The Virgin Group: Executive Summary
The Virgin Group is one of Britain’s largest business empires. The heterogeneous British corporation founded by Sir Richard Branson has infiltrated into vastly diverse industries whereby unconventional business tactics are utilized to cross borders into new industries. Though the Virgin Group has retained an undeniable mystique, little empirical research has been done to obtain a perceptive analysis on the empire. Since the approach in which an organization manages itself is imperative to its success, it is important to look outside the box to assess the effectiveness of Virgin’s management operations. This paper examines the organizational culture that is synchronous with the Virgin brand, as well as the structural characteristics that have allowed Virgin to successfully operate in many industries. The company’s fundamental values foster many of the dimensions of culture, which are highly internalized within the organization. The success and coordination attributed by Virgin’s culture is greatly influenced by Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin Group. Branson realizes the potential and importance of those who work for him. Consequently, he creates a structure, which is decentralized, through empowering his employees and providing them with autonomy. The Virgin Group is a company with little bureaucracy, as Branson often encourages employees to use their intuition to make decisions rather than a rational process. However, the lack of formalization within the company may deem to be a weak aspect of the organizational structure, since the lack of formal rules, regulations and procedures may create ambiguous situations for the company. Because of the company’s corporate culture and structure, Virgin has effectively forecasted possible occurrences and has dealt with them in a timely manner.
The Virgin Group: Company Information
The Virgin Group is one of Britain’s most noteworthy empires in the 21st century. The company has successfully incorporated a copious number of diverse industries under the Virgin brand. This includes travel, mobile, financial services, leisure, cosmetics, retail, and music businesses (Virgin, n.d.). Virgin has been able to dominate the British market and has therefore continued to rapidly expand into other regions such as the United States, Canada and Australia. The enterprise was founded by Sir Richard Branson in 1970 as a simple mail-order record retailer and has blossomed into one of the most prosperous business empires in the business world (Virgin, n.d.).
To date, the Virgin Group has globalized and established over 200 small to mid-sized firms, employing over 25,000 people. As a result, the company has exceeded over $7 billion in revenue in 2002 (Virgin, n.d.). Each one of Virgin’s 200 firms operates as a single entity. Branson either holds ownership of a firm as CEO, or has a minority or majority stake. The Virgin Group does not hold a hierarchal presence within the empire, which allowed its various subsidiaries to operate in an autonomous manner (Wikipedia, 2006).
A large component of Virgin’s success has been credited to the founder, Sir Richard Branson. Branson’s self persona is keenly aligned with Virgin’s brand identity and has set the tone for its organizational culture (Virgin, n.d.). His beliefs and vision for Virgin has shaped the structure and culture of which its success is based upon. Branson has followed this guideline in how he treats his customers, his employees and how Virgin’s products are produced (Virgin, n.d.). The Virgin Group has had a profound impact on business relations in Britain and now the globe. The mystique that surrounds this company is undeniable; this has allowed the empire to flourish in uncertain and ambiguous times whilst pursuing financial success.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
DSS IN VIRGIN MOBILE
I will explain the Decision Support System of ``Virgin
Mobile . Based in Trowbridge , Wiltshire , U .K . the company is one of the
major mobile operators in the country . The company uses Oracle as an
Online Transaction Processing (OLTP ) platform and SQL server as an
Online Analytical Processing /Data Warehousing platform . Speaking about
ERP the company does not have any out of the box ERP system . The company
instead uses custom applications designed in Oracle as per ERP model .
Though strictly speaking Oracle is not an ERP , but its latest release ,
which Virgin Mobile has implemented , has the functionality to customize
applications as per ERP model . So we can say that use an ERP system
designed in Oracle .
For data warehousing and Decision Support or in other words Business
intelligence they use SQL server 2005 platform . The data servers are
primarily Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Servers and hold many terabytes
of data with a robust backup system .
For DSS or BI the company uses tools based on SQL server Business
Intelligence technologies like SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS ) and
SQL Server Reporting Services . SSAS is a tool in the SQL server , which
provides online analysis services and data mining services on the SQL
server platform . It supports multi dimensional OLAP , relational OLAP and
hybrid OLAP as well . It has a XML based data definition language , and
also uses XML for analysis .
Another important tool used for DSS in SQL server platform is SQL Server
Reporting Services (SSRP . It is basically server based report
generation software used to generate reports based on SSAS . SSRS can
generate reports in a variety of formats including PDF , Excel , CSV , XML
and TIFF and HTML . Primarily SSRS uses Report Definition Language (RDL ,
which is an XML , based markup language . The reports are designed with
Microsoft Visual Studio with BI plug-in installed , though SSRS has its
own report builder built-in but it does not offer that flexibility and
functionality required for today 's BI reporting . In order to allow end
users interaction with the data SQL server creates a Report Web Server
and users interact with it with a tool called Report Manager . With the
help of Report Manager the viewers can view and manage reports and also
administer data sources and security .
