Saturday, August 31, 2019

RoseWood Hotels & Resorts

RoseWood Hotels & Resorts: Branding to increase customer profitability and lifetime value. Rosewood Hotels& Resorts(Rosewood) , a private hotel management company started in 1979, that built a global reputation with iconic luxury hotels such as The Mansion and The Carlyle, became well known for its ability to enhance a property’s value by creating unique, one-of-a-kind properties with a small ultra-luxury residential style. But amidst this, the brand ROSEWOOD became muted, unmentioned. The issue here is to establish Rosewood as a true brand. A branding decision is to be made to establish the company’s future. Rosewood with or without a corporate brand needs to be evaluated in order to arrive at a decision. The first thing is-whether or not a corporate branding. * Establishing a corporate brand would mean to fall into the same league where other corporate brands were in. Rosewood without a corporate branding was at par with the branded ones. Its occupancy rate across years has been almost the same for- be it The Marriott or The Four Seasons Hotels, inspite of relatively higher prices at RoseWood. Moreover, it would mean to keep the brand promise across the properties – by ensuring perfect product/service performance across the portfolio, internal soft branding initiatives and significant marketing investment. But keeping in mind the uniqueness of each Rosewood hotel and their â€Å"SENSE OF PLACE† philosophy, consistent brand-wide performance standards seems a bit unrealistic. Each place has something new and unique to offer its guests. Standardizing it was not the Rosewood way of work. They understood the customer needs according to their functioning place and believed in offering the same. This was their Unique Selling Point and diverting from this would mean a high impact on the customer expectation. A corporate branding is not the only solution to increasing the customer profitability and lifetime value. Surely Rosewood needs cross-property increase. Seeing RoseWood’s statistics, upto 40% customers come back to the same hotel of Rosewood’s But only 5% are involved in cross property usage. In the individual brand range, they typically had 5-10% cross property usage rate and this number went upto 10-15% In case of corporate-branded hotels. But RoseWood was struggling at a mere rate of 5%- the lowermost rate even in the individual brand range. So they need to boost up this number to at least gain the higher edge in their own category of individual brands. I would suggest these short term course of action so as to achieve higher customer profitability and lifetime value. 1. People definitely like being at RoseWood- keeping in mind their occupancy rate (average of 60% for last 3 years) and 40% customers coming back again to the same hotel. Customers are happy to be at RoseWood properties. But little can they relate with other RoseWood hotels. The RoseWood hotel they go to provides them with a comfortable stay. When their guests go to a new place that also has a RoseWood property, they should know what to expect and those who liked it first will definitely want to have the same comfortable stay again. For e. g. A Mc-Donalds store worldwide is known for the food they provide. When going in a Mc-D they know what to expect and what level of food they will get. But even a Mc-D store in Gujarat has customized itself according to the place they are at and provides only vegetarian there. RoseWood’s main strength is their uniqueness. But they need to build an inter relation among their hotels so that they maintain almost same level of service and comfort. People should go in to experience something new but with the faith of same level of service. 2. When a customer checks-out from a RoseWood property, they can be asked to fill a small interactive feedback form and a satisfied customer should be handed with a handout of other RoseWood hotels with a promise that they can have the same satisfaction of stay there as well. . RoseWood can implement that when a guest leaves, he is made aware of other RoseWood hotels with a provision that whenever they are to go to a place having another of RoseWood’s hotels, they can just contact the manager of their regular RoseWood hotel staff/manager and all arrangements for their stay at that place can be made beforehand as per the guests convenience. Also, by this the customers would not go to a new place and make choices whether or not to turn up to RoseWood hotel at that place. They could implement the branding in a bit subtle way like The Mansion-from the house of RoseWood or The Mansion (RoseWood properties) so that people can be aware of and relate to them. 5. They need to collaborate more with the travel agents. They do promote the hotel but not the brand. Educating the customers about RoseWood as well along with the hotel would help the customers to relate and entrust in them. 6. Even the guests who have stayed in RoseWood hotels do not know of RoseWood as a brand. They need to bring the guests’ focus on RoseWood as well during their stay. Logo and promotion should be moved towards higher profile amenities as well. Their conversations on telephone to the dress of the staff should justify that they are a part of the RoseWood. As far as the long term initiative is concerned, being a status symbol never hurts. In Fact it is the need of the hour to be a leader in the competition. So, they might as well like to go for corporate branding if willing to compromise on their â€Å"Sense Of Place† philosophy to some extent.

