International Marketing Strategy for Multinational Company Essay - 1

International Marketing Strategy for Multinational Company - Essay Example This paper illustrates that the global expansion helps a company in many ways. It increases the brand value in the global market, due to globalization an organization can earn huge revenue and can maximize the profit. Moreover, global expansion can give a huge market share to the operating company. The companies may face several internal and external challenges while practicing international business. Depending on the core competency, strengths, and competitive advantages the particular organization has to develop their global business plan. Wal-Mart is the largest American multinational retail chain established in the year 1962 currently headquartered in Bentonville, United States. The company has ranked top in the list of fortune 500 in two consecutive years. It is the third largest public limited company in the global market. The employee strength of Wal-Mart is more than two million internationally. Wal-Mart has made its position on New York stock exchange in the year 1972. The c ompany operates on their own in countries like Canada, Brazil, and Argentina. They have the outlets in China, South America, UK. They have ventured into countries like South Korea and Germany. ASDA, one of the leading UK based retail chain is the Subsidiary of Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart offers different luxurious and consumer durable goods to its customers. The broad range of different product categories that include crafts, movie DVDs, gift items, shoes, jewelry, cosmetics, garments, home appliance, video games, outdoor living, grocery, college essentials, toys and much more are available in a Wal-Mart outlet globally. The various product ranges have increased the core competency of Wal-Mart in a global market.

Culture icon Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Culture icon - Essay Example This is especially true with John and Paul who wrote some of the most widely-known songs ever. John, on his own, can be best remembered in his song entitled ‘Imagine’ with its very familiar lyrics and melody. His influence was not limited to the world of music. He also became very outspoken about many aspects of his beliefs. These things are reflected in his songs. John Lennon was an advocate of peace and he was against the Vietnam War where soldiers get killed every day. The Hippies who were popular in the 1960s considered him as being one of them and this acceptable to him. He became, by choice or not, a political figure. Then, his abrupt death when he was assassinated only added to the idealism that was regarded on his life. â€Å"If nothing else, John Lennon’s death clearly marked a shift from the imagery of stardom to that of heroism† (Mà ¤kelà ¤ 211). His songs and words remained to be very influential. His beliefs on love and the importance of peace remained to be relevant even to this day. These are the things that make John Lennon a cultural

Project management of a company Essay Example for Free

Project management of a company Essay With the current rapid development of various business. Market competition becomes more and more fierce. Hence, a specific business plan is crucial to help a business successfully achieve goals and become competitive. The aim of this report is to prepare a business plan for a business. Some parts will be analysed in detail below which include a description of the business, sales and marketing strategy and risk management plan. A famous interior designer, Mark, owns Master Furniture (MF) which is located countryside in Melbourne. The major function of MF is providing customized furniture. There are three options provided to customers by MF: buying the existing furniture without any changes, changing the design of existing furniture displayed in showrooms, and providing design plans by customers themselves. In the next five years, MF plans to develop its own ERP system and expand his business to open linkage shops around Victoria. The main marketing principle is that the entire efforts of a company should be directed towards customers needs. MF is positioned as a high quality retailer that offers a unique selling proposition. MF sets its business apart from others due to its unique feature of providing customized goods to its customers. Advertising and Promotion also necessary through a variety of channels in order to attract customers. These approaches include the Internet, newspaper, radio, television and tradeshows. Besides sales and marketing strategy, risk management plan is also a significant factor that cannot be neglected. Specific and deliberate risk management plan should be established in order to minimize the negative influences on the business development and better achieve business goal and objective. The risk management plan contains the following parts, identifying and recording the potential risks, classifying the identified risks and assessing impacts of risks and developing the risk mitigation strategy for each risk. Those identified risks are categorized into six groups, including customer risks, supplier risks, staff risks, competitor risks, product risks and financial risks. 2.Description of the product/service Master Furniture (MF) is a business planned to provide furniture design and sale services for both individual and companies who have special or unique furniture requirements. Goals of enterprise are to provide high-quality customized service that is reliable and convenient. Mark, the owner of Master Furniture, also is a famous interior designer and won many relevant international prizes. Mark praised free spirit as his operation concept, which also directly affects his design. Purposes of establishing this entity are expressing and disseminating his artistic concepts, as well as exchanging ideas with professors and hobbyists. Customers are on top and middle class of society, who have special requirements and enthusiasm for furniture designing are targeted customers. The primary market focuses on special groups, such as the blind, the elder and people who are passionately fond of designing personal furniture. The physical shop locates in the city of Melbourne. Therefore, the target market areas are the suburbs around Melbourne. The shop includes three showrooms, which divided into bedroom, living room and kitchen. Mark designs all furniture displayed in the shop. There also have one meeting room and one stock room, which store the art works and goods customers ordered. Initially, the major function of MF is providing customized furniture. There are three options provided to customers by MF: buying the existing furniture without any changes, changing the design of existing furniture displayed in showrooms, and providing design plans by customers themselves. For the first situation that customers buy furniture directly from the shop and without any change, MF provides discount in delivery service if customers do not want to pick up by themselves. For the second situation that customers want to change the size, color or materials of furniture based on the design of Mark, MF charges extra service fee. The extra service fees are based on the change of furniture. For example, MF charge extra 20% of the furniture price for changing color and extra 30% of price for changing size. In this case, MF provides the design drawing directly to customers in the shop or sent to customers by email. After customer confirm the design, especially in size and color then it will be sent to factory. For the last situation that designs are provided by customers, Mark may provide professional suggestions based on design, such as budget, drawbacks, and safety risks. After the negotiation between Mark and customers, the design drawing will send to the factory. MF owns a truck, which is able to provide delivery service to customers. For loyal customers who had transaction records in MF database, can enjoy discount delivery service as well as customers buy furniture directly from shop and do not have any change. On the other hand, customers also can pick up by themselves. All advertisements include leaflets, which displayed the new designed furniture and price, a phone number that potential and current customers can call to query the service. For the customers who want to change the design or designed by themselves, MF calls customers once their goods arrived in the shop. The background factory of MF is