englund , R. & Bucero, A., 2012. The Complete Project Manager's Toolkit. Oakland:
Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
Gonzalez, L. P., 2016. Exploring the mediating effects between transformational
leadership and organizational performance. 40(2).
Keppeler, J., 2019. In Charge and Unstoppable: Developing Organizational Skills. New
York: PowerKids Press.
Namada, J. M., 2018. Organizational Learning and Competitive Advantage. IGI Global,
p. 19.
Stainsby, K. & Gandhi, H., 2018. Develop Your Interpersonal and Self-Management
Skills: A Practical Resource for Healthcare Administrative and Clerical Staff. Florida:
CRC Press.
Worth, R., 2014. Organization Skills. New York: Infobase Publishing.