Homestyle Hotels

Introduction

It goes without saying that no association or any enterprise wants to lose its data or the control over the data that forms the center for any organization’s effective running. The data administrators are straightforwardly identified with the responsibility of overseeing security and proper administration of the data being stored in the databases. There are various issues in the organization in this case study that pertains to the wrong structure that hinders the coordination of activities where the data management is inclusive.  The most prevalent issue that can be observed in this case study is the nonappearance of an information management methodology.  The company management wants to pursue a national brand, but there is a lack of better data frameworks that can help to enhance their vision.  The firm has been undergoing some issues while attempting to solidify the business.  The structures that have also been identified with the information are conflicting with one another, and so the company needs to lay out a strategy to resolve that.

The Key Business Challenges that are facing Homestyle

1.      The information is being collected by analysts and then given to the hostel management to make the required decisions on running the chain. The major dispute that is observable is concerning the level of management that should best utilize the information and the managers that are responsible for making decisions.

2.      There are two distinct divisions in this hotel chain namely, the hotels and the resort section, whereby each has its directors.  The  LOBS making the merger have retained a solid identity from before the merger.  There is a lack of connected corporate vision since each side has retained its individual identity.

3.       It is also apparent that the separate visions in the chain are putting a constraint in the information gathering process since each presents different perspectives.

4.       There was a decision to initiate a third party application investment application that would help in the information management, but the problem that is observable is that the chain has been unable to determine the best vendor out of the two that are possible contenders.

5.      The merger has not conceived the essence of having an information management systems save for one person who broad on board the insight concerning the capability of IT in information management and delivery.

6.      The issues concerned with the controls and the organization vision have resulted in a conflict of interest concerning the approach that can be used to implement the information management in the company.

Discussion Questions

1.    Does it make good marketing sense to integrate across the various lines of business represented by Homestyle Hotels? What exactly would you combine (beyond financial information) and why?

It is imperative to integrate the systems between the two lines of business even if the merger should realize the organizational vision. The integration of the system would make it possible to for the senior management to keep track on every aspect of the enterprise at all its hotels. Additionally, the integration of the system can aid the management in learning about the capabilities that can be offered by each line of business thereby choosing best alternative possible from each side.  Having a streamlined system all throughout an organization helps in the development of a better national brand (Keller, Parameswaran, & Jacob, 2011). Therefore, clients get the same type of service as well as experience at all the Homestyle locations in the country.

The things that I can recommend to be integrated include human resources system, the financial system, and a common information and information management strategy where the management can access the information regarding performance for each hotel.  The integration of the human resource system that can support the business plan is recognized as a fundamental part of any the business planning process (Briggs & Keogh, 1999). Researchers argue that integrating the HR strategy as well as the strategic planning is paramount to achieving the business excellence. The achievement of excellence in organizational business strategy is the most important factor that aids in achieving the vision, mission as well as the corporate goals (Larsson & Finkelstein, 1999). That offers a unique opportunity to having a holistic view of the organization, with the primary focus being on the entire organization as well as the total team as the main concepts. Also, the people will get to do things as required as there will be a better management that has a holistic view.

2. Outline an approach for Homestyle to follow in to decide between the two software alternatives (i.e., HC and CR)? What selection criteria would you use? Who should make the decision?

The first thing that should take place in the company while it is pursuing the best software options is outlining of organizational goals for this initiative.  That will make it necessary to devise an IM policy and have a corporate sponsor for the same will be very useful. The leaders from both lines of business will need to meet and figure out how and where the will get involved in the organization and the application under development.  Any plans that are being made in the organization should be clearly communicated to all the leaders of the merger. The business also needs to work with the information technology section in a bid to implement a cohesive technology and information management system. Many times this work has been left to the IT people only. The overall vision should then be laid out, and this will overrule the visions for each hotel forming the merger.

The selection criteria that I can propose to be used in selecting the best software vendors can is the consideration of each vendor’s alignment with the corporate vision that has been developed.  According to Ben Garett (from the text page 197), it is important to align the information technology with the business as that would help the senior managers to have better control over the branding, marketing, and operations.  The focus on the overall vision will help the company in moving towards one direction, and that is the improved organizational performance (Amaratunga & Baldry, 2002).  The Hotels confidential can be a better alternative if the hotel managers are the ones that will be managing the hotel’s issues via the organizational vision.  The decision criteria that will be used for choosing between the two vendors is control and knowledge enhancement as well as how these add value to the business.  The decision should also come from the top with a substantial buy-in from the divisions.

Conclusion

The issues that have been discussed pertain to the Homestyle hotels where there is a problem with information management. That issue is brought about by conflicting visions for each line of business and therefore merging their visions can help to verge towards one direction of improved performance. The paper has outlined what should be done, and if this carefully put into consideration, then the organization will select the best vendor who can deliver value to the organization. The information management will also be streamlined therefore helping to achieve the corporate vision and objectives.

References

Amaratunga, D., & Baldry, D. (2002). Moving from performance measurement to performance management. Facilities, 20(5/6), 217-223.

Briggs, S., & Keogh, W. (1999). Integrating human resource strategy and strategic planning to achieve business excellence. Total Quality Management, 10(4-5), 447-453.

Keller, K. L., Parameswaran, M. G., & Jacob, I. (2011). Strategic brand management: Building, measuring, and managing brand equity. Pearson Education India.

Larsson, R., & Finkelstein, S. (1999). Integrating strategic, organizational, and human resource perspectives on mergers and acquisitions: A case survey of synergy realization. Organization science, 10(1), 1-26.

Sherry Roberts is the author of this paper. A senior editor at Melda Research in best nursing writing services if you need a similar paper you can place your order for custom nursing papers.