Management Simulation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Management Simulation - Essay Example A joint SWOT and PESTEL analysis identify various internal and external environmental factors to the enterprise. Competition, a threat under the SWOT model and a political factor under the PESTEL model, from firms such as Valentino, The Junction Shop and Pub Prince of Wales is a major factor that has led to poor market command, and is likely to dictate lower prices for the firm’s commodities. The competition into poor sales also limits the entity’s output volume. Weak management, a weakness under SWOT model, is another factor to the organization as poor insights into the competitive environment illustrates. This has led to poor forecast of the business’ financial capacity and competitiveness, and may force the business into urgent borrowing or force a shut down. Lack of proper marketing initiatives for countering the existing competition is another significant weakness. This has maintained low level of market command and therefore limited the organization’ s production level. The other SWOT and PESTEL elements are not identifiable (Webster 2010, p. 88). Health-in-Pizza Ltd.’s competitive situation and potential action plan for improvements The competitive business environment puts Health-in-Pizza Ltd. at a disadvantage against its competitors. Major targets such as college students and the business class have not been visiting the enterprise and price is a major factor because Health-in-Pizza Ltd. is 20 percent more expensive than its competitors are. Two strategies are available for improving the business’ position in the market, price reduction and a direct approach to promoting the entity’s products among the target population. Health-in-Pizza Ltd. should reduce its prices to values that are equivalent to, or bellow, prices offered by the competitors. This is because the trend in the past five months has shown that the market, regardless of its segments’ social classes is determined by pizza’s price. Awareness campaigns to enlighten the market of the health benefits of Health-in-Pizza Ltd.’s pizza and its reviewed prices should then follow this to change the developed attitude that the business is expensive. Section B Expected effects of environmental changes on the business Entry of a new supplier with cheaper products will reduce the entity’s operational costs and therefore increase its profit margin. This will further allow

The History Of United States Essay Example for Free

The History Of United States Essay The differences between the federalists led by Alexander Hamilton and republicans under the leadership of Thomas Jefferson shaped the political and economic direction of America in their day. This paper asserts that these differences were determined by individual perceptions that gave birth to these ideological differences. When faced with the responsibility of leading the country, Jefferson embraced some of Hamilton’s ideas. Alexander Hamilton the federalist was born in the West Indies on 11th of January 1757. His party the Federalist Party was formed in 1792 and lasted all the way up to 1816. This was the first party to be formed in America On the other hand we have Thomas Jefferson who was the third president to rule United States of America and was born in 1743 in Virginia. He was very influential in laying the foundation for Republicanism. Unfortunately, the two leaders had very little in common. Jefferson’s Democratic Republican party was formed in 1792 with a motive of opposing Hamilton’s economic and monetary views but the party split in 1820s because of the party differences. He died on 4th July, 1826. Their philosophies on social, political, and economy were very different. For example they disagreed on the system of government, constitution and the funding of the federal government. The main focus of this paper will be to compare the similarities and differences between the social, economic and political philosophies of Alexander Hamilton and Federalism on one hand and Thomas Jefferson and the Democratic Republicans on the other. The paper will also try to look at why these political functions emerged, how the leaders viewed each other and from what segments of society they drew support from. Hamilton was a very strong advocate of a stable and strong centralized government and worked hard to convince the congress to enact laws that would facilitate its formation. He was basically talking about how this government could be financed, how a national bank would be created and where taxes will be obtained from for example, from imports and on whiskey. He was strongly inspired by British’s trade and its financial base. On the other hand Thomas Jefferson formed his Democratic-Republican Party which later came to be regarded as Republican Party to oppose the federalists view on economic and foreign policies such as the formation of a central government. They opposed Hamilton for proposing the extension of trade and other friendly business with foreign countries such as Britain. About the constitution, Hamilton wanted the constitution to be loosely interpreted while Thomas Jefferson and his party believed on strong and strict constitutional formation that would limit the judicial interpretations. They were opposed to the issue of forming a national government which they dismissed as unconstitutional. They also differed in the type of government they wanted for example Hamilton wanted a balanced economy with industries, agriculture and trade while Jefferson believed that the country could only be supported by the work of the common man. Hamilton since 1795 advocated for the promotion of trade to other parts. He also wanted international cooperation with Britain to be supported. Additionally, Hamilton wanted U. S to embrace a policy of tax collection and a national bank to cater for national debts while on the other hand the democratic Republican Party was against this although after the war in 1812, this party split after they were defeated, many young leaders who were against Hamilton’s idea of nationalism supported it and started advocating for strong military defense which they had in the past opposed. (Albert W. F. , 1984). Although Hamilton and Jefferson differed in many things, later Jefferson welcomed Hamilton policies. For example, after the former won the presidential elections of 1800. His strong opponents like Gallatin and Madison started adopting some of Hamilton’s policies like the formation of a national bank. They also started forming strong military base something that came into their mind soon after they lost in the war of 1812. They also embraced Hamilton’s policy of being flexible in interpreting the constitution. This is what is referred to as loose interpretation or using basket clause. Also the tariff policy so as be able to finance the federal government was adopted. Another thing borrowed from Hamilton was the issue of forming a strong standing army as well as the country’s economy that would be supported by the federal government. These both factions had different origins. The Democratic Republican Party originated from Philadelphia among the congressmen. In the beginning it was called the Republican Party but later, it was widely marketed in New York by Thomas Jefferson who included the states and other leaders from different localities. His party strongly advocated for liberty for all. On the other hand the Federalist Party was created by Hamilton alone and become its leader it relied on for urbanites it was the first to be formed in USA. Some saw it as people’s party while others criticized that it had a very weak connection with the masses. The Federalist Party started after Hamilton was appointed to the office by George Washington who was the then president. By this time he was a retired staff member. Hamilton wanted a federal government with a strong financial base. He went ahead and proposed his own economic program. He wanted the central government to cancel the debts that the sates occurred during the Revolutionary war of America and there by replacing it with a national debt. That is a debt that would be paid by the central government itself. He believed this would have only been possible if there was formed a national bank. His closest friend Madison left him and went to cater for his people in Virginia thus dropping the idea of nationalism. He later joined Jefferson in opposing Hamilton’s ideas. In 1790 Hamilton relentlessly started looking for followers countrywide. He believed that if he mobilized likeminded people and use his treasury networks to bring together all those people in the government like bankers and merchants, then he could make it. He began his politics in urban areas and as time went by, the party assumed a national identity and eventually became the Federalist Party. On the other hand, the Democratic Republican party was founded by two people that is, Jefferson and James Madison sometimes back in 1792. The party was formed with a motive of opposing Hamilton’s views on the economy and foreign policies. The foreign policies were of prime concern to the republicans. Hamilton wanted U. S to start having friendly relations with Britain and his party strongly condemned the French revolution. Jefferson’s party put ahead of all other things the freedom of Yeoman farmers and rights as opposed to federalism. He differed in Hamilton’s ideas on monetary things, national bank, creation and high spending in the military. In1790s the federalist and republicans traded abuse through newspapers. Hamilton was seen as a monarchist who never valued the American culture. He was accused of favouring the rich so that they could support his politics. Later they turned to using humors against each other. They opposed the treaty of 1784, Jay’s treaty that advocated for having relations with Britain and criticized the French revolution. They termed Britain and France as their archenemies. Jefferson and his supporters claimed federalism favored aristocracy instead of the ordinary people. However, after1812 Jefferson’s party split into two because of party differences. The young leaders in his party favored nationalism and creation of a strong army that would provide security to the Americans but Thomas Jefferson and his clues refused this. These younger leaders were Clay, Adams and Calhoun while the old party was headed by Randolph, Crawford and Nathaniel Macon. Both sides differed in beliefs which made them to support different factions. The later backed Andrew Jackson. After elections were held these factions became separate parties. The one for Jackson became the modern Democratic Party. The federalism party that was formed by Hamilton drew its support from all over but mainly from urbanites that would support his policies. Hamilton’s party had a lot of job opportunities thus it was able to attract many people while did not have many job opportunities. Jefferson drew his party support from the rurals whom he believed were the backbone of his party. . Alexander Hamilton firmly advocated for the government intervention and support in trade. He never advocated for free trade like it was the case in Britain for he believed this led to misuse of funds by channeling them to colonial powers. He believed that if his policies were implemented, then the economy would grow into stable heights. Hamilton was an orthodox although not a very strong believer. He did not believe that Christianity and democracy could go hand in hand. Hamilton misused religion to meet his political objectives especially during the revolution in France. To conclude, it can be said that Jefferson and Hamilton differed in many ways than they had in common. In the past they disagreed almost in everything but later Jefferson and the Democratic- Republicans changed their minds and embraced some his policies especially after they lost in war of 1812. His political party split because young leaders in his party like Clay and Adams supported the idea of nationalism and the creation of a strong army which the other faction in the party opposed. Finally after elections were held the two factions became parties. Jefferson’s party which was under Jackson became the Democratic Party while that for the youngsters faded after the civil war. After this, democrats welcomed some of Hamilton’s ideas such as having a strong central government as well as strong military base and an economy that would be controlled by the federal government. Jefferson believed in strict interpretation of the constitution that would limit the judiciary misinterpretation and Hamilton’s idea of creating a bank that would handle all financial cases of the central or federal government. This idea was also rejected by the representatives of the southern colonies whose economy did not favor the creation of a national bank. In short we can say that even in areas that they came to think alike, it was after they lost the war of 1812. The party became divided and the two parties went on their own. Reference: Albert W. F. , 1984. The Authority of Publius: A reading of the Federalist Papers. Ithaca, New York: Cornel University Press.

