Lesedi’s Delights is a company owned by Lesedi Kekana and it is based in Atteridgeville. The company was registered in 2007. Lesedi, the owner, initially operated in a back room at her mom’s house. Her business was initially based on orders received from the local communities. The people in her township would order cakes, sandwiches and pies for their functions. Lesedi won a business award from the local business chamber in 2010 and she was given prize money of R250 000 for being the most promising entrepreneur. The award bought so much publicity that she started to struggle to fulfil orders.
Initially, she coped with this increase in orders with the help of her unemployed mother and her elder brother, who worked in Pretoria and assisted her with the deliveries after work. Some of her customers also fetched their own orders. As the business grew even more, she realised that she needed to employ at least two more people: an experienced baker and a reliable delivery person with a valid driver’s licence. Given the frequency and size of her orders, she could not afford to bring people in who could not hit the ground running in the two positions. From her recruitment process, she identified Natalie, a recently graduated hospitality student from a nearby university of technology. Natalie had also worked as an intern at a local confectionery. She also stayed in nearby Danville Township, which made travelling to work convenient.
Lesedi also identified Jonas as a suitable candidate for the driver position. He had worked for the same company for 30 years as a driver before the company closed when the owner relocated. Jonas was forced to retire at the age of 55.
2.1The concept of unity of command is very important with the chain of command.
2.1.1 Explain the concept of unity of command.
2.1.2 Provide a reason as to why unity of command will be important at Lesedi Delight.
2.1.3 Motivate how the chain of command would play a positive role in Jonas
and Natalie’s work.
2.1.1: The concept of unity of command states that each employee should only have one direct supervisor to whom they report and receive instructions from. This ensures that there is a clear line of authority and avoids confusion or conflicting instructions.
2.1.2: Unity of command will be important at Lesedi Delight because it will help maintain order and efficiency within the organization. With a clear chain of command, employees will know who to report to and who to seek guidance from. This will avoid any confusion or conflicting instructions that may arise if employees have multiple supervisors. It will also help streamline communication and decision-making processes, allowing for a more cohesive and coordinated work environment.
2.1.3: The chain of command will play a positive role in Jonas and Natalie's work by providing them with clear lines of authority and support. Jonas, as the delivery person, can report to his direct supervisor and receive clear instructions on which orders to deliver and when. This will help him prioritize his tasks and ensure timely deliveries. Natalie, as the baker, can also benefit from the chain of command by reporting to her direct supervisor and receiving guidance on the specific recipes and techniques required for each order. This will help her maintain consistency and quality in her baking. Additionally, the chain of command can provide a framework for feedback and performance evaluation, allowing both Jonas and Natalie to receive constructive feedback and support in their roles.
2.1.1 The concept of unity of command states that each employee in an organization should have only one direct supervisor or manager. This means that employees should receive instructions and guidance from only one person, ensuring clear lines of authority and accountability.
2.1.2 Unity of command will be important at Lesedi Delight because it will help maintain order and clarity in the business operations. With Lesedi as the owner, she needs to have a direct line of communication and control over her employees. If multiple supervisors were giving conflicting instructions, it could lead to confusion, inefficiency, and mistakes in fulfilling orders.
2.1.3 The chain of command would play a positive role in Jonas and Natalie's work as it would provide a clear structure and hierarchy within the company. With Lesedi at the top, they would know who to report to and who to seek guidance from. This would create a sense of stability and direction in their roles. Additionally, the chain of command allows for effective delegation and coordination of tasks, ensuring that everyone knows their responsibilities and the flow of work is smooth.
2.1.1. The concept of unity of command is a principle of management that states that each employee should have only one direct supervisor or manager. This means that employees should receive orders, directives, and guidance from only one person in the organization. It ensures clear lines of authority and accountability within the hierarchy, minimizing confusion and conflict.
2.1.2. Unity of command will be important at Lesedi Delights because it provides clarity in terms of reporting relationships and responsibilities. As the business grows and more employees are hired, it is essential to have a clear chain of command to avoid any ambiguity or overlap in authority. With unity of command, Lesedi and her direct manager will have a direct line of communication with each employee, making it easier to assign tasks, monitor progress, and provide feedback. This will help maintain effective control and coordination within the organization.
2.1.3. The chain of command plays a positive role in Jonas and Natalie's work at Lesedi Delights.
For Jonas, having a clear chain of command means that he knows who his direct supervisor is and who he should report to. This helps him understand his role, responsibilities, and expectations. It also ensures that he receives clear instructions and guidelines for his delivery duties. Additionally, if any issues or concerns arise during his work, he knows whom to approach for assistance or guidance.
For Natalie, the chain of command provides a clear reporting structure within the organization. She knows who her direct supervisor is and who she should seek guidance and support from. This helps her understand her role as the experienced baker and ensures that she is aligned with the business goals and objectives. Additionally, the chain of command provides a framework for clear communication and coordination between Natalie and other team members, allowing for effective collaboration and teamwork.
Overall, the chain of command and unity of command principles help establish clear lines of authority, accountability, and communication within Lesedi Delights. This ultimately contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the business operations.
2.1.1 The concept of unity of command is an important principle in organizational management. It means that every employee within an organization should have only one direct supervisor or manager to whom they report. This principle ensures clear lines of authority, responsibility, and accountability in the chain of command.
2.1.2 Unity of command will be important at Lesedi's Delights because it helps to establish clear communication channels and avoids the confusion and misunderstandings that can occur when employees receive conflicting instructions from multiple supervisors. With unity of command, each employee knows exactly who their direct supervisor is, who they should report to, and who they should seek guidance or clarification from.
In Lesedi's case, with the increase in orders and expansion of the business, it becomes crucial to maintain clear lines of authority and accountability. Lesedi, as the owner and manager, needs to have direct control and oversight over her employees to ensure efficient operations, timely deliveries, and high-quality products. Unity of command will help to streamline the workflow, reduce errors, and provide a structured framework for managing the growing team.
2.1.3 The chain of command will play a positive role in Jonas and Natalie's work by providing a clear structure and hierarchy within the organization. With the chain of command, both Jonas and Natalie will know who their immediate supervisors are, whom they report to, and who to seek guidance or assistance from.
For Jonas, as the delivery driver, the chain of command ensures that he knows exactly who is in charge of assigning him delivery routes, coordinating with customers, and managing any potential issues or concerns that may arise during his deliveries. This helps ensure that he can efficiently perform his duties and fulfill customer orders without confusion.
Similarly, for Natalie, the chain of command provides a clear reporting structure. She knows who manages the bakery operations, who she should consult for recipe guidance or product-related questions, and who is responsible for overseeing her work performance. This allows her to align her tasks and responsibilities according to the larger goals and objectives of the organization, leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction.
Overall, the chain of command facilitates effective communication, streamlines decision-making, and ensures that each employee understands their role and responsibilities within the organization. This promotes a harmonious work environment and better coordination among team members, ultimately contributing to the success and growth of Lesedi's Delights.