Timbuk Entrepreneurship How Is Organizational

Timbuk

Entrepreneurship

How is organizational performance defined?

Timbuk2 defines organizational performance as providing a high-quality product that suits the needs of its core audience of professional bike messengers and bike-riding enthusiasts. It creates a light-weight, durable, yet waterproof bag in a variety of styles. Thus organizational performance is partly defined as meeting the needs of the customer. The second aspect of organizational performance is remaining within a budget and staying solvent. Meeting these goals require maximizing organizational efficiency without compromising quality and service. Finally, employees should be paid and treated in a way that is respectful and honors their dedication and service to the company.

Why is it important to measure end evaluate financial performance? Discuss thoroughly.

Measuring financial performance ensures that the company is profitable, but also helps target key areas where the company can improve organizational efficiency and cut the costs of production.

Which are more important to Timbuk2, quantitative performance measures or qualitative performance measures? Why? Be as specific as possible.

Despite its hip and edgy image, quantitative measures appear to be more important to the company than qualitative performance measures. Using the Toyota production methods was obviously adopted as a labor cost-savings device. The savings that would ensue were determined by monitoring employee efficiency on the work floor and noting that labor costs were a drain upon organizational resources.

Would you call this company efficient? Effective? Thoroughly explain your answers.

The company is both efficient and effective: reducing costs enables it to produce bags for its customers that are no more expensive than other bags on the market. Yet the bag is considerably more durable and suitable for the difficult task of being a bike messenger. It also offers its customers the option of customization, making the bag attractive as well as affordable. It pays its employees a living wage, and provides full medical benefits. Timbuk2 satisfies the needs of its customers and employees.

Using information from the written case and from the company's website (www.timbuk2.com) would you describe Timbuk2 as a world-class organization?

Timbuk2 is a world-class organization because nothing is 'classier' than providing a good product and treating one's employees with respect and dignity. This enables the organization to stand proud, tall, and apart from entities such as Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart may be more profitable but it uses exploitative labor practices and 'nickel and dimes' its employees on benefits. Timbuk2 honors the great tradition of apparel craftsmanship, rather than uses mass-production methods.