Friday, August 30, 2019

Analysis of Troy: Film Essay

The story takes place in the fertile, eastern lands bordered by the Mediterranean Sea and kept by the gods. Within the cradle of ancient civilization empires are built, wars fought, alliances forged, and heroes born. Agamemnon, king of Mycenae, has united most of Greece’s kingdoms under his rule and now advances his army upon the nation of Thessaly, hoping to include it in his collection of ever-growing conquests. King Triopas bargains with Agamemnon to each let one of their best fighters decide who wins the battle rather than engaging in open war. Triopas calls upon the giant Boagrius while Agamemnon calls to Achilles, but the legendary warrior is nowhere to be found. A messenger boy is sent to fetch him and Agamemnon curses the stubborn nature of the fiercest warrior Greece has ever seen. A half-god and blessed with incomparable strength and skill, Achilles lives to fight but he refuses to associate with Agamemnon, preferring instead to seek his own destiny and be immortalized in history. Achilles easily defeats Boagrius, sealing Agamemnon’s control over the nation, and calls out if there is anyone else worthy enough to fight him. Meanwhile, Princes Hector and Paris of Troy feast in the banquet hall of King Menelaus of Sparta as honored guests and peace ambassadors to their home nation. However, young Paris sneaks away to be with Menelaus’ beautiful wife, Helen whom he loves dearly. He convinces her to come back with him to Troy, stowing her away on his brother’s ship. When Hector finds out he is clearly angry but it is too late to return to Sparta with Helen and seek pardon. Finding Helen gone, Menelaus vows revenge on Troy and seeks the approval of his brother, Agamemnon, who is only too happy to oblige, though Agamemnon’s decision comes mostly from his desire to sack Troy. Odysseus, king of Ithaca and under command of Agamemnon, goes to convince Achilles to accompany them in the conquest of Troy. He finds him sparring with his young cousin, Patroclus who is more than eager to join in the fighting. But Achilles refuses to go, despite Odysseus’ assurance that this war will go down into history. Achilles later seeks advice from his mother,  the sea nymph Thetis who is gathering shells to make a new necklace for him. She tells him that if he chooses to stay home he will find a wife, raise a family, and die old and loved. If he goes to Troy, he will find his eternal glory and history will remember his name for thousands of years. However, should he go to Troy, he is doomed to die and will never return. Meanwhile, Hector and Paris return to Troy with Helen, greeted warmly by their fellow Trojans. The city is guarded by a high, thick wall that has remained impenetrable since its founding. They meet their father, King Priam who welcomes Helen and praises her beauty. Hector is reunited with his wife, Andromache and his infant son. Achilles decides to join Agamemnon’s campaign against Troy but brings his own warriors, the Myrmidons, led by Eudorus. Patroclus accompanies them as well. The Myrmidons prove to be faster rowers than the Greeks and arrive on the shores of Troy before anyone else, though Achilles tells Patroclus to stay and watch the ship. They take the beach with ease and sack the Temple of Apollo where priestess and cousin of Hector and Paris, Briseis is taken captive. In a defiant move, Achilles decapitates the statue of Apollo. Prince Hector leads an offensive to keep the Greeks at bay and runs into the temple where Achilles confronts him but refuses to fight him. Achilles explains that their fight would be suited best in front of an audience and he allows Hector to leave. Briseis is brought to Achilles’ hut as his prize. She berates him for killing priests of Apollo before he is summoned to see Agamemnon who is preparing to celebrate the victory. There, tensions rise as Achilles and the king argue over claims to the victory. Agamemnon goes further by bringing in Briseis, claiming her as his own spoil of war, which drives Achilles into a rage. He threatens to fight for her but she angrily interjects, saying that no one else will die for her. Achilles stays his blade, to the surprise of Agamemnon. Achilles vows that Agamemnon will one day fall under his sword. That night, Priam seeks the advice of his advisors and elders with his sons in attendance, discussing how best to defend against the Greeks. Paris  offers an alternative to bloodshed; he will fight Menelaus for Helen’s hand. The winner will take her home and the loser will burn before nightfall. Later, Priam speaks with Paris in a courtyard and admits that, in all the wars hes fought for power or land, a war fought for love makes more sense. He gives Paris the Sword of Troy, forged at its founding and containing the history of their nation. He explains that as long as a Trojan wields it there is hope for their people. Hector goes to see his wife and son. She fears for his life and can’t imagine living on without him. He comforts her before getting up to see his brother. In the halls, he sees a cloaked figure and gives pursuit to find that it’s Helen trying to leave the city. She is remorseful for being the sole reason so many Trojan men died that day but Hector tells her that returning to Menelaus will not end the war and that she is a princess of Troy now. Helen returns to Paris. The next day, Agamemnon’s army marches for Troy while Achilles, still seething over his loss of Briseis, watches from a nearby hill with his men. Hector and Paris ride out to meet Agamemnon and Menelaus before battle. Agamemnon demands that the Trojans return Helen to his brother and submit to his rule. Hector bravely rebuffs but Paris offers to fight Menelaus one-on-one, hoping that will settle the dispute. While Agamemnon could care less about returning Helen to his brother, he allows Menelaus the opportunity to issue revenge. The two begin their fight and Menelaus is clearly stronger. Paris is wounded and disarmed but, before Menelaus can deliver a death blow, ducks away and crawls back to his brother. Stunned at his cowardice, Menelaus demands the fight to continue but Hector defends his brother and drives his sword through Menelaus, killing him. Enraged, Agamemnon charges forward with his army. Watching from his hilltop, Achilles can’t help but curse under his breath at Agamemnon’s inability to keep his ranks in formation. Hector proves to be the more able warrior and overpowers the Greeks with his tactics. One of the strongest Greek warriors, Ajax is felled by Hector. Odysseus advises Agamemnon to fall back before he loses his entire army and the Greeks  retreat to the beach where their archers provide defense. With Menelaus dead, the main reason for the assault on Troy is gone and Agamemnon struggles to think of a way to rally the troops to his cause. Odysseus suggests that Agamemnon put his reservations aside and enlist Achilles to fight again. Outside, Briseis is tossed around between Greek soldiers, having been given to them by Agamemnon. Before she can be cruelly branded, Achilles steps in and takes her back to his hut. He gives her a wet cloth to clean with and some food. When she questions why he fights and defies the gods, he shows her a more reflective side to his nature and explains that the gods are jealous of men for their short, mortal lives. As such, everything is more beautiful. Priam consults with his advisors again while Paris laments over his cowardice. Helen assures him that, though Menelaus was a strong warrior, she hated her life with him. She’d rather have someone to love and grow old with than to see him die on the battlefield. Hector advises his father that the Greeks underestimated Trojan strength and that they should not do the same. However, General Glaucus wants to strike preemptively and High Priest Archeptolemus claims Troy is favored by the gods, citing bird omens. Despite Hector’s warnings to keep behind their walls, Priam favors his advisors and issues an attack before daybreak. As Achilles sleeps that night, Briseis takes a dagger and holds it to his throat. Without opening his eyes, he encourages her to kill him but she hesitates. They realize their feelings for each other and make love. Achilles decides that he’s had enough of war and offers to take Briseis away from Troy. Afterwards, he speaks with Eudorus and tells him that they will go home. Hearing this, Patroclus is devastated, having hoped to take part in battle. Achilles returns to his hut. Just as dawn approaches, the Trojan army, led by Hector, set up on the dunes and sent hundreds of lit arrows into the sand. The Greeks awake in time to see large balls of hay being rolled down the hill towards camp, ignited in huge fireballs by the torched arrows. Banging their shields to intimidate, the Trojans advance towards the Greek camp. Suddenly, Achilles appears in his armor and rallies the troops to fight. Achilles fights his way towards Hector and the two engage in combat. Greeks and Trojans alike surround them, edging them on, until Hector slits Achilles’ throat with a swift thrust of the sword. Achilles falls, gasping for breath, while the Myrmidons look on in horror. But when Hector removes his helmet, he discovers that the man he wounded is not Achilles; its Patroclus. Hector, repentant but resolute, drives his sword into the boy’s chest to finish him. He addresses Odysseus and tells him they’ve fought enough that day. Before leaving, Odysseus tells Hector that Patroclus was Achilles’ cousin. The Myrmidons return to camp as Achilles emerges from his tent. Seeing them battle-worn, he asks why they disobeyed him. Eudorus laments that Patroclus disguised himself in Achilles’ armor, even moved like him, and fell under Hector. Achilles is outraged and attacks Eudorus. Briseis tries to stop him but he throws her to the ground. Hector returns to his wife. He admits that he killed a boy who was much too young and feels that his actions will have severe repercussions. He shows his wife a hidden passage under Troy that she can take civilians through to get to the mountains should he die and the walls be breached. Though she is upset to have to consider this, she heeds his advice. Achilles puts his cousin on a funeral pyre and sets it alight. Agamemnon watches and says, â€Å"That boy may have just saved the war for us,† knowing that the rage of Achilles will not wane until he’s had revenge. Meanwhile, Helen watches as Paris practices his archery in preparation for battle, hitting his target time and again. The following morning, Achilles sets off to enact vengeance upon Hector. Briseis begs him not to go, but he ignores her. He rides to the gates of Troy and calls for Hector who dresses in his armor and says goodbye to his wife. He meets Achilles outside alone. Achilles throws down his helmet so that Hector can see his face. Though Hector tries to reason, Achilles is bent on bloodlust. As they begin to fight, Priam and Paris watch while Helen  comforts Andromache who can’t bring herself to look. Achilles overpowers Hector by driving his spear into his chest before finishing him with his sword. He then ties Hector’s legs together behind his chariot and drags him away, back to the beach. When he returns to his hut, Briseis cries out and asks when the killing will stop before leaving. That night, Achilles is visited by a stranger in a cloak. The stranger kisses Achilles’ hand before revealing himself as none other than King Priam. Having stealthily entered the Greek camp unnoticed, Priam begs for his son’s body back to be given a proper burial. He tells Achilles that, while Hector killed his cousin, he did not know who it was and he asks Achilles how many cousins and brothers he’s killed in his time. Despite being enemies, he asks for respect. Achilles relents. He weeps over Hector’s body, promising to meet him in the next life, before giving him to Priam. When Briseis comes forward, Achilles allows her to go home and apologizes for hurting her. He gives Priam his word that the Greeks will not attack Troy for 12 days to allot for proper mourning. When Agamemnon hears of Achilles’ secret treaty with Priam, he becomes incensed. But Odysseus, who notices the sculpture of a horse a fellow soldier has made for his son, proposes a plan, putting the 12 days of mourning to their advantage. After 12 days, the Trojans discover that the beach has been abandoned and various bodies lie in the sand. They appear to have been taken by disease and, where the heart of the camp once was, a large wooden horse has been erected. Upon seeing this, Priam is advised that the horse was left as a gift to the god Poseidon and is encouraged to bring it back to Troy. Paris, who is suspicious, urges his father to burn the horse, but Priam brings the horse into the city where its revered as a sign of the end of the war. A Trojan scout, hiking through the cliffs outside the city, comes upon a cove apart from the main beach and discovers the Greek armada hiding there. However, he is killed by arrow before he can warn the rest of Troy. Meanwhile, the whole city celebrates into the night. Once everything has  quieted down, the horse opens and Achilles, Odysseus, and a mass of Greek soldiers emerge from inside and open Troy’s gates where the rest of the Greek army has gathered. They quickly infiltrate the city, pillaging and burning homes and killing any Trojan who stands in their way while a tearful Priam can only watch. Soldiers of Troy attempt to defend the royal palace, but fail. As Priam prays before the statue of Apollo and asks why he’s been forsaken, Agamemnon comes up behind him and stabs him in the back. Achilles, meanwhile, searches the city for Briseis. Paris and Andromache lead surviving civilians down to the secret passage where Paris gives a young boy, Aeneas (a progenitor of the Romans), the Sword of Troy, reciting what his father told him. He then returns with his bow and arrow to help fight. Briseis is praying before a statue of Apollo when she is grabbed from behind by Agamemnon. Achilles sees this and runs to her aid. Agamemnon tells Briseis his intent to take her back to Greece as his slave before she takes a concealed knife and fatally stabs him in the neck. His guards accost her but Achilles kills them. As he is helping her up, Paris arrives and shoots an arrow through Achilles’ heel. Standing up to face Paris, despite Briseis’ cries, Achilles is shot again through the chest. He removes the arrow only to be shot again and again, each time removing the arrow. He finally collapses and tells Briseis that she was his peace in a lifetime of war and urges her to escape. Briseis goes with Paris and they leave as the Greeks arrive at the palace to find Achilles dead, seemingly taken by a single shot to the heel (thus perpetuating the myth surrounding his death). Achilles’ body is burned honorably on a funeral pyre within the ruins of Troy the following day as Odysseus watches and exalts, â€Å"If they ever tell my story, let them say I walked with giants. Men rise and fall like the winter wheat, but these names will never die. Let them say I lived in the time of Hector, tamer of horses. Let them say I lived in the time of Achilles.† Conclusion: The movie Troy ended with Odysseus burning Achilles in a funeral pyre. Achilles died at the end of the Trojan War and is a hero after saving Briseis. Analysis: Based on what I’ve research, Troy is an adaptation of the poem written by Homer it is also known as The Iliad and The screenplay was written by David Benioff and stars who were Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, Brian Cox, Diane Kruger and Rose Byrne. The Importance of this film is in regards to the City of Troy, the alliances of the Greeks, and the reason behind the war itself. It was made to capture the imagination of Homer and his poems. The actors were chosen and represented through his eyes, yet embellished a great deal for entertainment purposes. Which it was enjoyable to watch, I found it somewhat inaccurate with questions unanswered. While there may also be evidence to support much of what Homer wrote about, the movie in itself creates a different illusion. The time, places, and people were either out of date nor not even involved in some cases. However, the actors portrayed what Homer described perfectly. Achilles was very strong and considered immortal, Hector was the bravest and modest leader of Troy under the Rule of Priam. Helen was extremely magnificently beautiful while Paris was naà ¯ve and weak. All of the characters involved had important roles whose actions were caused of many important events. However, if you relate back to Homer and back of what historians have discovered, the movie wasn’t accurate representation.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

TEAM MNC Analysis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

TEAM MNC Analysis - Research Paper Example Throughout the paper, the researcher has analyzed both internal and external environment for the company in order to address the problem in comprehensive manner. Section 2 A. Background about TEI and History of the Firm Trump University is part of Trump Entrepreneurial Initiative which is basically an entrepreneurial venture of The Trump Organization. The Trump Organization is a real estate giant which develops residential towers, resorts, office structures, hotels, golf courses and of high-end real estate across the globe. The company is headquartered at Trump Tower, New York City and the real estate giant was established by Donald Trump in 1980. The company is being managed by Trump family while Donald Trump acts as its CEO. Product and business matrix of The Trump Organization includes real estate development, sales and marketing of real estate, property management, developing high street luxury hotels, residential, commercial places, golf courses etc. At present the company is wo rking on 70 real estate projects across the globe (The Trump Organization, â€Å"Written evidence - The Trump Organisation - Scottish Parliament†). Till now, The Trump Organization has mainly focused on developing business in context USA cities like New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Manhattan etc. However, recently the company has started investing in developing real estate projects across globe like Turkey, Panama, Mexico, Scotland and some middle-east countries (The Trump Organization, â€Å"Written evidence - The Trump Organisation - Scottish Parliament†). B. Current problem for TEI Trump University or better known as Trump Entrepreneur Initiative was one of the latest entrepreneurial venture of Donald Trump and his organization (Smythe, â€Å"Trump Institute Accused of Fraud by N.Y. Attorney General†). Trump Entrepreneur Initiative is unlicensed online educational institute which claims to offer courses and seminars to students for real estate management, inve sting expertise in real estate business. Students need to pay almost US $35,000 to avail the courses from Trump University but recently students have accused the Trump University for fraudulent activities like designing useless seminars for students, lack of expertise of teachers, false promises for apprenticeships for students (Smythe, â€Å"Trump Institute Accused of Fraud by N.Y. Attorney General†). As a result, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman sued Trump Entrepreneur Initiative sued Donald Trump for $40 million for running fraudulent educational institutes. (Source: Author’s Creation) Section 3: PEST Environment As part of globalization, The Trump Organization has expanded its business in Turkey while its Trump Entrepreneurial Initiative (TEI) is facing legal hurdles in New York, USA. In such context, brief PEST analysis can be done in order to understand the business context of TEI. Political In New York, stable political environment would help TEI to

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

International trade Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

International trade - Essay Example Consequently, I would involve National Labor Regulation Act (NLRA) senior officials as external forces to help bring sanity in the negotiation process because Custer is a private sector organization and is therefore regulated by NLRA. I would advice union members not to report to duty and stay calm if Custer’s officials staged a lockout for a day. If union members were to go on strike and the court gives an injunction against the strike, I would appeal against the injunction and pursue the strike agenda until the members’ grievances are addressed by Custer officials. The major advantage of collective bargaining negotiation is that its multi-factor aspect necessitates furnished negotiation research that is important (Oraro 106). However, political nature of union officials may make collective bargaining negotiation a nightmare because union officials forget this political aspect thus embarrassing their members publicly. The real problem is the fact that union members have turned down the offer of salary reduction that would be followed by reinstatement of the current salary figure and a further three percent increment in their wages. I would use interest based bargaining technique to force union members to accept my offer. The advantage of this is that both the union and the employers could use separate factions to consider the dissimilar options that might be undertaken to address the matter at hand. The meetings can be held away from the public and thus advocate for options that had not been used before. The major disadvantage of this is the difficulty with which to determine if certain topics are compulsory bargaining topics that have to be discussed with the union (Oraro 113). A call for a strike by the union would disrupt work schedule and probably lead to poor financial results. Interest based bargaining does not mean that one party gives in to the demands of the other. This would consequentl y mean that the company must not

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Land Rover and its Business System Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 1

Land Rover and its Business System - Case Study Example Now finally the Land Rover is working under the hands of Tata Motors from 2008. (Land Rover confirms grant offer to build a new model, March 2009) (Land Rover Company Profile, April 2009). At present, the company is all set to start its revolutionary project of making the smallest, lightest and most fuel-efficient car that Land Rover has ever built, based on the LRX concept vehicle displayed in the auto show at Detroit last year. The project has got the grand welcome by the UK government by a stimulus package of  £27 million in the month of April, as a support to the UK auto industry whose sales has gone down by 30% in the second half of 2008 and as per the analysis report the situation yet takes some more time to get back to the same level. Phil Popham, the managing director of Land Rover, said: "At the moment we are planning on the assumption that it will be a couple of years before the industry starts to improve drastically, and maybe five years before returning to the pre-credit crunch trends we were seeing globally in the motor industry." (Arnott S., April 2009). The project is going to cost around  £400 million and is to be started by the year-end in Halewood, on Merseyside. The project is primarily taken up due to the shift of the global auto industry towards green cars to check the global warming and also is a part of raising efforts towards making more fuel efficient and cost effective cars. The prevailing economic recession which has made consumers more cautious about their spending and other related factors have driven the demand for lighter, relatively low priced, fuel efficient and environmentally friendly cars. Under European law, automakers have to cut carbon emission of new vehicles by 19% within a period of five years (Arnott S., April 2009). But, Jaguar-Land Rover under sustainability programme is expecting to cut the same by 25%.  The parent company of Land Rover has already taken the initiative to make the world’s lowest cost car â€Å"Nano† (Scanlon J., March 2009).

