E-myth questions

Part 111

Primary aim concept

The ‘primary aim’ concept is centered on the reasons for pursuing a certain business or course in life. If a certain business venture or endeavor has no other meaning than making profit then a business person should try and correlate the business with his life. It is common for most entrepreneurs to focus all their efforts on ways that improves their business and ignoring other factors affecting the business too (Gerber, 2016).

The first step of starting a business venture involves the birth of an idea through a business model. It is usually a very delicate time that is strictly guided by an entrepreneur’s ‘primary aim’ and belief. If the business is to have any meaning beyond the service it offers, after successfully being operational, an entrepreneur must link it with things he considers vital. The business enterprise should play a part in accomplishing an entrepreneur’s goals and dreams. What goal or dream? One may be tempted to ask. Well, the same ‘primary aim’ that drove a business person to dedicate their efforts and gather all their resources and time to a venture is the same  aim that will alter an entrepreneur’s venture. If one expects a business venture to contribute to their goals and dreams, one must recognize and establish their ‘primary pursuit’ first. (Gerber, 2016).

‘Primary aim’ is a business person’s compelling force. It sets the pace and gives direction of the business. It encourages and motivates an entrepreneur to reach the highest achievements .It makes an entrepreneur attain the best always.’ Primary aim ‘concept entails walking the talk and living life that is in line with one’s core beliefs and traits and it is the  fundamental foundation that any business should be based on hence it is very important for an entrepreneur to identify his ‘primary aim’. (Gerber, 2016).

The meaning of ‘strategic objective’ to a small scale entrepreneur and how it corresponds with ‘primary aim’

Strategic objectives of any business idea are supposed to link the purpose of the business to the needs of the market. Primary aim of a business i.e. the words utilized to explain the significance of an entrepreneur’s life and strategic goals and perception for the ideal trade may be the firsthand experience that a small business person gets while setting up their business. (Publishing, 2014).

Once the strategic goals are well defined, one can pursue the their primary aim so that one can be able to develop both his life and business in relation to their objectives and goals that have been set by an individual .For a small business person, engaging in ‘hand work’ that another skilled person would have done will not assist to move the business nearer to the strategic goals.  When a business person performs tasks that directly affect the strategic objectives, personal aims are realized. For instance, if an entrepreneur uses his management time to do technical work only and does not create time to participate in activities that would drive the strategic objectives, the technical sector of the business will improve more. (Publishing, 2014).

Strategic tasks are the most vital tasks and should be given priority by entrepreneurs on a daily basis. Decision making should be accompanied by corresponding actions. This cultivates a culture that will strategic objectivity. (Publishing, 2014).

Strategic goals set the code of conduct for the business. It determines the manner in which individuals will conduct themselves as they go about their day to day activities in the business. It sets the framework for what is to be done and what is not supposed to be done. (Publishing, 2014).

References

Gerber, M. E. (2016). Beyond the Emyth: The evolution of an enterprise: from a company of one to a company of 1,000

Publishing, B. N. (2014). Summary: How to Turn a Great Idea into a Thriving Business. Cork: Primento Digital

Table of Contents

Introduction 2

Entrepreneurial Organization. 3

IKEA as an Entrepreneurial Business. 4

Skills, Attributes, and Behaviors. 5

Benefits of Entrepreneurial Employees. 6

Summary and Recommendation. 6

References. 8

Dear Sir/Madam

Introduction

I am writing this cover letter to apply for a job placement in your company, which is currently available in your esteemed organization. I would like to bring to your attention that I just finished major in design, from the University of London. I have already graduated with a distinction. Notably, IKEA, which an organization founded and a multinational group, is known for its designing and selling ready to assemble furniture, home appliances, and kitchen appliances. The reason behind my drive and wish to work with your company is because you are the leading designer and seller of a wide range of home appliances and furniture. They are all affordable by almost everyone. The second reason why I am after working with your company is based on the combination of skills applied to your daily activities. The company combines quality, function, value, and design in the production of the various home appliances, and apparently with sustainability as the fundamental idea under consideration.

Once I am offered the opportunity to work in your company, I will maximally apply the skills and competencies acquired in my major program. In will use my design skills to advance the company’s products. I have a strong background in design concepts, which will be of great importance in your company. I believe I will be of great importance to your company through the skills and competencies I acquired during my major in design. It is for this reason that seeks to secure a job in your organization.

Entrepreneurial Organization

An entrepreneurial organization is a company that regularly seeks and categorizes data and information that are useful in the development of products based on its specialty, through innovation and adhering to its values such as quality which in turn leads to increased gains (Dahlvig, 2011 14). For entrepreneurial businesses having ideas in regard to how the business should achieve success is not enough but focusing on creativity and the ability to share is the thing that matters. For instance, Barn Furniture and Walmart are the best examples of the most successful entrepreneur companies today. IKEA is known for adopting the best class furniture designs and offering packaging which is convenient for flexibility and transportation to its clients.

Barn Furniture is an entrepreneurial organization that is comprised of innovators and professions whose sustainability is supported by the entrepreneurial skills held by the executive leadership (Zentes, Morschett & Schramm-Klein, 2017 23). The organization is based on a strong organizational culture which is presented under strong leadership setting. This is similar to IKEA and I admire the entrepreneurial ability of the company, and that is the main reason behind seeking a chance of joining the company. The leadership style applied in the company is influential to the business model, operational strategy, culture, and the organizational structure. Barn Furniture ownership structure of is mainly entrepreneurial in nature.

Based on the above examples it is evident that an entrepreneurial organization is one that is involved in the consistent research and selection of the most innovative information for fresh products ideas that are nurtured by innovators that results in sustainability and highest revenue generation. In that an entrepreneurial organization might not be able cannot separate innovative thinking, ideas development across all the members and the sharing of creative ideas. Walmart and Barn Furniture have been able to achieve revenue sustainability through their constant search for fresh strategies for innovating their products and offering differentiated services. The most recent trends involve the utilization of technology in the quest of gaining competitive advantage an aspect that both firms have adopted constantly as influenced by the entrepreneurial skills held by the leaders.

 The transformational kind of leadership applied by the companies help in the fulfillment of self-actualization needs of the workers, enhances the achievement of motivation through empowerment, and places confidence in the employees’ abilities. These are aspects boosting the entrepreneurial skills of all employees (Zentes, Morschett & Schramm-Klein, 2017 25). Personally, I believe I possess entrepreneurial skills when it comes to designs, and my skills will be translated into the design of the home appliances. These entrepreneurial skills are beneficial in fostering innovative ideas and thinking of the workers. The skills enhance the organization and the employees sharing of creative ethos, which are the primary drives to the profitability and success of the firm.

IKEA as an Entrepreneurial Business

The entrepreneurial characteristics of IKEA start with the skilled management and leadership. Kamprad is a charismatic leader. He is characterized by his entrepreneurial skills which had continuously made the company to be innovative, profitable, and successful when are comes to the production of the home furniture and appliances. The entrepreneurial skills are applied in innovation and development of new products, home appliances, and furniture. The main objective of IKEA is also based on entrepreneurial strategies. The company’s objective is “To create and enhance the better life of the customers” (Lewis, 2005 12). The company’s idea is also grounded in entrepreneurial skills. IKEA’s business idea is “To offer a wide range of functional, well-designed home furniture products, at an affordable price” (Lewis, 2005 12). My admiration for the company has been dictated by IKEA’s entrepreneurial business, which starts with the strong organizational culture. IKEA as an entrepreneurial business is governed by its goal of taking care and valuing its customers. The determination to increase the demand for its products and enhance the production of low price high-quality furniture is a perfect example of the company as an entrepreneurial business.

My passion to be part of IKEA is also driven by the company’s aim of considering the clients that are mostly ignored by the competitors in the industry. The innovative and entrepreneurial character of IKEA Company is evident in the performance in the global industry. It has remained to be one of the leading global producers regarding the production of the home appliances and furniture. The most important lesson conveyed by IKEA leadership is entrepreneurship.  The IKEA’s culture is geared towards entrepreneurship (Lewis, 2005 14). The culture believes in the delegation of duties with empowerment and as a result, expects an adequate amount of discretion from the entrepreneurial skills of the workers. The company encourages entrepreneurship behaviors which are useful in the design of the furniture. It is on these entrepreneurial grounds that I also seek to be part of IKEA and apply and advance my entrepreneurial skills in design, in which I majored in.

Skills, Attributes, and Behaviors

Over the last six months, I have been working with Dakin organization, which was dealing with the designing and assembling of office and home appliances. The skills advanced while working with Dakin, together with those I got from my major program will be beneficial to your company. I have skills in imaginative, creativity, and generation of new ideas. The skills were helpful to me while working with Dakin as was able to solve the difficult challenges that came in my way as a designer. I further possess sober skill, discerning, and strategic approaches. The skills are essential in valuing all available options and reaching accurate judgments. I also have attributes of determination, creativity, and perseverance to see all design tasks are achieved and in the best ways.

I am a confident person, having handwork ethos which I will translate to a reality into your company. As was the case while working with Dakin company, and will be the case in your company, I can work effectively and efficiently both as a part of a team and as an individual. I am a shaper who remains focused on pursuing of objectives and is driven by the tremendous need to achieve and energy in the design tasks. I believe in success and winning. Additionally, being polite and a good communicator in both verbally or written communication. They are skills I got in my major course and practiced them in Dakin Company. I can correctly deal with customers. Am capable of meeting the design requirements of the customers and will be the same case once I am in IKEA Company.

Moreover, am a patient and have the capabilities to multitask. I am also a productive and efficient person with strong interpersonal skills with are associated with professional design style. My major programs helped me in advancing my capabilities in critical thinking. The experience I got from Dakin Company has been useful to me in developing my skills of meeting deadlines by being personally organized in designs. Finally, I am an enthusiastic problem solver, as I have strong information technology skills. Am capable of demonstrating the application of these designing skills. In Dakin Company, I gained experiences and applied my skills as a problem solver in the designing of the complex office and home appliances. Therefore, the translation of these skills to your company will be an easy task for me. I believe I will be an asset to your company through my skills in designing.

Benefits of Entrepreneurial Employees

Having entrepreneurial employees is not only essential to gaining competitiveness but also enhancing the capability of the firm to innovate products and differentiate business for greater gains. It is a different thing to have the required workforce when equated to having the right workers. Having entrepreneurial employees is essential to increasing work commitment and morale as the workers are mainly characterized by the same mindset which means that minimal effort is necessary to instilling motivation. In addition, it is more cost efficient based on the fact that with loyalty the rate of turnover is minimal and thus, the company is not engaged in more hiring procedures. This will, in turn, lead to high productivity and quality as every employee understands the needs of the business fully. For example, a company such as Walmart has been able to outweigh the competition based on having innovative as well as entrepreneurial staffs. From the skills and competencies I have, I believe I am an entrepreneurial individual, who will form part of IKEA entrepreneurial employees.

Entrepreneurial employees also play part in supporting the development of cultures and customized approaches that seek to differentiate business. I have and possess all it takes to improve the culture of IKEA’s products and services continuously. I believe in full support of change strategies within the services and products in the design business. Entrepreneurship skills are driven by designing and assembling commitments, outlooks, and fresh ideas, which are all governed by innovative approaches. While working in Dakin, I applied these skills and competencies and saw the design and production of new office and home appliances, which turned to be a profitable venture for the company.

In IKEA, I will enhance generate new ideas in the workplace, which will boost the levels of job satisfaction for the customers and employees. I will further increase the chances of cohesiveness within employees. These will develop and heighten the overall contribution of IKEA competitive advantage. The skills I possess will lead to the generation of new design and assemble ideas, which will be useful to IKEA reinforcement of its image and products brand.

Summary and Recommendation

The reason behind applying is to be part of the productive IKEA team of workers. I regard myself as the potential asset to IKEA Company as I have the combination of skills and competencies required in the design and assembling of the home furniture and appliances. I have had a long-term interest in being part of IKEA and have been having high esteem in business. “I have been successful in using my design and assembling skills in turning the dreams of a beautiful home to be a reality’’ (Edvardsson, Enquist, and Hay, 2006 234). I am sufficiently knowledgeable and well briefed on the design and assembling business of both home appliances and furniture. I hope my application offers sufficient evidence helpful in enabling me to discuss in person my application and further the process.

I am enthusiastic about exploring opportunities on designing and construction of home appliances and furniture. I look forward to working with your company.

