Organization Survey
For the needs assessment, you will want to consider potential sources of information that may help you in your analysis. This assignment is a building block toward compiling the information for the project. You will create a survey or questionnaire to be used for gathering the data.
Assessment Questionnaires: Questionnaires can be created that probe for areas in which systems, structures, or processes are not functioning as intended. They can be used to look toward group, departmental, or individual issues. See the information below regarding ideas for your Assessment Questionnaires. Remember to place the paper in the Week 3 Organization Survey Dropbox by end of day Sunday MT of the Week 3.
Weekly Assignments
Organization Survey
For the needs assessment, you will want to consider potential sources of information that may help you in your analysis. This assignment is a building block toward compiling the information for the project. You will create a survey or questionnaire to be used for gathering the data.
Assessment Questionnaires: Questionnaires can be created that probe for areas in which systems, structures, or processes are not functioning as intended. They can be used to look toward group, departmental, or individual issues. See the information below regarding ideas for your Assessment Questionnaires. Remember to place the paper in the Week 3 Organization Survey Dropbox by end of day Sunday MT of the Week 3.
Potential questions include:
1. I am involved in decisions that directly affect my job.
2. My supervisor communicates with me on a regular basis.
3. I clearly understand what is expected of me.
4. I am rewarded for good performance.
5. My opinion has been asked regarding what needs to change in my work area.
6. I understand why the decisions that affect my job are made.
7. My supervisor gives me information that is important to me.
8. I have the skills necessary to perform my job properly.
9. I am rewarded for working well with others.
10. I receive frequent feedback on my performance.
11. I believe the information that I receive from my supervisor.
12. I have the tools necessary to perform my job properly.
13. My job leaves me with a sense of accomplishment.
14. I understand the information that I receive from my organization.
15. I am encouraged to make decisions that affect my job.
16. I am encouraged to communicate with my supervisor.
17. Team goals are supported throughout my organization.
18. My organization treats all employees well.
19. I have the information necessary to make decisions that affect my job.
20. I am encouraged to communicate with others.
21. The feedback that I receive is directly related to my job performance.
22. My organization treats all employees fairly.
23. My supervisor allows me to communicate my thoughts without fear of reprisal.
24. The feedback that I receive is constructive in nature.
25. My organization is interested in the growth and development of its employees.
26. I believe the information that I receive from my organization.
Observations: Individuals can be observed on the job and their interactions and activities noted for further analysis. Observations can include
1. how individuals communicate (time spent, amount of detail, responsiveness);
2. how individuals make decisions (time spent, involvement sought, etc.); and
3. how work is performed (under pressure, in groups, etc.).
Interviews: Interviews can be conducted in person or via a distributed questionnaire that probe for areas where performance may be improved. Potential interview questions include the following.
1. What do you think the most important part of your job is? What is least important?
2. What would you like to learn to make your job easier or better? What are the programs, processes, or resources available for you to learn from?
3. How have you developed the skills that you have?
4. Who brings problems to you and what kind of problems are they? How do you usually solve them? Who do you ask for help?
5. What do you find most frustrating about your job?
6. What would you like to be spending your time doing? What would need to happen to let you do that?
It is up to you to determine the methodology to be used in conducting the assessment. Considerations should include the willingness of the organization and its employees to provide information, the availability of information from the organization to be studied, and the availability of individuals in the organization to be interviewed/observed.
HR592_W3_Assignments x Page 2
RunningHead: TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT 1
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT 5
The Organization:
Apple Inc. is a name of success. It is one of four biggest technology firms in the world along with Microsoft, Facebook and Google. Apple international is located in California, United States. It is known for creating, developing, designing and selling consumer electronic products. These products include smartphones, iPhone, tablet computers: iPad tablets, personal computers: Mac, portable media player: iPod, smartwatch; Apple Watch, digital media player: Apple Tv, wireless earbuds; Air pods and smart speaker: Homepod. Apple has established a competitive edge over its competitors because of its unique operating system (Chen, 2014).
History of Organization:
The foundation of Apple was laid down by three innovative leaders of the 20th century: Steve Wozniak, Ronald Wayne, and Steve Jobs. Apple started in 1976 and sold their first line of personal computers. Their first batch was prepared in just 12 days. They received very positive response and their first batch was declared a success instantly, so they decided to move ahead and lay down the origin of their firm. This is how “Apple Inc.” came into existence in 1977. For years to come they expanded their operations by adding more and more products and services in their product line. The firm listed itself on the stock exchange in 1980 going public. Apple charged premium prices from the start which raised a lot of questions because rival firms were charging less. This turned out to be a great strategy as the firm equated the premium prices with premium quality.