Hyundai Motor Company | Marketing Essay

Hyundai Motor Company | Marketing Essay Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Company has sustained, grown and become the worlds fourth largest automaker in terms of units sold. Automobile manufacturing industry is in the maturity stage and exposed to a lot of difficulties. To survive and develop, the company needs to identify and develop key factors of success such as innovation, technology development, quality improvement, and customer service; associated with cutting costs and diversify products. Moreover, the company needs to take into account the characteristic of forces driving industry competition on the way to success. To sustain competitive, Hyundai needs to maximize its strengths that include advanced technology, valuable branding experience, qualified labor force, cost efficiency, marketing flexibility and experiences. On the other hand, Hyundai also has to minimize weaknesses that are cultural differences, commodity price risk, late entrant, diversity and currency fluctuation. In addition, there are some opportunities for Hyundai to take advantages consist of new segment of hybrid car, governmental support, buyers emphasis on low cost design, competitors weakness and potential market. While avoid threats that comprise global economic crisis, new entrants, low market growth, environmental requirement and political instability. Hyundai must consider strategy for short, intermediate and long term. Firstly, to minimize adverse impact of global economic crisis, company should reduce costs expenses. Secondly, Hyundai should take advantage of core strengths as advanced technology such as eco-friendly energy to comply with environmental issues. Lastly, the company should target into potential markets from developing countries. In addition, it is important to improve the structure, system and policy. Continuous decentralization of management structures and the strategy of diversification should be applied associated with new system to enhance the availability of back-end data, improving customer service and lowered system management costs. Finally, hiring policy and global environmental management policy should be applied to bring Hyundai to success. (309 words) Brief of company: Since its establishment in 1967, Hyundai Motor Company has grown into one of Koreas most recognizable and trusted firms. Today, Hyundai stand the worlds fourth largest automaker in terms of units sold and one of the Big Asian. Hyundai Motor is operating globally and provides diverse product portfolio supported by its 6,000 sales points and 23 overseas manufacturing plants and distributors in 180 countries worldwide. The total revenue of company has recorded as 31 December 2008 is US$35,053,637 thousand and return on investment is 3.38%. Reason for selecting: From the beginning to recent time, Hyundai has made significant inroads in building its brand from the Worst Car Ever Made to a 72nd ranking in the 2007 Best Global Brand survey. Public perception of the Hyundai brand has been transformed as a result of dramatic improvements in the quality of Hyundai vehicles which are sold with reasonable price. While others competitors are facing with losses and struggling with economic downturn, Hyundai still make profit and has come up impressively as a phenomenon in automobile industry. Main strategic issues facing the company: Coping with climate change and complying with regulations on CO2 emissions. Decreasing environmental impact and promoting recycling. Difficult economic environment that restricts number of car consumers and high oil prices. Companys contribution to the National Economy: As of December 2008, automobile industry which is vital to Korean manufacturing industry, accounted for 14.4% in production, 13.4% in export, and 14.3% in employment. Hyundai has created 56,204 employees in South Korea and contribute about 70% to Korean automobile industry and 5.4 % to Koreas GDP. Companys contribution to the regional economy: There are 22,066 overseas employees under Hyundai Motor Company, comprise of 6,956 employees in North America, 5,101 employees in China, 5,457 employees in India, 4,694 employees in Europe and 218 in other countries. Recent strategic dilemma: In applying of Blue Strategy, some of its eco-friendly cars were developed to meet environmental regulations set by European Union, the performance of vehicle is meant to deteriorate when he carbon dioxide emission is reduced, it lessen Hyundais products competitiveness as compared to its rivals. Recent strategic choice: Hyundai is taking approach toward increasing quantitative growth through global in combination with quality and brand management to enhance global competitiveness and further raising sales results. Hyundai applies strategy of Green Management by plan of Blue Drive as the key toward sustainability approach and to comply with regulation on emission issue. Source of Information on Company Hyundai Motor Annual Report http://worldwide.hyundai.com/ (375 Words) Industry life cycle Time Automobile manufacturing industry Industry output Introduction Growth Maturity Decline Automobile manufacturing industry is in the maturity stage of the industry life cycle. In this period, the industry does not grow as much as last 5 or 6 years. The market is very competitive, many manufacturer offering their products, the producers continue with the product differentiation in many segments and hence, the market result in saturation with many manufacturers offering many models of the product. In this stage, only the best efficient and effective company survives. There are about 806 million cars and light truck on the road in 2007, the number is increasing rapidly especially in China and India. The biggest market currently is in North America which is about 250 million vehicles, following are Asia and Europe market. In 2009, with stable economic growth, China is going to become the largest automobile producer and market in the world. The automobile industry crisis and oil shock in 2008 is a part of global financial recession. It affected Asian and Europe automobile manufacturers but it is primarily felt in American automobile manufacturing industry. With rapidly rising oil price, automobile industry is experiencing high pricing pressure from raw material costs and changes in consumer buying habits. Also, there is an increase in external competition from public transport sectors and consumers are re-evaluating their private vehicle usage. Moreover, the social expectation and related concerns regarding carbon emissions had lead to the restricted standard setting that automakers have to be fulfil in order to penetrate into these high requirement markets. In addition, customers now are seeking a car with higher quality demand, more functional and price is crucial factor. In combination with the challenging economic environment, the companies strategy has to be more effective, innovative, cost reduction as well as making product differentiation and improve customer services. Also, automobile companies have to implement more creative marketing strategies to lure consumers as most of them are experienced decline in sales.The response to climate change may have a greater impact on the automobile manufacturing industry than all the other factors. It leads automaker to develop toward green technology and alternative fuel and material to lessen impact of automobile industry to environment. Key factors of success (KFS) The factors listed above are some of the most important factors that company needs to achieve in order to be successful in the industry. Nowadays, Toyota is the most successful company in automobile industry because they achieve key factors successfully. Among all factors, innovation is the most important factor contributes to the success of company. In contrast, Nissan had average performance. Hyundai is in the middle, growing stably and strikingly. As we see from above, the total weighted score of Toyota is highest, following is Hyundai then Nissan. Among all of the factors, technology is the most important as automobile industry is under pressure of high competition and the issue of climate change. Technology is not simply satisfying customers with a simple car, it need to bring a car with more functions, more model and technological. Also, technology needs to enable the company to develop car in combination with new material and fuel. Leading technology with above average rating of 4.5 enables Toyota to be more successful than Hyundai and Nissan. Innovation is second important factor that lead to the success of company. As customers concern more about the appearance of the car, more innovative is needed. New models are required to have more impressive design and that will help company to gain market share and increasing sales value. In term of innovation, Hyundai has launch new models with remarkable improvement of design that is more attractive to the customers over the past few years. It helps Hyundai gaining more market share in compare with less innovative Toyota and Nissan. So the company need to keep up this advantage, more skilled workers are needed and necessitate of a breakthrough idea. In addition, Quality and safety is one of important factor that customers always bear in mind when making buying decision. Hyundai has done it well since the past few years. They receive good signs from customers perception of companys brand that is improvement of quality safety. Price is crucial factor; an impressive design only attracts customers if it comes with reasonable price. Thereby, company always need to develop strategy toward cost reduction. Company should have diversity of product to compete with others and to enjoy economy of scale and scope. To be more successful in improving brand of company, not only design, quality and price but also customer service needs to get betters. Customers want a good after-sale service that they can rely on. Company has to take these factors as a basis in combination with economic situation to develop suitable strategy in order to grow successfully and stably. Threat of new entrants: Sluggish state of economy Requirement of high RD and fixed cost Difficulty in accessing to distribution channels Few newer with low competition Relative power of other stakeholder Internal stakeholders: shareholders, management, employees and creditors External stakeholders: government, partner firms, clients and potential investor Provide feedbacks opinion Force Driving Industry Competition Suppliers Other stakeholders Buyers Substitutes Industry competitors Rivalry among existing firm Rivalry among existing firm Rivalry among existing firm: Highly competitive of technologies, costs and services High number of competitors Diversity of products Slow growth, high fixed cost Threat of substitute: The cost of automobiles and environmental issues lead to many transportation options Bargaining power of buyers: Price sensitive Require improvement of quality. Nice design better service requirement Impact of cars to health and environment Need for alternative fuel Potential Entrants Bargaining power of suppliers: The automobile supply business is quite fragmented Suppliers have little responsibility Rivalry among existing firms (High) Hyundai dominates the Korean automobile market and has low domestic rivalry. However, in global competition, rivalry among existing firms is high. Rival companies compete on prices, quality and customer service; a company watches very carefully every movement of rivals in order to adapt appropriately. There are high numbers of competitors and they diversify into many market segments. Company earns lower profit when cost of competition is high. To be more successful, Hyundai has to keep working their competitive advantages, launching strategy to reduce cost, better service to suit with this sluggish economic condition, keeping up with developing of new design, quality and especially looking answer for technology toward Green Environment that I predict it will be a crucial factor in near future. Threat of new entrants (Low) Automobile industry is highly capital and labour intensive, it require very high fixed cost as well as RD, so threat of new entrants is low. It is not easy to enter automobile industry and it is harder since the economy downturn is happened that decrease the demand of customer. Brand loyalty of customer is also an obstacle; there are wide choices for customer. Moreover, the requirement of innovation, technology and product diversification makes it more difficult to enter the market. Established in 1967, Hyundai has a long time experience and enjoying benefit of economies of scale through operation all over the world so new entrants are not a pressure for a company. Bargaining power of buyers (High) The bargaining power of buyers is high. The manufacturers depend on them to stay in business. Buyers purchase a significant proportion of output. If manufacturers cannot keep their buyers satisfied then they will lose their buyers to competitors. Nowadays, there are various brand and models that buyers can choose, buyers have many choices so that their requirements are high. The factors that affect buyers to make buying decision are: the design, quality, price and environmental effect. Especially, current time is under economic recession and climate change issues, decrease in buyers demand and their consideration of impact on environment creates more pressure on company. Threat of substitute products or services (Low) It is true that there are many of transportation that can be a substitution of an automobile such as bus, train, bicycle, motorbike, etc. Substitute products depend on geographical location. In some cities such as Singapore, New York, having a car is not necessary because those cities has good infrastructure of public transportation and there are policy to reduce number of car in order to reduce heavy traffic, avoid traffic jam and protect environment. However, the need of automobile is always great. Developing countries are potential market and the need in those countries is getting greater. Bargaining power of suppliers (Low) Hyundai had a good supply chain management system and had long relationship with suppliers. Suppliers have little power in automobile industry because there are numerous component suppliers that help company to avoid shortage of material and selecting suppliers with lower cost. Automobile companies work to maintain cost strategies so that suppliers must compete on price with one another to acquire contracts with them. Since it is very competitive among number of suppliers, an automobile company could easily switch to other supplier along with high requirement of price and quality. Relative power of other stakeholders (Medium) The internal stakeholders of Hyundai include the shareholders, management, employees and creditors. The external stakeholder of the company is the government, partner firms, clients and potential investors. Internal stakeholders help company to apply strategy in proper way while external stakeholders helping with feedbacks, opinions and require responsibility of company. As the company is very large, it has great effects to stakeholders. In response to them, company develops strategy of Blue Drive that represents commitment to develop environmental-friendly vehicle along with enhancing basic features of products. Internal Factor Analysis Summary (IFAS Table) Strengths Hyundai has core strength of innovative technology and becomes a leader in developing environment friendly technology to compete in the recent time when the impact of cars to environment are highly concerned and high requirement of buyers on innovation, quality and design. Along with innovative technology, Hyundai is well managed on costs and expenses that enable company to compete on price with its rivals; it is such a significant advantage especially in this economic downturn condition. Qualified labour force helps Hyundai to gain competitive advantage, manage and operate company effectively. Hyundai has strong corporate philosophy that focus on customer first, flexible marketing strategy and rich experience of producing car for export market. Finally, its value of global branding experience is raising that enable Hyundai gaining more market shares. Weaknesses On the other hand, there are some weaknesses that need to be taken into consideration. Drawbacks occur due to differences between national and business cultures. For example, the national culture of Korea is collective while it is highly individualist in America. Hyundai commodity price risks arise from changing price effect of inputs such as steel, glass, plastics and rubber. As a global company, Hyundai is also exposed to the risks related to fluctuations of currencies in countries where company doing manufacture. When making buying decision, customers seek information and feedbacks from previous buyers; late enter into market means lesser information and feedback, hence provide drawback. Finally, Hyundai has limited ability in adding new models in order to diversify products and compete in many automobile segments, especially in luxury automobile segment. External Factor Analysis Summary (EFAS Table): Opportunities Strong research development and advanced technology leading in producing car in hybrid segment enable Hyundai to take advantage to expand market share and gain more profits. As high tax contributor, Hyundai enjoy governmental supported policy in domestic market, thus enjoy less competitiveness from competitors and spreads its wings to enfold domestic market. Sluggish economic condition makes buyers focus more on low cost design in which Hyundai has reputation of improvement of quality design associated with lower cost of products as compare to other competitors. Moreover, crisis of key rival Toyota on quality create big opportunity to Hyundai focusing on quality improvement and reputation. The company should put more emphasis on potential markets from developing countries provide promising opportunity for the company to expand and gaining profit in the future. Threats On the other hand, the company is facing with some threats indicated above. Global economic crisis and oil price shock have adverse impact to automobile manufacturing industry as well as the Hyundai, reducing investment and raising cost of fuel and raw materials. Also, the brake on worldwide auto demand has created low growth market, decrease sales and profits. More pressure of competition when there are some new entrants enter into market, targeting into some specific segments and acquire market share portion. Additionally, environmental requirement puts more pressure to the company to technological change toward eco-friendly energy. Finally, economic implication of political instability increases transaction costs and insurance cost associated with security and flow of capital, goods between many countries. Strategic Factor Analysis Summary (SFAS) Matrix: Short term The global economic crisis and oil shock affect the company in short term. It put brakes on automobile demand, increasing cost of fuel and raw materials, reducing investment and RD cost while putting pressure on cutting price of products hence require strategy of the company toward reducing operating expenses and workforce. In this situation, well manage costs and expenses become the core strength of Hyundai in competing with other competitors and attracting more customers. In addition, the crisis of key competitor as broken top-quality image creates opportunity to Hyundai by launching campaign focusing more on quality improvement, gaining reputation and boost sales value. Intermediate term Hyundai can take advantage of advanced technology in intermediate term as well as in the long term. Advanced technology is core competency of company to compete on quality and functions of products that are more interested from customers nowadays. Late enter into automobile manufacturing industry making less information and feedbacks of Hyundai products so that the company need to launch strategy of marketing brand value, raising level of perception of customers. Furthermore, potential markets from developing countries should be considered and prepared in intermediate term in order to expand business and gain market share. Long term Environmental effect is the most concern of all people and society and it affects all industry, not just automobile manufacturing industry. Therefore, advanced technology toward eco-friendly energy is the most concern of the company in long term as well. Not only improving quality, design and function of products but also company needs to put more emphasis on reducing impact of car to environment as a means of sharpening its competitive advantage. Moreover, the company should be able to create more new models to compete with competitors especially in luxury and hybrid car segments which are less competitive areas but very profitable areas. Similarly, targeting into potential market from developing countries should be considered for long term strategies as they have such a lot of potential demands and providing valuable source of profitability. TOWS Matrix Internal Factors External (IFAS) Factors (EFAS) Strengths (S) S1 Advanced technology S2 Branding experience S3 Qualified labour force S4 Cost efficiency S5 Flexibility marketing experiences Weaknesses (W) W1 Cultural difference W2 Commodity price risk W3 Late entrant W4 Diversity W5 Currency fluctuation Opportunities (O) O1 Hybrid car segment O2 Governmental support O3 High emphasis of buyers on low cost design O4 Competitors weakness O5 Potential market from developing countries SO strategies Focus on research and development Build up strong brand image. Expand business to potential market WO strategies Set up more distribution channels plants Globalization Innovative products Threats (T) T1 Global economic crisis T2 New entrants T3 Low market growth T4 Environmental requirement T5 Political instability ST strategies Use eco-friendly fuel Cutting costs expenses Focus on marketing and public relation WT strategies Increase advertisement Reduce ineffective distributor to minimize costs Improve market research SO strategies To strengthen companys survival ability, company need to use its own strengths to take advantages of opportunities. Firstly, Hyundai should focus on research and development to reach out the potential hybrid car segment trend by taking advantages of its own advanced technology. Furthermore, Hyundai needs to know the competitors and how they operate, as well as exploit their weakness. For example, exploit weakness of Toyota that has been facing a crisis of quality. With flexibility marketing and organisational experience, Hyundai may identify the problems and avoid same mistakes that can be made; hence building up new and strong brand images associated with lower price. With a branding experience and qualified labour force, Hyundai may gain a large market share from these potential markets. WO strategies To take advantages of opportunities to overcome weaknesses, Hyundai can set up more distribution channels and plants in new markets and segments. One of Hyundais weaknesses is the lacking competitiveness in luxury car segment. Thereby, strategy which should be applied here is globalization; they may aim to export their products to developing countries, where customers mostly have an average income that put high emphasis on low price design and willing to purchase an affordable car instead of a luxury car. Moreover, late entrance to the market can be covered by the appearance of innovative products, which are hybrid car segment which Hyundai has focused and developed. ST strategies Company always faces various threats from both internal and external factors. There is a need to cover the threats using companys own strength. Nowadays, environmental requirements from customers are getting higher since they are starting to concern about health care and impact of cars to environment. By using their advanced technology, Hyundai should develop technology toward eco-friendly energy such as bio-diesel, liquefied petroleum gas and electric energy to combine their engines and social expectation. By making advantages of cost efficiency, Hyundai may cover their low market growth; however they have to manage their capital and expenses wisely and effectively. New entrant is always a big threat facing a company. However, by having a good brand experience and flexible marketing, Hyundai can surpass their competitors by focusing on marketing and public relations to gain more market share. WT strategies There are some strategies Hyundai may use to minimize weaknesses and avoid threats. Firstly, global economic crisis has affected many industries and companies, Hyundai is not the exception. Under economic crisis, minimize unnecessary and ineffectively costs plays an important role to maintain company business. At the same time, company should increase advertisements to gain more reputation and build up their brand images. Last but not least, Hyundai should do more market research if they are planning to expand their business to other countries, in order to avoid unwanted political instability and cultural differences. Review of strategic options available to company: There are several strategic options which are currently available for the success of Hyundai. Firstly, Hyundai should focus on short term strategies, such as operational efficiency program and globalization. The company is facing a low market growth compared with their competitors due to late entrant to the market. Hence they need to manage their capital and expenses effectively by cutting all unnecessary costs, operating expenses and other utilities costs. Moreover, globalization strategy should be concerned to gain more market share from potential market in developing countries. However, they need to be aware of the cultural differences and political instabilities which may occur during the plan. On the other hand, Hyundai must concentrate on long term strategies. Nowadays, the hybrid car segment has become the new trend in automobile market. Thus research and development department should be improved to reach the potential market trend, based on its existing advanced technology. From the improvement of RD department, a new innovative product may appear to distinguish Hyundai from other companies. Furthermore, health care and impact of cars to environment are being concerned by customers. Hyundai need to come up with new green and eco-friendly fuel such as bio-diesel, liquefied petroleum gas and electric energy to follow the trend. Recommend for future direction: For future direction, Hyundai should pay attention to improve their brand images, by running more marketing programs such as offering loyal customers reward system and new advertisement campaign. These advertisements should be located at all available media which are being concerned by public, like newspaper, television, radio and over the internet. They need to learn useful strategies from their competitors as well. One way to the success is to increasing more options of products along with improving online ordering services. Hyundai may also offer more options available to customers through online service to maximize their customers satisfaction. Assessment of companys performance: Efficiency Despite sluggish domestic sales amid the global economic downturn, Hyundai Motor expanded its global market share last year and the 2009 net profit was an all-time annual high. Hyundai had achieved 2.96 trillion won ($2.57 billion) in 2009, compared with a net profit of 1.44 trillion won in 2008. In 2009, Hyundai sold a record 3.1 million vehicles, up 11.7 percent from 2008. In 2008, Hyundai has jumped up to fifth in the global standing of the worlds largest automobile manufacturers. However, latest sales figures in 2009 that place Hyundai to the worlds fourth largest automaker in terms of units sold. Effectiveness: Hyundai has implemented many strategies to increase companys effectiveness. Hyundai is seeking reductions of as much as 20% in consideration of supplier, volume and parts involved. The company is cutting costs not only by rationalizing its domestic plants, but also more and more by manufacturing in areas with lower production costs in oversea countries. As a result, company completed a 3 trillion won ($2.2 billion) cost-reduction program in 2008. Possessing about $7.1 billion in assets including Hyundai Motor share, Hyundai is very aggressive in spending as RD and marketing. In general, Hyundai is implementing its strategies effectively. Return on investment: Hyundai has raised its global share in recent years, even as it has maintained a stable position in Korea and well balanced market portfolio and currency settlement. However, in 2009, there are some decreases in term of return on investment due to the negative impacts of sluggish economic condition. Total dividend payout was KRW235.7 billion, down 14.6% from the previous year. However dividend payout level was maintained at the 16%. Hyundai enjoyed a rise in market share as the result of innovative marketing and successful launch of new models. In the first three months, the companys global market share rose to 4.7%, compared to 4% a year earlier. The company is expected to continue its success along with improved performance in key markets. Recommendations for Implementation of Strategies Structure The current economy is under sluggish condition that requires the company to make judgements and a need of improving organizational structure. Companys structure needs to work toward operational efficiency in association with quality and technological improvement. Continuous decentralization of management structures and the strategy of diversification of output helped the company in coping with economic crisis. Hyundai needs to establish RD centres to take advantage of research infrastructure, so that the company can develop its products to satisfy the requirements of the environmental and safety regulations effectively. System Hyundai is multinational automobile manufacturing company; customers demand high-quality, customized services and they also look for different types of information when mak