References

Dahlvig, A., 2011. The IKEA edge: Building global growth and social good at the world's most iconic home store. McGraw Hill Professional.

Edvardsson, B., Enquist, B. and Hay, M., 2006. Values-based service brands: narratives from IKEA. Managing Service Quality: An International Journal, 16(3), pp.230-246.

Lewis, E., 2005. Great Ikea! A brand for all the people. Cyan Communications.

Zentes, J., Morschett, D., & Schramm-Klein, H. (2017). Strategic Retail Management: Text and International Cases. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-10183-1.

Victoria Secret's

Purpose of the Brief and Relation to Phase 2

The topic to be discussed is Enhancing the marketing strategy of Victoria Secrets for a wider market share and competitive advantage. This study will mainly focus on the low targeting issue as Victoria Secret’s has acquired success but has not been able to address the market as a whole (West, Ford, & Ibrahim, 2010). This research brief proposes that a study should be conducted on Victoria Secret’s company to investigate and deliberate on the competition and low market targeting faced by the organisation.

Introduction and Background of Research

Victoria’s secret is a fruitful clothing and lingerie store and despite the fact that it is classified as successful with the limited market that it does it marketing to persuade it has not catered for the market as a whole. This research will be conducted in order to establish strategies or ways in which Victoria secret should act differently to capture a wider market share, increase its earning and enhance its brand image. This research is significant because it will help the organisation in situating itself strategically in the market for competitive advantage.

Research Questions

1. How can Victoria Secret’s attain sustainability and competitive advantage?
2. Is the company’s marketing inclusive?
3. What should the organisation do differently for a more strategic positioning?

Aims and Objectives

1. To determine how Victoria secrets can attain sustainability
2. To establish the competitive advantages of the firm and things that it should do differently to overcome the intensifying competition
3. To determine how it’s marketing can be enhanced to address the needs of the market as a whole

            Literature Review

            It is without a doubt that Victoria Secret has risen to be amongst the most popular lingerie company across the globe. According to Alkhafaji & Nelson (2013) Initially the primary objective was to design more attractive, easy and comfortable settings where men would shop for their women an aspect that has changed overtime as the sores are more utilized by women themselves. The company conducts its marketing while demonstrating some slender ladies which demonstrate the fact that the firm is discriminating when it comes to consumer targeting and segmentation. In reference to business success it is essential for the primary business targets to be identified early for increased gains. The companies that focuses on this aspect are associated with the highest gains in general. There are other firms that do not consider the aspect and normally takes the whole populace into account. For instance Wal-Mart is the most suitable example. In that the company does not choose on specialising on gender, ethnicity or race for its consumers. Instead the company mainly targets the populace in general without the application of any discrimination and it is through this specific strategy that the company has become a multi-billion global firm (Ferrell & Hartline, 2008). In addition, the company has not only attained competitive advantage in general but also the ability to sustain its position while asserting on its major values being convenience, affordability and quality.

            Based on Peng (2013) while focusing on the impacts of companies that are more assertive on consumer’s discrimination, it is apparent that the strategy leads to decreased revenue and sustainability. Victoria’s secret’s target on a reduced portion of consumers particularly those of slender bodies as their advertisements fails to cover the whole populace of women and men in need of lingerie the population of its targets has been decreased. The thought that is rising behind the market discrimination approach is that when a firm mainly focuses on targeting a reduced portion of the consumers market, then the company only acquires minimal benefits from its focus. In that by restraining the target populace the result is mainly a decline in the acquired revenue and sales in general (Ferrell & Hartline, 2008). This therefore implies that if the company is centered on targeting an extensive populace this strategy is likely to attract even more consumers which will in turn result in increased sales and revenue.

            Victoria Secret’s is mainly focused on a single kind of consumers even though they incorporate both men and women. In that, their main focus lies on slender ladies thus failing to account for the bigger and obese consumers. It is estimated that the normal sizes that the company mainly targets only incorporates 17 percent of the lingerie consumers which them best demonstrate that the company is wasting a huge opportunity (Alkhafaji & Nelson, 2013). It is worth noting that the company having operated for years and established a competitive position has the highest financial capability of incorporating the needs of the consumers in general. In addition, it has created a recognized and popular brand globally which makes it operation easier. However, with its current strategy it is evident that the competitors are likely to outweigh it in regard to revenue generation and market share. In today’s competitive market there is a necessity to focus on the wider populace without incorporating any form of discrimination. In addition it is through this approach that Victoria Secret’s will be able to sustain its convenience, comfort of shopping and quality values (Peng, 2013). There is also the need to incorporate affordability as a means of overcoming competition.
            Methodology

            The study will utilize a mixed methodology of both qualitative and quantitative strategies under the descriptive research design. This methods were selected based on their ease of use, convenience, cost efficient and capability to generate maximum information (Lim, 2013). An inductive approach will be followed as well which mainly incorporates the use of observation in order to make assumptions to be utilized in the investigation.

Proposed Research Methods

This study will utilize a descriptive research study. A mixed research study will also be utilized incorporating both qualitative and quantitative studies. These methods were mainly selected based on their ability to provide maximised information to support the paper’s research objectives and answer all the questions. Qualitative data will be acquired from primary sources based on the use of questionnaires and survey while quantitative data will be acquired from a review of literature from secondary sources. The questionnaires will be distributed randomly to participants through email.
                Sampling

            The study will mainly utilize purposive sampling mainly the simple random sampling technique. In that the approach is essential given that it works in elimination of biases as well as ensuring that the acquired findings are factual and adequate (Lim, 2013). In addition, through this the research will ensure that the study is not only accurate but also reliable for practical application by the company.
                Research Philosophy

            The research will mainly use the positivism research philosophy in generating findings and developing of suitable recommendations. In that this philosophy is related to operating under observable social realism which then provides grounds for generalizations. In that the philosophy is suitable for the research given that the study is mainly concerned with facts that are related with the operations of the company. The research will utilize structured survey and interviews on the target populace to acquire real facts that are not associated with biasness and will result in the generation of maximized data. This will work to ensure that the researcher does not deviate from the actual objectives of the study leading to faulty results.

Project Plan, Budget, and Timeline

This study will begin by understanding the issue as faced by the company through research. The research will mainly be conducted within two weeks or less basically to collect, summarize and analyse the gathered data. The budget will be limited to about £300 to enable the researcher to conduct primary and secondary research.

Issues to be considered

Ethical issues such as Confidentiality, budget, and timeline are some of the primary issues that need to be considered. In that, all those participating in the primary research should fill in a consent form to understand their role, study’s objective and confidentiality issues. The study should work within the timeline and budget.

Potential use of the research findings

The research findings can be useful in designing the most effective strategies for the organisation to adapt to transition in the ever-changing market. In addition, it can be utilized in understanding the current market and how sustainability and marketing can best be carried out.

Conclusion and recommendations

Victoria Secret’s should adopt the non-discriminative targeting approach in order to attain high revenue generation as well as the capability to sustain its competitive positioning. It is evident that Victoria Secret’s is the most successful lingerie and clothing store in the UK and across the globe. However, in order to sustain its positioning, there is a need to strategically cover the market as a whole. I would recommend that the organisation should utilize more inclusive marketing that covers beyond its limited target to increase its share.

References

Alkhafaji, A. & Richard A. Nelson. (2013). Strategic Management: Formulation, Implementation, and Control in a Dynamic Environment. Routledge Print.

Ferrell, O. C., & Hartline, M. D. (2008). Marketing strategy. Mason, OH: Thomson South-Western.

Lim, W. M. (2013). Research methodology: A toolkit of sampling and data analysis techniques for quantitative research. Place of publication not identified: Grin Verlag.

Mike W. Peng. (2013). Global Strategy. Cengage Learning.

West, D. C., Ford, J. B., & Ibrahim, E. (2010). Strategic marketing: Creating competitive advantage. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

2016 Annual World Bank Report: A Summary for Economic Development Project

The progress and achieved, strategies revised and projects undertaken by the World Bank’s efforts in the developing regions around the world relates  the economic growth , education, public health and even governance. In Africa the projects centered on agricultural productivity, reliable and affordable health care, climate change and climate resilience building, support for fragile countries and those affected by conflict and human capital development. To boost agricultural productivity in Africa, the World Bank had been working on a Regional Sahel Pastoralism Support Project with an aim to enhance access to important productive services, assets and markets for pastoralists. The project covered 6 countries including Chad, Mali, Burkina Faso, Senegal and Niger so as to enhance local response to emergencies and crises affecting the pastoralists (World Bank, 2016). In Ghana, the Sankofa Gas Project has been funded by the bank to the tune of $700 million to increase access to reliable and affordable energy and in conjunction with private sector; the aim is for the project to yield fiscal returns to the country. The investment in disaster-risk management and adaptation techniques is addressed in Africa Climate Business Plan, strategy aimed at assisting countries in the region to adapt and mitigate the impacts of climate change (World Bank, 2016). To assist countries that are fragile and affected by conflict such as Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, the bank has provided resources to be used in addressing the causes of fragility and support the countries’ transition to functioning nations. To enhance human capital development in the region, the World Bank has embarked on improving Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education to help youth gain skills necessary for the job market. The West Africa Agricultural Productivity Program helped in raising the incomes of beneficiaries, and its expansion assisted in improvement of food security for the population in the region (World Bank, 2016).

In East Asia and Pacific region, the projects mainly involves battling malnutrition so as to improve public health, enhancing the mitigation for climate change and climate mitigation and knowledge partnerships to obtain development solutions. Dealing with malnutrition involves addressing obesity and stunted growth through collaboration with various governments, private society and civil society and other development oriented partners. This has allowed for increased investment in research to assist policy response and nutrition in projects like Indonesian National Program for Community Empowerment that has led to improved child and maternal health. To enhance climate change mitigation efforts and resilience, the collaboration with aforesaid partners to develop innovative solutions that support policies for cleaner energy has been adopted. Farmers in the regions especially in Vietnam have used climate-smart ways of cultivation which has increased productivity and reduced costs (World Bank, 2016).

In Europe and Central Asia region , the development efforts has focused on macro-economic growth  and economic diversification, enhancing competitiveness and good governance in countries such as Ukraine , Kazakhstan ,Serbia and Poland. The investment in public-sector governance has improved quality of services and assisted in fostering entrepreneurship, innovation and growth in private sector. By working with countries that are its clients in the region, the bank has helped in the design and implementation of reforms aimed at enhancing fiscal sustainability and pension of social protection, pensions, health care and education systems. This also includes providing advisory and analytical services to the client states. The support for energy efficiency and climate adaptation involved offering advice for policy reforms with an aim of improving energy efficiency for European Union member countries (World Bank, 2016).

In the Latin America and the Caribbean region, the progress and achieved goals relate to economic based strategies and activities. The need for increased productivity, strong business environment and firms’ more exposure to external and domestic competition has been addressed through greater allocation and level of productive skills so as to streamline regulations and enhance innovation in countries like Colombia and Peru. It also includes improving public education quality and business environment to improve productivity. There has been development of an infrastructure that is more sustainable enhanced by World Bank’s provision of technical and lending assistance for metro systems and modernized grid systems that help in saving energy.  The protection of vulnerable and poor population against economic slowdown and building of human capital has been embraced in countries like Costa Rica and Haiti.  The region countries have also been helped to build resilience and improve of their response to shocks like natural disasters(World Bank, 2016).

 The Middle East and North Africa region has been experiencing violence, political unrest and social constraints due to a large displaced population. A strategy adopted involves peace promotion and enhancing social stability. It involves the renewal of social contract in terms of citizen engagement, jobs and quality services with a goal of achieving peace and stability. There has also been more regional cooperation to achieve more gains in areas like education, water and energy. There has also been an effort to promote welfare of people who have forcibly been displaced and even the host communities in this region. It also involves resources for coverage and improving social assistance for such population like in Syria and Lebanon (World Bank, 2016).  In the South Asia region, the growth rate has remained strongest in the world even though capital inflows have reduced. A strategy adopted by World Bank has focused on development of private sector with an emphasis on infrastructure development, urbanization and job creation.  The efforts have lead to better governance and improved security and jobs through projects such as Punjab Jobs and Competitiveness Program for Results for Pakistan, Second Public Financial Management Reform and Temporarily Displaced Persons Emergency Recovery Project (World Bank, 2016).

