Q6: Do you have knowledge of any beneficial tools for growth management in activities like scheduling, risk management, decision making, or auditing?
Both respondents stated their familiarity with helpful tools, particularly mentioning auditing software.
Q7: What growth management tools does your company use from Q6?
Both firms used similar tools, including software for cost and time management. They also utilized quality control tools like ISO certification to ensure high quality wedding products. However, the CEO mentioned the use of risk management graphic representations, while the VP did not. This suggests that the VP either overlooked or underestimated the importance of PPM risk management tools for his company.
Q10: Do you have any growth projects that you are managing? If yes, which tools (if any) are you using to handle growth? (For example, software for scheduling, cost management, etc.)
All respondents from bot
...h firms confirmed that they were supervising projects in their respective departments. In Firm B, the finance manager was overseeing a project to create an online finance system with high security against external threats. The human resource manager was overseeing a project to establish a recruitment procedure with strict quality standards for employees. The projects in Firm A were similar but more intricate.
Firm A utilized software for cost and scheduling, which were common tools in both departments. The finance department, in particular, integrated risk management tools that the manager verified as beneficial, stating, ‘…they truly assist us in controlling undesirable financial costs and mitigating risky investments…’
Both Firm B and Firm A acknowledge the advantages of cost and schedule management tools. Firm B utilizes computer software for these purposes, as revealed by both department managers. The financial manager of Firm
A also expressed similar sentiments regarding the benefits of these tools.
Q14: Does your firm utilize any tools, such as software, to manage growth in terms of time, cost, or risk?
It is noteworthy that a few lower-level managers at the firm are unaware of any project portfolio management (PPM) tools being utilized. This lack of awareness is observed among the design and decorations supervisors at Firm B, despite their significant role in growth management as recognized by higher-level managers. However, the foreman exhibits a good understanding of the tools and how they are utilized.
In Firm A, all interviewed members of staff were aware of the existence and application of these tools.
The roles of PPM tools in growth management are discussed in section 4.2.1.7.
Q8: For a more effective growth management of your company, what other tools (besides money) would you require?
The CEO explained that the firm's lack of proper resource management had prevented them from acquiring ample funds for growth. Essentially, he stated that they struggled to effectively manage resources, particularly those related to 'most of the orders', and therefore needed to take necessary actions, including reducing distribution channels. However, he also recognized that most of the enterprise resources were adequately fulfilled.
The Vice President stated that there are challenges in predicting risks and mentioned that the communication among staff members is often informal and could benefit from assistance in improving efficiency.
The top managers of both firms clearly acknowledge the importance and role of helpful tools that they currently lack in managing their growth.
Q12: In order to control growth of your firm, what additional tools would you suggest incorporating?
The finance manager and human resource manager
of Firm A both acknowledged the need for additional management tools to facilitate the firm's growth. The finance manager expressed the need for tools that could enhance control over the growth rate, in order to avoid overspending. This suggested that the firm lacked a comprehensive auditing system, leaving it vulnerable to irregularities associated with overspending. Similarly, the human resource manager recognized the importance of improved resource management tools, particularly for enterprise resources. Both managers agreed on the significance of implementing these tools to ensure equal and healthy growth for the business.
The finance manager of firm B highlighted that the firm lacked the necessary tools to anticipate transactions and make proper investments. It is possible that this deficiency stemmed from not having established risk management tools at that time. Additionally, the human resource manager in firm B emphasized the need for resource management tools in their sector. They mentioned that there is often significant waste of allocated resources in various projects they handle, and having these tools would streamline recruitment processes for new employees. Both responses acknowledge the significance of these missing tools, which can be categorized as PPM (Project Portfolio Management) tools from a critical perspective.
Q15: Do you believe these methods are effective based on your customer interactions?
Both firms' foremen agreed that they are effective in delivering strategic and well-planned services to their customers by utilizing PPM tools to ensure proper scheduling. Notably, the design and decoration supervisors from both firms use ISO certified products to guarantee the quality of the fittings and flowers they deliver to customers. The design supervisor of firm B emphasized the importance of meeting standards for customer satisfaction.
Discussion of the
qualitative findings in section 4.2.2.
The growth model is 4.2.2.1
The Churchill and Lewis model, also known as the 'Churchill and Lewis model', consists of five main phases: existence, survival, success, take-off, and resource maturity. This model is similar to the Scott and Bruce model discussed in section 2.5.2 (Scott and Bruce model, 1987). Firm A has adopted this model and finds it very beneficial because it provides detailed explanations of the characteristics of each evolution point and the anticipated crises at those specific points (Churchill and Lewis, 2016). The CEO believes that this facilitates the development of growth strategies for the firm.
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