The day-to-day transactions are handled by the system designed in
Oracle i .e . OLTP , then at the end of the day all the new transactions
are loaded in the OLAP /Data Warehouse . There the tools developed by SSAS
analyze the new data and then the reports are finally generated in SSRS .
The company uses SSAS for analyzing the data regarding the business
processes of finance , human resource management and marketing .
In the finance process the data is analyzed regarding the profitability
analysis...
Mobile . Based in Trowbridge , Wiltshire , U .K . the company is one of the
major mobile operators in the country . The company uses Oracle as an
Online Transaction Processing (OLTP ) platform and SQL server as an
Online Analytical Processing /Data Warehousing platform . Speaking about
ERP the company does not have any out of the box ERP system . The company
instead uses custom applications designed in Oracle as per ERP model .
Though strictly speaking Oracle is not an ERP , but its latest release ,
which Virgin Mobile has implemented , has the functionality to customize
applications as per ERP model . So we can say that use an ERP system
designed in Oracle .
For data warehousing and Decision Support or in other words Business
intelligence they use SQL server 2005 platform . The data servers are
primarily Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Servers and hold many terabytes
of data with a robust backup system .
For DSS or BI the company uses tools based on SQL server Business
Intelligence technologies like SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS ) and
SQL Server Reporting Services . SSAS is a tool in the SQL server , which
provides online analysis services and data mining services on the SQL
server platform . It supports multi dimensional OLAP , relational OLAP and
hybrid OLAP as well . It has a XML based data definition language , and
also uses XML for analysis .
Another important tool used for DSS in SQL server platform is SQL Server
Reporting Services (SSRP . It is basically server based report
generation software used to generate reports based on SSAS . SSRS can
generate reports in a variety of formats including PDF , Excel , CSV , XML
and TIFF and HTML . Primarily SSRS uses Report Definition Language (RDL ,
which is an XML , based markup language . The reports are designed with
Microsoft Visual Studio with BI plug-in installed , though SSRS has its
own report builder built-in but it does not offer that flexibility and
functionality required for today 's BI reporting . In order to allow end
users interaction with the data SQL server creates a Report Web Server
and users interact with it with a tool called Report Manager . With the
help of Report Manager the viewers can view and manage reports and also
administer data sources and security .
The day-to-day transactions are handled by the system designed in
Oracle i .e . OLTP , then at the end of the day all the new transactions
are loaded in the OLAP /Data Warehouse . There the tools developed by SSAS
analyze the new data and then the reports are finally generated in SSRS .
The company uses SSAS for analyzing the data regarding the business
processes of finance , human resource management and marketing .
In the finance process the data is analyzed regarding the profitability
analysis...
virgin mobile
DBA Manager
Virgin Mobile
Walnut Creek, CA
The DBA Manager will provide tactical leadership in support of the introduction and ongoing evolution of technological capabilities and processes that facilitate data storage, audit and information exchange, reporting, metrics and analysis. This role is designed to expedite business response to changing market conditions and ensures compliance to IS standards.
You will push for maintaining our DB systems in top condition for our ever-evolving, mission critical, 24/7 environment and for the extraction of customer data metrics. You will incorporate these key learnings into the products/offers we develop in the future; and as a leader, you will be required to facilitate the understanding of the business objectives to the employees you mentor.
The position entails the following:
• Ensure operational responsiveness of the Oracle Database and support the Data Warehousing function including the generation of timely results that support high quality business decisions.
• Define and lead business critical and ad hoc database and data warehouse projects requiring direct interface with VMU corporate management and the application of an advanced understanding business processes and statistical modeling.
• Manage operational activities to support development, implementation and maintenance of the database including: data analysis and modeling, meta data definitions, extraction, transformation and information access; and set-up of knowledge communities.
• Manage a team of Oracle DBA’s, working closely with oracle developers, architects, ETL and BI experts
• Negotiate information management and technology requirements and deliverables with directors, managers, and user champions and ensure that data warehouse resources are deployed to meet commitments.
• Manage enterprise architecture planning and standards activities
• Ensure that VMU’s information and application access security policy is followed.
• Maintain the enterprise architecture strategy and technology plans.
• Monitor standards for the technical environment and proactively implement action plans to redirect non-conforming areas.
• Concurrently manage multiple technology initiatives.
• Assist the Director to provide consultation and advice to VMU’s management and Executive team on technology trends and issues as needed.
• Establish and ensure that quality standards for data warehouse output are maintained.
• Participate in the adoption of global standards and methodologies for software development.