The East Asia and Pacific experienced the best progress among all the regions. This is because extreme poverty has reduced in a faster rate that all other regions , which is indicated to have reduced to almost 7.2 % by 2012 from 80 % in1981. This can be related to a better economic performance and growth, as the region is seen to account for nearly two-fifths of overall growth around the globe in 2015 (World Bank, 2016).

 The Europe and Central Asia regions made the least progress in the same period. This is informed by policy uncertainty due to Britain Bri-Exit referendum, weakening global growth, persistent geopolitical tension and the refugee crisis. These factors are constraining the recovery of the region after the economic recession. Poverty reduction that has in the past been significant is reversing while inequality is still not being addressed (World Bank, 2016).

 The World Bank has embarked on strategy that involves Poverty reduction, Gender Equality and Inclusive Growth that so as to provide equal opportunities for everyone. To close the gender gap especially in developing economies the bank use the strategy to improve health care and hence human endowment, improving social protection and education , eliminating constraints to job access through addressing the skill gaps and any segregation on the basis of gender. Other efforts include removal of barriers to ownership of land and its control by women and enhancing the agency and voice of women while at the same time including boys and men in such efforts (World Bank, 2016).

The efforts employed by the World Bank have substantially helped in the improvement of poor population’s lives and living standards. The various projects undertaken to provide opportunity to the poor in terms of education, imparting skills for the real job market and bolstering economic growth have all lead to better their lives.  For instance, the Regional Sahel Pastoralism Support Project has helped in improving access to the market for the pastoralists which helps them in increasing their income (World Bank, 2016).

 As a policy maker at the Bank, I would focus on efforts to improve equal development across the regions. This involves infrastructure development, high quality productivity of goods and services and human capital improvement. Improving infrastructure will ensure that economies of the developing world can produce competitive goods in the world market while improved human capital will uptake the emerging employment opportunities in the local market.

References

World Bank, (2016). Annual Report 

International Supply Chain

Retail Sector

Introduction

The retailing sector across the globe has emerged to be among the leading industries in regard to growth in general. In that, the industry has not surprised many by the rate of development it has achieved in the recent years but also its general capability to sustain the growth (Lopez, 2017 1). This is the sector that holds some of the most desired companies based on their success in the international operations such as Amazon and Walmart companies (Christopher and Peck, 2004 9). Big data uprising offers most of the domestic as well as international companies the capability of capitalizing on the extensive amounts of data that is useful in guiding their supply systems (Gaitho, 2017 1). With the availability of Big Data and information analysis corporations have gained an increased discernibility into high inventory state, products delivery and orders completion amongst different sets of information (Mangan and Lalwani, 2016). In that in the retailing sector, Big Data is of the essence in the projection and adhering to specific timing in regard to shipments and products delivery.

Findings and Analysis

As corporations are able to acquire a better view of their supply as well as demand transactions, they can, in addition, apply Big Data Analytics in regard to operations and sales processes which best offers support to a more precise forecasting system (Kemppainen, and Vepsäläinen, 2003 702). In the economic sector today globally, consumers are more interested in the quality of products as well as the associated products. In that, they focus on the manner in which firms organizes their supply system (Lopez, 2017 1). In that, with an effective supply chain, this means that a company is not only able to meet the increasing demands in the market but also the capability to sustain the set values such as affordability, convenience, and quality. In that consumers are able to shop for the needed commodities at any given period, while expecting the most satisfying experience from these retailers. IT is rather evident that based on the increasing demands in the retailing market most companies are faced with the challenge of trying to innovate in the search for more improved approaches (Noe, 2003 4). Big Data has evolved to be one of the most efficient ways of optimizing the companies supply systems in the quest of meeting the fast-changing consumer needs as while as minimizing the associated expenses and attaining high profits (Waller and Fawcett, 2013 88).

Conclusions

It is evident that the success of the retailing companies is dependent on the effectiveness of their supply chain. With an effective supply chain then the performance of any company international is improved. In that, when the supply chain has been enhanced then a company is not only able to focus on cost reduction but also increasing its capabilities of meeting the ever-changing needs in the market and quality. Big Data plays a critical role in the retailing supply chain by creating efficiency through emphasizing on increased performance. In that, the analytical information that is acquired is utilized in forecasting time and making timely deliveries that best support convenience and shopping satisfaction.

Healthcare Sector

Introduction

Healthcare sector is one of the most sensitive and important industries in the global today. In that, all the other sectors are dependent on it as economic productivity might not be attainable if there is no health wellness. In order for the sector to perform as expected it depends on its supply chain particularly the global one (Lopez, 2017 1). This involves the delivery of supply as well as the needed information in driving services. In this context, the uprising of the Big Data concept plays a critical role in analytics as well as providing more improved grounds in which forecasting can be performed in general. In that, the sector depends on the capability to create a balance amid the persisting demands in the market as well as supplies in general (Schoenherr and Speier‐Pero, 2015 122). In that, the healthcare organizations are usually in dire need of timely supplies of drugs and other products that are required in the provision of services but the delivery should be done inaccurate and balanced amount in order to reduce the operational expenses. It is in this scenario that Big Data is utilized in enhancing the supply system which in turn results in quality and more improved performance.

Findings and Analysis

The healthcare sector benefits highly from Big Data analytics in general. In that its supply system is one that is characterized by unending pressure based on the increasing need for efficiency and quality in operations (Johnson, Leenders, and McCue, 2017 58). In addition, the industry is forced to adhere to the ever-changing demands and trends changes that require the organizations to transition and meet the needs in general. In fact, the world is changing rather speedily thus requires the adoption of different measures to fight the changes (Gaitho, 2017 1). In addition, with the high adoption of technology in the health sector, there are many uncertainties in regard to how best efficiency can be achieved. On the other hand, the use of Big Data results in positive impacts on the supply system in general. In that it is through the acquisition of helpful information that the delivery and capability to create a balance amid the demands and supply is created in general (Cooper, Lambert and Pagh, 1997 12). It is evident that Big Data is essential in the healthcare industry based on the complexity of available data and operations in the global market.

Conclusions

In summing up, the role of big data in the healthcare sector is one that cannot be denied and one that is highly necessary based on the complexity of the industry. With the ever-changing demands organizations are forced to adopt rather innovative approaches that mainly seek to enhance the ability of the supply system. Through having a more improved insight in regard to the system then the organizations not only acquire benefits from the well-performing supply chain but also from decreased costs and increased abilities to sustain effective operations values such as quality.

Education Sector

Introduction

Academicians along other dominant stakeholders obviously settle that bid data is the contemporary society’s operations transformer in most if not all sectors in the recent years (Kshetri, 2016 4). While Big Data continues to be a necessity in daily living there is a necessity to focusing on the changing environment that leads to the acquisition of actual value (Lopez, 2017 1). In the education sector, the benefit of the use of big data remains to be a major challenge in addition to other problems such as funding, skills and financial gains. In general, most companies hold a number of aims for the use of big data systems (Kshetri, 2016 117). In that, while the major objective for most companies is to improve the experience of the consumers there are other aims that are highly essential which might include expenses reduction, improved market targeting and achieving process efficiency (Wamba et al, 2015 235). The utilization of big data in the education system has resulted in an enhanced supply system that in turn supports better performance and low expenses reduction in all the involved operations.

Findings and Analysis

According to Da, He, and Li, (2014) big data are highly applied in the education sector particularly in higher education. In that, it is utilized mainly in the management systems that not only plays part in the regulation of the growth of the students but also the manner in which operations are carried out within institutions (Riggins and Wamba, 2015, 1534). In the education sector, the supply system is still the most essential sector that leads to the wellness of different organizations (Gaitho, 2017 1). In that, in different circumstances, big data is mainly applied in the measurement of the tutors' effectiveness in the quest of ensuring that the students and their respective teachers acquire the most pleasing teaching and learning experience. In that, the performance is mainly evaluated from the students’ performance and behavioral responses. In addition, technology is also applied in assisting those that seems to have been left out thus creating a more consistent system (Peppard and Ward, 2016 6).

Conclusions

It is evident that the application of big data in the education’s sector is objected to improving the experience of those that are involved while decreasing the operating expenses and increasing efficiency. The supply system mainly acquires benefits by attaining efficiency which in turn increases the ability of the involved organizations in meeting the changing learning needs. However, the use of this system is not only targeted for financial gains given that it mainly contributes to the creation of a more favorable surrounding in which the set values can be achieved. In that, the primary aim of the education system is to create efficiency by offering not just quality but also creating more pleasing experiences. With respect to the international operations, the complexity that is involved is mainly eliminated thus resulting in a more efficient system.

References

Christopher, M. and Peck, H., 2004. Building the resilient supply chain. The international journal of logistics management, 15(2), pp.1-14.

Cooper, M.C., Lambert, D.M. and Pagh, J.D., 1997. Supply chain management: more than a new name for logistics. The international journal of logistics management, 8(1), pp.1-14.

Da Xu, L., He, W. and Li, S., 2014. Internet of things in industries: A survey. IEEE Transactions on industrial informatics, 10(4), pp.2233-2243.

Gaitho, M. 2017. How Applications of Big Data Drive Industries. Retrieved from https://www.simplilearn.com/big-data-applications-in-industries-article

Johnson, P.F., Leenders, M.R. and McCue, C., 2017. A comparison of purchasing’s organizational roles and responsibilities in the public and private sector. Journal of Public Procurement, 3(1), pp.57-74.

Kemppainen, K. and Vepsäläinen, A.P., 2003. Trends in industrial supply chains and networks. International journal of physical distribution & logistics management, 33(8), pp.701-719.

Kshetri, N. (2016). Big data's big potential in developing economies: impact on agriculture, health and environmental security.

Lopez, E. 2017. What is Big Data, and why does it matter to supply chain? Retrieved from https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/what-Big-Data-supply-chain-application-primer/435865/

Mangan, J. and Lalwani, C., 2016. Global logistics and supply chain management. John Wiley & Sons.Top of Form

Noe, R.A., Hollenbeck, J.R., Gerhart, B. and Wright, P.M., 2003. Gaining a competitive advantage. Irwin: McGraw-Hill.

Peppard, J. and Ward, J., 2016. The strategic management of information systems: Building a digital strategy. John Wiley & Sons.

Riggins, F.J. and Wamba, S.F., 2015,. Research directions on the adoption, usage, and impact of the internet of things through the use of big data analytics. In System Sciences (HICSS), 2015 48th Hawaii International Conference on (pp. 1531-1540). IEEE.

Schoenherr, T. and Speier‐Pero, C., 2015. Data science, predictive analytics, and big data in supply chain management: Current state and future potential. Journal of Business Logistics, 36(1), pp.120-132.

Waller, M.A. and Fawcett, S.E., 2013. Data science, predictive analytics, and big data: a revolution that will transform supply chain design and management. Journal of Business Logistics, 34(2), pp.77-84.

Wamba, S.F., Akter, S., Edwards, A., Chopin, G. and Gnanzou, D., 2015. How ‘big data’can make big impact: Findings from a systematic review and a longitudinal case study. International Journal of Production Economics, 165, pp.234-246.

Bottom of Form

Nike Inc

Nike is one of the major manufacturers of apparel products and it leads in the foot-wear, athletic apparels and accessories. The brand has had a widespread print and television advertising with the marketing strategy including sponsoring various high-profile athletes. In the past the manufacturing operations of the firm especially for sportswear products have come under scrutiny due to allegations of sweatshops utilizations. The firm has responded to the negative publicity by establishing suppliers’ code of conduct, various partnerships and even the use of lean manufacturing. The intention has been to improve the image of the company and its operations in the market (Nike, Inc, 2015).

Six-sigma Innovation

The six-sigma is at times criticized as being against introduction of innovation but it should be that way. Creativity in thinking and innovation are major required at the Lean Six Sigma’s improvement stage, where the root cause of a problem has been identified and there is a need to find solutions for the problem (Pyzdek & Keller, 2014). The use of Lean principles in Nike’s manufacturing operations has been aimed at waste and time reduction and thereby improves production and lead times. The integration of Six sigma and Lean has been the basis of innovation in the company as way of producing high quality products at low prices that will compete in the market. The use of lean technique also results to reduction of waste in the production process while improving the customer value. A lean firm is one that comprehends customer value and directs its major process towards its continuous improvement (Pyzdek & Keller, 2014).  Such thinking will win over more customers; ensure stability in the performance of the firm through standardization of quality while serving customers. The integration of lean technique and Six-Sigma leads to Lean Six Sigma which gives room for innovation through quality management , improved processes and application of resources in a way that productivity will dramatically be increased and creation of  more business potential.  Innovation should be sustainable enough to enable a firm learn and adapt to a constantly changing environment. Sustainable innovation involves continuous efforts to have the firm remain at par with a dynamic business environment (Jeston & Nelis, 2014).