outsourced to Rojos furniture factory, which is located in the countryside of Melbourne. Once Mark confirms the design drawings and send to factory by email or fax, factory sends an invoice which includes due time of production, price, and quantity back to MF. In this period, MF will confirm the price with customers and then response factory. Factory will start to work after receiving the confirmation from MF. After factory completes the invoice and sends goods back to MF, MF will inform customers to decide whether they want to pick up by himself or herself or delivery furniture to home. MF has two full-time receptionists and one part-time driver. When customers step into the MF, the front desk receptionists, who understand Mark’s design concept completely and have excellent communication skills, will communicate with them and introduce products in the showroom to clients. If clients want to design furniture by themselves no matter completely self-design or partly design, they could make appointments with Mark to discuss. When customers decide to purchase, they need to pay whole amounts for existing products or deposit for new design products. Then receptionists will create account for clients in the MF customer information database, which can help customers get discounts for delivery service in next purchase. On the other hand, receptionists also need to confirm delivery information with customers, such as delivery address, time and payment method. Once clients confirm the delivery, it is the responsibility of receptionists to inform delivery information to the driver. The major responsibilities of driver are delivering and unloading products as well as receipts to customers. After customers signing for confirmation, the last mission of driver is bringing back confirmation of customers to MF. MF offers after-sale services to customers, such as maintenance, consultancy. In the next five years, MF will develop its own Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP) system, which includes a website for advertisement Customer Relationship Management System. Moreover, Mark is planning to expand his business, which focusing on open Linkage shops around Victoria. In order to attract more clients, membership will be applied in MF system. Based on the expanding business, more staff is required for different purpose. There are several kinds of positions will available in MF: designers, receptionists, salesman, full time delivery drivers, and back officers. Moreover, as a famous designer, Mark will provide videos in shops to show his award-winning art works, and by this way to disseminate his design concept and let more people know about furniture art. 3.Sales and marketing strategy 3.1 SWOT Based on the goals of MF: build company image, gain competitive market share and refine logistic, productions and operational systems, SWOT analysis applied to in this subsection to analyze strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The evaluation of the strategic process has to be done in order to conduct the SWOT analysis. Strength †¢In these recent years there is an increase in demand of furniture products that is modern and unique. These classifications make the house of the MF customers to be different from others. And the minimal design is used to express a maximum effect of the art used in the furniture; the arts used in minimal design mostly will be in the form of visual art and music. †¢The MF has the highly educated workers in the organization. The human resources used in both the outlet shop and the factory are skilled, capable of producing the design requested by the customer. †¢Diversity and ideas is the most important strength of the organization. This innovative idea makes us differ from our competitors. Integrating different ideas into a furniture product, that forms the critical success factors. †¢The furniture market has a big democratic market, where there is always a way to establish our organization and product information through the media. This also forms the strength of our organization. Weakness †¢The major part of the weakness lies in the stock control, which is inefficient. There are many cases where the stocks may be outdated. In some cases there may be insufficient stocks. And at sometimes the stocks would not be available on the time needed, sometime available more than what is needed. †¢Trust, forms the core of the business process. The materials that are supplied by the external organizations at sometimes create a lack of trust in them. As the furniture company is mainly dependent on external organization for the raw materials, lose their trust when the raw material is not good and when it is not supplied the time needed. †¢Master Furniture is known especially for its uniqueness in the product. When there is some situation where the organization has to share the knowledge with the other employees and external organization, the knowledge shared can be misused. These cases the organization has to take the risks. †¢The demand for the traditional structure of the furniture’s is decreasing rapidly. On the other hand new innovation and change in this industry has slow absorption. †¢Till a product is completed the quality of the product cannot be judged. Once the quality of the product fails a new product has to be created and the raw materials used cannot also be reused. As known for producing single furniture a large quantity of raw material has to be invested. Opportunities †¢Big potential is developing in the market sector for designing. As the main part of this business is designing as per requested by the customer, the minimal designs are creating new opportunities for these kind of design patterns in the market. †¢The labor cost can be reduced by outsourcing it to the other countries such as China. †¢There is a large scope in the research and development as the customers are looking forward for the uniqueness in the product they buy. So, research and development capability is high. †¢Hybrid solutions can be achieved by blending and balancing. This can be done using the effective production methods. †¢There is only a very little competition in the designing of the modern furniture’s. Threats †¢The major threat to be considered is that the cost of the raw materials, which is always showing upward trend in the rise of the prices. This causes the regular price fluctuation of the products produced. †¢The new ideas or methods that are used in the manufacturing of the product sometimes lead to uncertainties. The innovation in the product cannot be always successful. †¢The MF Company also has to hope with the fast changes and new inventions in the industry. When a new production method is introduced then there will be a change in the stock control. This will lead to a large fluctuation in stock control. 3.2 Marketing Strategy Customers are considered as core in any business. The companies manufacture goods according to the needs of its customers. They would like to increase their market share by beating their competitors through sales. One should have a proper business plan to achieve this. The company should know the likes and dislikes of its customers. Based on these factors it can build a business strategy that allows you to satisfy your customers. The two main marketing principles are: †¢The entire efforts of a company should be directed towards customers needs. †¢Profitable sales volume is more important than maximum sales volume. Positioning: Master furniture is positioned as high quality, moderate price retailer that offers unique customizes goods. As Master furniture provides special services to their customers their goods are positioned at high quality which lean towards higher prices. Their market positioning goals are accomplished through the following: †¢Appointing outstanding sales persons in Master furniture retail store who understand the customer needs. †¢Explaining their manufacturing capabilities and uniqueness through demonstrations. †¢To highlight their ability to customize and quality they should provide invitational sales. Unique Selling Proposition: A unique selling proposition is what your business stands for. It sets your business apart from others. Instead of attempting to be known for everything, businesses with a unique selling proposition stand for something specific, and it becomes what you’re known for. Master furniture sets its business apart from others due to its unique feature of providing customized goods to its customers. Price vs. Quality