250 words:(a) What are lean operations? What does it mean to be a lean organization?(b) What is Total Quality Management (TQM)?(c) Briefly describe the 7 concepts of TQM, discussed by the authors of the textbook?(d) What is the relationship between lean operations and TQM?reply#1Lean operations are a system of processes that allow organizations to supply only the goods demanded by a consumer at the time needed by incorporating continuous improvement processes and minimizing waste. To be a lean organization means understanding customers and their expectations and constantly implementing lean tools across departments to ensure that the expectations are efficiently met (Heizer, Render & Manson, 2017).Total quality management (TQM) refers to the strict emphasis on quality and the regulation of operations throughout an organization; from ensuring that the supplier delivers quality inputs, to developing reliable, safe, and efficient products for customers. TQM guides businesses in implementing quality-enhancement initiatives and ensuring excellence in responding to customer needs and wants (Heizer, Render & Manson, 2017).There are seven concepts of TQM. The first is continuous improvement, which involves increasingly positive progress made in the areas of human resource, suppliers, equipment, procedures and materials. The Six Sigma is a strategy that applies a range of programs to improve customer satisfaction, minimize costs, and save time by reducing defects. Thirdly, employee empowerment entails the involvement of employees in designing production systems, identifying problems, and working on continuous improvement plans in every stage of production. Benchmarking involves assessment of issues that prevent desired performance levels in cost management, production, and service delivery, and then sending a dedicated team to examine processes and management systems that allow competitors within the same industry to perform more. The resulting report guides standards development for increased productivity. Just-in-Time (JIT) is a concept used in continuously improving quality and enforcing problem solving approaches to cut costs, improve quality, and reduce inventory. Taguchi concepts are the quality loss function, target-oriented quality, and quality robustness, all of which ensure the use of effective production processes to ensure quality end products. The seventh concept is knowledge of TQM tools, which requires that business leaders and employees receive training on TQM techniques including problem identification tools and idea generation tools (Heizer, Render & Manson, 2017).Lean operations and TQM are related in that both inform quality improvement initiatives in production. The TQM concepts, including continuous improvement, employee empowerment, benchmarking, and JIT, are all geared towards quality improvement and the production of only goods needed by customers at the right time (Heizer, Render & Manson, 2017).ReferenceHeizer, J., Render, B., & Manson, C. (2017). Operations Management: Sustainability and Supply Chain Management (12th Ed.). Pearson Education.reply#2Lean operation is a method to focus on higher customer satisfaction withminimum resources cost to manage and operate and organization. In general, it hastwo goals (creating values for customers and eliminating waste) Those companieswith lean operation highly focus on efficiency. Any actions or purpose cannot createvalue to customers will be removed from organization. In most of the cases, if acompany owner decides to implement lean operations, they might hope to cancel allthe low efficiency. Such concept all companies do half the work with double results. Total quality management is continuous process that monitoring and reducing oreliminating mistakes, simplifying supply chain management, improving consumerexperiences, and making sure all employees follow the instructions correctly. Totalquality management is designed for combining all different production productions tobe responsible for the final product or service.7 concepts of TQM are known as 1. Customer Focus 2. Leadership 3.Engagement of People 4. Process Approach 5. Improvement 6. Evidence-BasedDecision – Making 7. Relationship management.1. Customer Focus: In general, quality is connected with customer’s demand. Inorder to success, quality should reach or go beyond customer’s expectations.It is not an easy process to take. Customers’ demands and expectations will bechanged as time went by. Therefore, focus on customer all the time should bethe first priority.2. Leadership: Different level executive team members have to work together toadjust their employees, strategy and goal. Once other people has instructionsabout directions, other people would follow the same goal and focus.3. Engagement of People: No matter how big the operations or organization is, itis always existing as form of a team. To manage any team effectively, wewould need all members to fully participate. Otherwise, we will not be able togenerate quality and value from different fields.4. Process Approach: Any operations’ internal activities are not isolated. Everyprocess is at least connected with another process. Manage every singleprocess is not significant.5. Improvement: As business field and new-tech growth, customers’expectations grow rapidly as well. Operations need to improve with the samespeed. To make such improvement, Company needs knowledge andflexibility. They would need the ability to collect the most accurate data.6. Evidence-based decision: When companies facing decisions, normally, wewill receive information from different resources. However, if we need tomake changes, too many sources could lead to a huge mess. Powerful andrelyable evidence.7. Relationship Management: Just like there is no single process is isolated, nocompanies are separated internally. There are different elements in supplychain/ All stakeholders are connected as well. To success, operations need tomanage their relationship and improve their interaction to push healthybusiness connection.In short, TQM works on eliminating all possible disadvantages to the end. Leanoperation is target on improving to perfect. Even though both TQM and Lean operation is focused on improve quality, when company reach to one specific point,TQM cannot be implemented any more. Lean operation is focus more on improvedquality into a higher level. .

