Bus 335 Case Study - Hazels Lawn Service

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Question 5. Hazel should send the $25 to the student, assuming she knows how to contact that person. It is the right thing to do since it was his idea to begin with. Hazel will feel much better about herself if she does. She will also keep the good will of the former employee who may in turn recommend her service to other potential clients or employees, thereby garnering her additional income and better employee behavior. No matter the former employee is working for a competitor, it doesn’t even factor into the decision for me.

Question 6a. Major sources of variation include size of the lawn to be cared for, the number tasks that need to be completed, seasonal variations, weather patterns, and economic conditions affecting how clients will spend their money. In her line of work there is no “cookie-cutter” approach to determining how and when to provide the service.

Question 6b. Variations will in lawn size and job complexity will determine how many jobs she can accomplish in a given period of time. Seasonal variations and changing weather patterns will impact how often and when her service will be needed. While changing economic conditions, especially those of her clients and potential clients will affect demand. Lean times often mean people cannot send money on luxuries like a lawn service. There will be times when demand outpaces supply and vice versa. As the owner/operations manager Hazel must become adept at forecasting and adjusting to these variations.

Question 6c. One way to cope with variations affecting supply and demand is to adjust the workforce by hiring part-timers that can be called up during times of high demand and let go during slower times. She might also consider renting equipment if she needs to in order to meet demand. This would be cheaper than buying new equipment then letting it sit during slow periods. Another might be to expand the services provided, for example she may consider providing snow-removal during the winter when lawn mowing is not needed.

Question 7. If Hazel is looking to “go green” then she should consider finding property and starting a composting operation. This would allow her to recycle the organic waste her business produces in an environmentally safe manner. She could use the compost in her operations and turn around and sell the rest to local gardeners, homeowners, and farmers. Thus making some profit off her waste. She could also consider using ethanol blended fuels in her equipment and doing some jobs using hand tools vice motorized equipment. If sustainability means continuing operations during slow time, then I would suggest adding services like the snow removal option mentioned above.