Design: Master furniture maintains high quality provides appealing customized design according to the customer needs at affordable prices. Advertising and Promotion: Master furniture will use different sources to communicate with their targeted market. Newspaper, local cable, billboards, pamphlets are different sources to attract customers. They use the electronic media to attract customers and explain their concept of customization. Their customers being the middle and high class in the society Master furniture uses radio and television to advertise. Posturing and vehicle writing methods can also be implemented to advertise. Master furniture uses media to advertise. These include: †¢Internet †¢Newspaper †¢Radio †¢Television †¢Tradeshows Internet: Advertising through the Internet is the best way to advertise these days. Social networking websites like Facebook are used for advertising. This would be the most effective advertising plot for Master furniture. Newspaper: Most people in Australia read newspaper. So for that reason Master furniture can use the most popular newspaper to advertise. Radio: Radio is also considered as a popular media item. Many people use it for audio entertainment. So Master furniture can also use radio as to advertise. Television: Television is the most popular media item. Every person in the country uses television for entertainment. Therefore Master furniture can use television to advertise. Tradeshows: The trades how is an excellent mechanism to stay connected with the market and network potential customers. Aside from sales promotion the trade shows offer you the ability to see your competition. Master furniture will attend the trade shows held every year and try to attain potential customers. 4.Risk management plan 4.1Purpose and Objectives Risk management plan is to identify and record the potential risks which may threaten the company and also assess identified risks and establishing risk mitigation strategies to mitigate negative impacts on achieving goals and objectives of the business. The purpose of the risk management plan is to describe all aspects of risk management, including: 1)Identifying and recording the potential risks; 2)Classifying the identified risks and assessing impacts of risks; 3)Developing the risk mitigation strategy for each risk; 4)Allocating responsibility; 4.2 Target Audience The target audience of the risk management plan includes: all employees of MF company and its customers and the supplier. 4.3 Risk strategy In order to minimize the negative influences on the business development, the risk management procedure is developed by considering both internal and external factors. The necessary steps are risk Identification, risk assessment and risk Mitigation. All identified risks are categorized into six groups, including Customer Risks, Supplier Risks, Staff Risks, Competitor Risks, Product Risks and Financial Risks. Identified risks are measured in terms of likelihood of occurrence and impacts. By combing the likelihood and impacts, the risk rating is identified to provide the priority of the risks, which would present a better perspective for risk management. The detail information is shown in Table 1below. Table 1 †¢L=Likelihood: 1=Unlikely; 2=Possible; 3= Very Likely †¢C=Impact: 1=Minor; 2=Moderate; 3= Major †¢R=Risk Rating: L=Low; M=Medium; E=Extreme #Risk NameRisk DescriptionConsequence RRisk MitigationResponsibility ACustomer Risks A.1The company highly relies on a small number of major customers Once the larger customers turn to other companies’ product, then the company’s profit will be affected in the short time.The company’s profit and cash flow will be affected in a period of time until finding the new customers to yield revenue.22M†¢Improving the customer satisfaction and keeping long-term relationship with valuable customer groups by regularly contacting them and continually providing the superior products and services. †¢Locking the existing customers and make them become larger customers. †¢Expanding the target customer groups and seeking new and profitable customers.†¢General Manager †¢Department Managers †¢Salesmen BSupplier Risks B.1Highly depends on one supplierOnce the existing supplier is not able to provide the products and services or produce the products to the company, then the company’s normal operations will be affected.The company’s normal operations will be affected because of the shortage of supply.33E†¢Seeking alternative suppliers who are able to provide the similar products and services to the company. †¢Locking the existing supplier by the long-term contracts and maintaining the relationship with the supplier regularly.†¢General Manager †¢Department Managers B.2Product delivery delay riskThe suppliers cannot produce the product and deliver products on time.The company will not deliver products for its customers on time and loss reputation and credibility.11L†¢Seeking alternative suppliers who are able to provide the similar products and services to the company. †¢Monitoring supply contract regularly and urging products delivery.†¢Department Managers †¢Salesman †¢Customer Service Manager CStaff Risks C.1The staff turnover riskSome employees are critical to the business success, such as they deal with the key supplier and larger customers. The company will be affected by staff turnover.Resulting in disruption of the business operation and hard to find the appropriate new staff. The company has to spend both time and money to train the new staff.22M†¢Implementing a strict personnel selection mechanism to find the right employees for the company. †¢Allocating more employees to key position and training employees for backup. †¢HR Manager †¢Department Managers C.2Employee face occupational health and safety(OHS) risksBecause of the nature of the work, the employees, such as vehicle drivers and porters, would injure in the particular event.The company will be under the risk of fines or paying for injury or death of an employee.11L†¢Establishing appropriate OHS policies. †¢Regularly maintain vehicles and advocating safe driving.†¢Employees DCompetitor Risks D.1Competitor riskCompetitors will pose a current or potential threat to the business, such as competitors may open the new business nearby or launch similar products with lower price in the market.The sales and revenue of the company will be affected.12L†¢Improving the relationships with large clients. †¢Investing money in developing new products and services. †¢Protecting intellectual property assets confidential and proprietary information, such as designs and copyright. †¢Continually monitoring competitors.†¢General Manager †¢Designer EProduct Risks E.1Large-scale product recall riskDue to product defect, the company has to recall all sold products.The company will huge losses in expense of reworking and the sales and reputation of the company will be affected in long term.13M†¢Monitoring the quality of the products and avoid the situation which would damage the company’s reputation. †¢Training employees.†¢General Manager †¢Salesman †¢Customer Service Manager E.2Copyright riskThe company’s copyright is violated.The sales and revenue of the company will be affected.13M†¢Establishing a copyright policy. †¢Protecting intellectual property assets confidential and proprietary information. †¢Signing a confidential agreement when contracting work out to third parties. †¢Getting copyright consultancy services.†¢General Manager †¢Designers †¢Department Managers FFinancial Risks F.1Liquidity riskThe company doesn’t have enough money to pay its debts.The company’s operation will be affected.22M†¢Managing and monitoring cash flow. †¢Carefully making financial decisions.†¢General Manager †¢Finance employees F.2Credit riskDue to the products and services sold on credit, the customers may be unable to pay the money back.Resulting in financial loss.12L†¢Checking customers’ credit status and signing terms an conditions of trade with customers.†¢Finance employees †¢Salesman 5.Conclusion From what mentioned above wo can get the conclusion that a business plan which includes several parts, a statement of the business, marketing strategy and risk management plan. Establishing a detailed business plan plays a significant role in operating the business and achieving their goals successfully. When setting a plan, the organization should particularly pay attention to risk management plan which can help the business reduce loss the risks result and operate in a smooth way.

