The business described in this report is a desktop publishing service bureau located in an industrial park. The company will provide desktop publishing products to businesses and individuals. Specific products will include newsletters, brochures, technical documentation and resumes, along with custom work that clients may request. Since all of the work is based on customer specifications, this is considered a service business, although physical products are the end result.
The organizational structure will be largely informal due to the small nature of the business and to encourage a high level of participation among the employees. The owner will also be the president and chief executive officer. There will be one clerical worker (office manager) who will be responsible for answering phones and performing the accounting tasks of the company (invoicing, producing quotes, accounts payable and accounts receivable), which will be on a personal computer. This position will report directly to the president. There will be three full-time desktop publishing specialists working on various projects; these specialists will also work directly with walk-in clients. Relationships will be established with local high schools and colleges to build intern programs. In addition to providing low-cost employees, this helps the community in which the company operates and also serves to train potential new employees.
The owner and president will have responsibility for most of the marketing decisions and strategic planning of the company, but major new undertakings will be discussed with the other employees. The structure will be basically hierarchical, but the small size of the organization and close proximity of all employees will allow for participation in major decisions. The goal of such an organizational structure will be to build an atmosphere of teamwork and group effort and a commitment to making the business a success.
The he...