Sustainable innovation has taken various forms in Nike Inc which has enabled it to improve the manufacturing process. The transformation has involved ensuring that the manufacturing ecosystem and sourcing of materials will continue to provide sustainable growth for the whole value chain. The definition stage has involved presenting the firms as one that is driven by innovation in what is manufactured, how it is manufactured and how it delivered to the market. The firm’s innovations are the driver of efficiency perspective, how the operations can grow the business, reduce environmental impact and connect with the customer (Distelhorst,  Hainmueller,  & Locke, 2014). This is the problem that the firm tries to address across its operations. The measurement in the firm involves the impact of improved working conditions, manufacturing process and the supply chain value with an aim of achieving the set targets and goals. The improvement of working conditions has involved supporting career growth, wellbeing and health, safety and offering competitive compensation and benefits. The aim is to bring the best out of its human resources through workforce engagement on the basis of supporting diversity, value creativity and continuous learning. Obtaining the best of human resources can be obtained through employee engagement, which enables them to strive for best performance in a competitive industry and challenging environment (Bocken et al. 2013). Through partnership with Fair Labor Association the firm has been able to come up with its Sustainable Compliance Initiative. The initiative has aims at providing tools for improving process and meets the industry standards.

The use of lean manufacturing has been aimed at enabling the firm to analyze, design, verify and control the production of its various apparel products. This can evidenced by the adoption of the Sustainable Manufacturing and Sourcing Index , which is a system used in combining the  ratings of factory in terms of lean manufacturing and environmental safety. This has enabled the company to move beyond just waste reduction and include how the production processes are operated. The system has enabled the firm’s human resource to measure performance against business metrics in the sourcing of materials, reduction of non-compliance practices in the manufacturing process (Nike, Inc, 2015).  Presently firms are progressing in terms of meeting compliance with the standards set by their rivals in the industry. Various firms are striving to meet the standards set by Nike Inc in the manufacturing process and supply chains.

Product design

The approach by the firm has been involved bringing various skills sets and teams in the development process who works together in finding innovative product solutions that will help in reducing social and environmental impacts while at the same time adding value to the firm’s business. This provides integration in thinking and moving teams beyond personal expertise so as to achieve great sustainability. For instance, design teams are placed along the production team which enables them to take advantage of any breakthrough in innovation (Nike, Inc, 2015).

Measuring the impact of products

Since the materials used in manufactures of apparel products has great environmental impact , the use sustainability scoring tools provides information to employees on the best materials that should be used and process that should be adopted. This helps in enhancing the score of its products and hence waste reduction through pattern improvement is achieved (Nike, Inc, 2015).

Improving decision making

The decision making process is an important step in the adoption of innovative processes (Polk, 2011). The decision on what to be made is informed by the need for quality products which is achieved through assessing the products’ environmental profile. This leads to better decision making in the entire development process. The decision on materials to be used is improved through the use of MSI in comparing vendors and materials to be used. The decision on how the product will be made is improved through contracting factories whose sustainability has been measured against conventional metrics of costs, delivery time and quality (Nike, Inc, 2015).

Controlling environmental impact

The use of EPMS (environmentally preferred materials) is increased so that polyester, cotton and leather materials are frequently used so as to minimize the product’s environmental impact. This is also achieved through the use of better chemistry, reduction in resource consumption and waste and improving the recyclability of such materials and used products. The use of Nike MSI helps in tracking average scores in assessing whether the materials used in product creation have a minimized footprint on the environment (Nike, Inc, 2015).

Materials innovation

The firm is focusing on leveraging a pipeline for robust material innovation so as to come up with better solutions. This also involves making progress in the development and sourcing more options for sustainable materials (Nike, Inc, 2015).

Flexibility

 The use if lean technique in Nike Inc has also ensured the flexibility is obtained in the manufacturing process and supply chain. Flexibility is a major strategic intent that provides strengths for a firm to achieve sustainability and a constantly changing and competitive environment (de Albuquerque & Christ, 2014). Fierce competition from major rivals such as Adidas has only served to push Nike Inc in working hard so as to maintain an edge in the market. Flexibility for Nike rests largely in its supply chain that can be considered fast, agile and lean and with great focus on customer and sustainability. The flexibility in the firm is achieved through the use of data and technology the drives better responsiveness and demand sensing. The distribution centers and suppliers assist in serving different customers whenever the products are need, whether they are many customers or just one individual(Nike, Inc, 2015).

The firm is able to move around 1.1 billion products – apparel, equipments and foot ware - across various regions enabled by different channels (Nike, Inc, 2015). The use of consumer means involves more digital and wholesale volumes with less weight. The supply chain enables the firm to leverage direct shipping of loads into retail stores and at the same time to partners. The lean technique implementation at the work place involves contracting workers to different agencies which allows for easier supervision, while multiple agencies are given the mandate to ensure efficiency in terms of capital and time is achieved. This increases the capability of the firm to increase production across the manufacturing process while not compromising the required standards. The improved processes also enable the firm to be flexible in hiring sub contractors, selection of vendors and distributors from many options (Nike, Inc, 2015).

Innovativeness

Innovativeness of a firm involves its ability to come up with new ideas, provide better solutions and new products that will effectively serve the changing needs and customer’s preferences (Pesonen & Horn, 2014). In a highly competitive market environment, business innovativeness helps in separating setting it apart from the rest in terms of product offered, strong brand and in building a strong customer network (Spieth & Schneider, 2016). Nike innovativeness can be observed from the new designs especially in 2016 which emphasize the commitment of the firm to improving customer service through furthering their human potential. As per the firm’s mission, innovation is never about the future it involves acceleration towards it (Nike, Inc, 2015). The firm is able to anticipate its customers’ needs through the experience and knowledge they have about athletes. The firm is then able to offer innovative products before its rivals can notice the need. The company’s Hyper Adapt 1.0, a product which is the first for product in innovative adaptive platform, has buttons on the sides which allowing loosening and tightening the laces (Nike, Inc, 2015).  This product is able to challenge the conventional description of fit and its design allows for reduction of athlete distraction. The product was produced under the belief that adaptive lacing potential is big and such innovation is a great step towards customized footwear that is adaptive. The success of launching such innovative products has the potential to increase the market share of the firm. As footwear provides the largest amount of revenue for the firm, Nike’s innovativeness is able to offer a competitive advantage in a market that has many substitute products. Innovativeness provides a firm with an opportunity to remain ahead in a market changing consumer needs (Joe et. al 2014).

Re-engineering

Re-engineering in business process refers to the evaluation and redesigning of workflows and processes in an organization so as to make it more responsive, efficient and flexible so as to achieve the set goals for all stakeholders (de Albuquerque & Christ, 2014). The re-engineering in Nike Inc is based on new commitments and targets, which include a commitment throughout the firm to integrate sustainability into innovation process, portfolios and governance. The re-engineering process involves two aspects: continuously improving targets against major impact areas so as to ensure today is better; a wider commitments for innovation so that the future design establishes Nike’s approach to change in the long-run.

Business re-engineering starts from change in management focus where the customer and not manager is the boss. The management has to ensure that employees who are involved in every process are empowered to make decision and own the whole process (Bask et. al 2016). The management of Nike Inc embraced the change by engaging external viewers who are expert in broad areas including representatives of NGOS, business and academia to evaluate the reporting of the firm and discuss on how sustainability targets can be achieved (Nike, Inc, 2015).The management was able to find a team that can be involved in imagining, inventing and designing the future processes for sustainability purpose. Recently the firm has been able to fin-tune its focus to what is most important. By involving the efforts of its workforce in introducing change, the aim of the firm is to unleash overall human potential through creation of opportunities for employees to foster. The firm involved the assistance of experts such as Richard Locke, a professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who had done broad research on labor improvement and enhancement of environmental conditions across the supply chains around the globe (Nike, Inc, 2015). Such reviewers were instrumental in ensuring the processes in the firm’s operations were rigorous, transparent and well-organized. The firm was able to change its focus from activities management to results focus. In re-engineering process, an organization has to change its orientation to a cross-functional or process orientation from functional view. This enables a greater level of flexibility and organizational knowledge in achieving the new targets.

 The role of employees in the re-engineering process cannot be overstated, give that any change introduced is carried out by them. An organization has to involve the workforce in the process so as the new targets are achieved. Nike Inc embarked on embracing a leadership mindset and employee engagement based on the understanding that when employees are valued, issues concerning workplace conditions, compensation and overtime will basically be shifted. For instance, in Indonesian factories, Nike researching on how worker engagement and leadership mindset faired where various approaches to kind of communication skills factory workers and management need and how team performance can be recognized and motivated (Nike, Inc, 2015). The firm has engaged with various factories so as to ensure workers are better engaged and hence, improving the feeling that they are valued. This has been pegged on improving communication process between management and workers, so that workers can offer suggestion, enhance insights and ensure their skills are developed (Nike, Inc, 2015). This is the only way the firm would ensure that its new commitments and targets in the re-engineering process are embraced and emphasized across the firm.

Brainstorming

Brainstorming refers to a technique where a group of individuals spontaneously and freely share their ideas and then build on each other’s intuitions and visions until they emerge with something unique. The premise for this principle is that problems in an organization can be solved best when individuals generate many ideas, present and subject them to consideration and judgment under some given constrains (Wang Wang & Zhao, 2015). However, this depends on various factors including the people involved and environment in which the presentation is being done. Whereas some ideas may be borne out of brainstorming, it does not always work and hence, some people can be more creative when alone and away from crowd (Low, 2015). However, Nike has been able to reap big from brainstorming, which brings engineers, programmers and designers. These are professional innovators tasked with continuously looking into problems and drawing athletes and customers into a process of finding for solutions. This enables the firm to open improved ways of innovating, even where there is increased cost of doing so. Through brainstorming, the firm has been able to move away from the conventional way of making shoes – cutting apart different materials and sewing them back together – into knitting shoes together, stitch after stitch. The use of different ideas from various professionals has enabled the firm to use technology in fine tuning the performance and engineering of a given shoe. 

Brainstorming has to be subjected to the set mission or focus as its constraint so that any ideas presented are within the set goals of the firm (Bask et. al 2016). Nike has been helped by its mission that has extreme clarity, which involves merging beauty and performance in all its apparel and athletic products. By following the mission, Nike cannot branch out far but instead build partnership with other firms whose strengths it can leverage. Such partnership includes Nike+ and Nike Fuel-band which enables Nike to utilize emerging sensor technology that it could not have afforded create on its own.  The idea of brainstorming involves negative and critical thinking being given a platform where they can be assessed a reviewed in terms of practicability and effectiveness. Great innovation can be borne out of this process which can be used in the production of superior products for an organization. An army of designers , data scientists and engineers for Nike Inc  including Parker and Hatfield have been involved in a 28 years long process of brainstorming and Research and Development to come up with a shoe that can electronically self- lace automatically , a technology the firm is calling adaptive fit. The designers and engineers had a clear intent of reinventing footwear that could be used for actual performance and this took many years (Nike, Inc, 2015). Though many ideas had been proposed to achieve this, the notion of a shoe that could basically come alive once the user puts it one was borne. Through shared ideas with Hatfield, Hacker was able to refine the idea of electronic shoe and the input by data scientists who analysed available information gave birth to this highly innovative product (Nike, Inc, 2015). Brainstorming is, therefore, an important technique which can lead to creativity, innovation and fresh ideas and contribute to success of efforts employed in an organization. While it can be viewed as discouraging personal creativity, a major advantage is that it requires a person to think critically about possible solutions for a given problem.