Monday, August 26, 2019

RFID Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

RFID - Essay Example It is greatly used by the organizations for tracking their assets. They just put the RFID tags so that the assets can be easily located. The technology has also been in use in various manufacturing plants for many years. It is used for tracking the parts as well as monitoring the movement of the ‘work’. It is also used for the reduction of defects and enhancement of output levels. Supply chain of the retail chains is one of the major areas where RFID technology has been playing crucial role for the past few decades. Furthermore, the technology has also made the payment mechanisms more convenient especially in case of ‘road tolls’ and ‘quick service restaurants’ (Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility, n.d.). The main purpose of RFID technology is enabling data for being transmitted through a portable device such as ‘tag’. A RFID reader reads this tag and then it is further processed in accordance to the requirements of the user. The data which is getting transmitted is capable of providing information regarding the locations, identifications or even the specific features of a particular product. RFID technology has become very popular for its capability of tracking ‘moving objects’ (Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility,

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Literary Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Literary Analysis - Essay Example As might be expected from such a summary, the action of the story goes much deeper than the simple activities of a woman tending her favorite plants within the strictly defined space of a cottage garden. Steinbeck’s fluid style and gentle suggestive use of language highlights a deeper meaning to the story, particularly when the reader reaches the final lines in which it is seen that Elisa is â€Å"crying weakly – like an old woman.† With his use of imagery and action, Steinbeck highlights Elisa Allen’s isolation and frustration both within her garden and through her relationships with others such as the tinker and her husband, Henry. Elisa’s garden quickly illustrates the degree to which Elisa herself is isolated from the rest of the world. Elisa, like her flowers, is completely enclosed within the garden space which is marked by a low fence. This fence stands between her and the other characters throughout much of the story. This is symbolic of how she is enclosed and isolated from the rest of the world. This isolation is also emphasized by the setting described: â€Å"The high grey-flannel fog of winter closed off the [valley] from the sky and all the rest of the world.  Ã‚  On every side it sat like a lid on the mountains and made of the great valley a closed pot† (Steinbeck). This setting indicates that even if she were to leave the garden, Elisa would still find herself cut off from the rest of society. Her isolation is also made clear as she watches her husband talk to strangers not far away but is prevented, by custom and expectation, from joining them despite her own curiosity about what they are saying. In a similar way, Steinbeck forces the reader to make a mental link between the chrysanthemums in the garden and Elisa’s tremendous frustration with her life. He does this first by pointing out the manner in which she works with the flowers, â€Å"The chrysanthemum stems seemed too small and easy for her energy†

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Self Directide Learning Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Self Directide Learning - Term Paper Example In the period of 1960s, increased concentration was focused on the reason and ways behind the learning of adults. The notion of SDL was stated to arise during this specific period of time. It requires to be stated in this context that this particular notion was traced back to the period of 1961. It was during this year when the typology related to goal, compass readings related to the activity as well as learning within the adults were structured by Houle (1961). The purposes and activities related to learning with regard to numerous adult learners was delineated by Houle (1961) who had selected to chase their respective process of learning without the need and requirement of institutional encouragement with respect to affiliation. This particular aspect called for the attention of further assessment during that particular time period. During the period of 1980s, Knowles (1980) re-narrated the development of SDL with the suggestion of an idea called â€Å"andragogy† which was widely referred as the ability and science related to assisting adults for learning. This particular notion was considered in comparison to all the prevalent theories related to learning during that definite phase of time and which were supposed to be reliant on the facet of pedagogy. Pedagogy referred to the science as well as the art related to providing assistance to the child learners. This was again considered to be dependent on five basic suppositions regarding the adult learner. The initial supposition stated that the self-concept with regard to an adult was observed to shift from the perception related to dependent personality towards a self-directing individual with maturity. The other... This paper approves that an individual concerned with the process of SDL was found to indulge alone in that activity, but from the explanation of the concept in the literature, it has been found that individuals seldom indulge themselves in the process alone. The other paradox has been stated regarding the process of SDL referring it to be something that was usually carried out remotely from the formally structured activities which was found to be guided by other individuals. The process related to SDL was not regarded as a lone act which was capable of carrying out alone by any individual. The foremost scholars with regard to this particular subject comply with the fact of SDL being a relational activity or behavior but the relevant literature was considered to be heavily inclined towards the fact of SDL being an individualized behavior. This paper makes a conclusion that the above discussion helps in providing a lucid comprehension regarding the concept of SDL and adult learning. It has been mentioned with regard to this notion that majority of the activities related to learning is believed to be triggered and promoted with the help of a learner’s inventiveness irrespective of its availability with the aid of formal settings. Furthermore, the concept of SDL was found to be perceived as a particular structure of study where individuals are supposed to possess the principal responsibilities with regard to planning, practicing and also assessing the endeavors related to adoption of the skills associated with learning. Certain paradoxes as well as contradictions were however identified in this regard, but the degree of significance and viability of SDL still cannot be completely refused.

Friday, August 23, 2019

Human resource Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Human resource Management - Essay Example However, this paper has selected â€Å"work groups and teams† issue as the topic for discussion. Despite the fact that not much research has happened on groups and teams in organizations as challenge and issue for Human Resource Managers but it definitely is one of the challenges and issues. Human resource manager in most of the cases assume the responsibility of all the human resource of the organization. However, interestingly, they do not deal with each employee individually rather they also make their policies and strategies considering the work groups and teams (Mathis & Jackson, pp. 23-27). Therefore, it becomes extremely important for them to understand groups and work teams, behaviors of individuals in groups and other myths and variables associated with groups and teams. Often managers fail to understand that dealing with groups is an entirely different dimension and requires special attention and homework from the managers. This paper would now discuss all the important elements, variables, concepts and issues related to groups and individual behavior in groups, follo wed by providing with solutions and tips and tricks for managers to deal with problems and issues presented earlier. One of the biggest issues that the HR managers encounter with groups is of their productivity and activity levels. Groups that are temporary in nature always come into existence for achieving some goals or objectives. However, they HR managers while performance appraisals find out and complain about their inefficiency and tendency to avoid work. They always seem to be complaining that groups do not seem to be achieving their targets within the deadlines. This creates an environment of rift and tension and obviously leads to situations that are even more problematic and complex to handle. Important here to understand that research

Marketing Mix of Walmart Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Marketing Mix of Walmart - Case Study Example Furthermore many advertisements have deeper meanings than when seen at first sight especially in magazines where the main goal of the advertisement is to convey a message to the readers through the use of text or symbols. Central to much of modern day advertising in glossy magazines is the use of the metaphor (Proctor et. al, 2005). Metaphors are often used to broaden the way of understanding things. They also lead to a high level of ambiguity in the metaphoric form. Advertisers are finding it more and more difficult to persuade customers about a specific product. Some reasons for that is the higher educational levels and wide experience of using the products. As a result, some advertisers have moved towards creating advertisements that are out of the ordinary by using double meanings 'polysemy' or by integrating ration with emotion. Businesses today face challenges such as globalisation and opportunities as technology advancement and decreased legislation. Marketing is the service concept, which is aimed at the creation, promotion, and delivery of goods and services to the customers. Although many non-profit organisations don't sell products but they market their mission. They need to make the people understand their cause. Very often it is assumed that the people will automatically support the good cause. Unfortunately, this is a false premise. Even the best of programs will fade into obscurity unless non-profit management intentionally makes other groups, associations, businesses, and individuals aware of their mission and continuously maintains that level of awareness. Communication builds understanding and advocates change. Non-profits should define their intended audiences, target their messages to these groups, and outline strategic plans that will best use limited resources to meet organisational goals and objectives. How many people in your community are alert to the good work of your organisation Effective communication and a consistent image also enhance the ability of non-profit organisations to raise money. If local community members do not have an awareness of the good work that a non-profit does; it is unlikely that they will contribute to a fund raising campaign. In turn, if private foundations do not see financial support at the local level, they may be less inclined to award grants. Foundations also look at grant proposals to see how an organisation plans to communicate the results of their program. Marketing is an on-going, cumulative strategy that can build financial partnerships. Regardless of an organisation's size or mission, here are some essential elements of successful marketing that will work to build community awareness and support. Wendy Gray Maynard, Marketing for non-profit Organisations, Concept Marketing Group, Inc., available at http://www.marketingsource.com/articles/view/2101 The American marketing association defines market research as "The systematic gathering, recording, and analysis of data about problems relating to the marketing of goods and services". Consumer analysis is an

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Organizational Performance Management Table Essay Example for Free