Foils :: Essays Papers

Foils 1 When sitting down and reading Hamlet by William Shakespeare, it made me think back to when I read the play in high school. I tried to remember as much as I could. By reading the play earlier in high school, it made me understand the play a lot more. When asked to go through the play and explain the foils of Hamlet, I find it kind of hard to come up with the foils. When coming up with foils, I guess the first foil I can come up with is Hamlet and the King. Looking at another one, I guess it would have to be the Queen and Ophelia. These are the only two foils that I can come up with that have some similarities and some differences, but still think it is kind of difficult to determine which characters in Hamlet are foils. [SS - 1] [Definition of foils?] 2 To start off, we must look at two of the main characters in the play. They would be Hamlet and the King. When looking at them [both?] as foils, we look at their similarities and their differences. We will first look at these two’s differences. We look at Hamlet and the King[,] and we see that they are different in a couple of ways. First, one is a King[,] while the other is the son of the ex-King. Another would be that Hamlet didn’t know really how his father was killed until his ghost told him, while the King knew how he was killed because he murdered him. Looking at another difference, we would have to say that these two were different in their actions. Hamlet was trying to act like he was insane, while the King was trying to act like a King and that he really cared that something was wrong with Hamlet. These would be some differences of Hamlet and the King. [Beginning with the differences and then moving to the similarities reflects a major misunderstanding of comparison / contrast thinking. The similarities need to be established first, as justification for looking at the differences.] 3 Going on to look at the similarities of Hamlet and the King, we first have to start off with that they both loved the Queen. We can see this in that the King murdered Hamlet’s father because he loved his wife, in [Delete "in.