Consumer Behavior, Market Segmentation & Positioning
Learning Outcomes

Consumer decision-making process.  Student can identify how marketing strategy can influence each of the steps in the consumer decision-making process.  
Segmentation.  Students can use the segmentation characteristics to identify and describe market segments.
Target market & strategy. Students can identify a usable market segment to be a target market and determine an appropriate target-market strategy
Positioning.  Students can develop and interpret a perceptual map.

Directions

Refer to the product or service you selected for your first writing assignment (Ugly Stick fishing rods). This week, you want to take a closer look at what consumer factors may be relevant for customers who are considering buying your product or service offering. This will require some critical thinking on your part based on your own behavior if you are a customer yourself, or you may want to talk to others who have purchased the product. Sometimes you can find clues when looking at the marketing messages that may be addressing some of these factors. 
So far, you have only been considering the customers of your product or service as one big group, or a mass market.  More astute marketing breaks down this large group into smaller market segments of consumers who have similar characteristics.  For any specific product or service, there could be numerous market segments.  However, company resources may only allow a company to pursue one or two or these market segments, which then become target market(s).  In this paper, you should divide the mass market for your product or service into at least two market segments and then pick one target market you think would have the most potential for future growth.
Chances are you picked a product with which you are familiar. That is a good starting point, and you may represent one target market.  But you may represent a target market that is saturated and therefore not the best target market to pick for the remainder of the semester.  So be sure your second target market is different enough and represents growth potential. 
If you did not do a thorough analysis of the competition in the prior writing assignment, you may need to go back and figure out the nature of the product’s or service’s competition.  This will be important when you address the positioning of your product for your newly identified target market inasmuch as positioning is a competition-based concept.  

Part 1

Consumer decision-making process.  Go through the six steps of the purchase process outlined in the readings and identify where marketing can influence each of the six steps.   For example, if a consumer just identified a need for your product in step one, then the company can advertise how your product fills that need.  Or, if a consumer purchased your product, the consumer can be called and asked about their satisfaction with the product and if there is any dissatisfaction steps can be taken to ensure the customer satisfaction.  Be sure to be more specific with respect to your product or service than this example.
Segmentation.  View Table 5.1 of your Week 4 Reading, in Section 5.2, How Markets are Segmented.  Using the various criteria of the segmentation bases described in Table 5.1, identify at least two distinct market segments for your product or service.  Each market segment description must include at least three (more if needed) of the characteristics from amongst any of the four bases categories (e.g. one from demographic variables, one or two from psychographic variables, and one from behavioral variables, or a similar scheme).  Be sure to explain your choices based on what customer need the product or service offering can fill for each segment. 