Strategic Business Management and Planning Coca cola Company

Strategic Business Management and Planning Coca cola Company In the exact of science Business planning is often described as more than of an art. In organizations this becomes especially true when ones business plans revolve around the cycle of annual budgeting. At this point, business analysts with widespread of experience in the business exert the alleged spreadsheets from hell that a small number of people can be aware of modifying them alone. In other companies when compared to Coca Cola budgeting involve continuous revisions and edits to dozens of incoherent spreadsheets. This type of annual budgeting cycles are costly in both time and require more people resources, and they are generally determined by prior history, relatively to a companys strategic plans. In todays dynamic business world, this kind of business planning in an organization makes it difficult to hold growth and to get used to the continuously changing needs. (Michael Mankins and Richard Steele 2005) To become more responsive and contend effectively, companies need to develop from spreadsheet-based budgets towards a planning situation that can support organized strategic, tactical and operational business plans. This kind of planning atmosphere enables sound implementation strategies and business presentation advice mechanism which allows the executives and profession managers to modify business plans and processes. (Michael Mankins and Richard Steele 2005) 1.2 Organizational structure: Each and every organisation is made up of more than one person which needs some form of structure known as organisational structure. An organisational chart shows the working process of an organisation and the way in which chain of commands work within the organisation. The way that the company is planned is illustrated for a packaging company. The company is owned by shareholders and to look after their interests the shareholders decide directors. The managers are then appointed by the directors to run the business on a everyday basis. (The Times 100 / Revision Theory / Strategy (Accessed on 28th oct 2010)) The major responsibility of Managing Director is to run the company, which includes setting targets for the company and taking care of all the departments. The in and out movement of goods of the warehouse, supervising drivers and supervising the transport of goods to and from the firm are controlled by Distribution Manager which is his responsibility,. For keeping nonstop supply of work smooth to all production staff and also for organising manpower to get together the customers orders, the Production Manager is made responsible. The responsibility for building contact with customers and obtaining orders from those relations is held by Sales Manager. All the financial connections of the company are controlled by company Accontant and he is responsible to produce management accounts and monetary reports. (The Times 100 /Revision Theory/ Strategy (Accessed on 28th oct 2010)) 1.3 Understanding the problems: Strategic planning is essential to business success, but there are evidences which state that most of the companies today are failing in executing their strategies of business. The recent statistics state that Balanced Scorecard Collaborative (BSC) says that nine out of ten companies are lacking strategy execution. Current study of Marakon Associates by 197 senior executives states that 65% of companies accredited that they were better at developing strategies when compared to executing them. The studies of BSC and Marakon states that there is a major disconnect among the organizations strategic plans, tactical plans and the operational functioning of those plans. The main reasons for this disconnect are discussed below: (Michael Mankins and Richard Steele 2005) Sufficient time is not devoted by the executives and resources are not used in developing corporate strategies and clear action plans are not created to implement those strategies. Without allocating suitable resources or budgets to implement business plans, strategies are often defined by executives. As operational managers are not taking part of the strategic planning process, they are not responsible for execution of plan, and as a result they have no encouragement in making the plans work. Strategic plans are not communicated by the executives to an employees in which ways they are related to their everyday objectives, role and responsibilities. A very little business intelligence (BI) is used by the executives and they are often not aware of problems in the plan execution and make use of them to help them to line up actual business concert with business goals. To solve these problems executives and managers need planning tools that help them create and manage action plans, interact with employees about those plans and associated business strategies, and align business performance with business goals. 2. Mission, Vision, Values and Goals of Coca Cola Company: 2.1 Mission of Coca Cola Company: The mission is to create customer products, communications, consumer service, bottling system strategies, processes and tools in order to make aggressive benefit and distribute higher value to Customers as a better beverage experience. Through the use of completed drinks customers as a chance to grow profits. Bottlers as a chance to raise income in volumes. Bottlers as a brand development and positive financial value Added. Suppliers as a chance to make realistic income when creating real value-added in an atmosphere of system-wide team work, flexible business system and continuous growth. Indian society in the form of a contribution to economic and social development. 2.2 Vision of Coca Cola Company: The vision is to provide outstanding strategic management in the Coca-Cola company system which results in customer preference and loyalty, throughout the companys commitment to them and in an extremely lucrative Coca-Cola Corporate considered beverages system. Profit: Maximizing return to shareowners while being mindful of our overall responsibilities. People: Being a great place to work where people are inspired to be the best they can be. Portfolio: Bringing to the world a portfolio of beverage brands that anticipate and satisfy peoples Desires and needs. Partners: Nurturing a winning network of partners and building mutual loyalty. Planet: Being a responsible global citizen that makes a difference. Fig: Vision for Sustainable Growth 2.3 Values of Coca Cola Company: Coca-Cola Company is guided by shared values where both the employees and the individuals of the Company live by their values. The values are that the employees in the Company are expected to keep and works regularly are as follows: Leadership: To deliver outstanding results, leadership is an initiative taken in order to lead, motivate and drive the team with energy and zeal. It is also taken as courage to shape a better future. Innovation: In whatever we do, innovation is a continuous strives to progress and to reach the next level of excellence, where it can be imagined, created and delighted. Passion: It is a deeply commitment in heart and mind in order to deliver an outstanding performance. Teamwork: Team work is to unite greater strength and work as a group collectively towards the attainment of common goals. Ownership: Thinking and acting like owners at all levels; taking decisions at the lowest appropriate level as best as possible. Accountability: For delivering decided targets and goals accountability is defined as individually and transparently to our colleagues. 2.4 Goals of Coca Cola Company: It is recently announced by CEO of Coca-Cola Company that they will tie top managers pay to how well the company meets new goals for diversity. It is also said that a position will be created to develop ways to promote minority employees. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that an e-mail was sent to all employees stating that Coke will set up a series of goals, objectives and targets for achieving assortment throughout the company over the next few months and that everyone in the organization, including the CEO, will be held accountable for meeting them. It also been added that success and compensation will be attached to meeting the new variety goals, and the same will be true throughout the management ranks. (Jet. FindArticles.com. 2010) The U.S. division of the company already tied a segment of managers bonuses to promote minorities, said by a Coke spokesman. It also distinguished that there are plans to employ a vice president and director of variety strategies who will work on promotion of minorities in the company worldwide. (Jet. FindArticles.com. 2010) Diversity, in its broadest sense, is a clear business imperative for our company and its future, and it is a top priority for me, was also stated. This makes us a better employer and business partner. It helps us compete more effectively in the marketplace. It makes us better neighbours in the communities we serve. And finally, it builds value for our shareowners. (Jet. FindArticles.com. 2010) 3. Current strategic plans of Coca Cola company: 3.1 Strategy formulation and implementation: The organizations business strategy is defined as a set of objectives, plans, and policies to compete successfully in its markets. In effect, the organizations competitive benefit is specified by the business strategy and how this benefit will be achieved and continued. The organizations core competencies is defined and focused as the key aspect of the business strategy. The business strategy that is actually detailed by strategic plan is typically formulated at the administrative committee level like CEO, president and vice presidents. It is usually formulated in the long range, which is three to five years. In fact, however, the long-range strategy is the decision that is made over time. In most of the firms, no pattern is showed at all by these decisions, which reflects the truth of having no active business strategy, even though they went through the process of strategic planning. In other cases the decisions accept very little or even no relationship to the stated organizations or official business strategy. The main point is that its true business strategy is told by the organizations actions than its public statements. 3.2 Formulating the Business Strategy: The organizations vision/mission statement, a range of factors outside to the organization, and a variety of factors inside to the organization are integrated by its relevant inputs to the strategic planning process. Resource Based View one school of thought is considered by the set of resources an internal factor available to the organization as the main driver of the business strategy. (Barney (1998, 2001)) By considering all the inputs, by developing a vision statement, a mission statement, or both a strategic planning is initiated. The organizations values and aspirations are expressed by Vision statements. The organizations purpose or reasons for existence are expressed by Mission statements. In some cases, the vision and mission statements are combined and chosen as a single statement by some organizations. Regardless of the developed vision and mission separate statements or combined statements, the main aim is to communicate organizations values, aspirations, and purpose such that the employees can make decisions that are reliable with and support these objectives. (Collis and Montgomery (1997)) Employees to high levels of performance can be inspired if the effective vision and mission statements are written using their language. According to, foster employees commitment, in the growth of the vision or mission statement, it is desirable to comprise a wide variety of employees, relatively to enforce top managements view by decree. Individual vision and mission statements that support the organizations overall statement are developed by work groups, departments, divisions, process teams, project teams and so on, once as a whole the vision and mission statements are developed for the organization. For example, if vision mission statement is developed by a university, each college under the university will develop their own unique statement which specifies their role that has to be played to support the overall mission. Similarly, once each and every school under the university develops its own vision-mission statement, unique statements within the school are developed by the de partments. The development of own unique statements by its organizational unit promotes wider involvement in the process, helping employees to think how it supports the overall mission in terms of their work, and statements result in more meaningful way to a selected group of employees. (Collis and Montgomery (1997)) 4. Cancer Research UK 4.1 Organizational structure: Each and every organisation is made up of more than one person which needs some form of structure known as organisational structure. An organisational chart shows the working process of an organisation and the way in which chain of commands work within the organisation. The way that the company is planned is illustrated for a packaging company. The company is owned by shareholders and to look after their interests the shareholders decide directors. The managers are then appointed by the directors to run the business on a everyday basis. (The Times 100 / Revision Theory / Strategy (Accessed on 28th oct 2010)) The major responsibility of Managing Director is to run the company, which includes setting targets for the company and taking care of all the departments. The in and out movement of goods of the warehouse, supervising drivers and supervising the transport of goods to and from the firm are controlled by Distribution Manager which is his responsibility,. For keeping nonstop supply of work smooth to all production staff and also for organising manpower to get together the customers orders, the Production Manager is made responsible. The responsibility for building contact with customers and obtaining orders from those relations is held by Sales Manager. All the financial connections of the company are controlled by company Accontant and he is responsible to produce management accounts and monetary reports. (The Times 100 /Revision Theory/ Strategy (Accessed on 28th oct 2010)) 4.2 Understanding the problems: Strategic planning is essential to business success, but there are evidences which state that most of the companies today are failing in executing their strategies of business. The recent statistics state that Balanced Scorecard Collaborative (BSC) says that nine out of ten companies are lacking strategy execution. Current study of Marakon Associates by 197 senior executives states that 65% of companies accredited that they were better at developing strategies when compared to executing them. (Michael Mankins and Richard Steele 2005) Cancer Research UK is pleased by Cancer Reform Strategy, that it is committed by the Government to buid its own strategy for cancer in UK and look forward to support its expansion. Cancer Research in UK has without doubt undergone great improvements from the time when the first NHS Cancer Plan of 2000 was in print. Services are improved corresponding increase in patients are seen by a team of specialists, and the patients who are taking part in clinical trials also increased. Cancer frequency and survival rates are both rising, improved medical technologies and treatments are constantly provided by the scientific advances, and in NHS radical change has begun to undergo in the structural and policy environment. It is believed that the Cancer Reform Strategy desires to take action to these developments, to make sure that cancer patients have admittance to services and information now and in future in the best possible way. It is belived by Cancer Research UK that the below mentioned are the priorities for Cancer Reform Strategy: Outcomes of Clinical data and support based policy. Speculation, employees and capability of planning and competence. Cancer research is supported and access to clinical trials improved. Cancer prevention prioritising. Inequalities tackled. Early presentation, detection and screening are improved. Access to new treatments are ensured. High excellence, customized information to patients is provided. Cancer networks are developed. To deliver improved outcomes cancer services are reconfigured. 