Analysis of Ethical Dilemma Essay

Britney, age 17, has been referred because of problems at school and a shoplifting charge. She admits to â€Å"smoking some dope† every now and then and having a drink or two with her friends. She is dressed in black with pierced ears, nose, and lip. Her appearance is disheveled and her hygiene poor. She appears to be overly thin. Britney’s parents were divorced when she was 5 years old. She has a brother who is 5 years older. They used to live with their mother in the same town as their father. Britney saw him frequently, although she says he was â€Å"always busy with work† and she could never talk to him about much of anything. Britney states that her mother was also busy but would â€Å"usually† stop and listen. She reports that her mother has a temper and is stressed all the time about money and work. She also reports that her mom and dad still fight about money and â€Å"us kids. † She feels like she is in the middle and is always being asked to choose. Britney feels caught in the middle of conflict between her parents. She interprets their being too busy for her as not being wanted by them. Britney’s rebellion serves to distract her mother and father from their fighting and to unite them as they attempt to control her behavior. It also serves to help solve the dilemma of whether she should leave home, leaving her mother alone. She distances herself by using drugs and alcohol but cannot really leave home and her mother because of her irresponsible behavior. Her brother has the role of doing well in the family, being responsible while the parents are in conflict. Through the use of their roles, the estranged family continues to function, albeit less than satisfactorily. Britney and her mother and brother recently moved to a new area, and Britney is at a new school this year. She is currently in 10th grade and has average grades. Her new friends are â€Å"different† from her old friends, but they â€Å"accept her for what she is. † Britney found acceptance in a counterculture when she felt rejection at home. With divorced parents, a distant father, overly stressed mother, and parents arguing over the kids, Britney has poor self-esteem and feels that she is the cause of some of the problems. She finds that using drugs with other kids relieves boredom, fear, and loneliness. She feels accepted and acceptable when she is using with them. The main ethical concerns presented in the dilemma with references to the ethics Britney uses cocaine when with friends. She learned that using helps her fit in—be â€Å"one of the gang. † She described a new, well-defined group of peers who â€Å"I like to hang out with and party with. † She is even supplied by a male classmate at school who impregnated her while they are high on drugs and sex. In addition, she has had some moderate school-related problems (e. g. , lateness) and a shoplifting charge. She entered a guilty plea for shoplifting. But approximately two weeks before her sentencing hearing, Britney inform the judge and her substance abuse counselor that she was pregnant and is still on drugs. Hence, the complexity of this ethical dilemma arises. This case taps into the substance abuse counselor many layers of personal and professional beliefs. However, careful reading of the case reveals a firm commitment to consider – not ignore – fetal interests within the framework of respect for the autonomy of the competent pregnant teenager. The case presented clearly relate to situations in which the pregnant teenager is deemed incompetent. Hence, the counselor needs a clear insight into the right approach to take when a medical intervention can benefit both fetus and mother, as in the case of Britney who is a teenager and is addicted to or abuses drugs. Application of human service profession theories and techniques In this analysis, I bring some issues and concepts of feminist ethics, post-modernism, and critical theory to reflect on an important child’s issue-policy approaches to pregnant teenager who is polysubstance user. Many people, including many law enforcement officials, child protection agents, and legislators, think that teenagers who use drugs during pregnancy should be punished for the harm or risks of harm they bring to their babies. I analyze this punishment approach and argue that the situation of pregnant teenager addicts does not satisfy the conditions usually articulated by philosophers to justify punishment. A punishment approach, moreover, may have sexist and racist implications and ultimately operates more to maintain a social distinction between insiders and deviants than to protect children. Most of those who criticize a punishment approach to policy for pregnant addicts call for meaningful treatment programs as an alternative. I interpret this treatment approach as a version of a feminist ethic of care. For the most part, theorizing about the ethics of care has remained at the level of ontology and epistemology, with little discussion of how the ethics of care interprets concrete moral issues differently from more traditional approaches to ethics. By conceptualizing a treatment approach to pregnant teenage addict as justified by an ethics of care, I propose to understand this ethics of care as a moral framework for social policy. Although I agree with a treatment approach to policy for pregnant teenage addicts, from a feminist point of view there are reasons to be suspicious of many aspects of typical drug treatment. Relying on Michel Foucault’s notions of disciplinary power and the operation of â€Å"confessional† discourse in therapy, I argue that treatment often operates to adjust women to dominant gender, race, and class structures and depoliticizes and individualizes their situations. Thus, I conclude by offering a distinction between two meanings of empowerment in service provision, one that remains individualizing, and one that develops social solidarity through consciousness raising and the possibility of collective action. Punishment Punitive legislation regarding pregnant addicts has been considered in more than thirty states and by the U. S. Congress. Although the testimony of legal and medical experts appears to have succeeded in preventing the passage of congressional legislation, at least eight states now include drug exposure in utero in their definition of child abuse and neglect. In several states without such laws, prosecutors have used existing drug-trafficking laws to file criminal charges against women who use cocaine or other controlled substances during pregnancy. By July 1992 at least 167 women in twenty-six states had been arrested and charged criminally because of their use of drugs during pregnancy or because of some other prenatal risk. A number of these women have been found guilty and sentenced to as many as ten years in prison. The majority of these cases have involved women of color, even though white women also use illegal drugs. The controversy that has been boiling about this punishment approach to policy for pregnant addicts appears in some of the appeals of these convictions. As of November 1992, twenty-one cases had been challenged or appealed, and all of these were dismissed or overturned (Roberts, 1991) As a result of increasing controversy over such punitive policies, some state and local governments have encouraged treatment as a complement or alternative to criminal punishment or child removal. Thus, California has enacted a law that requires drug treatment programs to give priority to pregnant women. The state of Connecticut has mandated that outreach workers seek out addicted mothers and mothers-to-be to encourage them to get treatment. In the fall of 1991, the city of New York instituted a program that allows addicted women to take their babies home after birth, provided that they enter treatment and agree to weekly visits from a social worker (Larson1991). This program and many others that emphasize treatment over punishment nevertheless retain a punitive tendency to the degree that they are coercing women to have treatment. Most prosecutors and policymakers who have pursued a punishment approach to pregnant addicts would deny that racist and sexist biases inform their practices. They claim instead that they are exercising their obligations as state agents to protect infants from harm and to hold accountable those responsible for such harms when they occur. Women who take cocaine or heroin while pregnant are wantonly and knowingly risking the lives or health of future persons and deserve to pay for such immoral harm. Punishing women who give birth to drug-affected babies serves notice to others that the state considers this a grave wrong and will thus deter such behavior. As with most punishments, the primary justifications for punitive policies toward pregnant addicts are deterrence and retribution. Neither justification, however, is well grounded. A deterrence theory of punishment relies on an assumption that people engage in some kind of cost benefit calculation before taking the actions the policies are aimed at. In some contexts this makes sense. If a city wishes to discourage illegal parking, it raises the fines and threatens to tow, and these policies usually do work to reduce infractions. The idea that a pregnant addict weighs the benefits of taking drugs against the costs of possible punishment, however, is implausible, because it assumes that it is within her power to refrain from taking drugs if she judges that the costs are too high. Many health professionals argue that punitive policies toward pregnant addicts does deter them from seeking prenatal care (Mann, 1991). Women are likely to avoid contact with healthcare providers if they believe that their drug use will be reported to state authorities who will punish them. Because drug-using pregnant women’s fetuses and babies are often at particularly high risk, they need prenatal attention even more than most. Experts claim that the harmful effects of drug use on infants can be offset, at least in part, by good prenatal care, when health professionals are aware of a woman’s drug use in a supportive nonpunitive atmosphere (Paltrow, 1990) I think that retribution is most often implicitly or explicitly the operative justification for punitive approaches to pregnant addicts. These women ought to be punished and threatened with punishment because their wrongful actions deserve sanction. Such a retributive justification for a punitive approach to pregnant addicts must assume that these women are responsible both for their drug use and for their pregnancies; if freedom is a condition for assigning responsibility, however, these are problematic assumptions. Most states where punitive policies toward pregnant addicts have been pursued do not prosecute people for drug use alone. Especially where this is so, women are essentially being punished for carrying a pregnancy to term. Such punishment must presuppose that women are responsible for being pregnant, but there are several social conditions that limit women’s choice to be or not be pregnant. Ours is still a society where women often are not really free in their sexual relations with men. Access to contraception, moreover, is not easy for many women, especially poor or young women. And, of course, even when they have it, the contraception sometimes does not work. With rapidly decreasing access to abortion for all women in the United States, but especially for young or poor women, finally, fewer and fewer women have a choice about whether to carry a pregnancy to term (Lewin, 1992). Some prosecutors and policies claim to use a punishment approach primarily as means of encouraging or forcing women into drug treatment. In line with the above arguments, one might say that a pregnant addict is morally blameworthy for harming her child only if she does not seek help in dealing with her drug use. In recent years some small steps have been taken to increase the availability of drug treatment for pregnant women, and to design programs specifically for their needs; for the most part, however, access to more than perfunctory drug treatment is limited. Most programs either do not accept pregnant women or have waiting lists that extend long beyond their due dates. Most private health insurance programs offer only partial reimbursement for treatment, and in many states Medicaid will reimburse only a portion of the cost of drug treatment. Most treatment programs are designed with men’s lives in mind, and very few have childcare options. Mandatory reporting laws or other procedures that force women into treatment, moreover, create an adversary and policing relation between healthcare providers and the women they are supposed to serve, thereby precluding the trust relationship most providers believe is necessary for effective drug therapy( Chavkin, 1991).

Male vs Female Friendships

Male vs Female Friendships BY sf0409928 Male Vs. Female Friendships How different is a friendship with a woman from the one with a man? What do you prefer? Are they the same kind of friendship or does it depend on the person? I have my own opinions to compare and contrast about these two kinds of friendships, such as confidence, places to go out and the way of thinking. Confidence is very important to establish in a friendship.Confessing something is difficult but when you have someone important who can listen to you and give you ome advice is great. I think most women tend to criticize you or be more gossipy with what you tell them. On the other hand, men are more reliable with your secrets and most of the time listen to you without criticizing. Another important aspect to consider is the places to go out. I think I have more options with female friends than with male friends. With female friends you can go shopping, since girls can shop forever with no problem.Also girls can go to clubs ogether and get discounts on drinks, Just because they are women. A male friend doesn't like to shop as much as females. One advantage is you can go to clubs with men and never feel alone, because he is always going to be taking care of you. The way of thinking influences so much in a friendship. Most women think with their hearts and always try to give you the best advice. Men on the other hand, are more blunt. They will tell you exactly how they feel even if it's going to hurt your eelings.The one thing to remember is that a true friend will always tell you the truth. I think women and men both make excellent friends. It depends on the situation your in whether you want to chill with men or women at the time. Depending on what you want to do or want to talk about is when you will make that decision. Just remember good friends are hard to come by. Whether they are male or female Just remember the happiness that he or she brings into your life.

