Business continuity

            The contemporary world that we are living in is full of uncertainty in prediction. Hence it is the basic aim of each and every company to have a business continuity strategy. His would ensure that the business is able to continually function effectively during a disaster and limited time of recovery. The business plan therefore reflects on the various forms of uncertain occurrences such as natural disasters, outbreak of fire and disease, cyber attacks and additional external threats. Business continuity is essential as it is applicable to all sizes of organizations but it is most practical in large form of business. The first step while undertaking a business continuity is decision making process on which of the company’s functions needs to be maintained first and the allotment of budget accordingly. Disaster recovery plan on the other hand is just a sub-unit of business continuity plan. This plan is interested in storing data in a manner that eases accessibility in case a disaster occurs.

Diversity in Organization

Wal-Mart is the largest world retailer which offers opportunities for both personal and professional growth. As a way of making sure that the employees perform their level best Wal-Mart has embarked on a journey to provide benefits for the employee’s partner (Bell, 2012). This has impacted the community positively due to the responsibility taken by Wal-Mart leading to more employees’ innovation. Wal-Mart has competitive pay as their main aim is to build better lives for their employees and the families. Being the largest private employer it has a wide range of benefits not only to a husband and a wife but also to same-sex marriages partner. Partners in Wal-Mart enjoy benefits of health care and other benefits. The employees get bonus opportunities, discounts and have a chance to promotion as the company is committed to their education and training.

Q1

In order for the domestic partners to qualify for the same benefits as married couples, the employee, and their domestic partner regardless of their sexual orientation must have lived together for at least a year and must be engaged in a committed an exclusive relationship. This ensures that there do not live together for the sake of the benefits but there are determined to stay together. They should also not be related by blood in a manner that would bar marriage. However Wal-Mart does not ask the employees to verify it but they should always act in honor of the system (Bell, 2012). The main benefit is the health care plan offered by the retailer as well as discount cards that enable them to shop in the vision stores excluding eyeglasses and exams at discounted prices (Roberts & Berg, 2012).

Similarly, Apple Computer Inc recognizes domestic partners when they are in a committed relationship. They ought to meet other various requirements such as municipal permits that recognize them as domestic partners. There must be staying together and they must have a symbolic recognition of their union despite the gender. The requirements are also similar in that to that of Wal-Mart in that they should not be related in the blood (Bohlander & Snell, 2010). The main benefit includes health insurance as well as shopping benefit. However, there are terms and conditions that the employees are the family member purchasing the electronic products from Apple are for personal use and not resale. The Apple salaries Glassdoor have personalized salary estimates that ensure that each employee is paid competitively for work done mostly on an hourly rate. It also addresses the employee's benefits reviews such as financial and retirement, family and parenting, vacation and time off among others (Bohlander & Snell, 2010).

Wal-Mart has tackled the issue of stick floor that has barred career advancement to its employees. The education program by Wal-Mart is included in the benefits of the employees and that of their partners. The employees studying courses that they are in line with their working responsibility get the fees paid for and that of their partners up to a certain percentage (Roberts & Berg, 2012). Through the education benefit offered by Wal-Mart employees have become more compatible with their line of work.

Wal-Mart is a victim of glass escalator as it has been accused by women of biasedness. The female employees argue that they have been kept out of management jobs due to their sex. Wal-Mart consists of at least 700,000 women employees both former and current (Roberts & Berg, 2012). Due to a large number of employees women feel that they have been locked out of higher ranks despite them making the largest number of employees in Wal-Mart.

Q2

According to the law depending on the state, the dissolution of marriage takes about 90 days before the preceding after filing a petition. With this, no dissolution can be granted before 30 days as it is referred to as a waiting period for both the spouses to receive the official copy of the petition. During this time the company is required to waiting the court preceding and the cause determined in order. The employee is then required to fill in the details of the new spouse that have to wait in order to become eligible (Bohlander & Snell, 2010).

Q3

The terms can be used by other companies as they play a significant role in the company image and reputation. For example, Glassdoor has been used by Apple Inc to pay employees on the hours they work. This makes the employee be willing to work more as they will be paid more. Other companies can embrace it as employees will be paid for work done (Bohlander & Snell, 2010). This will eliminate unproductive employees as they will be determined to work more. Glass escalator can also be used by either of the company to prevent damaging of its reputation as they by giving women higher ranks. This will also prevent huge losses that can be paid as punitive damages if the court rules in favor of women. As a technology company, Apple can adopt the stick floors to ensure that their employees are the best as they will be able to advance in their careers.

