Planning is “ choosing a goal and developing a method of strategy to achieve that goal”(Williams & McWilliams, 2010, p85). More specifically planning is divided into five steps. The first step is set goals, the second one is develop commitment, the third is develop effective action plans, the fourth step is track progress toward goal achievement, then the last one is maintain flexibility. “Strategic planning gives you clarity about what actually you want to achieve so that strategic planning is a road map to lead an organization from its current position today to where it should be tomorrow. Therefore, many researchers have proven that strategic planning improves the success of an organization.” (Miller & Candinal 1994)
Planning is the most important part of management. In the management, planning is more vital. Because it helps to clear up a problem, focus and study the developing of plan and future prospects. It also provides a rational model within which a business can develop and keep going business strategies in future, also provides safety and organizational. Therefore, planning can to inspire people to work hard.
In the planning, the first step is set goals. In the set goals there have a one way to help our to set goal, it called a SMART goal. The SMART goals are “Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely.”(Williams & McWilliams, 2010, p87). This is an ideal model to know how to set goals. When we are not concerned about the set goals, the SMART goals is useless, so we have to developing commitment of the plan. The easy way to achieve this is to set goals with employees. Then we need to developing effective action plans. For example it includ effective steps, people, resources, and time period. Tracking the progress of the goal is very important, it is a good way to toward the success. In the implementation of the plan to maintain flexibility when occur some special cases, so we need to change some steps to achieve goals.
McDonald’s is the world’s largest fast food chain of enterprises. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940. We know the McDonald’s main selling hamburgers and french fries. However, in China, McDonald’s to cater to the tastes of the Chinese people, in order to expand the Chinese market, to stimulate people’s consumption, McDonald’s launched a unique Chinese drink, soya-bean milk. For the Chinese people drink the soya-bean milk better than drink coffee on breakfast, is more suitable for Chinese tastes. In China, McDonald’s in terms of soya-bean milk consumption can attract more customers. McDonald’s in China has also launched a number of products for the Chinese consumer tastes. This is one of McDonald’s plans in China. The reason why McDonald’s launched in different countries corresponding product is to accelerate the localization process. ( Global Times By Chen Dujuan, November,27,2012,China Beverage News http://chinabevnews.wordpress.com/2012/11/27/mac-and-rice/). McDonald set their own market consumption objects regardless of age and gender. McDonald’s in order to expand its consumer age levels. Adopt the following strategy plan. One plan is to build a children’s playground. This can promote children at McDonald’s spending. As the same time, children have a good time in McDonald’s. Therefore, McDonald’s make the plan it can help to achieve to become the largest fast food chain of enterprises.
Planning is most important in management. If McDonald’s demand on the market did not make any plans, it will be defeated by the competitors, will not become one of the world’s largest fast-food chain.
Reference:
1. Williams, C. and McWilliams, A. (2010) MGMT: (Asia Pacific Edition), South Melbourne Vic.: Cengage Learning
2. Miller, C., & Candinal, L. (1994). Strategic Planning and Firm Performance: A synthesis of more than a pecade of research. Academic of Management Journal, 37(6), 1648-1665. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/256804
3. Abdalkrim, Gaafar Mohamed. International Journal of Business & Management. May 2013. The Impact of Strategic Planning Activities on Private Sector Organizations Performance in Sudan: An Empirical Research. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.lib.monash.edu.au/ehost/detail?vid=10&sid=192a34e1-4aa3-4e59-9e11-182f102feb4d%40sessionmgr12&hid=14&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=bth&AN=87664336
Management of McDonald 