Challenges, Opportunities, Strengths, Weaknesses and Ebi at Legal Translation Ltd Essay Example

Dubai, and the USA. She is willing to consider suggestions or new projects that may increase profits. The owner encourages both managers and employees to share their ideas and concerns; however, final decisions will be made following evaluations from the owner and managers.

Challenges that I encounter

Present evidence to the owner and managers of the company to demonstrate the potential benefits of the changes we plan to implement, particularly in the field of HRM where financial gains are difficult to quantify. In order to reach a decision or consensus, it is important to consider the differing levels of value that the owner and managers may assign to each option, using the utility theory to address this "weight" criteria (B830, unit 2, session 1, p23). Emphasize the significance of embracing modern technological advancements, especially in IT, to the owner and managers. Managing across boundaries poses challenges such as coordination, persuasion, and research, as we strive to align our common goals but struggle to reach agreement (B830, unit 2, session 4, pp 21-22).

When it comes to decision-making, we face two related challenges. Our management team consists of the IT manager and HR manager on one side, as well as the owner and accounting manager on the other side. The marketing manager and operations manager can align themselves with either group. Discussions frequently involve subjectivity due to a significant bias towards the owner's preferences and resistance to changes that might result in financial costs or disrupt work. These factors impede our capacity to make logical decisions.

To ensure success, it is crucial to have well-trained translators who are skilled in translation software

and possess strong qualifications, experience, and motivation. Additionally, effective communication skills are necessary to influence employees, managers, and the owner and convince them to adopt continuous improvements in our methods. This requires synergy, coordination, supervision, performance measurement, and clear objectives.
In terms of innovation, we can explore and implement new practices to enhance our company. However, this involves conducting ongoing research discussions and calculations for change that must be agreed upon by all managers. Another aspect of innovation is using new software to improve the quality of our translations.

Opportunities

By learning from my own mistakes and those of my co-workers, I can improve my knowledge and abilities (B830, Unit 1, pp30-31). Gathering information from reliable sources such as translators' clubs, newsletters, and magazines allows me to provide managers with accurate information to enhance innovation initiatives. As I face the challenges in my current role within this organization, I have the opportunity to develop my managerial skills and become a future leader (B830, Unit 2, Session 5, p60). This development has the potential to position our organization prominently in the translation industry by expanding our services and securing major translation projects worldwide - including in the USA and Europe.

My current strengths and weaknesses

To assess my strengths and weaknesses, I have utilized multiple sources of information. Firstly, I have drawn insights from my personal experiences and learning, employing the Kolb learning cycle to gain a deeper understanding of myself. Secondly, I have gathered feedback from my colleagues and compared myself to them. Additionally, input from both past and current managers has proven invaluable. Fourthly, I have actively strived to comprehend the

demands of my role - including goals, norms, rules, and performance criteria. Moreover, I have learned from errors made repeatedly in order to improve. Finally, I have taken note of accomplishments attained with limited resources and opportunities relative to others (B830, Unit 1 pp29-30).

Advantages

Learning from various sources, such as OU courses, the Internet, books, friends, and mistakes, is something I enjoy. The learning strategies of reflection and asking questions from B830 unit 1 (pp29-34) can improve my learning effectiveness and help me develop appropriate learning approaches (B830, unit 1, p34). With my HND in IT, I possess a strong understanding of IT that allows me to contribute to cross-boundary management in the IT department during periods of change. Having studied over 12 OU courses, I have acquired theoretical knowledge that enables me to classify the organization's owner as an "achiever" based on her management style discussed in B830 unit 2, session 5 (p53).

I believe that I am currently studying the appropriate courses to handle employees, specifically HRM courses at the OU in order to obtain an MSc in HRM. As for the challenges related to convincing the owner and managers of my perspectives and making the right decisions with them, I have a solid understanding of the decision-making process, thanks to my studies in unit 2, session 1 of B830. This knowledge is valuable for actively participating in decision-making and discussing important matters with others. For instance, the utility theory discussed in B830 (unit 2, session 1, pp 23-24) can assist me in comprehending the owner's viewpoint. The course (B830) offers various insights that can aid in understanding other

managers as well as the owner, such as their characteristics, motives, and goals.

