Nokia is a communications and information technology company included in the Fortune Global 500 ranking and has a rich heritage that can be traced back to the 19th century. During the 1990’s Nokia became the world’s leading mobile phone manufacturer, but the company did not anticipate the significant change that smartphones would bring to the market at the turn of the century. When smartphones rose to popularity Nokia’s market share was significantly reduced and the company entered into a crisis. Stephen Elop was appointed CEO of Nokia in 2010 and after a diagnosis of the company he addressed all the employees with an internal memo know as “Burning Platform.”
Read the article:
All Microsoft employees should read Stephen Elop’s ‘Burning Platform’ memo right now. Paying particular attention to the memo portion of the article. Then respond to the following:
Which elements related with James’ Operations Management definition do you identify within the “Burning Platform” memorandum?
Which of the five steps within Hill’s framework for Operations Strategy formulation do you recognize?
What internal and external factors do you observe?
Comment on the CEO’s use of violent imagery and language (burning platform, death, war) as a motivational tool. What are the pros and cons? Do you feel motivated? Can this approach backfire?
In the discussion forum, you are expected to participate often and engage in deep levels of discourse. Please post your initial response as early as possible and continue to participate throughout the unit. You are required to post an initial response to the question/issue presented in the Forum and then respond to at least 3 of your classmates’ initial posts. You should also respond to anyone who has responded to you.
Edwards, J. (2013). All Microsoft employees should read Stephen Elop’s ‘Burning Platform’ memo right now. Business Insider. Retrieved from: http://www.businessinsider.com/stephen-elops-burning-platform-memo-2013-9
