Rural Town of Kentucky Case Study
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Rural Town of Kentucky Case Study
A Review Case Study
Walker, LLC
Introduction of Company
Walker, LLC is small family-owned business in a rural town of Kentucky. It has been in business 52 years and employs 120 employees (20 management, 20 clerical, 5 accountants, and the remaining manufacturing types at various levels). Its main business is building bicycle parts for a major bike company. These parts include: pedals, wheel frames, baskets, etc. Mostly all metal products. Their 2008 revenues were $6,000,000 with $400,000 in profits. Their 2009 revenues were $5,500,000 with $300,000 in profits.
The company is ran by 3 generations of Walker’s; Harry Walker (President), Bill Walker (Vice President of Manufacturing), and Melissa Walker (Vice President of Operations). Melissa is the first female ever to hold a management role in the company. Most of the other females in the company are clerical in nature.
Their manufacturing plant is immaculate using state-of-the-art machinery that has been tooled to make their products.
They are a very conservative company when it comes to spending money and utilize very little computer technology for their offices and current business processes. Some of the staff still use typewriters!!! They do have an Accounting application, but that is about it. They do not currently use corporate email and neither Harry nor Bill have a computer on their desk.
The company and its employees are very active in their community and they all have a great sense of pride working for Walker, LLC.
Situation
Late last year, the major bike company of which Walker, LLC is a supplier, closed its doors and moved to China. This ended their business relationship and eliminated 65% of Walker’s revenues putting the company and its employees in jeopardy.
Walker, LLC is panicking and trying to determine what to do next.
Melissa Walker recommended to her family that they needed to get with the times. In doing so, create a totally new client base through the internet. She insured her family that the internet was their savior and they probably will end up selling more product than ever. Harry and Bill aren’t as enthusiastic as they don’t believe that technology is the “end-all-be-all”. But they are willing to listen to her ideas.
What is Being Asked of You
Melissa and you became friends at a Chamber of Commerce networking conference where the both of you exchanged business cards. She recently called you in hopes that you might some ideas on how they could utilize the internet or other technologies to sell their products and ultimately save the company.
She asked if you could meet with her, her Grandfather (Harry), and her Father (Bill) over lunch to discuss how technology can help keep their business open and successful. You agreed to meet.
Obviously, they have a sense of urgency to find an answer as their cash reserves can only keep the company afloat with its current employee base for about 4 months.
You meet with the three at lunch. After pleasantries, Harry asked…..”Tell me, how can the internet save this company? It is our hopes that we can keep this company solvent selling bicycle baskets to individuals via the internet!!!”
….And so begins your relationship with Walker, LLC.
Answer and complete the following, with Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the SDLC in mind. If needed, add any assumptions you need, but please state your assumptions.
- After Harry made his statements above, what is your first thought?
- Where do you begin?
- What are your major concerns about this company?
- What is it that you like about the company? Meaning what attributes do you feel can be built upon.
- What is the company culture? How does this play into you helping them?
- Off top of your head, without knowing much more about the company, what types of technology can help this company?
- In terms of feasibility (organization, technology, budget, and time), is this a project where you can be successful?
- Are there any constraints?
- Based on what you know, what is your recommendation at the conclusion of Phase 1?
- Let’s assume you choose to move onto Phase 2 and begin collecting requirements, what are you going to focus on as it relates to business processes?
- Are you concerned about their business plan or their lack there of? If so, what do you do? If not, why not?
- Where do you see technology helping them immediately?
- Based on the limited information above, what kind of business case do you see for them to prove it would be wise to invest into technology? Meaning, how much is the technology going to cost and how much would they save in expenses or gain in revenue?
- Ok…just for fun, how can technology save this company?? Be specific in describing HOW technology will save the company. Remember they need to overcome losing 65% of their revenues.
- On question 10, we assumed you moved on to Phase 2 of the SDLC. Would you have really recommended this? Why or why not?
Rural Town of Kentucky Case Study
RUBRIC
Excellent Quality
95-100%
Introduction 45-41 points
The background and significance of the problem and a clear statement of the research purpose is provided. The search history is mentioned.
Literature Support
91-84 points
The background and significance of the problem and a clear statement of the research purpose is provided. The search history is mentioned.
Methodology
58-53 points
Content is well-organized with headings for each slide and bulleted lists to group related material as needed. Use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. to enhance readability and presentation content is excellent. Length requirements of 10 slides/pages or less is met.
Average Score
50-85%
40-38 points
More depth/detail for the background and significance is needed, or the research detail is not clear. No search history information is provided.
83-76 points
Review of relevant theoretical literature is evident, but there is little integration of studies into concepts related to problem. Review is partially focused and organized. Supporting and opposing research are included. Summary of information presented is included. Conclusion may not contain a biblical integration.
52-49 points
Content is somewhat organized, but no structure is apparent. The use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. is occasionally detracting to the presentation content. Length requirements may not be met.
Poor Quality
0-45%
37-1 points
The background and/or significance are missing. No search history information is provided.
75-1 points
Review of relevant theoretical literature is evident, but there is no integration of studies into concepts related to problem. Review is partially focused and organized. Supporting and opposing research are not included in the summary of information presented. Conclusion does not contain a biblical integration.
48-1 points
There is no clear or logical organizational structure. No logical sequence is apparent. The use of font, color, graphics, effects etc. is often detracting to the presentation content. Length requirements may not be met
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