Focus

 Focus in business involves relentless attention to what drives it, creation of a culture that reflects what it stands for and remaining grounded as things are made to happen. This involves avoiding any situations that may cause distraction to the set vision of the firm and its most important component (Spieth & Schneider, 2016). The vision for Nike is engrained in its ambition of doubling the business bur with half reduction of the impact in the future. There is a need for the firm to remain focused on sustainability which is based on a design process that is creative, a business model that is driven by innovation and which propels them transform and rethink the overall industry. The firm has maintained sustainability as the catalyst for revolutionizing how business is done and at the same time integrating innovation across the entire business in terms of processes, policies and products. The firm has been able to remain focused through setting targets for improvement and reduction as the major foundation element in the mid-term strategy (Nike, Inc, 2015). To avoid various disruptions such as litigations due to employee and environmental issues, the firm has established internal policies focused on achievement of human potential and minimization of environmental footprint through sustainability.

 In addition, the firm has established a pipeline for products and services that are innovative but sustainable and which can help in unlocking competitive advantage. The firm also allows for pre-competitive space that can be utilized by the whole industry and hence, benefit from sharing of innovation, transparency and open-sourcing of insights, tools and data (Nike, Inc, 2015). Unhealthy competition can be a disruption to the firm’s vision of being customer and stakeholder focused and then ruins the chances to be continuously innovating. Therefore, in case of a competitive sustainable innovation, the firm focuses on establishing innovation partnerships and on increased investment in start-ups, new science and new technologies. In case of a pre-competitive sustainable innovation, Nike employs a different strategy that is scaled up. The strategy involves sharing, open-sourcing and assisting in creation of consensus and coalitions, driving the market changes and influencing public policy and even standards (Nike, Inc, 2015). Thesw activities ensure that the firm remains focused to improved products and service delivery and innovations that are sustainable.

Quality

Quality in an organization is determined by management, and it ensures that products and services offered are consistent and maintains the set standards.  Quality in the firm is ensured by the aim of the firm to set standards that are leading in the industry. The various process in the firm are performed ensures that quality is maintained. Operations management involves different areas; designing, capacity and process design, job design, supply chain and maintenance (Antony et al. 2016).  The quality in design is maintained through innovative athletic footwear and apparel products. In this case, objective is to have products that are design that is in line with organization’s focus on customers and achievement of the set goals. Sustainability is an important aspect in ensuring that products manufactured meet the set standards (Guimaraes, T., & Paranjape, 2017). The improved manufacturing process for the firm has been design in such a way that the enforcing of the set standards is possible. The manufacturing process ensures quality for not only the product but the impacts on the environment is greatly reduced. Hence, progress is only realized when quality is achieved through a lean, equitable and empowered working environment. Through this, high productivity and profitability are achieved though a sustainable business model. The designing and manufacturing of products is done after strategic decision on how customer expectations and satisfaction is made. The operation management of the company is able to address such a concern through maintenance of quality standards and even employment of Total Quality Management in manufacturing of apparel, shoes and equipment.

The use of technology by the firm is an important aspect in improving quality of products and services. The firm enters into partnership with other firms that have the latest technology and which it cannot create on its own so as to improve on its operations (Nike, Inc, 2015). Technology ensures that there is efficiency in production and capacity in the various processes is improved. To further improve on quality, Nikes operations have to streamline and ensure efficiency of the production process. The management of supply chain is one area that the firm has maintained high quality. The management of supply chain ensures that quality is maintained where all the contract factories are subject to a meticulous set of requirements that they should comply with. The contract factories are regularly audited while monitoring is done on a specific schedule whose base is performance. This is a clear indication of how quality management should be enhanced throughout the process. Quality is an important factor that ensures that the requirements customers are maintained and the set industry and regulatory standards are adhered to. It translates to the performance of a firm in terms of market share and income (Antony et al. 2016).

Mass customization

Mass customization refers to the process whereby products targeted to satisfy a certain market need are delivered in the entire market. If a customer want built-to-order products or custom made goods the firm need to get enough sales at competitive prices, mass customization provides a middle ground (Zhang wt al.2015). The mass customization involves the combination of unique nature of custom-made products with large quantities of production and sales related to mass production. Nike Inc provides a wide selection of apparels, shoes and equipments that are customizable targeting men and women. The products offered are for various sports or functions including training, football, track and tennis shoes. The customization is enabling by Nike’s strategy that involves giving customers an opportunity to design their desired products in relation to materials and color combination to be used and even the possibility to engrave personal details on products such as shoes (Nike, Inc, 2015).  Given the dynamic and complex nature of shoes, Nike Inc embarked on creation of a 3-tiered supply chain for these products. The assembling of such products involves a complex process and in some instances, they are hand-made in countries like China. While sifting to the e-commerce platform, the firm chose to provide three customization levels including Core Customized Shoe with 15-to-20 selections, customized product prices and the production of more standard products. The third one involved improvement on customers’ products with poor designing. The value chain with directly-to customer strategy has seen increased revenue for the firm and by cutting out the retailers enable the firm to avoid selling at wholesale prices (Nike, Inc, 2015). This has enabled the firm to remain ahead of major competitors.

References

Pyzdek, T., & Keller, P. A. (2014). The six sigma handbook (p. 25). New York: McGraw-Hill Education.

Nike, Inc. (2015). Sustainable Business Report

Distelhorst, G., Hainmueller, J., & Locke, R. M. (2014). Does lean improve labor standards? Capability building and social performance in the Nike supply chain. Watson Institute for International Studies Research Paper, (2013-09).

Jeston, J., & Nelis, J. (2014). Business process management. Routledge.

Bocken, N., Short, S., Rana, P., & Evans, S. (2013). A value mapping tool for sustainable business modelling. Corporate Governance, 13(5), 482-497.

Low, P. I. (2015). Factors Influencing Insurance Agents Behavioral Intention And Usage Of Mobile Technologies As Business Tool (Doctoral dissertation, Universiti Sains Malaysia).

Pesonen, H. L., & Horn, S. (2014). Evaluating the climate SWOT as a tool for defining climate strategies for business. Journal of cleaner production, 64, 562-571.

Spieth, P., & Schneider, S. (2016). Business model innovativeness: designing a formative measure for business model innovation. Journal of business Economics, 86(6), 671-696.

Joe Jr, F., Sarstedt, M., Hopkins, L., & Kuppelwieser, V. G. (2014). Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM): An emerging tool in business research. European Business Review, 26(2), 106-121.

Bask, A., Hsuan, J., Rajahonka, M., & Tinnilä, M. (2016). Configuring product modularity and service modularity for mass customization strategies. In 5th World Conference onProduction and Operations Management. P&OM 2016.

Wang, Y., Lee, J., Fang, E., & Ma, S. (2017). Project customization and the supplier revenue–cost dilemmas: The critical roles of supplier–customer coordination. Journal of Marketing, 81(1), 136-154.

de Albuquerque, J. P., & Christ, M. (2014, January). Business processes as sociomaterial networks: exploring the multiple dimensions of flexibility in process modeling. In System Sciences (HICSS), 2014 47th Hawaii International Conference on (pp. 1485-1494). IEEE.

Antony, J., Setijono, D., & Dahlgaard, J. J. (2016). Lean Six Sigma and Innovation – an exploratory study among UK organisations. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 27(1/2), 124-140.

Polk, J. D. (2011). Lean Six Sigma, Innovation, and the Change Acceleration Process Can Work Together. Physician Executive, 37(1), 38-42.

Wang, Q., Wang, Z., & Zhao, X. (2015). Strategic orientations and mass customisation capability: the moderating effect of product life cycle. International Journal Of Production Research, 53(17), 5278-5295.

Zhang, M., Lettice, F., & Zhao, X. (2015). The impact of social capital on mass customisation and product innovation capabilities. International Journal Of Production Research, 53(17), 5251-5264.

Guimaraes, T., & Paranjape, K. (2017). THE EFFECT OF ORGANIZATION INNOVATIVENESS ON COMPANY INNOVATION SUCCESS. International Journal Of The Academic Business World, 11(2), 81-94.

Victoria Secret's

Purpose of the Brief and Relation to Phase 2

This study will mainly focus on the low targeting issue as Victoria Secret’s has acquired success but has not been able to address the market as a whole (West, Ford, & Ibrahim, 2010). This research brief proposes that a study should be conducted on Victoria Secret’s company to investigate and deliberate on the competition and low market targeting faced by the organisation.

Introduction and Background of Research

Victoria’s secret is a fruitful clothing and lingerie store and despite the fact that it is classified as successful with the limited market that it does it marketing to persuade it has not catered for the market as a whole. This research will be conducted in order to establish strategies or ways in which Victoria secret should act differently to capture a wider market share, increase its earning and enhance its brand image. This research is significant because it will help the organisation in situating itself strategically in the market for competitive advantage.

Research Questions

1. How can Victoria Secret’s attain sustainability and competitive advantage?
2. Is the company’s marketing inclusive?
3. What should the organisation do differently for a more strategic positioning?

Aims and Objectives

1. To determine how Victoria secrets can attain sustainability
2. To establish the competitive advantages of the firm and things that it should do differently to overcome the intensifying competition
3. To determine how it’s marketing can be enhanced to address the needs of the market as a whole

Proposed Research Methods

This study will utilize a descriptive research study. A mixed research study will also be utilized incorporating both qualitative and quantitative studies. These methods were mainly selected based on their ability to provide maximised information to support the paper’s research objectives and answer all the questions. Qualitative data will be acquired from primary sources based on the use of questionnaires and survey while quantitative data will be acquired from a review of literature from secondary sources.

Project Plan, Budget, and Timeline

This study will begin by understanding the issue as faced by the company through research. The research will mainly be conducted within two weeks or less basically to collect, summarize and analyse the gathered data. The budget will be limited to about 150$to enable the researcher to conduct primary and secondary research.

Issues to be considered

Ethical issues such as Confidentiality, budget, and timeline are some of the primary issues that need to be considered. In that, all those participating in the primary research should fill in a consent form to understand their role, study’s objective and confidentiality issues. The study should work within the timeline and budget.

Potential use of the research findings

The research findings can be useful in designing the most effective strategies for the organisation to adapt to transition in the ever-changing market. In addition, it can be utilized in understanding the current market and how sustainability and marketing can best be carried out.

Conclusion and recommendations

It is evident that Victoria Secret’s is the most successful lingerie and clothing store in the UK and across the globe. However, in order to sustain its positioning, there is a need to strategically cover the market as a whole. I would recommend that the organisation should utilize more inclusive marketing that covers beyond its limited target to increase its share.

References

West, D. C., Ford, J. B., & Ibrahim, E. (2010). Strategic marketing: Creating competitive advantage. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT

McDonald’s Corporation

McDonald Corporation in the course of its operation has faced strategic challenges for a long time. The company has gone through various analysis and scrutiny of the operational activities of the company to identify and fix the problem. However, this paper will look in depth into the challenges that McDonald’s faced as well as analyze them in depth (Wei & Yuanyuan, 2013). To begin with, the company major blow was the consecutive death of two of its CEO, which took place in 2004 and 2005 with the death of Jim Cantalupo and Charlie Bell respectively. McDonalds faced economic devastation of 2008/2009 as well as inefficiencies in operation around the same period (Hill & Rabig, 2012). Despite the serious challenges that the company faced, still McDonalds stand the better position in food industry in the world. This greatest achievement was accomplished by the new management under the CEO by the name Jim Skinner (Coulter, 2013).

Strategic Issues

The unfortunate death of two competent, experienced and passionate CEOs, the ineffective execution of strategic policies, programs and decisions, poor marketing plans, frequent fluctuations in customer taste and preference are some of the strategic issues that McDonalds faced (Coulter, 2013). In order to conquer the market and reinstate its position as the world’s best fast food company, various activities, such as decision making, execution of policies and procedures in operation among other issues, including hiring a qualified experienced CEO needed to be modeled (Wei & Yuanyuan, 2013).

Analysis & Evaluation

In this segment, the paper will scrutinize the history of McDonald as a company, the paper will also discuss the seven principles that McDonald has adopted regarding customer-centric strategy for future endeavors and how the principles can be applied by other entrepreneurs to better their operations (Hill & Rabig, 2012).

 The History of McDonald and Changes made during the turning period:

The history of McDonalds is dates back to 1940 when it was first established.  The multi-mixer salesman by the name Ray Kroc paid a McDonald a visit with the offer to sell more multi-mixer in the year 1954. That was the time Ray Kroc released that McDonald was focused on being a nationwide franchising agent with specialties in hamburgers as main fast food offered. On April 15^th, another branch was opened in Illinois des plains and later on by the year 1965 the franchise expanded and spread to over seven hundred in number across the united stated (Wei & Yuanyuan, 2013).