Part 2

Target market & strategy.  Select one of the market segments you described in your segmentation response as the one you believe is or can be the most profitable for your product or service offering and explain why you feel they can represent growth for the company.  Refer to the six criteria for an attractive market segment as described in Section 5.3 of the reading ‘Selecting Target Markets’.  Name your target market so you can use this name throughout all of your remaining writing assignments.  Your name should be descriptive of the segments’ characteristics like ‘savvy young shoppers’ or ‘educated baby boomers’, or ‘urban hipsters’, or the like.  The goal is for your faculty member to get a mental image of your target market for the remainder of the semester. Should the company focus all their resources on this new target market (concentrated marketing) or should they continue to pursue both the new and the existing target market as well as other market segments (multi-segment marketing)?  Alternatively, is the market so saturated might they be more successful by focusing solely on an even more narrow market segment, perhaps an even narrower version (niche marketing) of your selected target market, as their best chance for growth?  What is your reasoning?
Positioning.  Draw a perceptual map as illustrated in the week’s readings or the website in the directions. Be sure to pick two criteria that are important to your new target market for your two axes, perhaps two of the criteria you used in Week 1 in your competitive analysis.  Map at least the two major competitors you noted in the previous writing assignment and add any others that you may have discovered since then.  You may want to visit this resource for more information on how to construct a perceptual map.  Describe what the perceptual map is telling you regarding how each product is perceived in the minds of the new target market you described above.  You may have to make a series of educated guesses for some of the data points.  Ideally, you want to find uncontested space. If your product overlaps with a competing offering discuss whether or not your product or service should try for an ‘uncontested’ space on the map and ‘reposition’ itself; or if it should keep the same position and compete head on with the other product.

Below is the link to this weeks readings Chapter 5.1 to 5.5, contents on the left will have the chapter and the five sections.  

POST # 1
Ketura Discot5:43pmSep 15 at 5:43pm
Manage Discussion Entry
The major forces that influence change in the health care systems have been health care access, funding, health care workforce, and the health care delivery system. These forces impact significant changes in nursing and many different organizations. Health care access in this country has been an issue for decades. In my nursing organization, those who struggle with access always end up with the short end of the sticks. As nurses, we try our best to assist in the accessibility of care, but it’s always so easy. Despite international efforts to secure health care services for all, serious gaps persist (Hood,2018).
Health care funding can be done via three models; the national health service insurance model mandated insurance model or the entrepreneurial insurance model. For decades this country has struggled with the idea of universal health care and how to fund it. The national health services insurance model guarantees access to health care services through a national health insurance plan, usually funded by general tax revenues(Hood,2018).In my field, paying for care can be a daunting task for the patients since medicare doesn’t always cover all their medical expenses. As a nurse, it’s hard to see patients choose care base on cost instead of quality.
The mandate insurance model requires compulsory universal health care insurance. The ACA implemented this model that allows millions of uninsured Americans access to insurance coverage via the health marketplace. This model goal was to provide somewhat of universal coverage and cost-friendly plans.
The entrepreneurial insurance model consists of voluntary health insurance coverage that relies on purchase of health by individuals (Hood,2018). Employers are the primary providers of group coverage, and the employees pay a portion of the cost. This option doesn’t always appeal to those with low salaries, and usually, they would prefer the national health services insurance mode instead.
A shortage of health care professionals can define the health care workforce in the United States, whether it’s physicians, RN, or auxiliary staff members. Staff shortage has impacted the organization that I work for significantly. The negatives impacts it has on patient care and safe patient-to-nurse ratios. The Nursing profession is currently suffering due to COVID and the lack of staff due to low pay and high patient ratios. In my nursing specialty, the team is not being paid for working in CoVID units and doesn’t have the proper resources, leading to improper patient care. The various organization has had to outsource staff to help with the workload which creates other issues. Agency workers are paid more versus the in-house staff, which can lead to envy and strikes.
Health care delivery systems provide primacy care for health promotion and illness prevention, secondary care for early detection and cure of illness, and tertiary care for chronic disease management, rehabilitative and end-of-life services. These changes impact the availability of and access to health care for many people (Hood,2018). Thanks to the ACA, many efforts have been made to deliver health care efficiently and seamlessly.
References
Hood, L.J.H., (2018). Nursing Models and Theories. Leddy and Pepper’s professional nursing (9th ed., pp.215-246). Wolters Kluwer.
A-H: Explain the major forces that influence change in the health care system and the implications of these changes for nursing. After broadly discussing these forces, provide a current example of one that has impacted the organization where you work. How was nursing affected in your organization?