Management and Credible Source Essay

Management and Credible Source Essay Management and Credible Source Essay I have to influence someone who (His name is Jack) is part of the senior management and recently joined my division. With in-short period of time, Jack is able to excite and impress many people above and below him with his leadership. Jack has strong authoritative leadership style. Due to his strong position in organization, he can play significant role in my future growth in the organization. To grow further in my current division organization, not only I need blessing of my manager but also someone from the senior management (like Jack) has to endorse my manager recommendations. Jack knows briefly about me and my past accomplishments through my manager. As part of US visit, I met him couple of times during my visit but still I am yet make an impactful influence. Recently I have come to know that he has some serious conflict with his direct staffs and his manager (Sr. Vice president) on improving the current process, which is not productive and an efficient. Since he is new to the organization, it is becoming challenging for him to persuade about his ideas and vision. So, he is looking for a support with-in division. He is looking for someone in the organization who can take his initial ideas and come-up with high level plan to implement his proposed ideas and vision. Person has to be a strong manager who can take his vision and persuade others in the company that his proposed ideas are going to improve the productivity and ownership with-in the organization. I am very well aware about this situation, his expectation and challenges he is going through. So, I am planning to step-in the situation using reciprocity influence style. Using this style, I would like to create an opportunity where I can work closely with him and demonstrate my skill s. My first attempt would be to give him initial support what he is not getting from his staff and manager. During his next visit to office, I am planning to come-up with brief presentation that will illustrate the high level strategy to implement his ideas. If I am able to make an impact successfully using my presentation, I would be able to give him a start that he is looking for. He would use my initial ground work to convince others in the division. By doing this way, I will be able to create an obligation. I will indirectly influence him to start working with me. With this opportunity, not only I will able to create a good working relation with me but also able to demonstrate my skills. Eventually, this is all going to help to me grow

Kudler Fine Foods Frequent Shopper Program

Kudler Fine Foods Frequent Shopper Program Free Online Research Papers Kudler Fine Foods is a large food store located in several parts of California. The main objective of the Kudler’s store is to increase revenues by providing quality products at affordable prices in comparison to the other competitors. Keeping up with inventory and making sure that everything is stocked and up-to-date is vital to maintaining a thriving business. These are key factors to everyday business and stability. The company is now looking to enhance its services by improving the efficiency of its operations. It also wants to increase the consumer purchase cycle by expand its business through Electronic Commerce, in addition to the Retail Stores and develop a Frequent Shopper Program. Kudler Fine Foods Frequent Shopper Program Frequent Shopper Programs nowadays are becoming very popular among large retailers. In the same series, Kudler Fine Foods also wants to develop a frequent shopper program for Electronic Commerce. The Frequent Shopper Program will allow store to track various shoppers behaviors and process offerings to best satisfy their valued customers. The store will have to follow several steps under this program. The Store will require a sale system that will track shopper’s activity and send data to shopping history database. They will also need to modify communications between the POS systems and provide discounts on frequent shopping. In addition, for the development of this Frequent Shopper Program, Kudler Fine Foods Store has to consider several business considerations including legal, ethical and security and many others. Legal Considerations of Frequent Shopper Program When doing business online the company has to follow certain rules and regulations established by the government. There are several Legal Considerations in the E-commerce which are as follow: According to the Privacy and Electronic Communication Regulations, an opt-in consent procedure is required for making commercial emails and e-commerce. Before organization can do any type of business online they are required to provide verified information to the recipient for online service to meet E-Commerce Regulations. In order to release Frequent Shopper Program to the public the store has to manage online advertising but first they have to make their advertising and promotion strategies according to the guidelines of the E-Commerce Regulations. Electronic contracts are now can be legally signed electronically for online business transaction and privately kept by the service provider, however, for the approval of an online order, the business organizations are required to have physical sig natures. The tax laws vary from one country to another thus for the E-Commerce the business organizations have to consider the taxation laws of the Native Country. All online shoppers should be provided with a copy of all the terms and conditions. To copy the business processes and the intellectual properties of the business organizations has to consider important legal consideration of the E-Commerce. Ethical Considerations of Frequent Shopper Program In addition to the legal considerations, there is a number of ethical considerations that the Kudler Fine Foods Store has to include in their frequent shopper program. Some of the important ethical considerations are as follow: The customer’s personal information cannot be released without customer’s authorization. The store has to rely on dependable and up to date online security to protect sensitive data of the corporate as well as the individuals. Anything related to pornography on the name of e-commerce is prohibited according to the ethical considerations of the business. Breaches of any kind of contract on e-commerce are also an important ethical consideration. Unwelcome intrusion is also considered unethical in the field of e-commerce. The store is reliable for any information provided on the company websites. Sexually explicit or violent graphics or any access to these graphics are prohibited. Security Considerations of Frequent Shopper Program In addition to the Legal and Ethical Considerations, Kudler Fine Foods Stores is required to implement security measures to secure confidential data from unwanted individuals. Security is the most important aspect of E-Commerce in Frequent Shopper Program. The main Security Considerations are as follows: Any business organizations operating E-Commerce have to secure their data. The customers, who do transactions, ask the organizations to secure and save all the electronically sent information about them, especially related to financial risks. Protection from the Cyber terrorism is also an important security consideration in E-Commerce. The technologies used by the different organizations should be protected to prevent access from an unauthorized people. Essential technical skills or expertise not available internally should be secured from outside the organization. User access privileges must vary among employees and customers. The efficient imposition of the intellectual property rights in the business transactions on E-Commerce is also an important matter under security considerations. Financial Analysis The value of systems from a financial perspective essentially revolves around the issue of return on invested capital. The main concern here is if Frequent Shopper Program system will produce sufficient returns to justify its costs. For the development of the Frequent Shopper Program the store will have to make expenditures in different fields. Regular reports on investments and profits or revenue growth will help firm run more effective and efficient. Maintaining customer records would be important function of the Frequent Shopper Program for the revenue process. According to firm’s Intranet the company is already in process of integrating a system to track customer purchase behavior over time. In my analysis I recommend that store should primarily focus on measures of cash flows into and out of the firm. It is important for the store to integrate the systems that tracks and controls cash inflows and out flows because the difference between cash outflows and cash inflows can be used to calculate the financial worth of an investment. Cash inflows take the form of increased sales of more products or reduced costs in production and operations. The investment cost of Frequent Shopper Program would be an immediate cash outflow. In subsequent years, the investment may cause additional cash outflows that will be balanced by cash inflows resulting from the investment. If the store receives enough inflows to cover additional expenses than program is profitable and the store can expect more increase in sales for years to come. For the development of the Frequent Shopper Program, the store must include all expenditures in every field associated with this program. Some of the main expenditures will be related to marketing, advertising, market research, online registration and website redevelopment. Conclusion When all reports are collected and put together the justification of all these expenditures can be done by comparing revenues from the last years. The difference will reveal the financial analysis of all the expenditures. If revenues are lower than the past year than the program has no value and may not produce enough capital to run another year. But if the revenues will be higher than the past year, the expenditures will be favorable for the store. References Apollo Group, (2007). Sales Marketing. Retrieved May 13, 2009, from Kudler Fine Foods Web site: https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/secure/aapd/cist/vop/Business/Kudler/KudlerHome002.htm Related Essays on Kudler Fine Foods Kudler Overview of Management Kudler Operations Management Kudler Information Systems Research Papers on Kudler Fine Foods Frequent Shopper ProgramMoral and Ethical Issues in Hiring New EmployeesAnalysis of Ebay Expanding into AsiaOpen Architechture a white paperDefinition of Export QuotasPETSTEL analysis of IndiaRiordan Manufacturing Production PlanMarketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever ProductThe Project Managment Office SystemGenetic EngineeringThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug Use

BMW’s Internationalisation Strategy

BMWs Internationalisation Strategy â€Å"Worldwide movement toward economic, financial, trade, and communications integration. Globalization implies opening out beyond local and nationalistic perspectives to a broader outlook of an interconnected and inter-dependent world with free transfer of capital, goods, and services across national frontiers.† Globalization is a process of interface and merger amongst the people, companies, and governments of different states, a process encouraged by international trade and investment and supported by technology. This process has effects on the environment, culture, political structures, economic progress and prosperity. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW), English: Bavarian Motor Works is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company which was founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the MINI brand, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars also is under the management of BMW AG. BMW manufactures motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands. BMW is known for its performance and luxury vehicles. BMW cars are being assembled in South Africa since 1968, when Praetor Monteerders’ factory was opened in Rosslyn, near Pretoria. To begin with BMW bought shares in the company, before fully buying it out in 1975. As a result the company was named BMW South Africa; this was the first fully owned subsidiary of BMW AG which was established outside Germany. Despite U.S. manufacturers, such as Ford and GM divesting from the country in the 1980s, BMW continued to maintain full ownership of its operations in South Africa. Subsequent to the fall of apartheid in 1994 and the import duties being reduced, BMW South Africa halted manufacturing of the 5-Series and 7-Series. This was done in order to focus on manufacturing of the 3-Series which was to be exported. BMW South Africa’s cars were now being exported to right hand drive countries which included Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, etc.; this also included the African Saha ra. Since 1997 BMW South Africa had started producing vehicles in left hand drive which were to be exported to Taiwan, the United States, etc. Austria In 1978, BMW took a decision to begin a joint venture with the Austrian company Steyr-Daimler-Puch to design, produce and sell diesel engines. When this joint venture ended in 1982, BMW took over the plant in the Austrian city of Steyr under its own group. Over time the Austrian factory had become the back bone for engine production and R&D. United States of America BMWs Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, USA commenced operation and began producing BMW automobiles for the world market in 1994. A huge success of these automobiles soon led to extensive structural enlargements at the Spartanburg plant. Its capacity was enlarged by adding additional shifts, introducing flexible working-hour models and hiring new employees. Today, the Spartanburg plant is open six days a week, with circa 110 hours a week of production. United Kingdom The BMW Group brought its flagship brand MINI into the European market in 2000. The first models to be introduced were the MINI One and MINI Cooper. In 2002, the sporty MINI Cooper S was launched, as did the MINI One D with diesel engine in 2003. In 2004, the MINI convertible was launched. The origin of the MINI is the Oxford plant in the United Kingdom. It is totally incorporated into the BMW Group production network. The plant and Mini brand were acquired in 1994 with purchase of the Rover Group.