Organizational Performance Management Table Essay After you have completed your individual research on your chosen type of health care organization, collaborate with your Learning Team to complete this table. Then, refer to this table as you collaborate to write your paper. Include this table as an appendix to your paper. Fill in the necessary information in each cell, but be as succinct as possible. 1. Provide names of or links to specific organizations. Summarize key products or services provided by each type of organization and identify the primary customers they serve. Organization One Organization Two Organization Three http://www.fda.gov/ U.S. Food and Drug Administration 2. Outline the overall content of the major regulations, accreditation requirements, and other standards that affect each organization. Provide the title, section, parts, or subparts or the numbering system and so on of the specific regulations or accreditation requirements. For example: Use of electronic signatures in electronic medical records is equivalent to handwritten signatures on paper; FDA regulation; Title 21 CFR Part 11, Subpart C, Â § 11.200 Electronic Signature: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm?cfrpart=11 Organization One Organization Two Organization Three Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act (FDASIA) Because of their importance, an agency’s rulemaking plans are of great interest to a wide range to stakeholders. Therefore, the Federal Government publishes a semi-annual agenda of upcoming regulations in the Federal Register, usually in the Spring and Fall. As part of FDA’s Transparency Initiative and FDA Transparency Results Accountability Credibility Knowledge Sharing (TRACK), we are also providing periodic updates on FDA’s Unified Agenda rulemakings. On the Unified Agenda-TRACK Web page, we will maintain an updated agenda of FDA’s Unified Agenda rulemakings. 3. Highlight the effect of each organization’s regulations, accreditation requirements, and other standards on the risk- and quality-management functions and activities. Organization One Organization Two Organization Three The scope of FDA’s regulatory authority is very broad. FDAs responsibilities are closely related to those of several other government agencies. Often frustrating and confusing for consumers is determining the appropriate regulatory agency to contact. The following is a list of traditionally-recognized product categories that fall under FDA’s regulatory jurisdiction; however, this is not an exhaustive list. In general, FDA regulates: Foods, including: dietary supplements bottled water food additives infant formulas other food products (although the U.S. Department of Agriculture plays a lead role in regulating aspects of some meat, poultry, and egg products) Drugs, including: prescription drugs (both brand-name and generic) non-prescription (over-the-counter) drugs Biologics, including: vaccines blood and blood products cellular and gene therapy products tissue and tissue products allergenics Medical Devices, including: simple items like tongue depressors and bedpans complex technologies such as heart pacemakers dental devices surgical implants and prosthetics Electronic Products that give off radiation, including: microwave ovens x-ray equipment laser products ultrasonic therapy equipment mercury vapor lamps sunlamps Cosmetics, including: color additives found in makeup and other personal care products skin moisturizers and cleansers nail polish and perfume Veterinary Products, including: livestock feeds pet foods veterinary drugs and devices Tobacco Products, including: cigarettes cigarette tobacco roll-your-own tobacco smokeless tobacco 4. Specify components of performance-management systems—policies and procedures, self-audits, benchmarking, complaint management, corrective or preventive action, education and training, communication, and other mechanisms—to be used by each organization. Organization One Organization Two Organization Three Risk communication staff: Our Risk Communication Staffs objective is to assess and enhance FDAs approaches to effectively communicate the risks and benefits of using FDA-regulated products. This includes providing leadership in identifying, developing, conducting and promoting cross-cutting research, promoting understandable communication, and finding ways to improve the consistency and effectiveness of our communication approaches. This program also directs the activities of FDAs Risk Communication Advisory Committee, which was established: to advise on strategies and programs to communicate the risks and benefits of FDA-regulated products so as to facilitate optimal use; to review and evaluate FDAs and others research relevant to such communication; and to facilitate interactively sharing risk and benefit information with the public to help people make informed independent judgments about use of FDA-regulated products. Our major functions include: Coordinating development of agency policies on risk communication practices. Coordinating agency strategic planning activities concerning risk communications. Coordinating agency research agenda for risk communication methods. Facilitating development and sharing of risk communication best practices and standard operating procedures. Conducting risk communications research on methodological and cross-cutting issues. Leading management and coordination of the FDA Risk Communication Advisory Committee. Staffing and co-leading FDA’s Communications Council 5. Provide links to any relevant sources that will be useful as your Learning Team completes the paper. Organization One Organization Two Organization Three Fda.gov

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Calorimeter used for calorimetry

Calorimeter used for calorimetry Introduction What is a Calorimeter ? Definition: A calorimeter is a device used for calorimetry, the science of measuring the heat of chemical reactions or physical changes as well as heat capacity. The word calorimeter is derived from the Latin word calor, meaning heat. Differential scanning calorimeters, isothermal micro calorimeters, titration calorimeters and accelerated rate calorimeters are among the most common types. A simple calorimeter just consists of a thermometer attached to a metal container full of water suspended above a combustion chamber. To find the enthalpy change per mole of a substance A in a reaction between two liquids A and B, the liquids are added to a calorimeter and the initial and final (after the reaction has finished) temperatures are noted. Multiplying the temperature change by the mass and specific heat capacities of the liquids gives a value for the energy given off during the reaction (assuming the reaction was exothermic.). Dividing the energy change by how many moles of X were present gives its enthalpy change of reaction. This method is used primarily in academic teaching as it describes the theory of calorimetry. It does not account for the heat loss through the container or the heat capacity of the thermometer and container itself. In addition, the object placed inside the calorimeter show that the objects transferred their heat to the calorimeter and into the liquid, and the heat absorbed by the calorimeter and the liquid is equal to the heat given off by the metals. Functions: As one of the devices used in the science of calorimetry, the calorimeter plays an important role in measuring heat capacity in a number of secure environments, as well as the physical changes that occur with the incidence of specific chemical reactions. This is some information about the general function of the calorimeter and how measuring calories related to the process of identifying heat capacity. Calorimeter is a term that is derived from the Latin word calor, which literally translates to heat. While most people understand the concept of calories as they relate to weight gain or loss, fewer individuals are aware that calorie content is determined by the ability of the substance to generate heat or energy as a result of the consumption. What the calorimeter actually does is identify the rate and scale of the production of that heat or energy and translates into numerical designations that can be used to adequately measure the production and the assimilation of heat and energy. Thus, when thinking in terms of counting calories, what is actually happening is thinking in terms of how much heat and energy will be generated and expended as a result. Calorie measurement has several important applications. One of the most common has to do with health matters. Because the calorie content of some foods is judged to be quite high, the result is that the energy or heat created by the consumption of the foods must make best use of that produced energy. If there is no efficient use of the calories, then the result is energy stored in the form of fat for later consumption. That is why the calorimeter is so important. Proper measuring of calories allows people to more properly plan food intake to ensure that the body has enough heat or energy to function, but does not store excess energy as fat. Types of calorimeter There are a number of different types of the calorimeter that help to measure energy and heat production: 1 :: Adiabatic Calorimeters An Adiabatic calorimeter is a calorimeter used to examine a runaway reaction. Since the calorimeter runs in an adiabatic environment, any heat generated by the material sample under test causes the sample to increase in temperature, thus fuelling the reaction. 2 :: Reaction calorimeters A reaction calorimeter is a calorimeter in which a chemical reaction is initiated within a closed insulated container. Reaction heats are measured and the total heat is obtained by integrating heat flow versus time. There are four main methods for measuring the heat in reaction calorimeter: Heat flow calorimetry Heat balance calorimetry Power Compensation Constant Flux 3:: Bomb calorimeters A bomb calorimeter is a type of constant-volume calorimeter used in measuring the heat of combustion of a particular reaction. Bomb calorimeters have to withstand the large pressure within the calorimeter as the reaction is being measured. 4:: Constant-pressure calorimeter A constant-pressure calorimeter measures the change in enthalpy of a reaction occurring in solution during which the atmospheric pressure remains constant. 5:: Differential scanning calorimeter In a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), heat flow into a sample—usually contained in a small aluminum capsule or pan—is measured differentially, i.e., by comparing it to the flow into an empty reference pan. 6:: Isothermal titration calorimeter In an isothermal titration calorimeter, the heat of reaction is used to follow a titration experiment. This permits determination of the midpoint (stoichiometry) (N) of a reaction as well as its enthalpy (delta H), entropy (delta S) and of primary concern the binding affinity (Ka). 7:: X-ray micro-calorimeter The detector and X-ray micro-calorimeter, works by sensing the heat pulses generated by X-ray photons when they are absorbed and thermalized. X ray micro-calorimeter diagram. The temperature increase is directly proportional to photon energy. This invention combines high detector efficiency with high energy resolution, mainly achievable because of the low temperature of operation. Micro-calorimeters have a low-heat-capacity mass that absorbs incident X-ray (UV, visible, or near IR) photons, a weak link to a low-temperature heat sink which provides the thermal isolation needed for a temperature rise to occur, and a thermometer to measure change in temperature. 8:: High-energy particle calorimeter In particle physics, a calorimeter is a component of a detector that measures the energy of entering particles. 9:: Heat-loss calorimeter Cross-section view of a heat-loss calorimeter. The heat developed inside the cell is collected by the inner copper cup. Then, it flows through the silicone-rubber which serves as a thermal resistor and the outer copper cup, to the flowing water surrounding the outer copper cup. 10:: Gas calorimeter A gas calorimeter which uses an ultrasonic resonator is in prototype state. It is based on the following mechanism: Periodic temperature changes are produces in the gas-filled resonator cavity by heat absorption, These temperature changes lead to variations of the velocity of sound c via the temperature dependence of c, The change of the velocity of sound results in periodic changes of the tuning of the ultrasonic resonator, The detuning of the resonator is measured by lock-in techniques, The device is simultaneously calibrated an additional heat source at a frequency different from the one to be measured. Gas calorimeter types: Junkers Gas Calorimeter Also known as Gas Calorimeter, Junkers Type Used for determination of calorific values (1000 Kcal/m3 26000 Kcal/m3) of fuel / flue gases at low pressures (2† to 12† W.G) Boys non-recording gas calorimeter The P5615 Boys Gas Calorimeter Set supplied by Cussons has been developed, from apparatus designed by the late Sir Charles Boys F.R.S., to provide a simple but accurate method of ascertaining the calorific values of a wide range of gaseous fuels currently in use. As such it is a necessary item of equipment in any thermodynamics laboratory and is applicable to craft and vocational courses in gas engineering and technology. DESCRIPTION The two main items of equipment in the apparatus are the Boys non-recording gas calorimeter fitted with appropriate burners in the base, and a precision, Hyde type gas meter with a capacity of 2.0 litres/rev consisting of a specially designed measuring drum housed in a gas-tight casing and sealed with water. The whole set is manufactured to a very high standard and is supplied with all necessary accessories including thermometers with reading lenses, measuring vessels and a general purpose set of four burners for town and coke oven gas, natural and methane gas, butane, propane, acetylene, ethylene and propylene. Tru-Therm H Gas Titrator Gas Calorimeter The Tru-Therm Model H real time natural gas calorimeter is a continuous measurement calorimeter instrument that determines calorific Heating Value, Specific Gravity, and WOBBE measurement of natural gas, with continuous rate of update of 10 seconds. Calorific Heating Value is determined by the stoichiometric micro combustion of natural gas. Natural gas and air are supplied to a small instrumentation burner (about 1/2 inch cube) where the flame temperature is directly measured by a thermocouple. The thermocouple provides a signal to the Measurement Engine Control Computer, which in-turn regulates the flow rate of gas to achieve the maximum temperature of combustion. This occurs at the Stoichiometric Point. The gas flow rate that corresponds to this temperature is determined by a precision flow-meter which is sensed by the Measurement Engine Control Computer. Differential Thermoelectric Tritium Gas Calorimeter A device for measuring the amount of any reactive gaseous component in a single gas or in a mixture of two or more gases. The device comprises a reaction chambre, at least one means for supporting a removable catalyst suitable for catalysing the reaction between the reactive component and the gas or gases and at least one heat sensor for detecting and measuring the heat produced or absorbed by the reaction between any reactive component and one or more other gases Exhaust Gas Calorimeters The Exhaust Calorimeter comprise a multi-tube exhaust gas heat exchanger in which the exhaust gases pass through the tubes and the cooling water flows outside the tubes. An exhaust gas sampling point with shut off cock is provided. The cooling water circuit is fitted with a flowmeter on the inlet and a flow control valve on the outlet side. Note that the unit must be arranged for contra flow that is the exhaust gas and cooling water must flow through the heat exchanger in opposite directions. Temperature measuring points are provided for exhaust gas inlet and outlet, and cooling water inlet and outlet. The instrumentation is sufficient to enable the heat content of the exhaust gases to be accurately determined.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Introduction To The Maruti Suzuki India Limited Commerce Essay