The first public stock offer was announced on McDonald’s tenth anniversary with the one share valued at $ 22.5. The first restaurant that was opened out of the United States was established in 1967 Canada and then later in Puerto Rico. By the end of 1977, it had opened four thousand and ninety-nine restaurants worldwide. 5000^th McDonald’s restaurant was opened Japan in Kawakawa in 1978. Ray Kroc passed away on 14^th January 1984, leaving the franchise to plan its future endeavors without the founder. In the year 2003, McDonald’s management launched its long-term plan aimed at conquering the entire fast food market by executing several initiatives including the initiative that focused on the 4ps that is, price, product, promotion, and place (Tony, 2004). McDonalds CEO Jim Cantaloupe passed on due to heart attack paving way to Chalie bell who later on died  of cancer hence his vice chair Jim Skinner became the CEO making several adjustments and improving the performance of the company.

Premier salads, as well as, Mcgriddles were incorporated in the same year as the national menu in all restaurants in the first global campaign that the corporation held. “I ‘m lovin it” campaign that was held in 28 was the historical moment when McDonalds introduced its unique brand in packaging. McDonald expanded to international level covering one hundred and nineteen countries worldwide. The current focus is not just satisfying customers, but the strategic plan focuses on  “being better, not just bigger” by improving the quality of services in the restaurants through use of experienced personnel as well as provide value to shareholders at large (Coulter, 2013). In order to attain stability in operation, the company adopted modern technology such as software on the point of sale to aid in placing orders to avoid queuing, utilization of economies of scale, the fact that it has several restaurants, online order placing forum was adopted, as well as labor saving equipment. Several campaigns have boosted the sales as the management has invested in promoting McDonalds services and products. Adjustments in menu have also seen increased customer satisfaction and this has increased the profitability of the corporation. The fact that McDonalds faced several challenges; it is still the leading fast food restaurant worldwide (Hill & Rabig, 2012).

McDonalds customer based principles that has helped to boost the business are explained below;

 Resourcefulness and innovation: McDonald persistently focused on innovation and creativity in providing the best services and products. Featuring a variety of product options such as packaging, value, product delivery, food taste, and right price, variety of products as well as wholesome product and premium has enabled McDonald to stay relevant in the food industry (Tony, 2004).

Provision of efficient customer care services: in order for any business to succeed, they must understand the requirements and desires of their clients or customer’s hence customer-oriented tactics must be employed. McDonald understood this fact and took it upon them to adjust the menu to fit their customer preference and demands perfectly (Carter et al., 2004).

Expanding its market base:  McDonald realized that the market is wide hence apart from opening businesses in various regions in the United States, it realized the need to expand internationally hence became a franchising corporation and conquers the market.The growth is steady and more restaurants are being opened around the world (Wei & Yuanyuan, 2013).

People and processes:  having the right people and relevant resources has been one of McDonald’s goals hence customer satisfaction has been achieved. Satisfied employees are the one capable of satisfying customers and McDonalds has achieved this belief due to methods they employ in operation (Coulter, 2013).

 Market leadership: the adoption of 5p that is people, price, place, promotion, and product has enabled the company to continue leading the market as the top franchiser in fast food worldwide (Tony, 2004).

 Goal oriented: McDonald has focused on achieving its goal of leading and staying in the market. This has entailed the adoption of several strategies focusing on the needs of their customers in order to retain them. Changes in operation and flexibility in adoption to technology has enabled the company to stay relevant (Carter et al., 2004).

 Maximum competence and productivity:  continuous improvement in operation, redesigning operational structures has enabled the company to operate efficiently hence attaining customer satisfaction (Wei & Yuanyuan, 2013).

Conclusion

The seven principles and the adjustments that McDonald as a corporation has made over time to achieve its success today is a good lesson other businesses can learn from. Despite the fact that McDonalds faced challenges such as loss of its founders and competent and experienced leaders, the company goal of conquering the market was not affected. Hence by having the right people, right attitude, and hard work, any business can prosper regardless the challenges it may face both internally or externally.

References

Tony, R. (2004). Working for McDonald's in Europe: The Unequal Struggle

Wei, H & Yuanyuan, X. (2013). Comparative Study of McDonald's and Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) Development in China. SAVONIA Press

Carter, L., Ulrich, D., & Goldsmith, M. (2004). Best Practices in Leadership Development and Organization Change: How the Best Companies Ensure Meaningful Change and Sustainable Leadership. Hoboken: Wiley.

Pearce II, J.A.,& Robinson, R.B. (2014(14th Edition)). Strategic Management: Competing for Domestic and International planning. New York: McGraw-Hill Irwin.

(n.d.) Retrieved from http://business-reporter.co.uk/2015/05/05/mcdonalds-ceo-promises-more-customer-centric-approach/

Hill, L. W., & Rabig, J. (2012). The business of Black power: Community development, capitalism, and corporate responsibility in postwar America. Rochester, NY: University of Rochester Press.

Coulter, M. (2013). Strategic Management in Action (6 ed.). New Jersey, USA: Pearson Education, Inc.

 (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/content/mcd/our_company/mcdonalds-history.html

Abstract

Leadership skills are instrumental in running any organization. The difference between the leadership skills applied by Charles Conway and leadership skills of Anne Mulcahy does not lie in their success, but in the manner in which they implemented  in their business models and planning strategies. Xerox channeled its energy in reducing its expenditure and painting a picture of an entity that had high quality products at low friendly prices. On the other hand Kmart, which was run by Chuck, utilized a promotional business model hence it tried to make sales via promotion rather than shifting to reducing expenses and increase profitability.

Back ground of Chuck Conway and his organizational framework

Charles Conaway also commonly known as Chuck is an entrepreneur who came into the public light when he was the CEO of Kmart. He had also served as president and as a principal operating officer of CVS. Charles Conway is the father to two daughters and has a wife called Lisa. He was born in Lapeer, an area in Michigan. He joined   cooperate world after graduating from college. He was the founder of Reliable Drug store in the year 1989.His organization grew into a $400 million worth company chain. He left Reliable Drug store to join CVS .He contributed a lot as the president of CVS in terms of diversifying the company and increasing its profits in the share market. Conway’s achievements however were realized when he landed a job as a CVS operational activities manager and procedures after the company bought Revco in the year 1997 and Arbor Drug in the year 1998.It was during this period that he acquired cooperate leadership skills of transparency, accountability and a good work conduct. This were the qualities that he would later transfer with him to Kmart (Zyman, 2002).

Meanwhile, Kmart an allowance retailer, which was struggling to create a niche for itself in the 1990s after a failing to secure retail stocks, was searching  for a CEO who would replace Floyd Hall .Floyd hall  had failed to propel Kmart into greater heights in the market. Charles Conway was shortlisted by Kmart board of directors although some people thought that he was not experienced enough to run Kmart as he had only experience of running drug stores. However after meeting Conway and seeing how passionate he was towards his work, the boards’ members were assured that he would deliver. Charles Conway was appointed in May, the year 2000.Kmart stocks rose by 16%. (Haig, 2004).

Once Charles Conway was officially installed as the chief executive officer of Kmart, he began on a strategic plan to complete and outdo Walmart and build Kmart into the best retailer in the market. Known as serious individual who crushed goals, the first step he took in Kmart was to set up a strategy that would last for 30 to 90 days. For obvious reasons the plans were altered over time. He told his coworkers that   they needed to work together with time limited goals to guide them on what to do. In April 2001, Charles had pinpointed, identified and applied more than one hundred reorganization actions strategically and perfectly leading the company into progress. (Turner, 2003).

Another organizational framework that Charles initiated was re-instating Kmart’s Blue light special which cost the company $25milion in advertising the project to the media. The blue light was given to each customer every hour and was to attract the attention of the customers. This attracted more customers to Kmart stores. (Turner, 2003).

Charles Conway also attracted customers to the store by other strategies such as refurbishing the Kmart stores and shutting down stores that were not bringing in the profits. He also increased client services by member incentive and by ample stocking the Kmart stores with more attractive features and items. Ample stocks meant more initial capital was needed to maintain them and this increased the expenditure of the stores. Kmart had to spend more than $2billion on expenses such as supply control techniques. To  stay in touch with  how Kmart’s customers were reacting to the new services offered, Charles came up with a toll- free service that would cater for customers who had any complaint about anything at Kmart and would also get the opportunity to share their shopping background at Kmart. To encourage every customer to use the toll-free service to enable Kmart management get feedback, Charles Conway used $10,000 sweepstakes for one caller who would be lucky enough to win. Staff member incentive was in terms of store stocks and awarding quarterly money bonus. (Turner, 2003).

Charles Conway had promised to make Kmart the leading retail store within a period of two years. His goal was to facilitate low pricing in clothes, household items and packed food for most families. Reorganization of Kmart was supposed to increase its output in the stores, list of stocks and data system. Charles closed down more than 72 stores and cut the employees by 5000.He even declared that he would spend $1.4 billion to upgrade the information system and additional $263million   within the two years that he promised to make Kmart one of the greatest retail stores. (Turner, 2003).

Back ground of Anne Malcahy and his organizational framework

Anne was born in the month of October in the year 1952.She served as the chair and chief executive officer in a corporation known as Xerox .She was installed as the CEO of the corporation on the month of August, the year 2001.She has also served in other corporations as a director namely: Citi group and Target company (Jones, 2010).

Anne Mulcahy was born in a small town known as Rockville Centre which is located in New York. She was the only girl child in her family and schooled in a catholic institution. She acknowledged a B.A in a field like English and reporting form the college of Marymount (Bland, 2009).

Anne Malcahy started working for Xerox as an agent who dealt with sales and its characteristics in the year 1976.She was promoted to higher ranks. She became the vice president in charge of human resource and ensured that allowance, benefits, strategic planning in human resource and setup management and training programs for workers .After serving in the human resource sector she became an overall chief supervisor vice president in the year 1998.Although she had no intentions of becoming the chief executive of Xerox she was shortlisted by board of directors in the year 2001. (Jones, 2010).

After she was installed and started her term, she went on a reorganization mission. Anne reduced yearly expenditure by an estimated amount of $1.7 billion and also cut down the human labor by more than 25,000.She sold out $2.3 billion assets that the company did not did and thus reduced the debt of Xerox by a very big amount. The stock prices of rose from $ 8.25 in January 2002 to $10.05 when she became the chief executive officer for Xerox (Bland, 2009).

Anne Malcahy faced a lot of a challenges .Her organizational framework faced challenges head on and provide sustainable and economic solutions to the problems. Anne utilized all of her skills in leadership to propel Xerox to greater heights. She was simple and she communicated effectively and at the same time listened to everyone including customers and other workers. She concentrated all of her strengths in initiating measure and policies, meetings with employees at halls and requested them for their ideas and prepared them for a layoff due to the tough financial times. Anne emphasized that the top managers and engineers should make a point of engaging with other workers. At this point Anne was interested in ensuring that the needs of the customers are met by anyone who served in the company, no matter the position. (Bland, 2009).

Anne Malcahy management strategy was to utilize her budget in coming up with a new type of digital copier. This digital copier would be used in both medium and large businesses. Other products of Xerox would be manufactured in a manner that would use few resources yet the quality would remain high, pricing of the product low and acceleration would be better than what their competitor offered the market. (Jones, 2010).

When Anne Malcahy reduced workers in the organizational structure and decreased the number of posts and levels that comprised the management hierarchy by 26%, management became easier. The number of employees was decreased from 95,000 to 55,000.The reduction in the number of employees improved product creation and was cost effective to the Xerox Corporation. Chopping off management hierarchy eased and speeded up decision making style and ideas were applied at faster rate and also the response to a problem was spontaneous which enabled quick recovery of the company’s market share. Her strategy to involved top management in engaging customers made the services of Xerox Corporation more customized to fit the needs of the customers .In 2006 and 2007 the profit merging of Xerox Corporation increased by 11%.(Jones, 2010).

A comparison of how the subordinates related to Anne Malcahy and Charles Conaway.

Anne Malcahy used effective communication to influence how subordinates related to her. She used communication as an instrumental tool to ensure that her title enabled a firm development of network between clients and workers. She spent the first 90 days as CEO travelling to different branches of Xerox Corporation and lend a listening ear to anyone who had an opinion on what the company was doing wrong to. This drummed up honest feedback from various people which in turn built an honest and confident relationship with her subordinates and peers. Effective communication applied by Anne Mulcahy set the pace for solving any looming crisis as subordinates had confidence and trusted in what she was doing. Effective communication also gave subordinates a sense that she knew the challenges they faced and had a solution at hand. Therefore she integrated the whole organization and subordinates had faith in her. Therefore she had an easy time implementing policies in the organization. (Grant, 2008).

