Question 1

Consider the following scenario:

As the management team of a busy call center for a health care organization, you note that the volume of calls has doubled over the past year. Although you do not have the budget to hire additional staff, you do have an additional $20,000 to spend on your department to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Write a 700- to 1,050-word essay, using the five step planning process that describes how your team might improve efficiency and customer service in your department by focusing on teamwork. Address the following in your team's proposal:

• Describe briefly each of the five steps of the planning process
• Identify how each of the steps will be applied in the given situation. Give specific examples.
• Explain why teams are essential to health care
• Outline how teams are used in other industries (examples might be aviation, auto racing, and the military.. or any other industry)
• Determine how teamwork lessons from other industries might be applied to the health care industry

Question 2

Workplace trends within and outside health care require employees to connect with an ever-widening array of coworkers, consultants, off-site employees, and other resources. Sharing knowledge is critical to any organization's success, especially in the health care industry.

Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper in which you address the following:

• Which organizational model best describes your organization or an organization with which you are familiar? The most common organizational models (or structures) are functional, divisional, service line, matrix, or horizontal. Use the organization you currently work for, one you have worked for in the past, or a health care organization in your area. Describe how your organization fits that model.
• Describe how your organization currently shares knowledge (communicates). Identify several methods used for communication in the organization.
• Identify ways that the organization involves employees in formulating solutions to problems
• List and explain two or three techniques for communicating that have been most effective for sharing information and ideas
• Identify two or three techniques that proved to be ineffective (or don't work well) for communication.
• Explain how technology might affect the communication/knowledge sharing process

Question 3

Write a 700-1050 word paper in which you address the effects of organizational structure on communication regarding the following scenario:

You are a manager of a large rehabilitation center that provides short-term care rehabilitation services on an inpatient and outpatient basis. Your center is proposing a new addition of long-term care services and you must develop a plan for the organization to communicate during and after the expansion. Address the following points in your response:

• What are appropriate communication methods for managers within this organization?
• What is the importance of these communication methods within this organizational structure?
• What internal relationships must be considered? Identify the relationships that need to be developed within the organization.
• What external relationships must be considered? Describe the relationships that your organization will need to develop with outside individuals, groups, or organizations.

Format paper consistent with APA guidelines.