Applying the Learning Curve Theory

Apply the Learning Curve Theory

Erin Ramsey

OPS/571

March 8, 2010

Ty Lagerberg

University of Phoenix

Apply the Learning Curve Theory

It is an exciting event to be able to take the reigns of a family owned business, especially when it means it could be a test of your mettle on whether or not you can manage the business and maintain profit. Many may have observed how a family business runs on a daily basis, but most do not experience the learning curve tied with running the business profitably.

  The goal of the temporary management is to learn the business and discover a method to reduce wait times to five minutes or less.   The learning curve plays an important role here, taking into consideration the training time that will go into starting new methods that will reduce wait time and improve productivity.   The Pizzeria loses a large amount of business to the customers who wait to the nine minute wait tolerance level and leave before their order is given. Management will have to monitor the actions of the employees with new equipment and processes and measure whether the change is effective and if future evaluation will be necessary to meet the said goal.   Once the improved efficiency needs have been addressed and the effectiveness of newer methods has been evaluated, management must provide a forum for feedback and any new issues that arise in the transition progress.

The initial problem to maintain control is the demand load of the kitchen staff. With only two kitchen employees, adding another employee showed improvement, but added to the total loss, but data still shows peaking over maximum wait tolerance. It may be against Mario’s will to add a mechanized pizza oven to assist in the cooking process, but he would not turn away the profit gained back from balking customers. The learning curve associated with the oven, is minimal, taking two weeks for the staff to adjust and provide needed performance.

Another deficiency that...