International relation study guide Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

International relation study guide - Essay Example The lack of reality is depicted by incapability to embrace and regulate the interaction and display the actual practice in real life situation to the scholars. Instead, it is based on stereotypes and affects the self understanding of international relations. These deny the scholars the academic relevance in the fact that they only learn but cannot put the same into practice. Most of the academic concept revolves around research driven teaching responding to ancient ideologies rather than the present day real life situation. This offers a challenge for making the study central to the discipline and do not improve the academic understanding by the scholars. It lacks the ability to solve human conflicts but rather since it fails to nurture the formation of critical ideas and formation of intellectual sensitivity in the scholars mind. This has affected the self understanding and does not address the global dimension of political, social and cultural behavior and how it can be used to improve the international

Global goverance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Global goverance - Essay Example Globally, people were living in peace and harmony; they openly and freely were visiting to almost all states of the world. During the visits, they did not give much consideration to the issues such as caste, color, race, religion and other social, political and religious factors. Without any fear; they were sharing their beliefs and ideas with one another. Even if, they came across that a particular person belongs to a specific religious or political identity, it was not given much importance. However, soon after the attacks of 9/11, a new frame of mind came into existence. Extremist groups do not differentiate between an innocent people and their targets. Extremist groups can be extremist individuals, terrorist outfits, and hostile governments. Terrorists cannot be limited to one particular nation, tribe, sect, religion; rather they can come from any side of the social spectrum. They can be local, national, international groups. And these groups do not much differentiate between a t arget and an innocent person. To achieve their inhumane objectives, which they venerate and support them with their illogical religious or political backgrounds, they can go to any extent. However, in the recent history, the trend in the terrorist attacks has been international rather than national. In which, they have mercilessly targeted to innocent persons as well. To increase the fear of terrorism, they have implied in their attacks that the higher the number of casualties the more fearful would be nations and their leaders as well. It is their agenda to create the environment of fear and threat under which liberty remains at threat. For attaining these cruel objectives, terrorists have targeted the civilians and military targets in the recent history. But, worse thing is that, they are targeting more soft targets than the hard one-military targets. In the recent history, after the 9/11 attacks, they have attacked on Bali, London, Mumbai and certain other cities of the world sho wing a complete disrespect for the international law and humanitarian values. From their terrorist activities; it looks like they have a clear cut agenda to rule over the certain part of the world with the use of force, threat, intimidation and violence. They legalize their every inhumane violent action by providing authenticity either from a religious scripture or from a social or political point of view. In the recent attacks, they have clearly shown that they have their set of rules and regulations. On the basis of their rules and regulations, they define their inhumane actions and determine their course of actions at the cost of the international laws. The tenets of international laws, human and social, cultural, political, ethnic, religious values and norms have no meaning for them. They do not give significance to these human values rather they disrespect and use them in order to achieve their terrorist aims and objectives. It is this mentality that has increased the air of vi olence, threat, intimation and law and order situation globally. No country is safe and secure from this kind of frame of mind. This is the worst form of extremism that is rapidly increasing in the certain religious identities of the world. It is this mentality that have fuelled to the fire of terrorism and violence, which is not limited to any single state of the world. Slowly and gradually, it has targeted almost every nation of the world if not physically but

Are trauma centres best practice for the UK Essay

Are trauma centres best practice for the UK - Essay Example A look at the figures spent by NHS on treating injuries related to trauma is convincing enough to make one realise the importance of an effective trauma management, with efforts to also locate the source of these injuries (like speed driving), and effectively put a stop to them. Since road trauma is one of the major causes of death, it is also necessary for the government to take initiatives where road accidents can be reduced. During the late eighties specialists from the Royal College of Surgeons UK, had highlighted the fact that there are major flaws in the management of patients with serious injuries, and ineffective handling of the entire situation often leads to many untimely deaths, that are completely avoidable in nature. My article will examine the current conditions of trauma management and the services offered to patients in trauma within UK, and to ascertain the importance of the trauma services in this country, with main emphases on the transportation of patients using a mbulance services (pre-hospital care). Are trauma centres best practices for the UK? 1 Introduction 1.1 Background history Severe injuries, resulting from accidents like a car crash or after falling from great heights, are one of the most common causes of death amongst the UK youth. The chances of surviving the fatal accident, later followed by a complete recovery are dependent on the trauma care that the patient receives immediately after the mishap, and in the few following weeks, as he recuperates. In England and in other parts of UK, it has been observed that the most common cause of death from trauma is in case of road accidents. At an average count it has been estimated that annually there nearly 20,000 reported cases of severe trauma in England that results in an estimated 5,400 deaths, while many of the survivors suffer from long term disabilities, a majority of which are permanent in nature, thus demanding provisions for long-term care facilities (National Audit Office, 201 0, 4). The term trauma can be summarily defined as â€Å"physical injury caused by events such as road traffic accidents, falls, explosions, shootings, or stabbings. The term ‘major trauma’ is therefore used to describe multiple injuries involving different tissues and organ systems that are, or have the potential to be, life threatening. Trauma patients require specialist care from a multidisciplinary group of professionals† (The Royal College of Surgeons of England, 2007, 1). Death from major trauma (from severe multiple injuries) is a major cause in UK with almost 16000 dying in England and Wales alone each year (ibid). According to NHS Choice the term ‘Major Trauma’ may be defined as comprising of â€Å"multiple, serious injuries that could result in disability or death. These might include serious head injuries, severe gunshot wounds or road traffic accidents† (NHS Clinical Advisory Groups Report, 2010, 5). In scientific terms Major Traum a is exemplified with the use of Injury Severity Score (ISS), which gives certain values to â€Å"injuries in different parts of the body and totals

Preliminary Analysis of Cost and Budgetary Information Systems Essay - 1

Preliminary Analysis of Cost and Budgetary Information Systems - Essay Example More than often, organizations ensure that an analysis of varied product cost and budgetary control methodologies and systems are carried out. This is because, the introduction of a suitable cost and budgetary information systems allows for effective planning for the future, controlling of present activities, and an evaluation of the past performance within an organization. Considerably, the choice of a suitable cost and budgetary information systems allows for planned action, coordination, and optimum use of resources as it defines responsibilities. †¢ Product costs include the cost estimates that are based on material, labor and machine process that influence decisions made by management. It is either based on activity-based costing or traditional based costing (Kaplan & Anderson, 2007). †¢ Activity-based costing is adopted from the conventional costing system and it assumes that activities act as fundamental cost objects because cause costs and cost objects are known to create demand for activities. †¢ Traditional based costing utilizes costs based on a single, volume-based cost driver, it assumes that product causes cost because; it assigns the overhead costs to products based on relative usage of direct labor. †¢ It is recommendable for the management of Worplestrop Partnership to adopt the activity-based costing control method because it ensures efficient maximization of profits as it allocates costs to key cost drives (Kaplan & Anderson, 2007). †¢ It is also decisive for the management to prepare budgetary control tools ranging from long-term to short-term, all functional budget estimates and both functional and flexible budget to control costs used in products (Weygandt, Kimmel & Kieso, 2009). More than often, the levels of decision-making are classified as operational, tactical and strategic levels. Nonetheless, decisions made at each level play an important role in product costing and budgetary control, as relevant information is transmitted in order to make an organization successful.  

SWAT & PEST Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

SWAT & PEST - Essay Example The main strength faced by Sampson’s family relating to Hugh’s option is the expertise that Hugh is expected to have. The study indicates that Hugh has previously worked with different winemakers and undertaken different levels of trainings. The other strength faced by this option is the price superiority; the premium cider sells at a price higher than the regular cider. The case studied also indicates that the set-up process for the new process, Hugh’s option, would not be costly, in fact, it is just an enhancement of current production techniques. This indicates that the company would not need to engage in substantial capital expenditure. The last strength that would be faced by Hugh’s option would be the ease of integration of the new process into already existing processes. As already mentioned, the old process would need a few changes to accommodate the new process, which would also improve the efficiency of the whole process. Because of the improveme nt, the company will get the wine breaking into the market at a lower price than it did before. Despite the strengths mentioned above, the main weakness faced by the company in the consideration of Hugh’s option is the current workers.

Are trauma centres best practice for the UK Essay

Are trauma centres best practice for the UK - Essay Example A look at the figures spent by NHS on treating injuries related to trauma is convincing enough to make one realise the importance of an effective trauma management, with efforts to also locate the source of these injuries (like speed driving), and effectively put a stop to them. Since road trauma is one of the major causes of death, it is also necessary for the government to take initiatives where road accidents can be reduced. During the late eighties specialists from the Royal College of Surgeons UK, had highlighted the fact that there are major flaws in the management of patients with serious injuries, and ineffective handling of the entire situation often leads to many untimely deaths, that are completely avoidable in nature. My article will examine the current conditions of trauma management and the services offered to patients in trauma within UK, and to ascertain the importance of the trauma services in this country, with main emphases on the transportation of patients using a mbulance services (pre-hospital care). Are trauma centres best practices for the UK? 1 Introduction 1.1 Background history Severe injuries, resulting from accidents like a car crash or after falling from great heights, are one of the most common causes of death amongst the UK youth. The chances of surviving the fatal accident, later followed by a complete recovery are dependent on the trauma care that the patient receives immediately after the mishap, and in the few following weeks, as he recuperates. In England and in other parts of UK, it has been observed that the most common cause of death from trauma is in case of road accidents. At an average count it has been estimated that annually there nearly 20,000 reported cases of severe trauma in England that results in an estimated 5,400 deaths, while many of the survivors suffer from long term disabilities, a majority of which are permanent in nature, thus demanding provisions for long-term care facilities (National Audit Office, 201 0, 4). The term trauma can be summarily defined as â€Å"physical injury caused by events such as road traffic accidents, falls, explosions, shootings, or stabbings. The term ‘major trauma’ is therefore used to describe multiple injuries involving different tissues and organ systems that are, or have the potential to be, life threatening. Trauma patients require specialist care from a multidisciplinary group of professionals† (The Royal College of Surgeons of England, 2007, 1). Death from major trauma (from severe multiple injuries) is a major cause in UK with almost 16000 dying in England and Wales alone each year (ibid). According to NHS Choice the term ‘Major Trauma’ may be defined as comprising of â€Å"multiple, serious injuries that could result in disability or death. These might include serious head injuries, severe gunshot wounds or road traffic accidents† (NHS Clinical Advisory Groups Report, 2010, 5). In scientific terms Major Traum a is exemplified with the use of Injury Severity Score (ISS), which gives certain values to â€Å"injuries in different parts of the body and totals

SWAT & PEST Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

SWAT & PEST - Essay Example The main strength faced by Sampson’s family relating to Hugh’s option is the expertise that Hugh is expected to have. The study indicates that Hugh has previously worked with different winemakers and undertaken different levels of trainings. The other strength faced by this option is the price superiority; the premium cider sells at a price higher than the regular cider. The case studied also indicates that the set-up process for the new process, Hugh’s option, would not be costly, in fact, it is just an enhancement of current production techniques. This indicates that the company would not need to engage in substantial capital expenditure. The last strength that would be faced by Hugh’s option would be the ease of integration of the new process into already existing processes. As already mentioned, the old process would need a few changes to accommodate the new process, which would also improve the efficiency of the whole process. Because of the improveme nt, the company will get the wine breaking into the market at a lower price than it did before. Despite the strengths mentioned above, the main weakness faced by the company in the consideration of Hugh’s option is the current workers.