Introduction To The Maruti Suzuki India Limited Commerce Essay Maruti Suzuki India Limited (Formally known as Maruti Udyog Ltd) was established in 1981, February 24th. It was organized as a legal corporation beneath the provision of the Indian Companies ACT, 1956 to converge the rising demand of personal transportation by the lack of an efficient public transport system. It is the largest car manufacturing company in India accruing over 50% domestic car market. Suzuki Motor Corporation is the largest manufacture of mini passenger vehicles in Japan. According to Automotive Intelligence, Suzuki is eleventh largest vehicle manufacturing company in the world and fourth in Japan in terms of worldwide sales. The company offered different range of cars from passenger cars to sports cars. From 1982, Maruti Udyog was a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan. They licensed and joint venture agreement had been made between two companies on October, 2 1982. 1 Maruti was also involved in various businesses like manufacturing, sales and purchasing of motor vehicles and parts of automobiles. Other activities of Maruti were facilitation of pre-owned car sales, fleet management and car financing. They have seven subsidiary companies in India are Insurance Business Agency Ltd, Maruti Insurance Distribution Services Ltd, Maruti Insurance agency Solution Ltd, Maruti Insurance Agency Network Ltd, Maruti Insurance Agency services Ltd, Maruti Insurance Agency Logistics Ltd.2 all these were affianced with promotion and selling motor insurance policies to motorcycle owners and the seventh one True Value Solution Ltd were in business of sales of certified pre-owned motorcycles under the brand Maruti True Value. They have four manufacturing units in different areas in Haryana state.3 The first commercial car from the joint venture company was launched in 1983 called Maruti 800 which was very popular. In 1984 they launched Maruti Omni which fits one full size family. In 1985 they introduced Maruti Suzuki Gypsy. In 1997 company exposed to foreign market and imported 500 cars to Hungary. In 1990 they launched three box cars with 1000cc engine; this was the major transformation in the company. In 1992 Suzuki Motor Corporation increased its share value to 50% in Maruti. Later year they launched with Maruti Zen and in 1994 they introduced Maruti Esteem into the market.4 Maruti has inaugurated its second plant in 1995. In 1997, Maruti started Maruti Service Master as model workshop to take care of its sales in India. In 2002, Suzuki Motor Corporation increased the share in Maruti to 54.2%. By 2002 they established 10 finance companies in which 8 of them were finance companies and two were joint ventures. They started a new business strategy for its purchase, sales and trade of old cards is Maruti True Value. With the first worlds strategic model with the help of Suzuki Motor Corporation they launched the SWIFT in 2005.5 Maruti started working on new car plant and the diesel engine facility at Manesar plant, Haryana in 2006-07. They opened a new institute of Driving Training and Research (IDTR) in 2006 is a mutual project with Delhi Government for better Research in the field of automobile. They introduced diesel cars like Swift and SX4 luxury sedam in 2007. Maruti launched Multi Utility Vehicle (MUV) called Grand Vitara stylish, muscular and 5 setter car in 2007. Formerly they changed their name from Maturi Udyog Ltd to Maruti Suzuki India Ltd in 2007. After this they made an joint venture agreement with Magneti Marelli Powertrain SpA, both turned into Magneti Marelli Powertrain India Pvt Ltd and they were manufacturing Electric Control Units for cars. They also went into other joint venture agreement with Futaba Industrial Co Ltd and formed FMI Automotive Compoments Ltd for manufacturing Exhaust System Components. In 2008-09, they introduced a new A2 segment car, A-star in India and in Europe as ne w alto. They also raised their production capacity to 1million cars. In 2008, they launched a dual fuel called Maruti 800 Duo which runs on Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as well as petrol. 6 Report submitted by commission of government in 1982 discloses among the major goals with maruti is to modernization of the Indian automobile industry, Fuel efficient vehicles production, to manufacture huge number of vehicles, gain from foreign technology, and the production of peoples car was suitable for Indian people and the climatic conditions which creates possibility of earning foreign exchange by exporting Maruti products and improving employment by starting new industries in the market. By improving the research in the market is determined by manufacturing of better cars would be in demand in Indian market. The main aim of the Maruti Suzuki production is to take help from Japanese company in its working model, working culture and in Indian industry they mainly focus on hierarchical discrimination, inadequate labor, low labor involved, and labor conflict and low recognition with the company. 7 Maruti Suzuki has created history in automobile industry through going keen on production record in 13 months. It is top number of car manufacturer in Asia, outside Japan and Korea having manufactured about 5 million vehicles by may 2005. It also should a remark as most booming automobile company as joint venture and they keep on making profits since inception till 2000-01. Maturi also produced in service profits on an income of Rs 92.5 billion high reduction on new products that have launched resulted in a book loss. 8 Marutis profit increase to 98% rise in its economic second quarter net profits and they are planning to invest $32.3 million. It is going to improve the Gurgaon factory to northern state of Haryana increasing the facilities to improve 79,000 cars in year. They are trying to modernize its factory to produce cars faster. As the quarterly profit is benefited there is a huge demand from local market as well as international market. 9 Enterprise Architecture issues: Implementation of PLM. Lack of Information Technology. Reinforcing management control. Maruti Implemented Turnaround Strategy. Pricing Strategy followed by Maruti. Maruti care for Customers. Maruti commit to Motorizing India. Relationship with the suppliers and management. Different revenue streams. Importance of Vehicle Maintenance Service Market. Implementation of PLM: Marutis product development aims are, necessitate for short cycle times is necessary all times for the company to be at top position. Marutis management desires to launch new models as earlier as possible and try to decrease the time required for small modifications and expansion of different products. Another aim is to co-development. Main goal of Maruti is to get closer through global team and supplies to come up with new products and stand in the market. Other aim is to reform the method of vehicle localization and improvising quality and reliability. All these aims piercing straight to implement Product lifecycle management (PLM) answer with capabilities for information management, knowledge capture, process management and supporting for global collaboration.10 PLM solution will directly verbalize to Marutis business challenges. Information management potential to solve the issues of different platforms, local variants and export destinations. Process management allows simultaneous improvement and quicker change management and offers a platform for other process improvements to process faster. Knowledge capture improves innovation and at the same time condenses prices by growing part re-use.11 Maruti implemented UGS PLM software as UGS leverages the business value by offering a comple PLM solution according to C. V. Raman, General manager, Engineering Division, Maruti Udyog Ltd. PLM execution consists of Teamcenter, NX and Tecnomatix software. Teamcenter offers broad range of practicality for release management which includes statements of material management and change management. NX maintains vehicle design which provides advance tools for styling, product design and digital mockup. System based modeling solution of NX make simpler for creating product variants. It is also used for tool design and the development of machining programs. Tecnomatrix software computerizes develops process planning. Maruti has won the Asia Pacific PLM excellence Award for 2006 by UGS Corp, which is a company for providing worldwide provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and solutions.12 Implementation of oracle application in HR department: Workforce of maruti has grown quickly and expanded to 5,000 workers all over the India. Maruti rapidly discovered that by incompatible systems to manage human resources is insufficient. They needed a system that runs and maintains their employee details. Executing Oracle Human Resources in the company reported improved its HR functions as recruitment, compensation management, leave management, payroll, competency assessments and staff development. Each employee particulars are accumulated at a solitary database and from where HR department staff can access from the database for complete personal and history of the employees. For example, if a new position is opened they can search the database and find the best match for the opened position. It also helps to find the employee skill levels and training programs for better service and to have better knowledge.13 Maruti organized Oracle Self-Service HR to free HR staff as of basic duties are changing staff address details and to answer doubts regarding payment details and leave entitlements. HR module is either necessary or compulsory requirement for implementing financials of the company, supply chain, CRM or logistics module. Greater part of oracle applications implementations around the globe doesnt have complete HR implementation than functional areas. Increase in the workforce excellence in last years the complete HR implementations are on the rise. There is a huge difference between implementation of complete Oracle HR applications and implementing other non-HR application is different with other modules. Implementing complete HT potentially might require many changes to the core HR setup compared to implementing non-HR applications. The analysis and implementation would impact areas befor planning complete HR implementation in the above applications. Oracle HR applications helps employ ees to update their details and apply for holiday break, checking their payrolls using the system. HR staff liked the Oracle application because it was focused on performance assessment and staff development.14 Lack of Information Technology: There was no ERP vendor that supports the system in India until they decided to automate their operations until 1990. Lack of information technology effect the company a lot as technology is the major issue for any company development. Maruti considered the relative quality of producing vehicles on a random, daily basis through a quality. To improve the quality of the products they introduced different measures like talking with customers and taking surveys and understand the customer problems and solve them. They planned for long term goals for implementing and giving out the best quality to the customers and study their problems and keep on challenging targets for the company. Maruti decided to build the ERP system by itself with a group of 45 qualified engineers and taking help of Oracle consultants and developed different applications are receipts, production, inventory management, sales, invoicing, financial accounting and payrolls. Applications were developed and upgrading was done internally and maintenance and administration part was given outsourcing.15 Maruti was successful with implementing Oracle implementation commencement of deploying oracle database and oracle real application cluster as a stable foundation for its nationwide dealer management system. Oracle E-business helps the company to improve its applications and faster process in production of the precuts helps in oracle implementations, application support outsourcing, customization enhancements, upgrades migrations, DBA support and testing services. Core HR modules will definitely help employees and use other HR functions as a part of installation. Dealer management system is developed by oracle fusion middleware products. Selecting the ERP system in maruti was chosen by oracle because of its excellent performance. They used to work with external companies to maintain and develop oracle solution. Later they decided to work with the vendors to organize and maintain the ERP system.16 Reinforcing management control: The growing business of Maruti in India in another way proved it to be a tough task to manage, with their existing strategy. The policies they utilized were not scalable with the growing business and they had to look for more reliable options. Main problem with using multiple systems and manage finances with lack of control over processing and information quality in the company. Each company follows different workflows and each division in the company will have different procedures for implementing the workflow. They have different data formats which require consolidation and preventing real time access to the company profile of sales and critical statistics. With the help of oracle application maruti regulated single financial management platform. Maruti took control over accounts payable and accounts revenue and gained complete and assisted in the management of all financial information. The tasks like generating reports for management review proved tedious with employees who had t o do this manually. Also their system was designed to use inputs that were similar but did not possess ability to co-ordinate with the other entities, resulting in a redundancy in tasks being performed.17 For Instance when new business units open up and the company needs to make sure their productivity is not affected and the servers need to be managed manually in order to make sure everything is going as expected. This would definitely involve either a change in system, that is more scalable with the growing business and reduce the manual intervention in to the maintenance task. Otherwise its a way of revising their ways of managing.18 Oracle fitted the slot in an appropriate way, which replaced the till then products used by Maruti. Most of them being internal were not a best option, keeping the current business scenario in view as they lacked co-ordination among them and manual intervention was imminent. Maruti wanted this change to be as smooth as possible and hence played the responsibility with Oracle itself which had a specialized consulting domain. The joint decision was made by oracle considering the requirements of Maruti. The decision was focused on the key factors like design; deploy the software involved in the revision of the technology and also the co-ordination of the teams participating in the task. The after transformation support was also a prime factor to consider during the plan was being designed.19 Maruti Implemented Turnaround Strategy: Maruti was the leading automobile company till 1998, having about 84% of the market share. With the rise in competition from local automobile companies like Hindustan Motors, Telco, Mahindra Mahindra and international automobile companies like Daewoo, Toyota, Ford, PAL, GM, Mitsubishi has changed the structure of whole automobile industry in India from the past seven years and led to decrease in profits and market share for Maruti. The organization learning of Maruti was moderately successful; the cost was relatively inexpensive as Maruti had its strong Japanese practices to fall back upon. With the program of organizational redesign, rationalization of cost and enhanced productivity, Maruti bounced back to competition with 50.8% market share and 40% rise in profit. At the same time investment in automobile sector by foreign car manufacturers was allowed by the Indian government and hold majority stakes.20 With the loss of market share and decline in profits, Maruti pioneered strategic acts to redesign itself to face the competition in the Indian market and also to deal with the Indias liberalization process. During its redesign process Maruti consulted AT Kearney McKinsey which are the consultancy firms, and also an OD consultant Dr.Athreya who is internationally reputed for the development of organization and modes of strategy.21 In its redesign process, the strategies followed are: to launch a new model every year satisfying different segments of the market, to decrease cost of production by accomplishing 85-90% indigenization for new models, increasing the dealer network from 150 to 300 focusing on bulk sales to attain its market share back, to reduce number of vendors and introduce competitive bidding. The mission statement of the organization is to come up with new models like fuel efficient vehicle with latest technology. Leader in domestic market and be among global players in the overseas market. Creating customer delight and shareholders wealth. With the redesign process the total production capacity increased to over 3, 70, 000 vehicles per year with the investment of around Rs. 4000 mn for the expansion project. Along with its redesign process, there has been a change in business focus of Maruti. The business focus of Maruti previously when it controlled the largest market share was to sell what we produce. After it began redesign process business focus of whole organization had a shift from production, production and production to marketing and customer focus. 