5. Vision, Values, Goals and Impact of Cancer Research 5.1 Vision Statement of Cancer Research Cancer Research UKs vision is Together we will beat cancer. Our vision is of what we want to, why we exist and the impact of us on society. We are beating cancer is an enormous challenge. Below mentioned are the four ways how we are going to address the challenge: (The Big Give.org.uk, Accessed on 28th Nov 2010) To progress our understanding of cancer world class research is carried out and finding a solution to prevent, diagnose and treat different kinds of cancer. To progress the lives of all cancer patients it is made sure that our findings are used. Helping people to understand cancer, the progress that is made and the choices each person can make. To achieve the maximum impact in the worldwide fight against cancer, Cancer Research works in partnership with others. 5.2 Values of Cancer Research Encouraging excellence: We seek out the best and support those who are able to make a disproportionate difference. Supporting innovation: We use the advantages of our independence and financial security to try radically new things. Sustainability: We seek to create sustainable improvements. The Charity supports and respects its historical connections and seeks to support innovative initiatives that aim to modernise healthcare, in particular by researching new and improved solutions, speeding up treatment, delivering care as near to home as appropriate and by making the hospital environment a pleasant experience for patients, visitors and staff and one conducive to healing. (Chelsea and Westminster Health Charity, Jan 2008) Investing ethically: The Charity investment policy forbids direct investment in tobacco companies. 5.3 Goals of Cancer Research: Ten goals have been launched by Cancer Research to shape the work over the next decade and beyond. To attain these ten goals, partnerships with charities and other medical research organisations are formed, as well as partnerships with professional and public health bodies, pharmaceutical companies, the Government and our supporters whose perseverance is necessary to our progress. The target is to achieve the following goals by 2020: 1. People will know how to decrease the risk of cancer: Three-quarters of the public in UK will know the main way of life choices they can make to lessen the danger of getting cancer. 2. The figure of smokers will fall radically: Four million smaller amount adults will be smokers, preventing thousands of new cases of cancer every year 3. People below 75 will be smaller amount to get cancer: The probability of a person getting cancer up to the age of 75 will drop down from more than one in four to one in five. 4. Cancer will be diagnosed in advance: when the cancer can be treated successfully two-thirds of all cancer cases can be diagnosed at a stage. 5. People will understand how cancer is started and developed: People will have a clear understanding of the causes and changes in the body of all cases of cancer. 6. Better treatment can be provided with smaller number side effects: Treatments that exactly target the cancer will have some serious side effects will be decreased to slightest half of all patients. 7. More people can survive cancer: There will be an increase in survival rates of all common cancers, with at least two-thirds of newly-diagnosed patients living more than five years. 8. Cancer can be especially tackled in low income communities: The difference of dying from cancer will be reduced by half among the wealthiest and the least wealthy people. 9. People suffering from cancer will get the information needed: More than nine out of ten patients can access the information needed during diagnosis and at the time of treatment. 10. We will prolong to fight against cancer beyond 2020: Adequate scientists, doctors, nurses and communications will be in place to make sure of continued quick improvement in the fight against cancer beyond 2020. (Cancer research uk) 5.4 Impact of Cancer Research: UKs Cancer Research work till now has saved millions of lives in UK and all over the world. In the last thirty years the Cancer survival rate has been doubled and the work is at the spirit of that development. The scientific research is taken all the way to the patients bedside from the laboratory bench, funding more than 4,500 researchers, doctors and nurses throughout the UK. Over 100 clinical trials, testing exciting new drugs and treatments for cancer are supported by us. (The Big Give.org.uk, Accessed on 28th Nov 2010) 6. Cancer Research Business Planning: 6.1 Introduction: It has been published by the Government in July 2004, the governments 10-Year Science and Innovation Investment Framework. This shows the commitment of Governments towards science and research over the next decade, with the long-term objective of the overall levels of investment in research and development is to boost up to 2.5% of gross domestic product by the year 2014. This Delivery Plan states out how Cancer Research in UK is continuing to contribute to the overall achievement of ambitions of framework, which are listed as below: (Study on the Economic Impact of the Research councils 2007) Making UK as the world-class in each and every area of science, engineering and technology. More effectively translating the new knowledge that is generated into innovation. Improving wealth and excellence of life of UK. Making UK the location for the choice of RD and adding high value to business. 6.2 Technological change: Engineering and the physical sciences are considered to be critical across the spectrum of business for the development of technological innovation. Engineering and the physical sciences research council (EPSRC) is the largest Research Council in partnership with TSB, and has their own widespread of direct partnership with industry, together with SMEs, from most important strategic partnerships to their extensive support in every aspect of industry, all the way through knowledge transfer activities and collaborative training. The key Delivery Plan is the priority to broaden the engagement with business and the service sector, working in collaboration with TSB and BERR. (Study on the Economic Impact of the Research councils 2007) Examples include: Appealing with financial service and retail sectors to have improvement in the services like advanced techniques to fight against credit card fraud and through the Digital financial system. Through Network Security improvement Platform, supporting the Government as a major user to use ICT, like working in affiliation with the Home Office Passport and Identity Agencies. Contributing to the transformation of energy like well-organized photovoltaics through Nano science theme, which supports new technologies like plastic electronics, quantum information processing, advanced composites, and beyond silicon electronics. 