Blog Summary
Globalization, ethical practices, workforce diversity, empowerment, implementation of quality management systems, etc., are some of the challenges that managers need to tackle. With the changing dynamics in the business environment, online MBA programs enable managers to approach with new perspectives to conquer challenges that unfold and make decisions accordingly to help organizations flourish.
With the changing dynamics in the business environment, pursuing best online MBA programs enables managers to approach with new perspectives to conquer challenges that unfold and make decisions accordingly to help organizations flourish.
Let’s look at the key challenges that you need to tackle as managers:
1) Globalization of business:
Companies that experience saturation in local markets find new ways to promote and sell their products in other territories of the globe where the laws, culture, and customer needs differ. Businesses need to tackle globalization when they expand their operations to other regions, dive into the markets and compete with companies of that region. It helps them build new revenue sources. As businesses begin to transact globally, you have to deal with the following:
- increase in foreign projects
- handling multicultural workforce
- anti-capitalism backlash
- tax and legal compliance
- compete with similar organizations in new market segments
- cost-effective workforce
2) Ethics and social responsibility:
Business ethics is about making the right choices, and social responsibility is about making ethical decisions. Both elements assist businesses:
- Obtain an advantage over rivals and draw in more customers
- Create a positive work culture to attract and retain candidates
Increasing societal expectations from business organizations increase the complexity of ethical decision-making. Organizations need to play a part in improving the well-being of people in society by addressing deforestation, toxic wastage, pollution of land, water, and air, and changing climate conditions. Online MBA programs give you the necessary exposure to ethical practices and enable you to focus on the following:
- Conserve resources to sustain business activities
- Promote green technologies
Environmental issues are a cause for concern, thereby increasing the need for managers to protect and preserve natural resources by adopting renewable energy sources, utilizing technologies that reduce energy consumption, preserving the natural environment and habitat, and conserving water for future benefits.
3) Workforce diversity:
One of the main aspects businesses need to focus on to improve organizational culture and productivity is handling diversity in the workplace. Organizations should facilitate inclusive work environments for employees with varying individual characteristics, values, preferences, behaviors, beliefs, experiences, and backgrounds.
There is a consistent increase in diversity due to transformation in population dimensions, improved workforce, societal pressure, and globalization. Businesses face challenges in adapting their management approach to suit diverse individuals with different lifestyles, family needs, and work styles. Organizations need an eclectic mix of individuals to interact, share ideas and adapt to changes to maintain an edge over competitors’ global business environment. Inefficiency in accommodating a diverse workforce leads to conflicts in communication and interpersonal relationships, thereby increasing the turnover rate. It would be best to interact more with the employees and adopt an empathetic and tolerant approach. Develop policies, training programs, and best practices to promote good working culture in the organization.
4) Empowering the workforce:
Businesses are adopting a participative management approach by empowering assembly line workers in making decisions as they have awareness and knowledge of the actual problems and can contribute more. Best management practices emphasize making decisions at the place where work is performed concerning schedules and processes and solving work-related problems. Educating and encouraging assembly line workers to make the best decisions gives them authority, increasing their value and morale. Also, consulting employees of interdependent departments improves consistency in executing tasks.
5) Integrating advancements:
The business climate is evolving with best practices and advancements, and organizations must make way for continuous learning to adapt to new concepts, theories, strategies, and innovations. Adapting to technological advancements enhances the business process, products, and manner of delivering services. Failure to adapt to changes has led to the downfall of several leading businesses. It would be best for organizations to recruit skilled individuals willing to continuously learn, share ideas and knowledge, and work together as a team.
6) Implementing quality management systems:
Increasing performance by utilizing fewer resources does not guarantee optimal outcomes. Implementing business process reengineering or total quality management systems, which emphasize the need for transforming processes and approaches, and achieving customer satisfaction, improves efficiency and profits. It’s about redefining processes from the base and radically changing the way of performing tasks with a customer-centric approach. Implementing systems helps organizations gain a competitive advantage over rival companies.
7) Knowledge management:
Knowledge management is collecting, analyzing, and organizing information and making it accessible to employees to facilitate learning, problem-solving, decision-making, strategic planning, and efficiency. Knowledge can be technical resources, frequently asked questions, training documents, or people skills. The main objective is to share information with the right people at the right time to:
- manage specific business tasks/projects
- improve processes and technology
It would be best for organizations to promote and encourage sharing ideas for continual learning.
8) Outsourcing:
Outsourcing specific processes in production to third-party manufacturing companies helps to bring down labor costs and enhance product quality. Since the organization cannot perform every activity by itself, outsourcing the production process to other companies offers several benefits:
- Utilize existing infrastructure without the need for additional investments.
- Allows business owners to focus on core activities.
- Allocate operations profitably.
- Choose suppliers who are leaders in that particular segment and have the advantage of providing superior-quality products.
- Redirect the company’s resources to work on core operations.
9) Time management:
Time management is critical when you are working on multiple tasks or projects. Effectively plan your time and control the amount of time you spend on specific tasks to improve efficiency. You can develop your skills in effective time management with practice by:
- Plan your work in advance
- Prioritize your work and work on a single task/project at a time
- Avoid distractions
It offers:
- Work-life balance
- Improve your performance
- Complete tasks within the timeframe
- Reduces stress and boosts productivity and confidence
10) Deal with stress :
Work hours, fewer resources, and job insecurity significantly contribute to work-related stress. It can lead to various health risks ranging from mild to potentially serious health conditions. Adopt effective strategies to minimize stress:
- Prepare a plan and approach your work systematically
- Be clear on job roles and duties and work on specific tasks at a time
- Stay away from perfectionism and aim to put in your best efforts
11) Handle conflicts:
Conflicts can sometimes significantly bring down productivity and affect emotional wellness. Or trigger new ideas and innovation, and improve flexibility and interpersonal relationships at work. Effectively handling conflicts helps organizations to make progress:
- Identify the cause/reasons that triggered the problem
- Plan to have a constructive conversation by adopting active listening
- Investigate and find ways to arrive at a mutual solution
- Evaluate and take preventive measures to avoid issues in future
Online MBA programs provide:
- Exposure to various strategies essential for flourishing businesses
- Builds leadership, strategic thinking & planning expertise
- Formulate an integrated business strategy to help organizations to succeed
- Develop design thinking and effectively handle change management
- Exposure to financing strategies, international business, and build high performing organizations
Get to study the best part-time MBA programs with the Swiss School of Management. It enables you to make progress in your career and pursue leadership opportunities in the following areas:
- Management Consulting
- Strategic Operations
- Business Development/Sales
- Marketing
- Finance
- HR Management
The one-year MBA program online is best suited for the following individuals looking for a quick transition to senior management positions:
- Experienced managers
- Senior management executives
- Business owners/entrepreneurs
Eligibility to join master of business administration online programs:
Minimum 50% marks in bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and good command of the English language.
Key Takeaways:
Online MBA programs provide:
- Exposure to the tools, strategies, and analytical framework
- Gain knowledge of best practices in business, management ideologies, and administration skills
- It prepares you to meet the emerging challenges in the global business environment and make decisions to succeed in your professional roles.