Silas Marner Essay Example for Free

Silas Marner Essay We expect that the relationship between a parent and a child is affectionate and caring; however, George Elliot explores and shows the reader that this is not always the case and relationships between different families are all very different. In the book there are many examples of relationships between parents and children. These include the relationship between Silas and Eppie, Squire Cass, Godfry and Dunstan also Godfry and Eppie. The Case of Godfry and Nancy’s sadness over not being able to have children also arises in the novel. One of the relationships between mother and child is Molly and Eppie. Molly was married to Godfrey and the only person who knew about his ‘secret’ life was his brother Dunstan. Molly was addicted to drugs and she lived in poverty, her relationship with Eppie was destroyed by her addiction, the only love Molly had in her life was the love to drugs. Instead of devoting herself to bringing up Eppie she devoted herself to being drugs. Perhaps this addiction was because Godfrey let her down and was ashamed of her so she had to rely on something and for her it was drugs. When Godfrey realises that his wife passed away, the expression ‘a weight was lifted of his shoulders’ is very relevant. Godfreys’ secret was kept and he was not prepared to claim Eppie even though she was motherless. As he was ‘free,’ he could now propose to Nancy without worrying about his wife. Godfrey entered this secret marriage as he was young and foolish, however he realised his mistakes when he realises he loves Nancy. He couldn’t get out of his marriage with Molly as Molly threatened to tell his father, so Godfrey would rather have a secret marriage than shame upon his name. However, Dunstan knew about Godfrey’s ‘secret’ life and having a family of his own, he constantly manipulated Godfrey over this, Godfrey did most of what his brother said as he was afraid that his brother was going to tell his father. Godfreys’ upbringing could be reflected on how he treated his wife and daughter. Godfrey was basically abandoned by his father, and was mostly brought up by his brother Dunstan. The Squire spent most of his hours in the local pub â€Å"the Rainbow† as he liked to drink and Dunstan became a lot like his father, he liked to drink and gamble; the villagers described him as â€Å"a spiteful jeering felloe†. If Godfrey and Dunstan had a mother raising  them and a father setting a better example, Dunstan and Godfrey would have more interests and be able to talk to each other instead of being afraid of their own father; keeping secrets from him and being afraid of him finding out the truth. The Squire’s household has no women to influence the upbringing of the two children, yet nor does Silas’, the upbringing of the children is very different because the Squire is harsh and Silas is very different in which he is very sympathetic towards others. Squire Cass is a man with authority and money who has to bring two children up. In Victorian England, child rearing and the development of good families were considered as a female role. The relationship between Silas and Eppie is one of the key parent-child relationships in the novel. A lonely man, feared by many villagers, is changed into a man who was admired by all of the villagers; he was changed by his adopted daughter Eppie. Throughout his life with Eppie, Silas regained his sense of faith and community. She changed his perspective of life, and taught him how to value human affection rather than gold. Eppie came into his life through an open door (which which could symbolise new place and a new beginning) and lay asleep by the hearth- in Celtic traditions the hearth was the heart of the home. Silas mistakes her golden curls for his lost money, he is stunned by her appearance just as he was when his money disappeared â€Å"Gold!brought back to him as mysteriously as it had been taken away! He felt his heart begin to beat violently, and for a few moments he was unable to stretch out his hand and grasp the treasure.† The child has the same affect on Silas as the gold does; the most important thing in Silas’ life was his gold. A metaphor; she becomes his new treasure. On first sight of Eppie, Silas associates her with gold and treasure. After calling upon a doctor to examine Molly, who is pronounced dead, Godfrey asks Silas â€Å"You’ll take the child to the parish to-morrow?† Godfrey recognises his child but he does not want anyone to know he is the father and he is willing to give her away. Silas wants to keep the child because he sees them both as lone creatures â€Å"it’s a lone thing and I’m a lone thing†. There is affinity between them and he is determined to bring her up himself as the child fills a gap that Silas has been missing- Love. From the start, there was a strong bond between Silas and Eppie. It is very  ironic how Silas, a stranger towards Eppie wants to be a father towards her, but her real father wants to offer her to a parish. Feeling sorry for his actions Godfrey gives money to Silas to buy clothes for Eppie so he feels he has given something towards her upbringing. In a short while, Silas becomes extremely attached and very possessive over Eppie, this is because he wants to bring her up himself; he wants to act like a father towards her. â€Å"I want to do things for myself, else it may get fond o’ some-body else, and not fond o’ me.† Love is jealous, with Silas only wanting Eppie to love him and no one else. Silas has a big desire to be loved, with this true and pure bond between them , Eppie transforms Silas’ life in many ways, she forms a ‘bridge’ between him and the villagers, with this link with the other villagers, he receives advice on how to bring Eppie up and they think of him as a good person. In Victorian England, to have a well brought up child, discipline and several beatings were the key. There was a strong belief that that children had to be ‘trained’ to be good, however Silas’ approach to disciplining Eppie was very different from how the other villagers punished their children. Silas tried to punish Eppie, after persuasion by Dolly, by putting Eppie in the coal hole but after â€Å"a little cry† he let her out again â€Å"she’s got no tricks but what she’ll grow out of.† In Victorian England the reader would be very surprised about his decision not to punish the child however a modern reader would think of his decision as being a typical loving parent. Silas’s decision on bringing up Eppie discipline free worked, she grew up to be a polite young woman. In the end after sixteen years, Godfrey confesses to Eppie about being her biological father, though she declines the offer to live with him and his newly wedded wife, the reader feels the true and loving relationship between Silas and Eppie as she chooses to stay with him â€Å"I can’t feel as I’ve got any father but one† referring to Silas. At the end of the novel Silas and Eppie stay together, the reader sees that she chooses the poor man over the rich, as there is love and care between them. The message seems to be that family affection can be found not in the well known richest families but in the poor families. The wealthiest family looses everything, for example, Dunstan dies and Nancy cannot produce a healthy child and it passes away (this could be a consequence as Godfrey  rejects his own child instead of taking responsibility of it). He gains a wife, but not the family he wanted.