6.3 Globalisation and Shifting Economic Patterns: In UK the raises of challenges globalisation for business are growing regularly. Features of EPSRCS contribution for globalisation include: EPSRCS portfolio of Innovative Manufacturing Research Centres (IMRCs) are funding a broad range of study in manufacturing technology, business process engineering, manufacturing management, supply chains. This work has contributed forthcoming Sainsbury Review, which continues to provide a significant proof base for BERR, DIUS and the Treasury in the growth of modernization policy and strategy. (Study on the Economic Impact of the Research councils 2007) The exploitation of user is driven and Grand Challenges are ensured such that they remain united with the strategic needs of the society and economy. To be competitive internationally PhD training is realigned, and leverage is gained from international knowledge in partnership with peer funding agencies. 6.4 Global Uncertainty and Terrorism: EPSRC is maintaining funding partnerships with a number of key stakeholders, in order to tackle the challenges of prevention, discovery and response to crime and terrorism. The crime collection features widespread end-user partnership includes Local Authorities, Home Office Agencies, industry and Police services. Actions that include: In partnership with Home Office facts in crime and terrorism, originally on container screening at air ports, construction on the accomplishment of previous events on gun crime and hostility terrorism in public places. Establishing organization with Centre for Protection of the National Infrastructure (CPNI), aiming to increase this to comprise other key stakeholders like the MoD and the Cabinet Office. Additional partnership with Home Office, Communities and Local Government in areas like conniving out crime and crime-free communities. EPSRC is the leading Research Council in partnership with MoD Joint Grant Scheme, with negotiations in progress to increase our communication with MoD originally determined during Nanoscience theme. Defence security also attribute powerfully in our collection of strategic partnerships with industry, in exacting with BAE Systems and QinetiQ. Emerging affiliation with DFID, construction on worldwide development activity purposeful on Energy. (Study on the Economic Impact of the Research councils 2007) 6.5 Demographic Change: EPSRCs key interests in demographic alteration are disturbed with ensuring that civilization is clever to increase the challenges that new demographic outline will present, the elderly people in particular. Key areas include: The Department of Health is collaborated with Healthcare theme of Next Generation, surrounding with in areas like Information Driven Healthcare and Assisted Living, both of them support the cross Council Life Long Health and Wellbeing agenda. Extensive Quality of Life selection, addressing issues like treatment technology and the comprehensive aim of goods and environments, with well-built appointment with social care agencies both in local Government sector, charity and NHS sectors. The IMRCs support for healthcare examination release, with devoted centres determined on the stipulation of communications and on technology appraisal and procurement, operations closely in partnership with NHS stakeholders. (Study on the Economic Impact of the Research councils 2007) 7. Facilities and Infrastructure 7.1 High-End Computing The stipulation of high-end computing communications are ensured throughout the following performances: In October 2007 service is commenced known as High-End Computing Terascale (HECToR) which works in collaboration with the sponsoring Research Councils, industry and academic world to make certain good utilization facilities. The extent and price of stipulation necessary away from HECToR has led to intervention at European-level, by means of methodical case which is previously agreed. EPSRC will spend for technology development activities in the starting 2-year phase due to the funds from the Commission to be matched. (Study on the Economic Impact of the Research councils 2007) 7.2 Other Facilities: A number of facilities are supported where significant mass and centralisation present more suitable provision than distributed, numerous provision. Continuous investment in the subsequent will make sure that researchers have right of entry to necessary communications in a cost-effective manner: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Isaac Newton Institute International Centre for Mathematical Sciences à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Engineering Loan Pool à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Materials science equipment sharing à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Meso-scale facilities à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Capital equipment to support leading-edge research. International Review of ICT recommendation are followed to preserve the software essential to maintain UK researchers competitive benefit in the Digital Economy. (Study on the Economic Impact of the Research councils 2007) 7.3 Next-Generation Facility Users: EPSRC is investing in partnership with STFC, to make sure that greatest importance is obtained from the UKs centrally provided research facilities, which include Diamond Light Source and ISIS Target Station. Funds are provided to support a impartial selection of research with a component of doctoral preparation to develop the next generation of researchers skills by means of these and other facilities. For HPC outline busines case is developed by means of Architecture Comparison and by a reassess of vendor market positions. In the year 2009/10 the business case will be honed with our not compulsory panels earlier than being that is taken to Council for endorsement after which discussion is done with other Research councils for seeking endorsement from RCUKEG. (Study on the Economic Impact of the Research councils 2007) 8. Similarities between Coca Cola Company and Cancer Research UK: 8.1 Introduction: Over the years, marketing had difficulties in gaining acceptance in a number of non-profit organizations like Cancer Research UK. One hindrance was the view that marketing really was not necessary (Kotler et al, 1991). Today top companies like Coca Cola recognize the primacy of customer orientation. The customer orientation works back from an appraisal of what customers want to how production and resources can be organized to meet these wants (Doyle, 1998). Most organizations profit and non- profit are not highly customer-centred, even if they want to. But now management has realized that it is the customer who truly determines the long-run success of any strategy that the non-profit organization can join the ranks of the sophisticated customer-centred marketing strategists typically found in the private sector. They begin with the customer and the customers needs and wants (Kotler et al, 1991). Despite the differences that exist between for-profit- and non-profit organizations, marketing Procedures relevant to profit-oriented companies are also applied to non-profit organizations. Target marketing, differentiation, and marketing mix decisions are made (Jobber, 1998). The single most important stage in the strategic marketing planning process is determined by the organizations core marketing strategy (Kotler et al, 1991). All marketing strategy is built on segmentation, targeting and positioning (Kotler, 2003). Most companies use outside agencies to help implement their marketing communications but managers cannot abdicate their responsibilities for communications. The decisions are too important and too costly for top management not

School Days are the Happiest Days of your Life? :: Creative Writing Examples