22 Pricing Strategy followed by Maruti: Maruti has a product offering to all segments at all price levels. It offers a car with the price of Rs.1, 87,000.00 which is the lowest offer on road. The repeat buyers who already owned a Maruti car makes its 70% of business. Completion in the Indian passenger car industry is increasing and price emerged as an important factor affecting the purchasing decisions for customer. Maruti has been in the industry for more than two decades hence as a market lease maruti adopted aggressive pricing strategy.23 Maruti focused on promoting and distribution the products in the high competitive market. Maruti classified different innovative promotional strategies. They came up with some interest rates declining from 12% to as low as 8% in automobile finance. Maruti finances a mjor toll to drive up its car sales. For every customer looking for up gradation in his car their pricing strategy provides an option. Their motive of having different product offering is by considering every set of car cus tomers in India. The following is how every price point is covered.24 Maruti care for Customers: Maruti has successfully incorporated customer-friendly approach in its organization culture by getting rid of public-sector laid back image which made it to win five consecutive J D Power CSI Awards proving that its primary focus is on customer satisfaction. Employees also incorporated customer centric attitude following the organization culture. For each customer complain Maruti dealers and employees are responsible. Based on customer feedback there are cases of cancelling dealerships.25 Maruti has started a number of plans in purpose of well customer service. They have even changed their interior of showroom allowing customers to walk minimum in the showroom and there are schedules for customer service times and delivery of vehicles. The Dealer Sales Executive, who is trained on greeting notes, is the first person to interact with the customer of Maruti when he walks into the Maruti showroom. Under CRM department Maruti has a cell to handle customer complaints. Another effort by Maruti is the call center where Maruti can closely interact with its customer. The Market Research department of Maruti studies varying consumer behavior and needs of market. Marutis claim of being customer friendly further strengthens because of seventy percent of repeat buyers. There is a lot of investment and effort involved in developing customer loyalty schemes.26 Maruti commit to Motorizing India: Maruti is now putting efforts in making Indian consumers to switch from two-wheelers to the car without any tedious effort by the consumers thus showing its commitment of motorizing India. The outcome of this effort is in making small town people to buy Maruti cars for Rs. 2599 scheme because of its association with State Bank of India and its Associate Banks and organized finance plans.27 The compact cars, which currently make up 80% of the market is the root of growth for Maruti in the future. Strong economic growth, affordable finance, up gradation in infrastructure, proper framework favors the growth of car customers. The rise in income levels and low penetration levels at 7 per thousand are the favourable things for development automobile industry. Maruti while researching found that rural people had strange opinions in having a car that EMI (Equated monthly installments) ranges between Rs 4,000 and Rs 5,000 and along with it for the car maintenance it would be Rs 1,500-2,000 per month, plus another Rs 1,000 for fuel. Taking their inputs Maruti started working in developing an innovative idea to counter their apprehension. Controlling the fuel bill is in consumer hands where maintenance need not be. Khattar says What the company is doing now is saying how much you spend on fuel is in your hands anyway. As far as the maintenance cost is concerned, if you want it th at way, we will charge a little extra in the EMI and offer free maintenance. Thus Maruti laid another innovation in the automobile industry.28 Relationship with the suppliers and management Marutis top level direction of purchasing organization began development of a corporate wide Supply Management Strategy. The goal of Supply Management Strategy is to ensure that Maruti to provide with the right product, at the right time, with the best quality, for the lowest possible price. He elaborated the difference between the vendor and suppliers. A Vendor is going to provide a product which is already made and that doesnt include any creativity or innovation. Supplier is an opportunity to extend their business within the organizations that brings the new product with innovation and creativity as required for the developing to meet certain requirements to the product development.29 Supply management strategy goal is to shift the organization from a short-term transaction mentality to a long-term focus on supplier relationship. Position of suppliers with production facilities and there integration into Marutis development process was an important part of long-term relationship development. The long-term transaction would not only achieve by purchasing but also to develop new products for the development. Maruti recognized that engineering and manufacturing plays equal role in achieving the vision of a new role for supply management. Top level management argued that a slow and steady approach was necessary to build the enthusiasm and engagement in supply management system. He also thought that this new ways would bring us new technology improvements and involve good strategic thinking to bring the thing perfect at the first time.30 Different revenue streams: Maruti has successfully developed different financial strategies without making huge investments in the form of MDS, N2N, Maruti Insurance and Maruti Finance. These facilitate in providing the customers a hassle free experience and in turn satisfying the customers.31 Maruti Finance: In a market where car sales of more than 80% are financed, Maruti has successfully entered and created a financial strategy for Maruti. This strategy has become a crucial factor in converting a Maruti car sale in certain cases. Finance plays a key role in making decisions for car purchase. Maruti has grouped up with 8 other finance companies to form a consortium. The eight other companies are Citicorp Maruti, Maruti Countrywide, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Kotak Mahindra, Sundaram Finance, Bank of Punjab and IndusInd Bank Ltd. (previously-Ashok Leyland Finance).32 Maruti Insurance: The major concern of car owners is the insurance. Maruti has gathered all car insurance needs under one roof. Maruti has grouped up with National Insurance Company, Bajaj Allianz, New India Assurance and Royal Sundaram to make this service available for its customers. From finding out the most suitable car insurance policy and assisting in claiming insurance hassle-free its the complete responsibility of the dealer. Maruti Insurance makes its service easily available for customers at any Maruti dealer workshop in India to have their cars repaired and processing of insurance claims.33 True Value Initiative to capture used car market: Marutis another important development is its entry into the market of used cars in 2001, allowing customers to exchange their old car with the new one by bringing their vehicle to Maruti True Value outlets and paying the difference with loyal discounts. This helps in building satisfaction and retaining the customers. With Maruti True Value, it filled this gap in making customer trust in Indian used car market. In this highly unorganized and deceptive market where biggest concern in making a car sale is trust, Maruti could achieve this based upon its strength in Indian market. Maruti has developed a system where dealers pick up used cars, improve the condition, issue a new warranty and sell them again. Dealers make all investments for True Value. Maruti has established 172 showrooms across the nation building up a strong network. The used car market is 2-3 times as large as new car market in developed markets having a huge potential i n India.34 N2N: Maintenance of car consumes loads of time, especially if you own a group of automobiles. N2N Fleet Management Solutions by Maruti for companies takes the responsibility of A-Z automobile problems. Services comprise complete solutions across life of the vehicle like Leasing, Maintenance, Convenience services and Remarketing.35 Maruti Driving School (MDS): Maruti has started this in order to achieve the market where there is suppression in buying cars due to lack in car driving skills. This strategy brings such customer to the showroom and potentially learns car driving.36 Importance of Vehicle Maintenance Service Market. In the old days, the companys operations could be boiled down to a simple three-box flowchart. Components came from the vendors to the factory where they were assembled and then sent out to the dealers. In this scheme, you know where the companys revenues come from. The new scheme is more complicated. It revolves around the total lifetime value of a car. Work on this began in 1999, when a MUL team, wondering about new revenue streams, traveled across the world. Says R.S. Kalsi, general manager (new business), MUL: While car companies were moving from products to services, trying to capture more of the total lifetime value of a car, MUL was just making and selling cars. If a buyer spends Rs 100 on a car during its entire life, one-third of that is spent on its purchase. Another third went into fuel. And the final third went into maintenance. Earlier, Maruti was getting only the first one-third of the overall stream.37 As the Indian market matured, customers began to change cars faster. Says Kalsi: So the question was, if a car is going to see three users in, say, a life span of 10 years, So Maruti has changed gears to take a big share of this final one-third spent on maintenance. Maintenance market has a huge market potential. Even after having fifty lakh vehicles on road Maruti is only catering to approximately 20000 vehicles through its service stations every day.38 For this they are conducting free service workshops to encourage consumers to come to their service stations. Maruti has increased its authorized service stations to 1567 across 1036 cities. Every regional office is having a separate services and maintenance department which look after the growth of this revenue stream. 39 Conclusion Marutis vision statement is, its goals consist of continue leadership in the Indian automobile industry, enlarging the shareholders, establish customer pleasure. Maruti has highest level of customer satisfaction consistence for six years according to the J.D. Power Asia Pacific 2005 India Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) study. They gave importance for the customers and started many projects for better service. Maruti was ranked top in Indian sales satisfaction study. Maruti Suzuki has a sales network of 307 state-of -the-art showrooms across 189 cities, with a workforce of over 6000 trained sales personnel to guide MUL customers in finding the right car. Maruti Suzuki scored the highest across all 7 parameters: least problems experienced with vehicle serviced, highest service quality, best in-service experience, best service delivery, best service advisor experience, most user-friendly service and best service initiation experience. 92% of Maruti Suzuki owners feel that work gets done right the first time during service. The J.D. Power CSI study 2004 also reveals that 97% of Maruti Suzuki owners would probably recommend the same make of vehicle, while 90% owners would probably repurchase the same make of vehicle. At Maruti Suzuki, customers will find all car related needs met under one roof. Whether it is easy finance, insurance, fleet management services, exchange- Maruti Suzuki is set to provide a single-window solution for all car related needs. The acquisition cost is unfortunately not the only cost customers face when buying a car. Although a car may be affordable to buy, it may not necessarily be affordable to maintain, as some of its regularly used spare parts may be priced quite steeply. Not so in the case of a Maruti Suzuki. It is in the economy segment that the affordability of spares is most competitive, and it is here where Maruti Suzuki shines. The highest satisfaction ratings with regard to cost of ownership among all models are all Maruti Suzuki vehicles: Zen, Wagon R, Esteem, Maruti 800, Alto and Omni. It has introduced the superior 16 * 4 Hypertech engines across the entire Maruti Suzuki range. This new technology harnesses the power of a brainy 16-bit computer to a fuel-efficient 4-valve engine to create optimum engine delivery. This means every Maruti Suzuki owner gets the ideal combination of power and performance from his car. Maruti was also involved in various businesses like manufacturing, sales and purchasing of motor vehicles and parts of automobiles. Other activities of Maruti were facilitation of pre-owned car sales, fleet management and car financing. They have seven subsidiary companies in India are Insurance Business Agency Ltd, Maruti Insurance Distribution Services Ltd, Maruti Insurance agency Solution Ltd, Maruti Insurance Agency Network Ltd, Maruti Insurance Agency services Ltd, Maruti Insurance Agency Logistics Ltd. They also went into other joint venture agreement with Futaba Industrial Co Ltd and formed FMI Automotive Compoments Ltd for manufacturing Exhaust System Components. Marutis profit increase to 98% rise in its economic second quarter net profits and they are planning to invest $32.3 million. Maruti Suzuki has created history in automobile industry through going keen on production record in 13 months. It is top number of car manufacturer in Asia, outside Japan and Korea having manufactured about 5 million vehicles by may 2005. It also should a remark as most booming automobile company as joint venture and they keep on making profits since inception till 2000-01. They are trying to modernize its factory to produce cars faster. As