On the other hand Charles Conaway was not an effective communicator. For example Kmart used a promotional type of business model. This business model was used to advertise blue light by putting circulars in newspapers. The only disadvantage that this business model had is that it could not predict market demand and heavily depended on the administration style of Charles Conway. Therefore he could not notice any loophole in his leadership style. If he could have consulted his subordinates he could have used their feedback to come up with another effective model that could have focused on a particular market demand that is easier to predict. (Grant, 2008).

Kmart also consistently lost to its competitors as it was deemed old fashioned. It did not change according to what its customers wanted and this points to poor communication between the subordinates and the top leadership of Kmart. Due to lack of proper communication it had a poor selection of items in its stores which drove clients away. Ineffective communication with subordinates and customers made it hard for Charles Conway to know which plan is workable and to what extent it was workable .Pricing at Kmart was very high giving customers a reason to choose another store with more affordable items. The systems set up by Charles Conway did not effectively support Kmart’s business actions and the link that missed between data system and business actions was effective communication. If Charles Conway could have used effective communication he would know how to utilize the feedback from subordinates into a business process that functioned without missing any mark. (Grant, 2008).

Theories that relate to each leader

Anne Mulcahy is a leader who falls under the leadership theory of behavior. This is because Anne exhibited characters that endeared her to the people she led. Behavioral theory focuses on the actual character of a leader and not their social, cognitive or physical factors. This theory focuses on how the behaviors of individual makes them good leaders and how behavior is a guide line to performing the role of a leader. Therefore anyone can become a leader as long as they maintain a certain behavior and a disciplined way of doing thing. Also, behavior dictates the way one will handle their other characters as leaders .Behavior theory categorized leaders into two namely: leaders who were fully concerned with achieving their tasks and accomplish goals for their companies and leaders who showed concerned to other people and they also carried out their duties. (Bland, 2009).

Ann Mulcahy whose leadership qualities can be seen in her behavior or the manner in which she conducted herself. She conducted herself in a way that promoted loyalty .Anne served as a CEO. She committed herself fully and made decisions that would ensure that the Xerox Corporation improves its state from bankruptcy .Anne also valued other employees even though she reduced jobs in order to enable the company progress on the right track. She also showed concern on the plight of people. She was not abusive and was flexible with her plans to fit everyone in. These behaviors made her gain favor with people and she was able to get a chance to direct her followers. (Bland, 2009).

On the other hand, Charles Conway falls under the contingency leadership theory. This theory elaborates that there is no specific manner in which leadership and leadership styles should be established. Instead leadership thrives on very specific bearings and conditions. This implies that a person can achieve more in particular places or positions and when they are transferred to a different field they perform dismally. This theory tries to argue that leaders’ characters are connected to the situation or atmosphere in which a leader exercises her mandate. This leadership theory perfectly describes Charles Conway. He was a leader who had had great success in managing drug stores but when he was transferred to the other side of the corporate world as Kmart CEO he failed. Failing does not mean he is not a good leader but simply means that he was operating under different situations that called for better judgment and decision making. (Turner, 2003).

Conclusion

Leaders should ensure business system framework set up is in line with business procedures and strategic planning. One of the main reasons why Charles was a failure is that he failed to realize this glaring fact. This was the underlying problem that made his long and short term tactics fail. Anne was quick to implement her plan strategically into fully operating business models that could give out results.

References

Zyman, S. (2002). The end of advertising as we know it. New York: John Wiley and Sons Ltd.

Haig, M. (2004). Brand failures: The truth about the 100 biggest branding mistakes of all time. London

Turner, M. L. (2003). Kmart's Ten Deadly Sins. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons

Jones, G. R. (2010). Organizational theory, design, and change. Upper Saddle River, N.J: Prentice Hall.

Bland, C. J. (2009). Faculty success through mentoring: A guide for mentors, mentees, and leaders. Lanham, Md: Rowman & Littlefield Education

Grant, R. M. (2008). Contemporary strategy analysis. Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub.

Capstone

Introduction

Similar to most businesses, corporations faced by numerous challenges when operating within an international market. Although some challenges are common to all types of business regardless of their size the operations within the international sector is characterized by more unique challenges (Coulter, 2010). Globalization of business and operations liberations offers intense opportunities for market expansion and profit maximization within the broader market, however, certain strategies must be created to support the expansion and the management of operational and Human resources threats. Most companies have acquired success in their operations in the international market but this is mainly fueled by their ability to transition and adjust to changes in the market without affecting its operations. For instance, McDonald's is categorized to be among the most influential firm across the globe (Coulter, 2010). This does not imply that the company has operated smoothly rather it has consistently been able to mitigate these challenges. With the international market growing each day there is a need for companies to strategically position in the market for more gains.

Several challenges persist when operating in the international market whether for large or small corporations. Most of these challenges are related to operations and employees management. In that once all the operations for the daily production have been created then the management is required to adhere to the set strategies and beyond to ensure that there is reliability (Coulter, 2010). Regulations and standards differs from a state to another and based on the current market situation which is characterized by rapid and consistent changes managing and ensuring that employees are motivated and satisfied in order to concentrate on the maximization of quality production and performance are expensive and time-consuming. In that operating a foreign subsidiary implies that the workforce is ruled by diversity thus several aspects in regard to the differences should be considered. Some of the challenges that will be faced while dealing with the workforce are high turnover rate and low motivation (Coulter, 2010).

A company will not succeed if it is unable to ensure the satisfaction of every employee that is involved. In that, the most important asset of every company is its workforce and it is not operational this, therefore, means that the company will find it hard to accomplish the set objectives (Paul & Kapoor, 2008). Employees are the primary determinant of the company’s success and failure and with that, it might, companies do all they can to motivate and retain their skilled personnel’s. In this context resources managers are required to overcome certain cultural challenges in the quest of finding the most skilled persons for certain positions in the foreign state. Even though certain foreign industries are advantageous because they offer cheap labor it might be challenging to get skilled personnel leading to outsourcing which in most cases is beneficial but result in high operating expenses. This is dependent on the foreign countries state since in some the level of education and training is below what most companies operating in the international market would necessitate (Coulter, 2010).

With respect to operations issues such as supply disruptions and the lack of reliable distribution network might affect the performance of the business. In that production cannot be maximized if there is no supply of the needed materials on a good time to ensure that all the operations needs are addressed. If the supply system is inefficient, companies will in most cases be forced to settle for materials that are readily available which might be acquired at a high cost and might not adhere to the quality value (Coulter, 2010). For most of the big corporations such as McDonald's, they have specific suppliers and distributors of their products an aspect that has supported in maintaining its three primary operations values which are quality, convenience, and affordability. In addition, an international corporation is likely to face challenges related to low production and performance. In that, if the personnel is not highly motivated then they tend to accomplish their tasks within a more extensive period which leads to delay (Paul & Kapoor, 2008). With this, the demand for speedy provision of commodities at a speedy rate is not accomplished and the consumers end up unsatisfied which will, in turn, affect the company’s market share and profitability.

In order to effectively manage a workforce in a foreign subsidiary and to ensure that they are fully motivated a company should always set a compliance code and incentives (Coulter, 2010). In that, through performance evaluation, the company can compensate those that perform well as sacrifices their personal goals for the wellness of the company through reimbursements or promotions. In that, this is a way of ensuring that the employees are inspired to perform better. In addition, outsourcing is an effective approach that seeks to ensure that only the most qualified staffs are hired for different roles. In regard to mitigating challenges related to operations using specific supply organizations and distribution, options are needed. In addition, the company can adopt technology in managing its supply chain system while seeking to create efficiency and overcome competition (Paul & Kapoor, 2008).

In conclusion, it is evident that although operating businesses are characterized by a number of challenges operating in the international market is more problematic. In that, the international market is broader and therefore, needs a wide range of skills and strategic positioning, Employee turnover which is common when operating in the international context might harm a firm finically as well as lead to reduced production and profitability. The ability to retain good performance in the market can be eased by the use of incentives such as compensation and training to motivate employees and technology to manage the supply chain system more effectively.

Reference

Coulter, M. (2010). Strategic Management In Action (6^th edition). Missouri State University. Pearson Publishers. 

Paul, J., & Kapoor, R. (2008). International marketing: Text and cases. New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill.

  The use of space and time in an organization to establish social capital

  Space and time can be used to generate social capital in an Organization or cooperation. Organizations all over the world have proved that social capital is very important and powerful resource within any organization. It dictates the performance and improve productivity within an organization. In addition, the organization’s setup may promote or weaken social capital’s influence within it by curbing opportunities which are meant to promote its growth (Liu, 2017).

.Some may argue against the benefits that arise from space, time and social capital. Similar characteristics of social capital that makes it enable organizations to benefit financially from it have the potential and ability to come with negative causes. Potential disadvantages of social capital include harboring behaviors that promote laziness rather than hard work; it acts as a hindrance to inclusivity and social flexibility therefore it will divide more than it unites people within the organization. Not all the outcomes that results from social capital can be concentrated into wanted benefits hence it is not a guarantee of good results. The primary component of social capital is its capability to elaborate on indefinite benefits that an organization can get from relationships and friendly chains formed within the work environment. Critics have often complained about some of the functions of social capital. They claim that the applications are vague and illogical. For example presence of social capital has often been associated with fracture of the social fabric and moral degradation. Nevertheless, this has not hindered organizations to use it as tool that can solve a lot of their issues. It has often been singled out as an ideology that can harmonize the entire structure of an organization.  (Torres, Sarmiento, Stauber & Zarama, 2013).

 The sentiments above do not hold enough evidence to warrant a credible argument. Social capital focuses on the importance of the links established when people interact with each other. The main idea that drives and governs social capital is the philanthropy people feel towards each other .Its utilization can be realized when an organization uses its space and time to force it out into the open and capitalize on the advantage that are normally associated with it .The structure of an organization can be shaped and manipulated to sustain social interactions (Coff& Geys, 2006).

In my own perspective, Social capital can make any organization or cooperation more than just a collection of individuals who are out to exchange skills for salary. Social capital has the ability to close the gap or space between people working together. Some of the indicators that signals its existence include very high levels of trustworthy, strong personal relationships and vigorous communities that understand each other and have a sense of equal participation in every exercise undertaken by the organization .Such characters can attract other people to the group. This types of links create a supportive networks that is committed to achieving its common goals and objectives. Groups known to have social capital are also known to exhibit very rare talents and cohesive organized characteristics. Social capital is brought about by very intentional and appropriate organizational skills namely: providing workers with space and time to interact and share their experiences using effective communication skills. This in turn will give rise to trust. Communication leads to people acknowledging each and everyone’s beliefs and differences. Understanding one another leads to a very understanding community and thus reduces conflicts within an organization .social capital creates geniuses that ensures equitable distribution of opportunities within the organizational setup. Although social capital can be enabled by people who have known each other by interacting, many advantages are experienced by the organization itself as a whole. In the past social capital was associated with communities and nobody would ever think that it would be used as a tool by organizations to increase productivity and participation in their areas. When people know and acknowledge that they have a lot in common, it steers as sense of belonging and enhances truth .A lot of things can be learnt through this.

Engagement and association initiates social interaction and creative and critical thinking. Humans are social in nature including their work in general. People do not realize the importance of socializing. Turning information into profitability in many organization ignore this simple fact and underrates the role of socializing in work environments .Separating individual from each other only hinders their productivity. Socializing is very core and can no longer be ignored by organizations. Trust, personal friendships and society can be harnessed to improve organizations productivity (Cohen & Prusak, 2001).

The perspective undertaken by organizations to foster and bring about social capital differs from individualistic or the belief of atomic organization which prefer a relationship that is built on work interaction alone but omit other relationships that result from the networks formed as a result of relationships of employees within the organizations .Humans are built with a natural need to be recognized, loved and identified. The only way to do this is by allowing social interactions within organizations. The satisfaction that comes from friendships and other peers’ contrasts from the current famous ideology of freedom of agencies whose aim is to bring people together when only there are projects that need to be done by the organizations (Cohen & Prusak, 2001). 

