Grizzly Bear Lodge

1. Discuss how Rudy and Dian can use feedforward, concurrent, and feedback controls now and in the future at the Grizzly Bear Lodge to ensure their guests' satisfaction.

Feedforward control is defined in the text as the process used before operations begin, including policies, procedures, and rules designed to ensure that planned activities are carried out properly. The Conrad's will benefit from feedforward control upon expanding their business when it comes to training both old and new staff. If specific guidelines are provided that reference exactly how Rudy and Diane wish for operations to be carried out the likely outcome will be successful. Involving current employees in the development of the policies, procedures, and rules will empower them in the future to properly handle situations upon entering the expansion. The control process is defined as plans that are being carried out, including directing, monitoring, and fine-tuning activities as they are performed. Concurrent control will most likely be best practiced in the form of information technology. The Conrad's can utilize information technology to be in constant control of budget. The Conrad's can use information technology to make adjustments in day-to-day operations. For example, if the lodge is not expected to be at full capacity there is no reason to staff all of the employees during that period of time.

Feedback control is defined as performance data that has been gathered and analyzed and the results are returned in order for employers to make corrections. The Conrad's are seen as empowering employers yet there is stillroom for feedback control in the form of correcting improper performance of an employee. For example, if an employee treats a guest dissatisfying to the Grizzly Bear Lodge standards and Diane and Rudy address and correct the problem immediately this would be an example of feedback control. Another example of feedback control can occur in the form of surveys. Upon a guest's exit the lodge can distribute a survey to better gain an understanding of the positive and negative aspects of their resort. The survey can also include a place for suggestions in what the guest would like to see as addition to the lodge.

2. What might be some of the fundamental budgetary considerations the Conrad's would have as they plan the expansion of their lodge?

In order for the Conrad's to expand their lodge they should take a few fundamental budgetary considerations into account. For starters, an estimate of what they predict sales and expected income to be. Time is another factor that must be considered when configuring their budget. The Conrad's must decide the length of their determined budget whether that be one, three, six months or a year. Because the lodge has different expenses per season the Conrad's should set up separate budgets for separate times of the year depending