Brilliant Lights Case Study - Management Assignment Help

Assignment Task :

Case study: Brilliant Lights 

Doug was sitting in his office thinking about retirement. He remembered how enthusiastic and full of energy he had been when he started the company. Taking a redundancy from the accountancy firm where he had worked since graduating with a business degree, at 41 he had decided it was time to take on a new challenge and go out on his own. That was 17 years ago and much had changed since then. He felt tired. Over the years, the business had provided many challenges but also allowed him and his family to live comfortably, and sometimes to travel to business expos and events overseas. This had been hard to organise, as the main decision maker in the business, it was hard to justify time away. He looked at his computer, which for some reason did not do what he wanted it to, and pondered how things had changed; now, he could travel anywhere and still be in constant contact with the business and his staff. Another thing that had changed was the competition, particularly with cheap imports from China now pushing the business, Brilliant Lights, out of business. The future did not look brilliant and Doug was tired. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the side of the wall to his office, in the doorway – the door was always open – it was Julie ‘You look deep in thought, are you alright?’ she asked. Doug turned and tried to focus on the present, ‘Oh, just reflecting on how the world has changed’ he said. ‘By the way, I think we need to update the software on this thing’ he said, pointing to the computer. ‘Yes, I have contacted Able Computers, they’ll be here on Monday. We have cash flow problems again and I need to talk with you about which bills to pay this week. I think we will be able to pay everyone here though’ she added with a smile. Doug sighed, this was a task he did not enjoy. Julie, the business manager, had been with the company for nine years and he knew he could rely on her judgement in making this decision. Lately however, she wanted his input on everything. Doug was tired. Perhaps everyone was. He had tried to sell the business and had interest from an investor but declined. He wanted to ensure the new owner would continue the business and that his staff would be looked after. Nevertheless, everyone knew he wanted to retire and there was uncertainty and concerns about the future. ‘Alright, let’s have a chat after lunch’ he said, surprising himself by suddenly making a decision that had kept him awake at night for several weeks. ‘Can you organise everyone to get together tomorrow, maybe for morning tea or lunch, whenever everyone is around and organise food, tea and coffee, that sort of thing’. 

That evening, Doug was considering his options. If the business was to survive, it must find a way to compete. Sales had declined. Costs made it impossible to reduce prices further. Change was necessary. Doug was tired. The staff had tried to be supportive and Mary in particular had designed several unique light fittings. These had sold well to a small number of customers despite a relatively high price, but had not been widely marketed. Doug regularly visited most wholesale customers to deliver goods and show new products but the long hours on the road were exhausting. ‘I just want to retire’ he heard himself saying out loud, the next day to Julie. ‘Yes, me too’ smiled Julie, ‘it is hard to stay motivated at the moment, everyone is worried about the future. If only we could get that order from the Grand Hotel, that would help‘. ‘Indeed it would’, Doug agreed. Grand Hotel was looking to place a large order of 200 light fittings of various designs, a significant order. Although Doug was confident with the level of quality and service they could offer, there had recently been some complaints and returns on orders due to issues with quality and incorrect shipments. Such mistakes were costly, both in terms of resources and reputation. ‘Everyone is feeling tired and worried about the future’, he thought. Doug thought about what would happen to his employees if the business closed. Julie would be fine, she and her husband both worked and had the mortgage nearly paid off. Her two children were about to leave home to study at university and Julie was herself thinking about leaving work to take up studying. Julie was in charge of the ‘paper work’; orders, invoicing, and bookkeeping. 

Your analysis should be structured in the following format: 

• Background 
• Issues and problems 
• Key issues 
• Relevant theories and concepts to address the problems 
• Problem solving objectives 
• Implementation/action plan 

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