Time and space are very critical component that can be used to ensure that social capital thrive beyond the boundaries drawn by an organization. Social capital aggregates the potential resources which are connected to vast network formed by mutual human relationships. The only way that can define social relationship is functions that are closely linked to it. Its function is not a single entity but a variety of entangled entities with different characteristics that intercut to bring about a social structure that enables and facilitates certain individual actions that exist within the social structure (Liu, 2017).

Social capital within the context of an organization considers that different generations have experienced different forms of education and when they are combined with technological advancements and ever changing trends can bring about fundamental shifts in individualistic approaches in social life within the organizations workplace. Technology for instance has changed communication style and methods which has directly affected social interactions and relationships in particular (Nathalie & Ghoshal, 1998).

In most organizations the offices are small cubicles which are joined together at the sides, in one large hall. It is very rare to interact and communicate with one another as offices of each regular worker is partitioned. This does very little to help employees engage with one another easily due to the space arrangement that encourages only work interaction. This has often reduced productivity among workmates and other colleagues. It is however very vital to note that the level of interaction that is promoted by halls which have desks arranged closely together is also affected by personal, cultural and mental factors. The level of interaction in such a setting is not motivated by personal choice but the need to complete the organizations assignments (Liu, 2017).

The environmental conditions of an organization can be used as agents of   social and business interactions among its workers. In order to push and promote trust in an organization, the influence that is created by space revolve around relative access to all levels of interactions both psychological and physical. For example when offices are arranged distant from each other it may deter friendships. Friendships are built on consistency. Consistency harbors trust. Spacing is the key that plays a vital role to bring out this two factors (Torres, Sarmiento, Stauber & Zarama, 2013).

Space arrangement patterns can hinder balance of relationships between an organizations. Cohesion can be built by an environment that has appropriate space that allows and facilitates social interaction at each and every level. Appropriate space also does not dictate how the interaction between the workers unfold and therefore the social network can be used to benefit the organization together with thee workers. Creation of space also dictates the appearance and atmospheres of the entire organization. When enough space is allocated for social interactions it can create enough chances and different environment settings for social interaction. Settings   distinct interaction that results from work interaction and normal social interactions (Torres, Sarmiento, Stauber & Zarama, 2013).

Space can mold the quality and interval of interactions within an organization. Vital verbal cues that enable socialization have been ignored most of the times while coming up with a setup of an organization. When nonverbal cues are hindered during social communications, the quality of the interaction is normally affected because nonverbal cues help bring out emotions from one individual to another which can then build trust. For example when an organization has few breaks in between work sessions, workers are kept busy and the only way they can interact is through emails hence limiting nonverbal cues. Such types of interactions do not amount to social capital and primarily do not develop trust (Liu, 2017).

Socializing and interactions are directly affected by office layouts .space and office layout reciprocate and affect each other in equal measure. Therefore it is very important to put into account the nature and objectivity for work procedures within and amidst groups or crews when coming up with the framework under which this people will work. Not only should the framework of an organization support its workers but it should also initiate a way to maintain and support other areas of their lives through social interactions (Coff& Geys, 2006).

The entire design of an organization’s environment should create an atmosphere that encourages efficient social interaction. Proximity is a factor that should considered while coming up with a design as it makes social interaction more available. Therefore, structure in terms of space should be incorporated to send a direct message that they are there for the sole purpose of social interactions. Spaces also facilitate meetings and communication necessary within an organization. A board room cannot be used for social interaction but to hold meetings (Cohen & Prusak, 2001).

Time can be used as an indicator to any meaningful social interaction within an organization. The content communicated during a conversation, even if it is for a short period, is dictated by time allocated. Time can influence the place and manner in which a particular message will be transmitted. The space and time will then form an environment that will seal out factors that might interfere with the socializing session. Some people claim that some of the best innovations came to being in hallways and cafeterias. This clearly demonstrates that time allocated for social interaction gives the opportunity for people to open up their minds more and exchange ideas. Whether there is infrastructure or not, when an organization allocated breaks within certain intervals, this automatically creates socializing spaces. Breaks also give workers the chance to maneuver to different spaces therefore increasing social interaction (Liu, 2017).

Office designs within an organization should be well allocated in terms of space; an acceptable closeness from one worker to the next. Face to face social interactions are important in an organization. Interactions that are not planned or included in the organizations setup are likely to fuel performance and social capital both internally and externally (Cohen & Prusak, 2001).

Space within an office can be used as a tool for strategic planning within an organization .One of the ways of managing space is by ensuring that no space is wasted and it has fully maximized it potential to bring about interaction within all levels of an organization. Actual space should be intermarried with current communication technology to enable realization of social capital through interaction. Space should be designed to form a very vast system that caters for social purposes and make interaction possible. One of the ways of achieving this is through management practices that totally engages all people and understands the manner in which peoples work (Cohen & Prusak, 2001).

Social capital brings about benefit for both the organization that has ‘invested’ in it and its workers. This is because it facilitates loyalty and a transparent relationship between the employer and the employee as both of them acquire social capital. It can also be viewed in terms of a much broader perspective that can encourage very good business value practices. Another benefit is that it fosters innovation in an organization. The mixture of emotions and work environment can lead to solutions to problems that the organization faces on daily basis. It also creates an environment that encourages risk taking to explore various situations and opportunities hence converting simple social interactions into skills and business markets. For example when an organization gives a chance to each and every employee to discuss the problems they face outside their working environment, they are likely to come up with a solution that will have an impact on both the individual and the organization. In other words it enhances creative thinking (Liu, 2017).

Having an organization adapt a culture that consistently promotes social interaction is key. The management has a responsibility to ensure that it has enabled a conducive atmosphere to realize such a culture. This can be done by allowing everyone to be on board with the idea and exploring avenues that can make everyone understand the need for social interaction and how it can make an organization achieve its bojectives.by raising the awareness one can be able to encourage the culture to establish itself in an organization. The second method that can enable cement social interaction in organizations is by constituting socializing periods. The management should plan on ways that they can use to bring workers together through events and other social functions. This events can be less structured to steer up socialization. It is not a must to have, major events, even occasional free pizza will send a clear message   and it will encourage social interactions. This example shows small signals can go a long way to show that an organization is willing to go an extra mile to in steering social change (Cohen & Prusak, 2001).

Spaces within an organization must be equipped to suit staff. This will bring a sense of ownership. Designers should be directed by employers to fit in extra spaces within the work space. The staff can then use the space as they please hence making it suitable to meet their own social needs at the office. If possible the employees can choose the purpose of each space. This will bring out a stronger picture of ownership and control. An example of an organization that has ever use this method is Facebook .Facebook gave its own organization the authority to shape and design their own work environment and to plan its layout (Torres, Sarmiento, Stauber & Zarama, 2013).

When an organization clearly states its vision and mission objectives and tries to combine them with certain demands required by social capital it can achieve its goals through communication of its ideas. Their employees will also fall in line with the measures hence promoting communication and social interaction within time and space (Torres, Sarmiento, Stauber & Zarama, 2013).

Social capital has the ability to soften existing conflicts within an organization and thus builds trust. Trust plays a very crucial role which is in alignment with the space a design in an organization. Trust provides a certain criteria in which individuals insights can be evaluated in relation to workspace and other social structures. Trust also articulates the type of relationship that is normally formed during social interactions. Space should not just enable interaction but it should build trust that would later grow into action and a sustainable social structure and order (Cohen, & Prusak, 2001).

References 

Coff, H., & Geys, B. (2006). Community Heterogeneity: A Burden for the Creation of Social Capital?. Social Science Quarterly (Wiley-Blackwell), 871053-1072. doi:10.1111/j.1540-6237.2006.00415.x

Cohen, D., & Prusak, L. (2001). In good company: How social capital makes organizations work. Boston, Mass: Harvard Business School Press.

Liu, C. (2017). Creating competitive advantage: Linking perspectives of organization learning, innovation behavior and intellectual capital. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 6613-23. doi:10.1016/j.ijhm.2017.06.013

Nathalie, J., & Ghoshal, S. (1998). Social Capital, Intellectual Capital, and the Organizational AdvantaGE. Academy Of Management Review, 23(2), 242-266. Doi:10.5465/AMR.1998.533225

Torres, A., Sarmiento, O. L., Stauber, C., & Zarama, R. (2013). The Ciclovia and Cicloruta Programs: Promising Interventions to Promote Physical Activity and Social Capital in Bogotá , Colombia. American Journal of Public Health, 103(2), e23-e30.

 Exporting desserts

Case discussion questions

Question one

Beyond the bounders of the United States and Mexico I think the localized taste of Lulu’s desserts will be received in many different continents and nations. This is because of Lulu’s branding. First and for most, food is an international language cannot be limited no matter how   localized it may be. Lulu has used primary ingredients to enable her come up with a variety of different tastes. The different tastes and services offered by Lulu can help to win over customers from other regions that are not tasted her food or Mexican food in their lives. Therefore her branding and the manner in which she present her products will win her more customers that are not familiar with Mexican food. Thanks to the current technology, globalization has made it easier for social interaction and one does not need to take a trip to Mexico in order to get a chance to enjoy Mexican cuisines. With proper marketing people in countries like India and even England can eat Mexican delicacies. Vietnam, Australia and even Africa can enjoy Mexican delicacies. Hence Lulu’s products are more likely to sell out in any country that is well modernized and has access to information on Mexican food and her products (Barry, 2013).

Question two

Yes, franchising is a good foreign market entry option for Lulu’s dessert because it can make Lulu’s dessert business avoid a lot of pitfalls. One of the main reason for franchising is it leads to easier approaches to getting access to startup capital. Franchising allows Lulu’s dessert to expand at a cheaper cost because the Franchisor creates a platform that can be used to provide access to Capital and other requirements for any business operation. Therefore franchising can allow Lulu’s dessert to grow by utilizing other people’s resources and with less liability and therefore speeding up progress and growth in the market sector (Barry, 2013).

Franchising has the capacity to fasten deep market infiltration both at a local level and at an international level. An entity like Lulu’s dessert can easily gain traction in a new market due to its reputation which is well known for. Franchising gives Lulu’s dessert the business opportunity to market itself in a way that is different from what their customers are accustomed to. This will put it at par with other businesses that exist in the same category (Barry, 2013).

Apart from capital access, franchising will assist Lulu’s dessert in management sector. Franchising gives the franchisor easy time as the daily activities or running the business are management by the personal franchising crew. This reduces pressure that comes with management and supervision of people (Barry, 2013.

Question three.

Lulu’s Gelatin Dessert is based on using simple and common home ingredients and combining them carefully to come up with multiple flavors. Flavors are mainly Mexican and Americans. This does not however limit it to America and Mexican areas alone. Strategic planning can be applied through business analytics to come up with exporting opportunities in other countries or regions within America and Mexico. This will obviously need careful analysis and use of very time sensitive factors such as location and time to come up with firm and solid ways of engaging. Business analytics can be used to find and identify exporting opportunities for Lulu’s Dessert. Locating other areas that require a ready to eat gelatin food staff can enable Lulu to find other exporting opportunities in other markets. Once a need is identified, it becomes easier to confirm how one can come up with a strategic plan of how they can exploit the need. This is where business analytics comes in. Business analytical will combine the identified exporting opportunity with skill sets, current technology to help in the exploration of the exporting market and the need. This will help to fill  the space in the market more easily due to assurance brought about by business analytical .Business analytical will also identify and come up with adaptive and flexible ways that will control the way lulu’s dessert approaches exporting opportunities. It gives an advantage that will make intervene in case of any challenge faced. Hence business analytical will not assist in finding export opportunities but will also turn it into high productivity and profits (Barry, 2013).

Business analytics sets a framework that can be used in continuous evaluation, surveillance and investigation of how previous businesses in the same sector as Lulu’s Gelatin dessert conducted themselves. Business analytics can make use of past information on exporting opportunities, model and try to predict how Lulu’s desert can be ran in order to avoid pitfalls that might arise in the market. Business analytics can assist in making of decisions that may predict the influence on the business before the decision is made (Barry, 2013).

In simpler terms business analytics can confirm any doubt that may arise and put a stop to any lose end that might be as a result of carelessness or mismanagement. It shows what was experienced in the past; how to handle the situation using a different approach, locates the challenge and reveals the way forward.

References

Barry .D, (2013) .Exporting Desserts.