Reference

Bell, M. P. (2012). Diversity in organizations. Mason, Ohio: South-Western College.

Bohlander, G. W., & Snell, S. (2010). Managing human resources. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning.

Roberts, B. R., & Berg, N. (2012). Walmart: Key insights and practical lessons from the world's largest retailer. London: Kogan Page.

Value Proposition and Financial Indicators for Small Medium Enterprise

Over the years health complications have been on the rise due to eating disorders that are potentially life-threatening affecting both emotional and physical health. The eating disorders develop with time when individual fail to take the right amount of nutritious food especially the young generation who are fond of taking in fast foods. As a result of the devastating eating habits there are serious consequences in health, relationships, and productivity. Due to the poor eating habits, the proposal of a healthy food vending machine conceptualized. The vending machine has a BMI reader and a microwave for heating purposes in order to deliver the product to the customer on the spot. For this reason the customer value proposition plays an important role in order to ensure its success (Ringland & Young, 2006).

The vending machine will promote an easier accessibility with minimal effort with a competitive cost that will ensure a life time experience. Finding out the value an individual will get from the vending machine especially in terms of health will draw many consumers in as it will be both nutritious and tasty. Consistency in quality service and products will facilitate a strong brand for potential customers. Packaging and messaging is another value proposition (Ringland & Young, 2006). This is important because the large target group is the young generation. The packaging has to be appealing and the writing should be in a prominent position which should promote the consumer to make the selection. This is critical as most consumers eat with their eyes. This means that the packaging should be attractive and fun to look at. Assurance of fresh products is a value proposition that will ensure the consumer is convinced that the product is fresh (Ringland & Young, 2006).

Key Performance Indicators

Performance indicators help in gauging business health. Cash flow forecast plays an important role in indicating the performance of the business. Cash flow problems in the small business can be identified in the early stages of business (Dainelli & Bini, 2011). Positive cash flow indicates that there is enough cash in circulation for the business and there is surplus cash that can be used in case of unexpected events. Gross profit margin shows whether the price of the products is appropriate. This is the difference between the revenue and the cost of goods sold. Net profit is an indicator of the business performance.  This is the difference of total revenue and total expenses. If it is a negative profit this indicates that the business is performing poorly as it is incurring more expenses that revenue. Net profit margin is also an indicator of business performance. This is a benchmark for profitability that helps in projecting future profits.

Talent Management Challenges

As a new business, there are bound to be challenging especially with talent management. This involves attracting, selecting, deploying, developing and retaining talent.  It is a constraint as the business lacks specialized expertise. This may result due to the fact the organization lacks diversity and proper instructional design. It is further strained by the big companies already in operation that can easily poach the talented work force (Machado, 2015). However these challenges can be eliminated through staff motivation. This may come in form of salaries and bonus. Exemplary work by an employee should be rewarded making other follow suit. Creating better environment at work enhances bonding that result to organizational culture that assists in staff retention. Success in a business is not recruiting the best rather than creating congruence between the employees and the organization will create personal growth as there is a sense of ownership of the employees creating numerous entrepreneurial opportunities of the organization thus increasing staff retention (Machado, 2015).

Reference

Dainelli, F., & Bini, L. (2011). The informational capacity of financial performance indicators in European annual reports. Santarcangelo di Romagna (Rimini: Maggioli.

In Machado, C. (2015). International human resources management: Challenges and changes.

Ringland, G., & Young, L. (2006). Scenarios in marketing: From vision to decision. Chichester, England: Wiley.

Apple Inc. Strategic Audit

Apple Inc. was co- founded in the year 1976 by Jobs Steve and Wozniak Stephen. The abilities of the two partners were as strong as they were so full of creations.  They began to manufacture individual computers for sales.  Stephen being the designs brain as well as natural capability they were able to combine efforts and strategically push the products to the market.  With the design of Apple one the corporation was able to get into the market (Apple, 2016).

Apple corporation is fully committed  in providing the best  computing experience  to the consumers across the  globe  via the development  of  innovative  software, hardware and  internet provision.  Through the reinvention of personalized computers the corporations has remained at the leading position through its strong financial development (Pride, & Ferrell, 2010).  The corporation is additionally striving in ensuring that its consumer base is fully developed by maintaining a good product image at the lead. The current problems that the corporation is facing include competition, lawsuits and development of the supply chain due to the growing demand and changes of consumers’ expectations and preferences. The corporation overcomes this through the use of several tactics which includes addition of Apple stores, consumer loyalty, diversification, differentiation and uniqueness (Apple, 2016).