Current Business:
Apple Inc. started its operation by selling personal computers in 1977 but today the product line is very diverse. Over the years Apple has been adding new products and services to their existing list. There has been a lot of innovations in the technology sector in the last five decades. Apple remained at the fore front of these innovations and introduced a huge range of products and services for its audience. Current product lines consist of both hardware and software products. The software product line consist of Safari, IOS, Tv OS, MacOS, Xcode, Logic Pro, iPadOS, iLife work etc. On the other hand, the hardware product line is also very extensive as it consist of Apple phones called iPhone, tablet computers which are called IPad, personal computers “Mac” , digital media players, Apple watch, Apple Tv, iPod, Homepod etc. The product line of Apple has covered every dimension of digital life and it keeps on adding more and more products and services and since it has established a brand name for itself, customers buy all their new services. Their new services include iCloud, IMessage, Apple music etc. (Farooq, 2019).
Mission, goals and objectives of the business:
The mission behind Apple Inc. is “to bring the best user experience to its customers through its innovative hardware, software, and services.” This is not possible without having a skilled and dedicated workforce which also believes in the mission. The company has the goal to create and release the most user-friendly computers, smartphones, and consumer electronics. Furthermore, their business objective is to create life-changing products, as Tim Cook states “We believe that we are on the face of the earth to make great products and that’s not changing.”
Current Training and Employee Development Department:
Apple International has an extensive training and development program for its employees. The decisions makers know human capital is a key resource and it makes the difference between success and failure because an organizations success is based on management and effective utilization of their resources. Human capital is the key resource which manages all other resources whether they are finances, technology, or brand name. That is why the firm has developed a thorough program for the training and development of its employees with special consideration for research and development and marketing divisions. For an innovative environment effective training and continuous development act as crucial components. The innovative environment at Apple is based on its employee’s training and development for continuously pursuing innovation and it has worked well for both employees and the organization. The training and development department ensures that it introduces inclusive programs for both current and new employees who appreciate the continuous professional growth and development because of these programs and hence perform better. As per Apple policy, it engages all the employees from the lower level to highest levels in training and development as it equips the employees with the required skills and capabilities required for organizational success. The company benefits when an employee’s performance betters, and the employees benefit because they are continuously learning and excelling in their careers. The key focus of training and development programs are on the optimum utility of human capital, development of human resources, development of capabilities and skills of employees, developing a team spirit, right organizational culture, quality at work, health and safety of employees, healthy and balanced work environment, and morale of employees (Gallo, 2012).
Challenges:
Apple Inc. is one of the leading names of the technology industry and it is because of its well sought and inclusive strategies but there is always room for some improvement. In the case of Apple Inc., the company can face challenges due to its current organizational structure. Since it is a significant component of its overall equation of success, it needs to be aligned the with organizational vision, and corporate mission. The hierarchal organizational structure does not conform to the development and training program for innovation and creativity. Hence the organizational structure ought to be reformed and it has to be in alignment with its training and development program (krohra, 2015).
Reason for selecting Apple:
For studying the training and development programs Apple International is chosen because it is one of the most successful companies in the world today. The success was achieved at an amazing rate of time and surely the training and development of employees have a great part in it. By studying the policies and practices of Apple Inc. other companies can also learn how an organization can convert its employees into its asset and use them to create a brand name like no other in the world.
References
Chen, B. X. (2014, August 10). Simplifying the Bull: How Picasso Helps to Teach Apple’s Style. Retrieved from New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/11/technology/-inside-apples-internal-training-program-.html
Farooq, U. (2019, January 8). Apple Competitors. Retrieved from Marketing Tutor: https://www.marketingtutor.net/apple-competitors/
Gallo, C. (2012, August 30). Apple’s Secret Employee Training Manual Reinvents Customer Service in Seven Ways. Retrieved from Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/carminegallo/2012/08/30/apples-secret-employee-training-manual-reinvents-customer-service-in-seven-ways/#5829178564fd
krohra, h. (2015, September 29). Training and development Of Apple Co. Retrieved from Slideshare: https://www.slideshare.net/hiteshkrohra/training-and-development-of-apple-co