Consider yourself as Global Manager for a Medical Company (Medawa) that is leading chain of retail pharmacy in Saudi Arabia, Jordan and United Kingdom. This company uses digital solutions for their business, but it focuses heavily on its retails sales. However, due to the recent Covid-19 pandemic, the way how they do business has been remarkably impacted. Not just with sales, the impact of this pandemic effected the way this company work, communicate and operate.

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QUESTION

Therefore, as the global manager of this Medawa medical company you are required to develop a detail strategy on the following:

· Introduction about the topic.

· Explain what are the limited options that Medawa currently have regarding dealing with the pandemic.

· What is the level of technology urgency Medawa needs to sustain its performance?

· As a global manager, leading from home involves the leverage of digital capabilities. What are these capabilities? List and explain at least 3.

· Explain what type of virtual management characteristics will be implemented and why?

· How the virtual teams will work together?

· What tools are they using for communications and task management?

· How you will manage delivering the new changes within a short time in different locations in terms of language, cultural, time, political, and economical differences?

· What are techniques that you will be using to create a strong team with a high level of teamwork?

· What are the advantages and disadvantages of managing a virtual team?

· What type of conflicts might occur between members? When it happened how will you solve it?

· As a manager how you will manage the outsourced projects?

· What techniques that you will apply to encourage and motivate your team for improvement?

· Conclusion.

Keep in mind that the project MUST be supported by evidence and resources. Otherwise, your answer will not be valid.

ANSWER

The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the operations and business of Medawa, a leading chain of retail pharmacies in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the United Kingdom. The company heavily relies on retail sales but needs to adapt to the changing circumstances. As the global manager of Medawa, I will develop a detailed strategy to address the challenges posed by the pandemic and leverage digital solutions to sustain performance and ensure effective communication and operations.

Limited options for dealing with the pandemic

1. Implementing strict health and safety measures: Medawa must prioritize the health and safety of its employees and customers. This involves enforcing mask-wearing, social distancing, regular sanitization, and capacity limitations in stores.

2. Offering online and delivery services: Medawa should invest in an e-commerce platform and establish a robust delivery network to cater to customers who prefer to shop from home.

3. Telemedicine services: Medawa can leverage technology to provide remote consultations and prescription services, allowing customers to receive medical advice without visiting physical stores.

Level of technology urgency:

Medawa needs to prioritize technology adoption to sustain its performance. The urgency is high due to the changing market dynamics and the long-lasting impact of the pandemic. Key areas requiring immediate attention include:

1. E-commerce platform: Medawa must establish a user-friendly and secure online platform for customers to place orders and access essential medical information.

2. Digital inventory management: Implementing a real-time inventory management system will ensure accurate stock tracking and minimize supply chain disruptions.

3. Telecommunication infrastructure: Medawa should invest in reliable communication tools to enable seamless remote collaboration and communication between teams.

Digital capabilities for leading from home

1. Virtual communication tools: Medawa can leverage video conferencing platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet to conduct virtual meetings, presentations, and team collaborations.

2. Project management software: Tools like Trello, Asana, or Jira can help track tasks, assign responsibilities, and monitor project progress, ensuring effective remote project management.

3. Cloud-based document sharing: Platforms such as Google Drive or Microsoft SharePoint facilitate collaborative document editing, version control, and secure file storage, enabling efficient knowledge sharing within virtual teams.

Virtual management characteristics

1. Clear communication: As a virtual manager, I will emphasize clear and concise communication to ensure that team members have a shared understanding of goals, expectations, and deadlines.

2. Trust-building: Trust is crucial in virtual teams. I will encourage open and transparent communication, provide support, and empower team members to make decisions.

3. Result-oriented approach: Focusing on results rather than micromanagement will foster a sense of ownership among team members and encourage self-motivation.

Virtual team collaboration

Virtual teams can collaborate effectively by

1. Establishing regular virtual meetings: Schedule recurring video conferences to discuss progress, challenges, and align on goals.

2. Utilizing online collaboration tools: Use project management software, shared document repositories, and communication platforms to facilitate collaboration and ensure seamless information sharing.

3. Encouraging open communication: Foster an environment where team members feel comfortable expressing ideas, seeking clarification, and providing feedback.

Tools for communications and task management:

Medawa can use the following tools for effective communication and task management:

1. Video conferencing: Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet for virtual meetings and face-to-face communication.

2. Project management software: Trello, Asana, or Jira to track tasks, assign responsibilities, and monitor project progress.

3. Document sharing and collaboration: Google Drive, Microsoft SharePoint, or Dropbox for sharing and collaborating on documents, presentations, and reports.

Managing changes in different locations

1. Language and cultural differences: Provide multilingual resources and cultural sensitivity training to ensure effective communication and understanding.

2. Time differences: Schedule meetings and deadlines that accommodate different time zones, ensuring

fair participation and timely completion of tasks.

3. Political and economic differences: Stay updated on political and economic developments in each location and adapt strategies accordingly. Foster open dialogue to address concerns and challenges.

Creating a strong team with high teamwork

1. Establish a shared vision: Clearly communicate the company’s vision, mission, and values to align team members towards a common goal.

2. Foster a collaborative environment: Encourage open communication, knowledge sharing, and cross-functional collaboration to foster teamwork and synergy.

3. Promote recognition and appreciation: Acknowledge and reward team members’ efforts, fostering a positive and supportive team culture.

Advantages and disadvantages of managing a virtual team:

Advantages:
– Increased flexibility and access to a global talent pool.
– Reduced overhead costs associated with physical office spaces.
– Improved work-life balance for team members.
– Increased autonomy and empowerment.

Disadvantages:
– Communication and coordination challenges due to geographical dispersion.
– Potential for miscommunication and misunderstandings.
– Lack of face-to-face interaction and reduced personal connection.
– Time zone differences may impact real-time collaboration.

Managing conflicts within virtual teams

1. Foster open communication: Encourage team members to express concerns, listen actively, and facilitate discussions to resolve conflicts constructively.

2. Mediation: Intervene when conflicts arise, providing unbiased guidance to find mutually beneficial resolutions.

3. Establish clear guidelines: Set expectations for behavior and conflict resolution processes within the team to prevent conflicts from escalating.

Managing outsourced projects:

1. Clearly define project goals and deliverables: Provide a detailed project brief, including clear expectations and timelines.

2. Regular communication: Maintain open and frequent communication with outsourced teams, providing feedback and addressing any concerns promptly.

3. Performance monitoring: Implement performance metrics and regular project reviews to ensure quality and timely delivery.

Encouraging and motivating the team:

1. Set clear goals and expectations: Clearly communicate targets and provide regular feedback on individual and team performance.

2. Professional development opportunities: Offer training programs, certifications, or mentoring to enhance skills and provide growth opportunities.

3. Recognition and rewards: Acknowledge achievements, provide incentives, and celebrate team successes to motivate and inspire continuous improvement.

Conclusion

The Covid-19 pandemic has necessitated a transformation in the way Medawa operates. By leveraging digital solutions, adopting effective virtual management strategies, and nurturing a strong virtual team, Medawa can navigate through these challenging times. Embracing technology, establishing clear communication channels, and promoting collaboration will enable Medawa to adapt to the changing market dynamics and sustain its performance while ensuring the health and safety of its employees and customers.

Complete Answer: