Introduction
Many organizations encourage employees to participate in creative thinking to identify new products and processes that could help drive performance. Managers in different departments tend to be involved to ensure that timely outcomes are realized. They provide additional funds for promoting innovative tendencies and practice in line with the research and development (R&D) programs in place. The current presentation is intended to propose a new project for my current company. Most of the departments are relying on traditional ways of doing things. The adoption of modern technologies remains low, a scenario that is impacting performance negatively.
Background
The global community is relying on emerging technologies to transform organizational performance and eventually maximize competitiveness. The use of these systems allows employees to complete their tasks much faster and in a convenient manner. Some of the technologies helping support this trend include the Internet, computers, and handheld devices. Companies that adopt them increase their chances of becoming profitable while meeting the needs of their customers (Kim & Choi, 2020). The involvement of all key players makes the process convenient and capable of delivering the much needed outcomes. These aspects explain why there is a need for companies to embrace emerging technologies for continued efficiency.
Current Situation
The apparel industry is becoming more competitive due to the wave of globalization. Most of the companies involved have unique business models for pursuing their goals and adding value to the targeted customers. My organization operates in this sector and liaises with retailers and manufacturers to achieve the much needed goals. Unfortunately, the current use of paperwork amounts to inefficiency, thereby increasing chances of selling to more customers. A paradigm shift focusing on emerging technologies appears to be needed to transform the current practices.
Proposed Situation
The intended project revolves around the acquisition and provision of computers to most of the workers at the selected company. These individuals will utilize them to keep records and track most of their activities. Such devices need to be user-friendly and capable of empowering the workers (Fartash et al., 2018). They will be able to monitor their sales volumes, keep inventory, and consider the actions of other departments. A sense of efficiency will emerge whereby the employees would be keen to engage in activities that have the potential to deliver the much needed results. These efforts will take the company closer to its goals.
Specifications
To achieve the intended outcomes, the company is requested to consider various specifications for the computers. For instance, the machines should be able to provide an acceptable speed of 3.0 GHz and RAM of around 2 GB. These aspects are essential since they will ensure that the acquired devices are functional and capable of completing tasks much faster (Fartash et al., 2018). The individuals should have adequate storage of at least 320 GB to support their needs. A portable or smaller device is recommendable since workers can be able to carry the laptops whereby they are completing their tasks.
Funding Request
The current request is for the company to purchase 60 laptops to meet the demands of the current workers. The approach is intended to minimize the present use of paperwork at the company. The key stakeholders need to be involved in the process. The views of the workers are also essential since they form part of the change. The employees will find it easier to overcome the burden of paperwork and ensure that all tasks are aligned to the wider business model.
Supportive Measures: Continuation
The current offices need to be redesigned to accommodate the proposed computers. Those in leadership positions will guide the workers to be part of this process. Additional training sessions focusing on the needs and gaps in technological use would be needed (Fartash et al., 2018). The provision of timely updates would help sustain the project. These strategies will make it easier for more individuals to become more committed and deliver results.
Budget
The presented budget indicates that the company would need to allocate around 90,000 US dollars to support this project. The relevant department will be engaged in the procurement of 60 computers for each of the workers. The team in charge of the idea would need a onetime payment of 5,000 US dollars. The company will also need to pay the involved technologist 10,000 to support the initiatives. Individuals would also need to have activated modems that can make it easier for them to access the Internet. Based on this structure, it is agreeable that the new project is feasible and capable of helping the company achieve increased financial gains within the next year.
Time-Plan
The developed time-plan shows the activities to be undertaken in support of the intended project. Within the first two months, the leaders of the project will engage in brainstorming and consider how the idea can help improve performance. The next two months would allow the team to initiate the project while waiting for the company to make the relevant approvals and financial allocations. The procurement department would them acquire the computers will the relevant players will engage in training the workers (Drosos et al., 2021). The hired technologist would also be involved to make the initiative seamless and take the organization closer to its goals. The final stage would be to monitor the new model continuous and identify if there are areas for improvement.
Supporting Change
The process of introducing new systems or changes tends to attract some form of resistance. The selected company is associated with various practices that have become at the norm. The introduction of these computers calls for the use of Kurt Lewin’s change theory. This framework would help the leader unfreeze the company (Deborah, 2018). Workers will be informed about the anticipated changes and the promises they offer to the firm. The change phase would then guide the managers to train most of the workers before they can officially receive the suggested computers. The technologist will offer additional personalized support to most of the individuals depending on their weakness areas. The final phase would guide the participants to make the new developments part of the wider organizational model.
Benefits to the Company
Upon the successful adopting and implementation of the proposed of the change theory, chances are high that a new working environment would emerge at the company. The use of modern technologies is associated with increased levels of efficiency. The workers will experience a new form of work culture that resonates with their needs. Most of the individuals will also be ready to continue providing their services at the company (Fartash et al., 2018). This development would result in a desirable organizational culture, reduced turnover rates, and commitment to the tasks.
The proposed computers are capable of presenting a new change that can take the organization closer to its goals. The company will have more engaged and committed workers who focus on customers’ needs. They will complete their tasks much faster and deliver the much needed sales. Such gains will increase the company’s overall performance in the sector. It will be ready to address most of the challenges that might emerge and eventually become more competitive. These achievements also mean that they would become attractive to more people in search of new jobs. Consequently, the company will find it easier to hire and retain most of its employees.
Conclusion
The completed presented has revealed that the company is yet to maximize its uptake for emerging technologies. The employees are mostly relying on paperwork to keep track of their activities and sales. The decision to acquire computers for these individuals would streamline operations and empower them to become more involved. The strategy will allow the company to attract more potential workers in the future. Such gains will increase chances of increasing sales, thereby improving the overall levels of sustainability and organizational performance.
References
Deborah, O. (2018). Lewin’s theory of change: Applicability of its principles in a contemporary organization. Journal of Strategic Management, 2(5), 1-12.
Drosos, D., Kyriakopoulos, G. L., Gkika, E. C., Komisopoulos, F., Skordoulis, M., & Ntanos, S. (2021). Managing change and managerial innovation towards employees’ satisfaction at workplace. EM Journal, 10(2), 597-606.
Fartash, K., Davoudi, S. M. M., Baklashova, T. A., Svechnikova, N. V., Nikolaeva, Y. V., Grimalskaya, S. A., & Beleborodova, A. V. (2018). The impact of technology acquisition & exploitation on organizational innovation and organizational performance in knowledge-intensive organizations. EURASIA Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 14(4), 1497-1507.
Hussain, S. T., Lei, S., Akram, T., Haider, M. J., Hussain, S. H., & Ali, M. (2018). Kurt Lewin’s change model: A critical review of the role of leadership and employee involvement in organizational change. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 3(3), 123-127.
Kim, J., & Choi, S. O. (2020). The intensity of organizational change and the perception of organizational innovativeness; with discussion on open innovation. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 6(3), 66-79.
Lakhwani, M., Dastane, O., Satar, M. S. M., & Johari, Z. (2020). The impact of technology adoption on organizational productivity. Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business 11(4), 7-18.
Zainol, N. U., Kowang, T. O., Hee, O. C., Fei, G. C., & Kadir, B. Bin. (2020). Managing organizational change through effective leadership: A review from literature. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 11(1), 1–10.