The course includes various instances of ethical dilemmas in different units and sessions. These instances comprise Responding to Ethical dilemmas (Unit 2, session 2, pp 59-62), Ethical Frameworks (Unit 2, Session 2, pp 79-86), and Twenty-first-Century-Leadership – the psychological underpinnings (Unit 2, Session 5, pp 49-60).
To enhance my leadership skills, I can utilize techniques such as charting dilemmas and appreciative inquiry (B830, Unit 2, Session 5, p61). By employing these approaches, I will gain more proficiency in handling managers, the owner, and employees with the aim of exerting a stronger influence in the future.
It is vital for me to actively engage in discussions and strive for optimal outcomes rather than solely focusing on 'having influence' or 'winning the argument'.

Weaknesses

Sometimes, I lack the time and resources to stay informed about the rapidly changing business environment. This involves reading magazines, newspapers, and reaching out to specialized organizations. From a psychological standpoint, it is crucial to utilize heuristics in order to simplify decision-making by framing the problem and utilizing the information at hand (B830, Unit 2, Session 1, p25).

My motivation dwindles when I am unable to persuade the Managing Director (proprietor) to implement a costly workplace transformation. Occasionally, her rationales for decision-making lack persuasiveness.

To promote innovation within this organization, we may need to adopt Robert Reich's concept of 'the team as hero' (B830, unit 2, session 6, p 86). This involves creating teams and implementing cross-boundary innovation processes (B830, unit 2, session 6, p 90) to foster innovative thinking in the workplace. Collaboration with other managers

and employees is essential in achieving this goal.

4- I feel that the feedbacks from customers are inadequate for understanding their needs. This reveals a weakness on my part in knowing what the customers want from our employees and how to improve our employees' services, including their training needs.

5- The owner desires an increase in international customers, which requires the marketing department to take on additional responsibilities. However, I am unaware of the department's specific marketing plans. When strategizing for company expansion and attracting customers from other countries, I feel uncertain about the marketing department's intentions.

My EBI has areas of focus.

It is possible to create cross-boundary teams to brainstorm and strategize for innovations. This requires obtaining approval from the managing director, selecting the key individuals, fostering open communication, and encouraging a creative atmosphere (B830, unit 2, session 6, p96). It is also possible to subscribe to magazines, newsletters, internet groups, etc., to acquire information about technological advancements in translation and modern policies and techniques related to translation. This information will assist us in making more informed decisions for further improvements and future changes.

In order to improve our customer services and the quality of translations, it is vital that we gather more detailed feedback from customers. This feedback should include their preferences, likes, dislikes, and needs. It is also important to provide ongoing development opportunities for managers and employees. One way to do this is by suggesting that they enroll in courses offered by the OU (such as B820, B300, and B700) to gain a better understanding of innovation and improving work processes.

Another aspect worth considering for

enhancing translation service quality and establishing credibility is obtaining ISO recognition for our company. To achieve this recognition, it is recommended that a study be conducted to understand the specific requirements needed.

During manager meetings, it would be beneficial for other departments to share comprehensive reports on their plans, views, and problems. Currently, not enough effort has been made due to time constraints in gathering information about each department's activities.

Conclusion

As a manager, I encounter challenges when trying to persuade other managers to adopt my perspective. These challenges stem from decision-making difficulties, employee training issues, and a lack of innovation. However, these challenges also present opportunities for growth. Through learning from mistakes and gathering information, I can promote innovation and form cross-boundary teams. By becoming an effective leader, I can enhance the organization's reputation in the translation field.
Despite these strengths, there are weaknesses that require attention. Insufficient information hampers my ability to innovate, and collaborating with other managers on team projects remains challenging. Furthermore, inadequate customer feedback inhibits improvement, and I have limited knowledge about activities in other departments.