Technology
Technology has become an integral part of everyday life. Technologically advanced equipment have replaced the traditional and obsolete machines that existed. Governments, organizations, schools, and homes have adopted the new era of technology to enhance security, production, communication, and transpiration, to name but a few. The momentum at which change is taking place requires adjustment or extinction. There is no longer room for manual work and unskilled labor. The workplace seeks individuals that are qualified not only to operate technologically advanced machines effectively but also to create relationships with the internal and external environment. Businesses have adopted new ways of production, distribution, and marketing. Those that resisted this type of change have long been put out of business. In this era, competition is so fierce that companies need to invest heavily in research and development of the market conditions so that to survive. Failure to do this will result in loss of market shares, low volumes of sales, high turnover rates, and lower customer loyalty. Firms must study their opportunities and threats as well as strengths and weaknesses. That way, they can strategize adequately to beat the competition and produce products that are highly preferred by customers. Samsung electronics is one such company that has survived through decades of stiff competition and drastic change in the global and domestic market. The firm has grown to hold the envious position of a multinational company that owns subsidiaries in over eighty countries of the world. Its interest in quality, efficiency, and diversity of products and services has earned it a large number of customers following. Samsung deals with several products that trace their effectiveness to the signature of the company. This paper will highlight the influence of technology in the firm, the most effective leadership styles for adoption, and decision-making concepts.
Samsung is a giant leader in innovation. This type of change and operation is unique from any other company that deals with screen technology. The company competes with high and productive firms such as Apple, Sony, Intel, Huawei, and GoPro, to name but a few. These companies are champions of high, practical, and sophisticated technology. To survive in a market comprised of such firms, one needs a great combination of highly skilled and motivated individuals who are well acquainted with the most recent technology in the field.
Moreover, the top executive needs to support change and innovation with the highest level of enthusiasm for success. Samsung is a proud owner of all these resources that have enabled it not only to survive the competition but also to gain a global presence with high customer loyalty. At the beginning of the twenty-first century, the company adopted a systematic approach to innovation that has proven very effective. This approach enabled the company to tap scientific resources from Russian at a lower price. Its collaboration with the Russian Academy of Science has equipped the firm with first-hand technological access that is both revolutionary and futuristic. The technology from this academy was behind the development of the smartphone software and 3D projection. Another most significant invention was TRIZ, which is a literal translated Russian term to mean “theory of the resolution of invention-related tasks.” This tool aids in the forecasting, analyzing, and problem-solving of inventions. Samsung was the first company to make use of this tool way before American firms got hold of it. Technology has been a significant influence on the marketing of Samsung’s products and services all across the world. It continues to gain an online presence through its social media platforms and website.
Samsung has developed the most ingenious and successful digital marketing strategy that is unequaled. Digital marketing is the use of technological tools to reach a broader market and increase the volume of sales. In today’s era, company websites are the most efficient tools for interacting with customers from all over the world. However, not all sites possess the right qualities to further the agenda of the firm. Only companies that have uncovered the secret of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and the standard quality for a website will achieve the objective they set to acquire using their online media platform. SEO provides a guideline for websites to receive more traffic and visits through relevant content, matching keyword, spectacular graphics, and working links. Samsung has developed a pull strategy through its online platform to engage their customers and fulfill their needs through the information provided in these sites. The website collects feedbacks from customers on the preferred technology in their devices. This information aids in the innovation and development of the company. For instance, in 2011, Forbes interviewed Samsung brand innovator spotlight, Louis Giagrande, on the insight they acquired from their 2010 marketing initiative. Giagrande highlighted their effort to increase customers’ knowledge of the features of their devices and their specific uses. This response was triggered by end-users concerns of the difference between 3D and 2D televisions. Another most significant step that Samsung took to promote its products is modifying its live advertisements to contain adventurous and memorable images and stories that relate to the customers. This form of marketing increases the likelihood of customers buying their products due to the assurance that the company provides.
Another strategy adopted by the company is the product pricing strategy that incorporates the diverse interests of different people. The “galleried” is a type of advertisement that showcased the artwork that the firm includes in its advertising. The strategies and creativity that exist in the brands and products of Samsung are ultra-modern. The firm not only focuses on creating an online presence but also impacting society positively. For instance, the PizzAut project brings to light the ability of the company to produces tablets that will cater to people with autism. This action is an indication of substantial social responsibility that often attracts and maintains customer loyalty. The marketing strategy of Samsung is a generalist and exhaustive. It is a perfect way to reach out to customers that are preoccupied with daily life in a way that is amusing, ingenious, expressive, innovative, and noteworthy.