The principle activity of Apple Corporation is mainly to manufacture design and market individual computers and the entire related individual’s computing as well as communication resources.  The products are mainly developed for the purposes of education, consumption, creativity and also for business.  Individual  computing  products that  he corporation produces  are notebooks and desktops associated  devices  with the incorporation of  peripheral , connectivity  as well as networking  products and   third party  products for hardware services (Pride, & Ferrell, 2010).  The major software that is produced by the corporation includes application software, operation system, and internet, services and integration software’s (Apple, 2016).   Even today computers are considered as a very significant section of Apple Corporation but it has advanced to the development of smartphone products such as mobile phones. The company few years ago achieved a hit with its technology music players referred as iPod and ITunes which are music store located on the online platform.  The company holds several products which are Xserve and networking wireless equipment as well as media and publication software’s. In 2002 up to 2015 the fiscal revenue of more than 80% was accounted by computing and mobile products while the rest is accounted by services as well as software’s (Pride, & Ferrell, 2010).

Apple’s strategic planning mainly involves developing decisions in regard the long-term objectives and strategic approaches of the corporation.  These strategic plans hold strong external alignments as they cover most major organization sections (Pride, & Ferrell, 2010).  The corporation’s senior executives are mainly responsible for execution and development of strategic tactics despite the fact that they are not involved in execution and implementation of the general plans.  In the present economic world companies that needs to acquire success requires planning diligence of the long-term objectives of the corporation, approaches, and results expectation.  This is highly required in order to attain long-term value, growth and sustainability.  With globalization competition is very high and therefore corporations must be strategic to achieve an advantage in competition.  The beginning of Apples computers was characterized by a high reactivity to the rapid and fast speed changing innovation and technology industry (Apple, 2016).  However in order for the corporation to remain competitive it has always re-invented the products which help in gaining and retaining consumers.

Figure 1: Strategic Planning and Implementation

There are numerous factors that affect the strategic planning of Apple Inc.  The corporation selected to utilize differentiation as a marketing strategy (Pride, & Ferrell, 2010).  This therefore implies that the corporation highly benefits from different approaches such as product development, growth, marketing as well as innovation.  The tactic of differentiation that the corporation utilizes helps in the creation of growth based on that it manufactures unique and quality products.  This has proven the capability of the corporation to develop fresh and innovative products such as iPhones and iPod.  An additional factor that affects the strategic tactics of Apple is market segmentation.  The corporation offers products based on different market segment such as educational, professional, business as well as consumption.  The consumption and business markets are currently leading as the education and profession markets have most been affected by the growing competition in the technology market thus repressing 5 and 10 percent respectively (Pride, & Ferrell, 2010).

In the technology market today Apple is among the major and few corporations that   have continuously been able to generate finances in the software and individualized computerized product market.  However the recent with the recent market turndown the corporation’s strategic plan has been affected (Grant, 2016). This for the corporation means that it has to focus on generation of fresh and innovative products that are different from those offered by the competitors in terms of needs satisfaction, trendy and quality.  Rivalry is an addition strategic planning influence because the corporation operates in a highly competitive market with rivals who are well established in the market. This includes Samsung, Dell, HP, and Toshiba IBM and so on.  They offer stiff competition because their products are well established with a good reputation (Apple, 2016). However Apple is able to obtain international competitive advantage through the utilization of distribution channel differentiation strategy by opening many stores in different location to increase products supply to the market.

Figure 2: Competition Rivalry

Apple Corporation is not affected by the growing market recession because of its high innovative nature.  The corporation products are characterized by high prices as compared to those that are offered by the competitors. However this does not affect its ability to gain, retain consumers, increase productivity as well as sales (Grant, 2016). This is mainly because it develops products that satisfy the existing market needs through innovativeness.  However the company is challenged by the theft of technological ideas and products by the competitors which forces it to develop products for longer period. In addition technology is changing rapidly and the demand of smart products is growing rapidly thus requiring it to be highly innovative.  The corporation products prices are also differentiated which helps in gathering consumers from all backgrounds with high interest of quality innovativeness. Apple’s success factors include market share, financial development, rapid technological adaptation, branding, innovativeness, consumer loyalty, a high number of stores, quality, and consumer and price differentiation (Apple, 2016).