School Days are the Happiest Days of your Life? When I was given this assignment, my initial reaction was this is easy! Half an hours writing- homework complete. Fifteen minutes later I find that it is incredibly difficult to sort out the jumble of thoughts, memories and feelings, that are fighting each other in the race to be the first to blot this pristine white page.(melodramatic, but true) I suppose I could take the easy way out, and write that looking back; my school days were happy, carefree days. The sun always shone. I had no real worries. Friends were plentiful and life was all about, fun, fun, fun. Well I could, but that would entail not being completely honest. I mean, certainly a not immodest percentage of school, (compared with life today) was carefree but by no means all of it. My over-riding recollections of school are the memories of never quite fitting in; the never quite making it into the 'in crowd.' Not that I wanted in, you understand. I wanted to be different (not another lemming) just not so different that I stood out. I blame my mother for that mentality for she drummed it into us all. If I spoke the usual refrain," but all my friends are her response was always." if your friend stuck her hand in the fire- would you do it too?" Well the answer to that was no, and when you said so, mum would smile and say," of course not love, you have your own mind. You're not a lemming; don't be afraid to be different." I was left feeling proud of myself for being 'different', but oh God, I still wanted that denim jacket, or those Adidas trainers, or to stay out for that extra half an hour; or the myriad of other 'things' that would have enabled me to fit in. Money was always tight when I was at school. With four kids to buy for - I feel mum used the lemming story no us, just so she wouldn't have to say "I can't afford it." At school, every deficit, both real and imagined between you and the 'in crowd' made you insecure. It could be your haircut, shoes or even just the number of pleats our gym skirt had. (Mine had none.) Plain skirts were cheaper. Positive Body Image, or lack of it in my case, was a major problem. I went through school convinced that I was fat and ugly. Fat!? I was only 81/2 stones! I would kill to be that weight again - and as for my

Hemophilia :: essays research papers

Hemophilia is a rare genetic blood clotting disorder that primarily affects males. People living with hemophilia do not have enough of, or are missing, one of the blood clotting proteins naturally found in blood. Two of the most common forms of hemophilia are A and B. In persons with hemophilia A (also called classic hemophilia), clotting factor VIII is not present in sufficient amounts or is absent. In persons with hemophilia B (also called Christmas disease), clotting factor IX is not present in sufficient amounts or is absent. People with hemophilia do not bleed more profusely or bleed faster than normal; they bleed for a longer period of time. Virtually all people who have hemophilia A or B are born with it. The majority of people with hemophilia have a family history (it is a hereditary disorder). In as many as 30% of cases, there is no family history of hemophilia. In these cases, the mother may not be aware that she carries the gene for hemophilia, or a gene mutation may have occurred spontaneously. A long history Hemophilia was identified as early as biblical times. Doctors in medieval times were familiar with it as well. In 1803, a Philadelphia doctor published the first description of hemophilia in the United States. But it was not until 30 years later that hemophilia became widely recognized. Hemophilia later developed a reputation as the "royal disease" because it passed from Queen Victoria of England to her descendants throughout the royal houses of Europe. Who Gets Hemophilia? Hemophilia occurs when the gene to produce clotting factor does not work correctly. Without the proper amount of clotting factor, bleeding occurs easily. Hemophilia is an inherited disorder in about two thirds of the cases. About one third of the cases of hemophilia occur due to spontaneous changes in the gene or mutations. The presence of a mutated gene may not be noted until a woman with no family history of hemophilia has a son with the disorder. The gene for hemophilia is carried on the X chromosome. The gene for hemophilia is also recessive. This is why hemophilia is referred to as an X-linked recessive disorder. If there is not a normal gene present to offset the defective, recessive gene, the disorder will be present. Whether or not a child will have hemophilia or be a carrier for the disorder depends on the status of the mother and of the father. The figure below shows how this type of disorder is inherited.

Ge Transformation Case Study Jack Welch Notes

GE Transformation notes: Founded in 1878 Focus on Communication: Used initiatives such as training programs to increase communication Organizational Culture:   Welch’s Core Idea: the only way to shift a company’s culture is to change the habitual thinking and behavior of its fast-track executives. Initiatives * Work Out * Began 1988 * Groups of 40-100 employees involved * Removing unnecessary bureaucratic work out of the system * By 1992 200,000 GE employees participated in Work-out Began as a driving force for improving productivity and became a tool for cultural change. Best Practices * Program to Increase Productivity * Focus more on how things got done rather than what got done * Focused on customer satisfaction *These two initiatives helped refine GE’s organizational culture, characterized by speed, simplicity and self-confidence. * Globalization * 1986- corporate executive council meeting during * 1987- GE agreed to exchange consumer electronics business for the French medical imaging business. 1989- Welch appointed Paolo Fresco as head of international operations in 1992. * 1998- International revenues at $42. 8 billion. Company expected to do almost half its business outside the USA by year 2000. Global Best Practices Program opened communication channel for GE with outside companies * Session C HR planning * Adapted HR system to his goals, and began keeping tabs on upper management. GE management expected feedback, which they used as the basis for coaching and developing their staff.Increased communication between CEO, and top managers, increased communication between top managers and lower employees, became means for training of new employees * Crotonville Management Development Facility * Managers learn about GE, and experience debating and problem solving Used as a hub for communications * 360 ° Feedback process * Became means for training needs, coaching opportunities, and career planning. * â€Å"A Players† Managers with vision, leadership, energy, and courage * Performance Appraisal System: Managers rated employees on a scale of 1-5, 5 being the lowest on effectiveness * All 5’s were to be let go, and all 1’s were to be rewarded with stock options, and higher promotional probability * In the new culture, role of the leader is to express a vision, get a buy-in and implement it. Increased feedback communication and expectations in the organization * Boundaryless Behavior * Purpose was to strengthen GE ‘s individual Business. There would be no distinction between domestic and foreign operation. Remove labels which get in the way of working together. Eliminated unnecessary communication filters, encouraged input from every employee, open communication channels gave employees the ability to speak about their concerns. Eliminated middle management that stood in the way of direct communication * Stretch * Created an atmosphere that asked everyone â€Å"How good can you be? † * Managers not held accountable for these goals, but were reward for achieving them. Mid 1990’s established as part of GE’s culture, stretch targets increased employee values, attitudes and confidence. Service Businesses * Reduce dependence on traditional industrial products Changed internal mindsets from selling products to â€Å"helping our customer win† * Six Sigma Quality Initiative * Learned the program from Lawrence Bossidy (left GE in 1991) who borrowed it from Motorola, which improved quality for AlliedSignal Inc. * Goal was to increase quality * 30,000 Six Sigma projects were initiated in 1998 Required change in culture of the organization: employees would need technical training, and there was need of communication of the importance to the company’s strategic objectives.