Leadership is an essential driver for change in any organization. Leaders are the flag-bearers and vision carriers of every group they are directing. It is the work of the leader to motivate, empower, and encourage their team to accomplish the set goal within the required timeline. A company that lacks proper leadership is chaotic and headed for failure. In the digital age, leadership styles have changed to be staff centric rather than revolving around the machines. Earlier forms of leadership emphasized profit attainment at whatever cost. The workforce worked under poor conditions and received minimum wages. However, with growth in technology came labor unions and advanced knowledge of successful leadership.
A good example is the concept of a learning organization that empowers the workforce to unleash their hidden potential to achieve the company’s goals. Embedded in this theory is the essence of competent communication and fruitful relationships that create a suitable environment for the productivity of both subordinates and executives. There is a varied spectrum of leadership styles in the current age. Whether or not one method works or fails to is entirely the commitment of the individual in charge. The management study guide provides a roadmap of the leadership styles that are replacing the traditional top-down and hierarchical structures that once dominated the marketing. These leadership styles are controller, communicator, collaborator, and co-creator. According to the leadership trait theory, a leader can possess all the qualities mentioned above since leadership is an interrelated act that upholds various attributes to enhance the overall good. Therefore, a leader is not limited to a particular style that conservatively determines the direction of the firm. Samsung aims at developing a creative elite that is fully equipped with positive thinking, technological competence, flexibility to change, and TRIZ management. These qualities have enriched the offices of Samsung electronics and enable them to achieve the current level of success. The best leadership style to enforce change in a company such as this is delegating leadership style that incorporates excellent communication that builds and cement strong relationships to ensure success. Empowering provides the employee with the confidence that their senior believes in their capabilities. This style of leading increases motivation and enhances skills. Moreover, it is the kind that creates harmony and builds unity among staff members and leaders of the firm.
Change is a reality of life that everyone has to experience at one time or the other. Humans tend to find comfort in the familiar, which often leads to stagnation. This phenomenon does not apply to an individual only but also an organization. Once an organization tries a new concept and finds it useful, then it will continue to use the same idea for a generation. However, unless the firm realizes the shift that the external environment is taking, they will end up in the same old position year after year. This state of affairs calls for the adoption of effective decision making, project, and change management tools that will steer the firm towards a new dawn. In an organization full of diversity, change can face a great deal of resistance. It is not always comfortable to explore the unknown that poses the possibility of losses. Therefore, before undertaking any change, the company should deliberately plan on the reason for the change, returns of the process, the risks, resources at their disposal, and the responsible personnel to make the transition a reality. At this juncture, the firm will need to apply decision making concepts that involve all the stakeholders. There are four methods of decision making, and they include command style, consensus, democracy, and deliberation. The command method requires zero involvement from the stakeholders, and the entire process is dependent on the initiator of the change. Deliberation invites suggestions from other people to the various aspects of the change process. Democracy is a matter of votes, whereas consensus brings together the opinion of every member on the table. The best decision-making method to uphold for change in an organization is consensus. This method provides information on the aspects of the change process to the employees and creates a forum for discussion. Upon completion of that phase, the firm can now embark on the planned projects. At this stage, project management provides essential concepts to corroborate the success of the venture. These concepts include the time interval that the change will take to be fully incorporated in the firm, the risks anticipated, human resources, scope, quality, and communication. Every project requires the successful integration of all these parts to form the whole.
Moreover, the firm needs to create an active channel of communication to ascertain the smooth running of activities. Samsung is currently undertaking a five C-Lab project that is revolutionary for screening technology. The MOPIC project aims to revolutionize the use of 3D glasses used to view 3D videos. This technology introduces a small device that attaches itself to a phone and enables 3D viewing without glasses. Prinker is another part of the C-Lab project that aims to add a feature on Galaxy Note5 and Galaxy Note7 that will allow consumers to select any design from their phones and have it transferred on their skins. This technology provides a wireless mobile printer that uses a water-resistant, nontoxic ink to incorporate designs on human skin. In their endeavor to make this project come to fruition, Samsung will need to apply the method of decision making mentioned above, concepts of project and change management.
In conclusion, technology has revolutionized the world. This revolution is still gaining pace and aims at a technologically enlightened future. The drastic changes that take place in the world call for increased momentum for each individual to adapt. Firms need to study their environment and invest heavily in Research and Development. Furthermore, leadership styles are changing to accommodate the digital age that has already set in for the world. No longer do employers tolerate exploitation, overworking, and underpayment. Technology has raised the skill level in the labor market, and more people are remotely learning to grow in their careers. This state of affairs calls for firms to adopt leadership skills that will enhance the dreams and motivations of their workforce.