Monday, August 19, 2019

American Flag Desecration is Treasonous! Essay -- Argumentative Persua

American Flag Desecration is Treasonous! The flag it is the symbol of our nation, the symbol of our freedom, the symbol of those that have gone before us to defend our liberties, and most importantly the symbol which at one point or another each person has pledged their allegiance to. Desecrating this symbol which all should hold dear is to desecrate America’s values and betray the devotion which all have pledged to our nation. Knowing the importance of our high flying flag makes it treasonous to burn or desecrate it, thereby making it obvious that this act should be forbidden by the constitution of the United States of America. Firstly, nothing in the constitution protects the act of desecrating a flag. Many argue that our first amendment allows us the right to this expressive behavior, however when I read our first amendment which states: â€Å"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech†¦.† Nothing in our first amendment protects nor allows any type of action. Our amendment protec...

Sunday, August 18, 2019

To Kill a Mockingbird and American History :: To Kill a Mockingbird Essays

To Kill a Mockingbird and American History The book, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, has many different relations to American history. The book shows good examples of racism, working life, church, and many other things. The book takes place sometime in the 1930's. It's about two children named Jem and Scout. They are very imaginative kids always making up new games and other things to pass the time. In the beginning of the book they are obsessed with one of their neighbors, Boo Radley. They think that Boo is a crazy man that killed his parents. Jem, Scout, and their cousin, Dill, decide to go up and see if they can see what is going on inside the Radley house. Once they get up to the house they hear a noise and run off, but Jem loses his pants of a fence wire. The entire first part of the book is all about the kids trying to find out all about the Radley's. The second part of the book is about Atticus (Scout and Jem's father) defending a black man named Tom Robinson in court. Tom was accused of beating and raping a nineteen year old girl named Mayella. This is the section of the book with the most examples of American history. Everybody in the town of Maycomb looks down on Atticus because he is defending a black man in court. All evidence in the case shows Tom Robinson innocent, but he is still charged guilty because of the all white jury. The actual rapist was Mayella's father. In the end of the book, Tom is shot so that he wouldn't be found innocent. The part of the book that involves the most American history is the court case where Tom Robinson is found guilty just because he is black. There have been many similar cases to the Tom Robinson trial during this time in history. Most black men would have a very slim chance of being found innocent just because of their race, and the white majority. Another good example of American history in To Kill a Mockingbird, is the way the churches were run. The white people would go to their church every Sunday and worship much like the people do today. The real American history is in the black church.

The calamities of Julius Caesar :: Julius Caesar Essays

The calamities of Julius Caesar Tragedies most often refer back to the actions of men. The play Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare, provides a good example to how the quote is shown to be accurate." The calamities of tragedy do not simply happen, nor are they sent [by the gods]: they proceed mainly from actions, and those actions of men." This statement is profoundly proven through the past and present actions of the conspirators throughout the play. From the beginning of the play, the reader can identify who will necessarily betray and plot to murder Caesar. Cassius, main conspirator in this play, initially draws Brutus into the inner circle. From the beginning of the play, Cassius seeks Brutus for the newest addition to the plot and knows if Brutus is added, the plot will be successful. Even in the first scene of Act II Cassius is flattering Brutus in order to entice Brutus into joining the murderous group. "Your hidden worthiness into your eye, that you might see your shadow. I have heard where many of the best respect in Rome, speaking of Brutus, and groaning underneath this age's yolk, have wished that noble Brutus had his eyes." (p. 350 ln. 55-60) This quote depicts when Cassius first starts to flatter Brutus and say Brutus is the most respected and noble man in Rome. These compliments and forms of flattery are what first showed Brutus was kind of man the people see him as and what time of power Brutus could produce in himself. Actions at some moments in Julius Caesar speak louder than words. A prime example is when Cassius wants the men to make a pact to follow through with the murder, but Brutus speaks up and says that the pact is unnecessary. Brutus feels as though every man is a true Roman and each man is as trustworthy and noble as he. As for Antony's speech, this is a whole different story. The words Antony spoke to the public helped motivate the people to go against the conspirators. Thought the action of killing Caesar was a publicized one, Antony's speech was far from being unnoticed. All of the things which went on throughout the play all relate back to the actions of Cassius.