POST # 2
Susana Montalvo6:50pmSep 15 at 6:50pm
Manage Discussion Entry
There are various concerns that affect health care delivery systems. The most prevalent being access to healthcare, cost, quality, and safety (Hood, 2018). As nurses and health care professionals, we can help address these concerns by bringing awareness and educating our patients about such concerns. For example, we could educate our patients in the importance of having a primary care provider to avoid unnecessary visits to the emergency department or urgent care for non-emergent visits. I would see this quite frequently when working at the urgent care. More than half of the patients we would see, didn’t have a primary doctors; therefor they would visit the urgent care for issues that should be monitored by a primary doctor, such as hypertension. Many patients don’t realize that by having a doctor that can manage and monitor their chronic or acute illnesses, they could cut down on their health care costs and avoid having to visit the hospital where they can end up paying an arm and a leg for care. Also, nurses are able to participate in health screening events to promote disease prevention, early detection, and illness treatment (Hood, 2018).
Nursing shortages have also been an issue for many healthcare facilities. Now more than ever, there is a higher demand for nurses with the current circumstances of the pandemic. The primary clinic I currently work at is a fairly small, close-knit facility. When one staff member is missing, it throws off our whole workflow. As of lately, we have been having to move staff to surrounding facilities who are in need of replacements due to either being short-staffed or the staff being out with COVID. Due to these changes, we have had to adjust our schedules to make sure we are still able to accommodate our patients. At times like these, we find ourselves doing the job of multiple nurses. This is where our multi-tasking skills get put to the test. Rather than overwhelming myself at times when we get very busy, I make sure to take the time to prioritize my tasks and work at a safely to avoid any possible medication or documentation errors.
Hood, L.J. (2018). Leddy & pepper’s professional nursing (9th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
I-R: What is nursing’s role in addressing the key concerns and pressures for all health care delivery systems? What are the consequences if nurses do not get involved? After broadly discussing this, consider which of the following—the nursing shortage, changes in the structure of the work environment, or ethical challenges—have most negatively impacted the organization where you work. What was nursing’s response at your organization?