You’ll need 7–10 years database experience, including specific management knowledge with enterprise database and data warehouse initiatives working with cross functional and offshore teams. Direct experience managing a small team of developers is a must.
Experience with project management, systems development life cycle, data or application architecture is needed and the ability to work on multiple simultaneous projects of significant size and complexity is key.
Its a big plus if you have experience with 2 or more of the following skills: Oracle 9i-10g DBA, Business Objects, Crystal Reports, Oracle Portal, Oracle Discoverer, OWB, SAS and PL/SQL.
About our Team
Being a Virgin company, you can be sure we're different. Our teams work hard, but we enjoy what we do. We're always on the lookout for talented performers to add to our team. Joining our company is not for the "faint at heart" we work harder than the average cog at one of those monolithic and slow companies things here happen at the speed of light in a lean and hungry environment that is not a fit for everyone. You should enjoy a faced-paced joint with super-smart people who stop at nothing to provide customers with quality, value, innovation, and edgy fun.
Employee Benefits
Our competitive pay comes with Annual Bonus; fully vested 401K match; Paid Vacation; Medical, Dental, Vision Coverage; Disability, Basic Life and AD&D Insurance; Health Care, Dependent Care & Transportation FSA. Start your job with a Cool new Virgin Mobile phone and Top up $$ to enjoy the experience. You also get Virgin group benefits like discounts on Virgin Atlantic & Virgin Megastore!
Virgin Mobile
Walnut Creek, CA
The DBA Manager will provide tactical leadership in support of the introduction and ongoing evolution of technological capabilities and processes that facilitate data storage, audit and information exchange, reporting, metrics and analysis. This role is designed to expedite business response to changing market conditions and ensures compliance to IS standards.
You will push for maintaining our DB systems in top condition for our ever-evolving, mission critical, 24/7 environment and for the extraction of customer data metrics. You will incorporate these key learnings into the products/offers we develop in the future; and as a leader, you will be required to facilitate the understanding of the business objectives to the employees you mentor.
The position entails the following:
• Ensure operational responsiveness of the Oracle Database and support the Data Warehousing function including the generation of timely results that support high quality business decisions.
• Define and lead business critical and ad hoc database and data warehouse projects requiring direct interface with VMU corporate management and the application of an advanced understanding business processes and statistical modeling.
• Manage operational activities to support development, implementation and maintenance of the database including: data analysis and modeling, meta data definitions, extraction, transformation and information access; and set-up of knowledge communities.
• Manage a team of Oracle DBA’s, working closely with oracle developers, architects, ETL and BI experts
• Negotiate information management and technology requirements and deliverables with directors, managers, and user champions and ensure that data warehouse resources are deployed to meet commitments.
• Manage enterprise architecture planning and standards activities
• Ensure that VMU’s information and application access security policy is followed.
• Maintain the enterprise architecture strategy and technology plans.
• Monitor standards for the technical environment and proactively implement action plans to redirect non-conforming areas.
• Concurrently manage multiple technology initiatives.
• Assist the Director to provide consultation and advice to VMU’s management and Executive team on technology trends and issues as needed.
• Establish and ensure that quality standards for data warehouse output are maintained.
• Participate in the adoption of global standards and methodologies for software development.
You’ll need 7–10 years database experience, including specific management knowledge with enterprise database and data warehouse initiatives working with cross functional and offshore teams. Direct experience managing a small team of developers is a must.
Experience with project management, systems development life cycle, data or application architecture is needed and the ability to work on multiple simultaneous projects of significant size and complexity is key.
Its a big plus if you have experience with 2 or more of the following skills: Oracle 9i-10g DBA, Business Objects, Crystal Reports, Oracle Portal, Oracle Discoverer, OWB, SAS and PL/SQL.
About our Team
Being a Virgin company, you can be sure we're different. Our teams work hard, but we enjoy what we do. We're always on the lookout for talented performers to add to our team. Joining our company is not for the "faint at heart" we work harder than the average cog at one of those monolithic and slow companies things here happen at the speed of light in a lean and hungry environment that is not a fit for everyone. You should enjoy a faced-paced joint with super-smart people who stop at nothing to provide customers with quality, value, innovation, and edgy fun.
Employee Benefits
Our competitive pay comes with Annual Bonus; fully vested 401K match; Paid Vacation; Medical, Dental, Vision Coverage; Disability, Basic Life and AD&D Insurance; Health Care, Dependent Care & Transportation FSA. Start your job with a Cool new Virgin Mobile phone and Top up $$ to enjoy the experience. You also get Virgin group benefits like discounts on Virgin Atlantic & Virgin Megastore!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Another example of MIS is:-
A simple example of a management information system are websites that process transactions for an organisation or even those that serve support request to users for a product, because it automatically returns information to the end user after some initial input is provided.
Friday, July 30, 2010
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