Hamline University Major Macro Trend and Environmental Scanning Discussion

Initial postings should be 250-350 words (written or verbal), cite references in your initial postings (either the textbook and/or an outside resource), use proper APA and grammar, and the discussion should be at a critical level. Each student replies to the instructor’s initial discussion question(s) with a substantive post which is one where you contribute your ideas, add new information, pose questions, offer personal experiences to illustrate a point, or demonstrate that you understand and can apply to the course content.

the Discussion Board is below:

What is one major macro trend (environmental scanning) that your company is ignoring? How might this hurt the industry? Be specific as you detail the macro trend and the implications of that trend.

Students posts to get an idea and to respond to them.( I will post the other posts later)

1-

“Good afternoon everyone,

I decided to do this discussion post on REI. I think the largest macro trend that REI is ignoring is that societies are becoming more diverse. I think the organization is doing a great job at addressing diversity issues, but perhaps the following could be an issue for the organization in the future. According to the 2019 Outdoor Particpation Report from the Outdoor Industry Association, all ethnic moderate participants of outdoor recreation are increasing over the past ten years, except caucasians which has dropped by 6.5% (Outdoor Foundation, 2020). According to the report, different ethnic groups prefer different activities as well. For example African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians all find running, jogging, and trail running the most popular while caucausians prefer hiking and running is listed as their third most popular activity (Outdoor Foundation, 2020). Caucasians have fishing as their second favorite activity, and this is near the bottom for all other ethnic groups (Outdoor Foundation, 2020). This could hurt the industry if they don’t focus on these activity shifts and possibly make the wrong investments. In 2018, the asian population help the highest participation rates, and next was caucausian, hispanic, and then the African American population (Outdoor Foundation, 2020). With all ethnic groups rising in participation rates, I think it’s significant that REI notices trends and targets the right activities to all consumers. For example, when making online advertisements, they may want to promote acticities such as running and road biking, versus fishing. It’s interesting as it changes the dynamic in the their marketing approach. Overall, I think REI does a great job of addressing racial equity, but there is opportunity in growth in how they market to growing and declining populations.

Thanks for reading! “

2-

“Good evening,

As we continue to evolve in our labor force in a Covid environment and a post-Covid world, one macro trend that will continue to happen is the large amount of people in from the Baby Boomer generation retiring and in turn a slow entry into the work force from generation x and generation z. For example, in a graphic from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics in an article from Bain.com, Labor 2030: The Collision of Demographics, Automation and Inequality (K. Harris, 2018), “During the 1980s, when Baby Boomers were entering the workforce, there was a 2.6 percent increase in the workforce. Today that number is around 0.4 percent.” (K. Harris, 2018) Quite a drastic difference in 40 years. This will create a variety of issues for Ecolab Pest Eliminiation overall.

Currently, our Division at Ecolab is the only ‘blue collar’ frontline workforce at Ecolab. As we all know, the social norm is to go from high school to college instead of going into a trade or a job such as being a Service Specialist for Ecolab Pest Elimination. With the higher rate of those from the baby boomer generation retiring and those closer to my age, not likely to choose a field like Pest Elimination, I anticipate Ecolab having a large number of vacancies in their already growing workforce for the years to come. We currently have an almost 3,000 person workforce in the field, and 15 percent of those are from the baby boomer generation. This equates to 450 people set to retire over the next five years, which is significant.

We continue to grow, despite the challenges we are currently facing, and with that we still need more people without the labor force gap that will more than likely be prominent in the years to come. Just because people decide to retire, does not mean that there will be less work to go around. Quite the opposite actually.

As an organization, Ecolab needs to start preparing now. With that is how we market the overall role as a Service Specialist itself. Currently, I have seen managers first hand try to sell the job for not what it is at face value. This is how we lose people and lose them quickly. Ecolab will need to make the job more appealing to younger generations. Part of that is heavily marketing the integrity and respect of the company you have joined, the growth opportunity within the organization, and the benefits for employees and their families that are availability.

Thanks, “

3-

“Hi Everyone-

A current macro trend which is being ignored, within my organization and the greater field of Human Services in general, is the digitization of processes and services. There appears to be a strong assumption the recent switch to digital is a short-term solution due to the pandemic; however, this trend will dramatically alter the documentation, interaction, funding, and oversight of the industry moving forward. The field is heavily regulated by state and federal guidelines which impede change to more conducive processes. The MN Department of Health and Human Services have released amendments to regulations under the caveat of the “Peacetime Emergency.”

The field is overall behind in developing innovative service models, technology platforms and ways to deliver and acquire needed external documentation within HIPPA and the Department of Human Services’ guidelines. Within the industry, many organizations at the private, state and county levels have not opted to invest in a video conferencing platform but continue to use free subscriptions or options already included within their current technology programs. This results in a disconnect in communication for individuals receiving services. Yet another area is the absence of a digital signature platform. Again, many private agencies as well as county and state offices are acquiring signature through sending a PDF via email or mailing documents through the USPS.

In not adapting to this trend, the industry continues to extend a significant amount of resources duplicating communications and efforts as it relates to documentation, funding, and oversight of services. They are wasting time and money at a time when there is little to spare. Organizations need to adapt procedures and plateforms of communications to move forward, rather than waiting for regulatory entities to publish guidelines.

Thank you!”

4-

“Hello Everyone,

As technology continues to advance by the day, there are several Fast Food Chains that incorporate technology into their business regimen and strategies in order streamline its operations, reduce operating costs, and increase profits to reinvest into back into the company. Coco Cola’s Touch Soda Machines are ubiquitous and offer several different flavored soda products. These machines are self-serve kiosks and can be found at fast food restaurants such as McDonald’s and Panera Bread. They are also commonly found at airports too. They can be found just about anywhere and offer a variety of tasty options for customers.

“Chick-fil-A is one of the most dominant brands in fast food in 2019. The chain is the third largest in the US by sales, growing revenue by 16.7% in 2018 to reach nearly $10.5 billion, according to Nation’s Restaurant News” (Yuan, 2019). When I see the long drive-thru line at Chick-fil-A, I often times wonder why Chick-fil-A ignores the macro trend of Technological influences? Chick-fil-A is a growing company which pays a lot of attention to the high quality food and perfect standard of providing superior guest experience.

Despite this, Chick-fil-A has the opportunity to touch in with technology through improved guest experiences by implementing self-service kiosk ordering machines, Coco Cola’s Touchless Soda Machines and other ideas that come when training employees and processes of the operations overall. These improvements to the to the customer experience may indeed prove to be a worth-while investment but at the opportunity cost of potentially losing touch of one of its cornerstones of business. As Dan Cathy, CEO of chick-fil-A says “We aren’t a chicken business, we are a people business” this will affect the interactions we have with guests, losing personal connections that are exchanged by team members and guests.”