DirectionDirections:Step 1: ReviewBefore starting this assignment, please make sure you have carefully read through Counter Arguments lecture. Step 2: ThinkThink about your thesis in Essay 2 and the working thesis you wrote for it last week. Then, think about the opposing viewpoint. Why might someone disagree with you?To help you think it through, answer the following questions: What is your argument (working thesis) in Essay 2?What reasonable claims have others made that contradict your argument? List at least 2. You could use these claims as your counter arguments. Remember that the counter argument is more than just stating the opposite viewpoint. A counter argument provides a logical reason. Then, it is your job to refute that reason. You might get ideas about possible counter arguments from some of the articles we read as the authors from the first three opposed the authors for the second set. How could you refute the counter argument using either the turn back or the turn against method?Step 3: Write a Counter ArgumentFor our purposes, we will keep the counter argument to one sentence. We will add the counter argument to one of our body paragraphs. The counter argument should come in as the first sentence, before the Point. Then, the Point refutes the counter argument and proves you are right. Things to remember:The counter argument for our purposes will be only one sentence. We will not provide Information or Explanation about the counter argument. We will only mention it, right before the Point.The counter argument should provide a reason, not just state the opposite thesis. Your Point will work to prove the counter argument wrong. Your reason in that body paragraph should directly respond to the reason in the counter argument. Write down one possible Point (subclaim/topic sentence). Think back to your thesis, and think of one reason to support it. For example, if my thesis said that colleges should ban free speech on their campuses, one reason/point might be: Hate speech should be banned be banned because it can cause students to feel unsafe in a place meant to help them learn.”Think of a counter argument to your Point. What would someone say in return. For my Point, it might be the argument about free speech. So before my Point, I might add the counter. It will look like this:Some people might argue that free speech on college campuses is protected under the First Amendment; however, it can cause students to feel unsafe on their campuses, and should therefore be llimited.The part in blue is the counter argument. The part in yellow is my Point. The rest of the paragraph will work to prove my Point (by giving Informations and Explanations)Please, as you submit, highlight the counter argument in blue and the Point in yellow as well.Below is another sample, which is on a different paper topic. Note that you are not writing on social media. This is just a sample to see the paragraph in action. Some experts argue that social media helps justice campaigns because it allows people to connects and communicate better. However, social media campaigns are hurt real social justice because they create weak connections, failing to inspire true action.s:Step 1: ReviewBefore starting this assignment, please make sure you have carefully read through Counter Arguments lecture. Step 2: ThinkThink about your thesis in Essay 2 and the working thesis you wrote for it last week. Then, think about the opposing viewpoint. Why might someone disagree with you?To help you think it through, answer the following questions: What is your argument (working thesis) in Essay 2?What reasonable claims have others made that contradict your argument? List at least 2. You could use these claims as your counter arguments. Remember that the counter argument is more than just stating the opposite viewpoint. A counter argument provides a logical reason. Then, it is your job to refute that reason. You might get ideas about possible counter arguments from some of the articles we read as the authors from the first three opposed the authors for the second set. How could you refute the counter argument using either the turn back or the turn against method?Step 3: Write a Counter ArgumentFor our purposes, we will keep the counter argument to one sentence. We will add the counter argument to one of our body paragraphs. The counter argument should come in as the first sentence, before the Point. Then, the Point refutes the counter argument and proves you are right. Things to remember:The counter argument for our purposes will be only one sentence. We will not provide Information or Explanation about the counter argument. We will only mention it, right before the Point.The counter argument should provide a reason, not just state the opposite thesis. Your Point will work to prove the counter argument wrong. Your reason in that body paragraph should directly respond to the reason in the counter argument. Write down one possible Point (subclaim/topic sentence). Think back to your thesis, and think of one reason to support it. For example, if my thesis said that colleges should ban free speech on their campuses, one reason/point might be: Hate speech should be banned be banned because it can cause students to feel unsafe in a place meant to help them learn.”Think of a counter argument to your Point. What would someone say in return. For my Point, it might be the argument about free speech. So before my Point, I might add the counter. It will look like this:Some people might argue that free speech on college campuses is protected under the First Amendment; however, it can cause students to feel unsafe on their campuses, and should therefore be llimited.The part in blue is the counter argument. The part in yellow is my Point. The rest of the paragraph will work to prove my Point (by giving Informations and Explanations)Please, as you submit, highlight the counter argument in blue and the Point in yellow as well.Below is another sample, which is on a different paper topic. Note that you are not writing on social media. This is just a sample to see the paragraph in action. Some experts argue that social media helps justice campaigns because it allows people to connects and communicate better. However, social media campaigns are hurt real social justice because they create weak connections, failing to inspire true action.