SWOT, PEST and Porters 5 Forces Analysis of Virgin

SWOT, PEST and Porters 5 Forces Analysis of Virgin Virgin group was founded by Richard Branson. Virgin group first started with a magazine called student. This started in 70s and got huge recognition in public. Then he opened a virgin recording studio. In 80s virgin company went on to international recognition. He then started virgin Atlantic airways in 84. In the same year he started a 24 hour music channel which was a grand success. Virgin entered in all kind of business by 90s. There are different companies under virgin group like virgin mobile, virgin airways, virgin holidays, virgin trains, cars, books etc. Virgin group is the one of the top companies in UK. In rest of the countries it is giving a tough competition to other companies. Virgin has a different strategy and approach to the customers and it always succeeded in attracting the customers. Group produces different products and has entered into different fields in a very short period. Virgin has the advantage of its brand name in the market as it is a company where most of the people are wary about the company products. Richard Branson manager of the company is the brand ambassador of the company. History: 1968: Richard Bransons first magazine went on to publish. This is the first venture by the company manager. 1970: In this year Virgin mail order was born. 1971: In this year virgins first record shop was opened in Oxford Street in London. 1972: Virgin built a recording studio and composed the songs. 1984: Company built Virgin Atlantic airways where the flights ran to all beautiful places. 1985: Company started another offer to the customers like Virgin Holidays. 1988: Virgin opened Mega stores in Glasgow, Paris and then it spread to many other major cities. 1991: In this year Virgin started selling books. 1993: Virgin started radio station. It is the first national and commercial radio station in UK. 1994: In this year Virgin entered into beverages and started Virgin Vodka and Virgin Cola. 1995: Virgin launched cinemas in UK. 1996: In this year Virgin started its Internet services to the customers. 1997: Virgin entered into transportation industry and started Virgin rails. 1999: Virgin mobiles started and it changed the way of communication. 2000: In this year Virgin started nine companies and all of them were successful. 2007: Virgin entered into Indian market with its mobile. Strategy of the company: Virgins first and obvious resource is the chairman Richard Branson that made the company to top position. Richard Bransons style and charismatic manner that attracts many people towards virgin group. Secondly virgin people are the main source of the companys success. Virgin has a unique brand recognition in different businesses that is difficult to other companies to replicate. Virgin has many numbers of companies under its shadow. The management of virgin group has freedom to express their opinions regarding companys ongoing business and innovates new strategies for the company development. Virgins management is heavily depends on the market analysis and the customer requirements as they go into customer shoes and understand their needs and serve more better. Virgin has creative employees to serve the company better and it has 25000 employees all over the world. Richard Branson adopted a policy with his managers and encouraged their own creativity for initiative ideas so managers would feel more responsible and ownership and tries to make a change in the company strategy and make it to run on success and profits. Management recruited carefully only some selected individuals who has the competitive nature and good teamwork abilities and chairman Richard Branson has selected as they are of his image in characteristics. Brand Strategy: Brand name or brand strategy is a process of attracting customers to buy a new product of its brand where brand has already got a market value. Virgin has a great brand value in UK and all the products which are produced are sold under its brand. Branding allows a customer to buy repeatedly the product and it makes a loyal supplier and the customer is also satisfied. Branding less than one name means more responsible to the supplier and trustworthy to supplier to supply the best products. Selling the products under one brand doesnt need more advertisement costs and it gets good response in the beginning as the brand is familiar in the market and there are many number trusted customers to it already. There are even some threats to this brand strategy, if the product fails to attract the customers then it may put the brand into difficult position and it degrades the image of the brand. Virgin has a great brand value in the market that uses its name tag for all its products in advertising and releases into the market. Virgin has many products in various fields under its brand name like in travel and tourism it has virgin travels, vacations etc. in leisure it has games, spa etc. In social welfare and environment it has green fund, virgin earth etc. In beverages it has virgin wines, soft drinks etc. In media it has virgin radio, music channels, mobiles, broadband, telecommunications etc. With all these it has some products like books, cloths, and finance and health bank. All its products has only one brand name and they are sold on virgin name for its brand value and good reputation. In virgin it provides two types of products, they are differentiated as convenience products and no requested products which have different types of customers and demand. In convenience products books, cosmetics, mobiles are available where all these products are convenient to buy for any type of customers. These products are bought frequently, immediately and with minimum affordable costs. The second type of products is no requested products like extra terrestrial travels where people doesnt know about it or doesnt show interest in it. Virgin introduced an offer to travel space to its customers. Due to its cost and risks many were not interested to use the offer. Virgin believes in fewer prices in differentiated products where certain level of customers expects quality of products. Branson has managed to satisfy the customers with quality services and his products through out the world. Virgin brand mainly concentrated on customers like young people who like innovative, quality, fun loving products. Corporate Structure: The structure of virgin group is different than other companies as the financial information is not clear for this business. As it is a private company and it has different fields and different organizations and there are no correct accounts, so financial structure of the company and its income and business statements are not available clearly. Branson told that the group is loosely linked to each other and they are self managed under one brand name. Branson also said that virgin is a group of private companies and not public limited company so it must concentrate on benefit of shareholders, stakeholders and financiers. The advantage of this is the company targets only on the long term profits. Virgin group is mainly controlled by Richard and his trusted employees who are working for him since twenty years. In head office there are 30 people working and he has given them freedom to work and improve the companys financial structure and he is there only to look after big deals and final strategy. The main strategy of the virgin is to work in different sectors of business under one brand name. Virgin has decentralized the organizational structure and decision making allows the managers to learn about business tactics and while avoiding large deal decision to the chairman. Virgin allows small companies to put its brand name as it gets international recognition and it would help company to promote very easily. With this virgin is able to enjoy both the large scale and small scale companys profits and world wide recognition. Virgin has a centralized unit to look all its business strategies and manage all the companies under one desk at the head office. A single website www.virgin.com allows users to access all its products and services. It has a internet business strategy which has coordination between all the companies and they act according to the strategies coming from the head office. When a customer enters into virgin website he can access to all the products of virgin which are under one portal and if he uses any product then he becomes a member of virgin family and he can use other services like mobile, telecommunication, banking, transportation, internet needs, traveling, entertainment etc. In this it gains more number of customers like virgin mobile gets customers from virgin rail records, virgin travel gets records from other virgin companies and so on. In this way other mobile companies cant get contact with rail customers or travel companies cannot contact to some unrelated company customers as they are unknown to them, but in virgin it have all types of customers and it can get in contact with all customers who are under them and this would help them increase the sale of there products. Strategic Relationships: All the companies in virgin run targeting towards a five pillar empire system that Richard was eager to create. According to Richard five pillars and heart of his business are travel, leisure, mobile phones, entertainment retailing and personal finance. Virgin wants to say to all its customers by using prefix called fun, innovative, daring. It is already said that the main strategy of virgin is Sir Richard Branson. The Britain people can immediately identify the Sir Richard Branson name and his companies. This is the main psychological strategy Richard has got and he actively participates in all marketing and promotion activities. This is the reason for the expansion of virgin empire and all other companies show interest to keep a joint venture with virgin group. There is a great demand for virgin and the example for this is actually for the virgin direct affair investment was  £15 million. But the AMP limited the leading international finance group initial investment was  £450 million and it was 50-50 joint venture. All business in the virgin group sacrificed short term profits to gain long term growth and used an individual level business strategy of decision making method. Managers are given freedom to make decisions independently for the growth and feel the same as of ownership and the value that any manager would feel. The assets and finance matters are not shared between companies and if any company became too large any other company would take its place. Management: Branson has taken few candidates who are having innovative ideas and are willing to start new business with a strong desire to beat their competitor. Richard Branson has added his own style of management style and involved actively all the employees and asked for advices to further serving customers better. Employees were actively involved in behaving with there values and there performance was accountable. Human resource management was responsible to keep people to the bonuses and profit sharing where ever possible they get promotions. Analytical Tools: PEST Analysis: Political factors: Virgin rail is running under single brand as it has partnership with stagecoach. Virgin has 51% share and stagecoach has 49% share in the market. Virgin follows all the rules and regulations of the country it is working in and it pays all taxes and makes policies according to the government rules. Virgin is Britains most trusted company and it has lot of customer following to its products and has a great influence and bonding relationship with the people of this country. The political interference in virgin group is regarding financial matters as the reports are not clear due to its partnerships with many companies. Economic factors: To virgin most of the companies are running with partnerships and they are putting only to some extent of money and they expand their business. The global recession has lot of affect on its company, like closing down or losing jobs may have direct impact on its business strategy. Operation levels are increased and taking particular attention to the competitive services regarding to customers. Fluctuations in the local and international market show the direct impact on the companys business strategy and may turn it into losses. Social factors: The social responsibility of providing good quality services to its customers is its first priority. The company has a mission to give outstanding services to all its customers according to the economic conditions of the customer. Environmental concerns are increasing day by day. So company launched its first bio-diesel train earlier than all other companies in Europe. Virgin has poor punctuality services which should be taken care and satisfy the customers by addressing on time. Virgin mobile has offered different offers to its customers according to the social conditions of the countrys situation. Technological factors: Virgin is one company which always tries to update its software or its technical knowledge and serve to its customers to a maximum extent. Virgin rail has always made updates in its technology or in its quality to its customers and made the trains run punctually without any technical mistakes. Virgin group always updates in providing internet services and technologies in it as wireless technology. Company policies also change according to the trend and interest of the customers. SWOT Analysis: Strengths: Brand name: Virgin has a strong brand name in countries like UK, USA, and Australia. Name of its brand is enough to promote any product and make it grand success in the market. Products coming from virgin can survive in the market very easily and they can get good recognition and publicity without making more advertisement. Different types of distribution: Virgin has two different types of distribution units. First is to sell the products in retail stores and the second is to sell through online. Customers can use any of these services according to there comfortable levels. Both of these distribution units are maintained by virgin group. Various processes to export: Virgin has different methods of transportation facilities to export its products. It has international airports and two big seaports near to it for exporting its product. IT professionals: It has highly skilled software professionals who work with great commitment to give the best quality of service to its customers. High budget: Virgin group has enough money to invest into any kind of business and it is earning huge profits every year for its products and it is expanding to different countries every year. Weaknesses: Loose supervision: As virgin is a group of different companies and each field has its own managers, the supervision of the company is becoming hard for anyone and control goes out of hand sometimes. Communication gap: There is a lot of communication gap between each company. Only the website to approach to the company is same but the communication between different sectors of business is very weak. Bad transportation: There is a bad transportation facility and there is no punctuality in trains and other public transportation facilities where all these are affecting the company progress. Outdated machinery: Some of the virgin products use outdated machines and these cause a great trouble to the customers and employees in it. For example virgin rails still need to update its version of trains and make it faster. Opportunities: Expand to overseas: Virgin has the opportunity to expand to overseas and make its market to reach to more customers as it is a familiar product in many countries. Products like mobiles, airlines and media can be extended to any country very easily. Virgin could get better deals: Virgin has the opportunity to get more deals from more countries as it is always ready to expand its business and it is ready to make partnership with any other company for its progress. Opportunities of training: There are many opportunities for training for fresher and retraining to other individuals in the company. So that employer has the opportunity to know more about the company and on what project it is working exactly. Using high technology goods: It has the opportunity to improve itself by improving its technology and usage of new technologies in different sectors and making customer easy to understand about the services you offer. Threats: The success of virgin group mainly depends on the corporate parenting strategy which is led by Richard Branson. It is sustained through its strategies if it goes well in the market and gives competition to other companies. In the long run Branson has to put his succession ideas and strategies for the future running of business and they require implementing properly to reach the targets of the company. Virgin has to take care about its strong leadership for the future and the implementation of its company policies and strategies for the long run of the company by managing all the companies under it carefully. Porters 5 forces: In porters five forces it discuss about the five factors where the running of a company depends and they are: rivalry, supplier power, customer power, threat of substitutes, threat of new entrants. Porters Five Forces Model Rivalry: In the market if the rivalry between two companies increases then it would result to zero profit margins. Companies try to overcome this and take competitive advantage and over their rivals. Rivalry can be caused due to various reasons and their effects may decrease prices and sometimes companies need to put special offers to face the challenges. Rivalry between companies is due to the following reasons Large number of firms: More number of firms produces same product then they compete for the sales of there goods to the same customers in a limited market place and this led to competition between companies. High fixed costs: If the cost of product is high then customers switch to other companies and this would put in trouble so the companies has to put a price with a minimum profit margin. Market growth: In this companies try to grow rapidly by attracting customers and they make plans for the expansion of there business. There would be a strong rivalry during this process as all the companies try to increase their market size. Threat of substitutes: In this model threat of substitutes refer to the same products producing by other companies and making competition. In this customers would easily switch to another product. So companies have price war and look for the low margin profits to attract existing and new customers. Buying power: This refers to the power of buyers as it is mainly concerned with customers. There are some factors in this as the buyers are powerful and if the buyers are weak. Buyers are powerful when the customers are less in concentration compared to market share and he can purchase a fair share of output. Buyers are weak when the companies take over the distribution of products on their own or the producers supply distribution of input purchases. Supplier power: In this it discuss about the power of supplier. Suppliers are powerful when there are more number of customers or when there are only few suppliers to the company. Suppliers are weak when more number of suppliers is there to supply the goods and when the less number of purchasers are available in the market. Threat of new entrants: In this if any new company enters the market this would make huge competition in the market and new entrants threat to pose more danger as they try to attract the customers and in this process they give lot of offers to the customers. In this it is easy to enter when there is huge demand for any product and lot of distribution channels. It is easy to exit when there are salable assets, low exit costs and independent businesses. Future of the company: Virgin has a lot of strategies for its future and Richard Branson is in the process to implement all these strategies. Virgin is planning to enter into more different sectors of business and to expand its business to other countries. Virgin is planning to open new businesses in partnership with any company to enter into new business and to other countries. It is planning to enter developing countries and make its mark there by giving more offers to all types of customers and increase their share in the market and their brand value. The virgin group as a business head had the following points where they value these. Understanding of markets: Virgins management has a good experience in identifying the market situation. It is there expertise and business strategy which helped the company to achieve a lot of success in all business areas they entered. Brand name which overcame barriers to entry: The virgin brand name is the Britains favorite brand and it is a respectable brand in other countries. Joint ventures: virgin secret of success is joint ventures and they kept limited investment in new products and got benefits from this in market. Freedom to managers: management is not restricted and the company helps in innovation and promotes shared partnership and responsibilities. Innovation: Virgins staff has individuals who have succeeded in their careers and the group invites many people who invest in new innovations and differentiate. All these innovative ideas made virgin in top position and they have applied in there business and got huge success to their credit. For example virgin mobiles have partnership with other telecommunication groups and they gave offers such as less monthly rentals and cheaper prepaid offers in all the places they entered. In UK virgin doesnt operate its own network but it won best wireless award in UK. Conclusion: Virgin company has many ventures to launch. Virgin managed to increase their share in the market over the last 15 years. In last fifteen years there are lot of new ventures in Virgin and entered into different fields and launched its products in many countries. A strong brand name and good service to its customers makes Virgin Company to top position in future. Bibliography: Wilson and Gilligan (1998),  Strategic Marketing Management,  2nd  edition, Butterwoth Heinemann, Oxford   Applied Strategic Planning: An Introduction by Timothy N. Nolan, Leonard D. Goodstein, and Jeanette Goodstein Applied Strategic Planning: How to Develop a Plan That Really Works: A Comprehensive Guide by Leonard Goodstein, Timothy Nolan, and J. William Pfeiffer