Saturday, August 17, 2019

Proctor and Gamble – Strategic Management Case Study

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Proctor and Gamble (P&G) over its journey of about 175 years has become one of the world’s largest consumer goods Company with sales of nearly $80 billion and a net profit of about $10 billion. P&G has a presence in more than 180 countries with brands that accumulate to in excess of $25 billion. The company has achieved success by creating high quality brand recognized products that are sold on multinational level.It enjoys one of the largest brand names in household products like Pampers, Gillette, Tide, Ariel, Downy, Pantene, Head  &  Shoulders, Olay, Oral-B, Crest, Dawn, Fairy and Always and segments like household care, beauty, grooming, and personal health care. Although, P&G has world renowned brands, P&G needs to adopt strategies that enable it to maintain its competitive advantage over its rival. Consumer Goods industry where P&G operates has matured reaching the consolidation stage and competition amongst rivals is intense.P&G has many strategic options create competitive advantage over its rivals such as further market penetrations by rebranding its current line of products and selling them at a lower price. Another option for P&G is to expand in the emerging markets by collaboration or alliances with local businesses in various geographical regions. Lastly, P&G can specialize in skin care/beauty segment of consumer industry. P&G can provide consumers with products that are made with natural ingredients as trend in health and wellness is growing along with providing specialized products for men.INTRODUCTION P&G is a part of a competitive industry, and as such faces very stiff and fierce competition from its rivals. The competition faced by the company is virtually on every front like, market share, product line up, innovation of new products, R&D for new and existing products. It has witnessed a drop in market share and revenue from the developed market and but sustained appreciable performance in the developing markets.Th is report provides a thorough internal as well as external analysis of P&G, identifies its mandate, along with certain strategies that would help it increase its profitability, profit growth and sustain its competitive advantage in both developed and developing markets. The limitations of this report are due to the fact that it primarily relies on the information and facts as presented in Case 27, Proctor & Gamble: The Beauty/Feminine Care Segment of the Consumer Goods Industry.External references were also used and information was sought from the Proctor & Gamble Company 2012 Annual Report and the Proctor & Gamble website. COMPANY OVERVIEW Procter & Gamble was founded in 1837, by William Procter and James Gamble, who laid the foundation of P&G by initially making and selling soap and candles. By 1879, founders of P&G developed Ivory soap and established their own laboratory, and by 1935 the company established another factory in the Philippines after its acquisition of the British soap manufacturer, Thomas Hedley & Sons.In January 2005, P&G announced an acquisition of Gillette, forming the largest consumer goods company and placing Unilever into second place. At present, Procter & Gamble sells more than 300 leading brands, such as Pampers, Tide, Pringles, Ariel, Downy, Pantene, Head  &  Shoulders, Olay, Cover Girl, Pantene, Crest, Duracell, Secret, Folgers, Hugo Boss, Mr. Clean, Oral-B, Old Spice, Clairol and Zest. The company markets its products through mass merchandisers, grocery stores, membership club stores, drug stores, high-frequency stores, department stores, perfumeries, pharmacies, salons, and e-commerce.It markets its products to over 160 countries, and operates a total of 115 plants in more than 80 countries all over the world. Procter & Gamble’s headquarters are located in Cincinnati, Ohio and it employs more than 98,000 employees worldwide. Off late, the company’s performance has dwindled as the company has been shuffling its strategy and has not been able to keep competitors at bay (Chung, 2012). Recently the company’s Board has unanimously accepted CEO McDonald, who had joined in July 2009, as the one who would plan and head the company’s turnaround of performance (Chung, Jul 2012).As such the company has adopted a multi-fold strategy to cut costs by a big chunk and bring up new and innovative products to shore up sales and profits. Example being the fact that â€Å"the company will launch at least nine new products in the next four months, many of them priced at a premium to generate higher profit margins† (Monk, 2012). MANDATE The mission of the company is to â€Å"provide branded products and services of superior quality and value that improve the lives of the world’s consumers, now and for generations to come†.And this would automatically generate value for all its stakeholders in form of higher sales and returns. The vision of the company is to be recognized as à ¢â‚¬Å"the best consumer products and services company in the world†. P&G has kept is vision powerful and yet pretty clear. This vision of the company is simple enough be easily comprehended by all its stakeholders. The core values of the company rotate around the consumers, its brands and its employees. These values are leadership, ownership, integrity, passion for winning and trust.The company, through all its core values, has tried to address the fact that they seek to work and deliver a trust to their consumers with the help of their employees, who are expected to work with leadership and ownership and must have a passion for winning so that they can together work to strive to achieve the vision of the company. Just like the vision of the company, the core values also are very clear and straight forward that define the reason for the existence of the company. P&G’s stakeholders are its customers, shareholders, employees, uppliers and communities in which it operates. P&G’s customers are the ones who ultimately use the products and given the fact that the industry is highly customer oriented and demand driven. The shareholders invest in P&G’s shares providing the company with capital and the company rewards them by consistently creating and increasing the shareholder value. Proctor and gamble employees worldwide are considered its most important asset who are the back bone of this giant corporation, they expect ethical treatment along with fair wages and good working conditions.Another important stakeholder of P&G is its suppliers whose organizations heavily rely on the business agreements with P&G, and the businesses who sell and distribute P&G products. Also, different communities all over the world from Cincinnati, Ohio to the many communities around the world who are provided with jobs, employee education, stability and who pay taxes because of Procter & Gamble. EXTERNAL ANALYSIS 1. Competitive Rivalry: The industry that P&G op erates in is highly competitive and it has emerged as one of the leaders in the industry.This industry has five major competitors and has reached the stage of consolidation. Due to industry consolidation, changes made by one company forces other competitors to react and follow suit. This increases rivalry and might lead to price wars. The demand for beauty and personal hygiene products is on the rise due to many factors such as; the growth in the economies of developing world has improved the standard of living of people in those regions; men are becoming more interested in beauty and skin care; and also due to the growing demand for products made with natural ingredients and raw materials.This increase in demand and potential for growth has provided stability in the industry. 2. Threat of New Entrants: Five major competitors in this industry have captured most of the market share through economies of scale and brand loyalty. The wide range of products in major competitor’s p ortfolio makes it extremely difficult for the new entrants to compete and gain any significant market share. Potential entrant would require an enormous amount of capital for manufacturing alongside a huge budget for marketing activities, R&D, supply/sales channel in order to compete at the same level as major competitors.This creates a very high barrier to entry in the industry that makes the threat of new entrants, very low for the industry. The patents held by the company on various products also act as barriers to entry. 3. Bargaining Power of the Buyers: Businesses in this industry rely heavily on its buyers to generate a considerable portion of revenue. Buyers of this industry are mainly distributors like Walmart, Macy’s, Target etc. These distributors buy in large quantities which increases their buying power allowing them to bargain lower prices.As a result, over exposure of sales to any single buyer could pose a serious threat to this industry if competitors do not h ave their own customized distribution network. 4. Bargaining Power of Suppliers: There are almost no substitutes for raw materials being used in products manufactured by this industry which is a cause of concern. Suppliers seem to enjoy high bargaining power but the sheer size and quantities purchased by major competitors in this industry tends to scale back the supplier power as competitors can move towards vertical integration.Hence, the buying power of suppliers is medium. 5. Threat of Substitutes: There are no known substitutes for this industry which places the threat of substitutes at a very low level. Macro Environment The raw materials used to manufacture products in various segments of Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry are regulated by governments in many countries. There is a risk that currently used raw materials may be considered potentially dangerous and therefore restricted in their use due to the increase in health consciousness especially in western markets. Product testing can take months even years before getting an approval for consumption and during this time regulations can change preventing a product from ever being introduced to the market resulting in large R&D expenses which may never be recovered. Social forces can have an effect on this industry such as the desire for organic products as consumers become concerned that chemicals currently being used can cause long-term health ailments like cancer and skin diseases.Men are also fast becoming more interested in beauty and hygiene products and populations in developing countries are also turning towards beauty and personal hygiene products as their living standards improve. The future for this industry is bright with potential for growth but for some companies this can be a threat if they fail at product innovation and strategizing their business as per the changing trends. Technological changes such as exponential growth in internet and ecommerce provides a great platform to th is industry to market its products directly to target demographics and also to raise awareness of personal hygiene.On the internet, there is a massive potential to target consumers based on their web searches, previous online purchases, etc. Advancement in technology can also help this industry’s distribution systems such as emergence of real-time inventory systems allows inventory levels to be replenished on time and prevent excessive inventory on-hand in factories or warehouses. The reduced barriers to international trade give companies in the industry the opportunity to expand into various regions of the world. Many regions like China, India, and South America are opening up to the world providing an excellent opportunity for expansion.However, the reduced barriers to international trade can also be considered a threat if international companies expand into home bases such as Europe and North America which will in turn give rise to the local competition. INTERNAL ANALYSIS P&G is the industry leader because of its ability to maintain a competitive advantage over its rivals resulting in higher than average profitability. P&G has many resources that contribute towards gaining and maintaining competitive advantage over the rival. One ofP&G’s main strength is its strong financial position which allows it to acquire other companies. P&G has acquired Gillette boosting its competitive advantage over its rivals as Gillette mainly caters to Men which is growing market. Strong financial position also allows P&G to incur high R&D costs i. e. in excess of 2. 2 billion dollars. P&G is constantly investing in product innovation and improving its current line of products. The company over the past many years has successfully launched and managed new products.As such, P&G has the ability to push for innovation and ensure faster commercialization than any of its competitor in the industry. This investment in improving brands and innovation also promotes brand l oyalty. P&G operates in various segments of FMCG industry such as Personal hygiene, Household care, and Beauty. This variety of products offerings from P&G caters to almost all demographics; throughout different ages, genders, countries and cultures. P&G operates in various regions across the globe and has successfully managed to establish itself as a leader in these markets across many segments.This diverse range of product offerings along with its operation in various geographic regions allows P&G to reel through the recessions in the economy and maintain its profitability. Any slowdown in the economy of anyone region or segment is countered by growing economy and segments in other regions. Also, type of products offered by P&G are considered to be recession proof as they considered to necessity such as soaps, shampoos, personal health products etc. P&G derives its strengths from its various capabilities. First of all is that P&G has the marketing of its products in the industry.T his enables P&G to convince its consumers to buy products and also keeps them up to date with new products as well as about any improvements in the current line of products. P&G also has an efficient distribution system which allows it to distribute its products in various region of the globe at a lower cost than its competitors. P&G also collaborates with distributors like Wal-Mart, Target etc. to keep supply chain functioning efficiently. This allows restocking of shelves at distributors much easier as it provides real time data to P&G as stock levels deplete.This allows P&G to save costs associated with huge inventories and warehouses. Also, P&G owns and operates almost 115 manufacturing facilities across 80 countries around the globe. This is a great asset of the company which provides it with the capability of saving on cost of shipping products from one region to another. All these sets of co-related resources and capabilities allow P&G to save on costs and provide high qualit y products at a reasonable people which in turn has generated above average profits in the industry making P&G the industry leader.Along with strengths, P&G also has certain weaknesses and threats that can offset its competitive advantage and affect its profitability. In the current global down turn commodity prices across the globe are increasing due to transportation costs associated with higher oil prices. This will force P&G to raise prices on many of their products which might affect market share because some consumers may switch to cheaper low quality products. This is further exacerbated by the fact that switching costs for consumer are quite low between the competitors in many segments of this industry.While P&G has great collaboration with Wal-Mart, which allows it to maintain an efficient supply chain management but this is also one of the weaknesses of P&G as Wal-Mart is its number one buyer as considerable amount of P&G sales are accounted to Wal-Mart and followed by oth er major retailers like Target, Zellers, etc. This provides buyers with immense buying power and any decrease of sales at any of the top customers can affect P&G effecting its revenues and subsequent profitability.P&G is also exposed heavily towards the matured markets of Europe and North America. STRATEGIC OPTIONS Further Market Penetration – In this strategy, P&G should increase market penetration its current skin care and personal hygiene segments. P&G should look towards in its customer base and specifically targeting low income consumers in mature markets. P&G can achieve economies of scale in its current product mix by rebranding such as packaging or size/volume of the product. This way P&G will be altering its existing products at a low fixed cost.By harbouring this strategy, P&G will be able sell its products at a cheaper price and increase its revenue and subsequent profits. This is low risk strategy because P&G has managed to achieve strong brand recognition and cus tomer loyalty so P&G does not have to incur huge marketing costs in order to introduce its products to the market. P&G already and effective supply chain management and it has good relationship with mega distributors like Wal-Mart, Target etc. so it will be much easier for P&G to introduce these rebranded products to consumers.Furthermore, P&G has a strong financial position which is essential in case the strategy fails to garner expected results. Further Market Penetration| Arena| All markets where P&G currently has a presence| Differentiator| Price, Quality| Vehicles| Rebranding, marketing| Staging| Rebrand products in different packaging with less volume quantities| Economic Model| Sell rebranded products at lower price to the low income consumers| Pros| Enhances existing capabilities and resources Low Risk| Cons| Short to medium term solutionBrand loyalty is scarce in consumers looking for lower priced products| Table 1There are some drawbacks in this strategy which must be cons idered such as the lack brand loyalty in low income consumers. Low income consumers tend to prefer products that are competitively priced so if another competitor implements the same strategy they can take away P&G’s market share. Hence, this strategy is only viable from short to medium term. Global Expansion in Emerging Markets – P&G derive most of its revenues from matured market of North America and Europe where market has reached the saturation point and revenue growth is stagnant.Unlike the mature markets, emerging or growth markets have a lot of potential for growth and there is a lot of market share up for grabs. As P&G looks to gain greater share in the developing countries, it needs to adjust its planning according to the demographics of such country i. e. ethnic groups with different skins, hair types etc. As P&G already has a strong set of products, it must be relatively easier for P&G to penetrate into emerging markets especially in terms of brand recogniti on, mass market presence, and brand loyalty.P&G can avail this opportunity by introducing quality products based on the specific needs of the local population or by acquisition of businesses who produce such products. This strategy would help P&G in the long run as it would allow P&G in keep its revenues up during the economic downturns in mature markets as sales in emerging markets will offset the recessions in the mature markets. Rules and regulations vary country to country so some countries can have stringent rules for Multi-national Corporation to protect its local businesses.Global Strategic Alliance or collaborations with local businesses will enable P&G to expand in to the local market in areas such as China, India or South America. The extensive knowledge of consumers, market trends, laws and regulations that Partner Company brings to the table can be considered an excellent distinctive competency. Global Expansion in to emerging Markets| Arena| Emerging Markets| Differenti ator| Price, Quality| Vehicles| Collaborations (Global strategic alliances), Acquisitions,| Staging| Collaboration with local businesses and then move towards acquisition of the same. Economic Model| Provide quality product at reasonable price to consumers in the emerging markets| Pros| Great long term potentialDiversification through operations in various regions which provides an opportunity to keep revenues up during recession in one region| Cons| High risk involved in collaboration/acquisitions along with the instability of economic growth in emerging marketsCompany can lag behind in innovation| Table 2 P&G should select it partner carefully in emerging markets keeping in mind the risks associated such as rules, regulations etc.P&G must form a structure where the share, responsibilities of each party is clearly defined along with contingency plans to mitigate various risks involved. P&G should protect its trade secrets and product formulas so manufacturing facilities must have s eparate units, and PG should also get all its patents recognized in the region where it will operate. Some of the cons of this strategy are embedded with the collaborations with local businesses and the instability in the emerging markets.Also, P&G will essentially be rebranding most of the products it sells in mature markets along with selling some products of its partners which means there will be less spending on R&D and company might lag behind in innovation of new revolutionary products. Differentiation in Beauty/Skin Care Segment – In this strategy, P&G will offer unique and innovative products that address special needs of various market segments and demographics such as products with natural/organic ingredients, products for certain demographics such as men, ethnic groups etc.Beauty/skin care segment of consumer goods industry is growing as consumers are more interested in grooming themselves with better products and growing trends in health/wellness. P&G can create a competetive advantage by specializing in products made for men and products made with natural/organic ingredients. This strategy will require acquisition of products or spending in R&D to innovate such products in house. This will also require aggressive marketing and branding of such products to introduce them to the consumer.These products must be priced at a premium price based on the advertising costs, acquisitions and R&D spending. Many features of the products along with quality will offset and justify the higher price for such products. With continuous R&D spending over time, advancement in technologies and increasing competition, prices will eventually reduce. If P&G is able to acquire or create new line of specialized products which caters to certain market segments or demographics, it will be a competitive advantage for P&G over its rivals.Differentiation in Beauty/Skin Care Segment| Arena| Mature Markets first and move into growth/emerging markets| Differentiator| Select ion, Quality| Vehicles| Acquisitions, Signalling| Staging| Acquisitions of major business involved in organic and men beauty/personal hygiene segments| Economic Model| Sell specialized products targeting certain customers with premium prices i. e. organic products| Pros| Leverages existing resources and capabilitiesLong Term potential| Cons| High Risk with acquisitionsHigh costs associated with R&D spending| Table 3This strategy has some disadvantages as well such as it requires a lot of capital investment either for acquisition or R&D to create new products. REFERENCES Mockler, R. J. (2007). â€Å"Procter & Gamble: The Beauty/Feminine Care Segment of the Consumer Goods Industry† In C. W. L. Hill & G. R. Jones, Strategic Management: An Integrated Approach, 6th Edition. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Chung, J. (2012). â€Å"P&G's Board ‘Unanimously Supports' CEO McDonald† Retrieved from http://online. wsj. com/article/SB10000872396390444464304577534930564069566. tm l Mo nk, D. ( 2012) â€Å"Procter ; Gamble planning nine new product launches† Retrieved from http://www. bizjournals. com/cincinnati/blog/2012/09/procter-gamble-planning-nine-new. html Annual Report (2012) Retrieved from http://annualreport. pg. com/annualreport2012/files/PG_2012_AnnualReport. pdf P;G History (2012) Retrieved from http://www. pg. com/translations/history_pdf/english_history. pdf P;G Purpose, Vision and Principles. (2012) Retrieved from http://www. pg. com/translations/pvp_pdf/english_PVP. pdf