Asthma is a respiratory disorder that affects children and adults. Advanced practice nurses often provide treatment to patients with these disorders. Sometimes patients require immediate treatment, making it essential that you recognize and distinguish minor asthma symptoms from serious, life-threatening ones. Since symptoms and attacks are often induced by a trigger, advanced practice nurses must also help patients identify their triggers and recommend appropriate management options. Like many other disorders, there are various approaches to treating and managing care for asthmatic patients depending on individual patient factors. Photo Credit: Photo Library / Getty ImagesOne method that supports the clinical decision making of drug therapy plans for asthmatic patients is the stepwise approach, which you explore in this Assignment.To PrepareReflect on drugs used to treat asthmatic patients, including long-term control and quick relief treatment options for patients. Think about the impact these drugs might have on patients, including adults and children.Consider how you might apply the stepwise approach to address the health needs of a patient in your practice.Reflect on how stepwise management assists health care providers and patients in gaining and maintaining control of the disease.By Day 7 of Week 3Create a 5- to 6-slide PowerPoint presentation that can be used in a staff development meeting on presenting different approaches for implementing the stepwise approach for asthma treatment. Be sure to address the following:Describe long-term control and quick relief treatment options for the asthma patient from your practice as well as the impact these drugs might have on your patient.Explain the stepwise approach to asthma treatment and management for your patient.Explain how stepwise management assists health care providers and patients in gaining and maintaining control of the disease. Be specific. RUBRIC
ExcellentGoodFairPoorDescribe the long-term control and quick relief treatment options for the asthma patient from your practice, as well as the impact these drugs might have on your patient.27 (27%) – 30 (30%)The presentation clearly and accurately describes in detail the long-term control and quick relief treatment options for the asthma patient from their practice.The presentation clearly and accurately describes in detail the impact these drugs might have on their patient.24 (24%) – 26 (26%)The presentation accurately describes the long-term control and quick relief options for the asthma patient from their practice.The presentation accurately describes the impact these drugs might have on their patient.21 (21%) – 23 (23%)The presentation inaccurately or vaguely describes the long-term control and quick relief options for the asthma patient from their practice.The presentation inaccurately or vaguely describes the impact these drugs might have on their patient.0 (0%) – 20 (20%)The presentation inaccurately and vaguely describes the long-term and quick relief options for the asthma patient from their practice, or is missing.The presentation inaccurately and vaguely describes the impact these drugs might have on their patient, or is missing.Explain the stepwise approach to asthma treatment and management for your patient.27 (27%) – 30 (30%)The presentation clearly and accurately explains in detail the stepwise approach to asthma treatment and management for their patient.24 (24%) – 26 (26%)The presentation accurately explains the stepwise approach to asthma treatment and management for their patient.21 (21%) – 23 (23%)The presentation inaccurately or vaguely explains the stepwise approach to asthma treatment and management for their patient.0 (0%) – 20 (20%)The presentation inaccurately and vaguely explains the stepwise approach to asthma treatment and management for their patient.Explain how stepwise management assists health care providers and patients in gaining and maintaining control of the disease. Be specific.27 (27%) – 30 (30%)The presentation clearly and accurately explains in detail how stepwise management assists health care providers and patients in gaining and maintaining control of the disease.The presentation provides accurate and detailed examples to support the explanation provided.24 (24%) – 26 (26%)The presentation accurately explains how stepwise management assists health care providers and patients in gaining and maintaining control of the disease.The presentation provides accurate examples to support the explanation provided.21 (21%) – 23 (23%)The presentation inaccurately or vaguely explains how stepwise management assists health care providers and patients in gaining and maintaining control of the disease.The presentation provides inaccurate or vague examples to support the explanation provided.0 (0%) – 20 (20%)The presentation inaccurately and vaguely explains how stepwise management assists health care providers and patients in gaining and maintaining control of the disease, or is missing.The presentation provides inaccurate and vague examples to support the explanation provided, or is missing.Written Expression and Formatting – Paragraph Development and Organization:Paragraphs make clear points that support well developed ideas, flow logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences are carefully focused–neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance.5 (5%) – 5 (5%)Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity.4 (4%) – 4 (4%)Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 80% of the time.3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 60%–79% of the time.0 (0%) – 3 (3%)Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity less than 60% of the time.Written Expression and Formatting – English writing standards:Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation5 (5%) – 5 (5%)Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors4 (4%) – 4 (4%)Contains a few (1–2) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)Contains several (3–4) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors0 (0%) – 3 (3%)Contains many (≥ 5) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors that interfere with the reader’s understandingTotal Points: 100