Figure 3: Competitive Strategy

Internally  the aspects that makes Apples corporation  includes  secrecy, innovativeness, encouraging employees to  bring  ideas to the work organization through building a good  product image  and  thinking beyond the obvious things (Grant, 2016).  The corporation products in a fast pace as it state that it   produces products that are sold in a high pace similar to the selling pace.  In addition the corporation highly relies on innovativeness growth and good marketing.  From 2006 up to 2015 the revenue of the corporation developed by 35% (Grant, 2016). In addition the liquidity and the quick ratio are very high which has helped the corporation in expanding its ROE and operating margin (Apple, 2016).

References

Apple Inc. (2016). Apple Inc. Retrieved from http://www.annualreports.com/Company/apple-inc

Grant, R. M. (2016). Contemporary strategy analysis: Text and cases. John Wiley & Sons. Print.

Pride, W. M., & Ferrell, O. C. (2010). Marketing. Australia: South Western Cengage Learning.

Case study

Question1

Maintenance improvement in hotel operations requires hands on organizational management strategy that is results oriented and which will ensure that all the maintenance staffs in the organization are brought on board.  This requires an improvement plan with an objective of ensuring that the hotel facility is operating at the maximum level so that services provided by the facility meet customer satisfaction. In the case of Ernesto, aiming to implement a workable plan without the involving the management involvement requires that he streamlining of operations within the scope of the facilities limited resources as the initial step. The plan would involve a maintenance that is focused on the revitalization of the broken facility through the involvement of the relevant maintenance department staffs (Payant & Lewis, 2007).  This means that Ernesto has to gain more control over the tasks of maintenance while at the same time demanding greater accountability from the staff. To achieve this, he should determine the maintenance requirements for all the components of the entire facility. Such would include the Ernesto to carry out an evaluation of all the malfunctioning parts including the six rooms with broken pipes, thermostats and electrical issues, kitchen disposal that was not operational for a year, the soda dispenser and steamer that were inoperable. He would have to make schedules for maintenance so that the tasks are spelt out in relation to those who would carry them out.  The manager should convene a meeting with the maintenance staff and explain to them the issue at hand and explain the purpose of having a revitalization plan for the facility, so that the employees feel engaged in the whole process. Engaging the employees in laying down the plan will help in creating a constant maintenance cultures through the relevant departments and hence, eliminate any resistance that may arise (Payant & Lewis, 2007). In addition, Ernesto should communicate clearly what is required of the maintenance employees and expectations that the organization had from them. This will not be just a concept but a blueprint for all the activities involved in the facility maintenance.  

 In the work of repair, Ernesto should endeavor to steer the focus of his department towards the goal of the organization, more so to have a satisfied customers. Therefore, maintaining quality standards in the operations of the entire facility would ensure that customers are offered the best services in a conducive environment. Therefore, making the employees see the need for personal responsibility would go a long way in improving maintenance of the facility without having to involve the intervention of the management (Payant & Lewis, 2007). The benefits of having the employees see the need for them to undertake their responsibilities seriously include increased services values, reduced collision with management and eventually, this will translate into highly satisfied customers. Efficiency in the facility maintenance can improve the operations, make the work easier for the staff and improve their morale in a big way.  Coordination is critical in improving the operations of a facility and the users if the facility will get contentment when efforts are directed towards their satisfaction. If the strategy fails to work, Ernesto would have to stamp his authority and demand results. To guarantee performance, the manager should adjust to the environment and realize that such performance will come about without having to be recognized by management. This calls for self-motivation and instilling the same to the employees so that to reduce lethargy through offering them authority to have certain roles fulfilled such as demanding for the bids to be submitted in time. Such efforts will improve the perception of the department in the entire organization so that the staffs feel valued.

Question 2

There is department can carry out its operation effectively without the right collaboration with other departments of the organization. Implementing changes in a department which is held with disdain by the rest of the firm means that Ernesto would have to device tactics that will improve the morale in his department.  What is required is a transforming strategy within the department so that to restructure the way operations are performed, starting with prevention measures to carrying out repair and renovation.  In this case, employee engagement is vital to the success of any changes introduced in an organization given that the process is a behavioral reaction and emotional state to the work environment (Simms, 2013).  In the case of workload management, employees will put discretionary efforts where they will adopt the spirit of doing what it takes to complete the assigned tasks. This will eventually have positive impact on the hotel facility. Lack of effective workload management seems to have led to the piling up of maintenance request and failure to perform the request may be the major reason why the department is loathed by other hotel staff. The negative attitude expressed by the hotel staff could have arisen from the difficulties they experienced while carrying out their assigned duties as a result of poor maintenance.

 Gaining the respect for his department would require that maintenance operations are carried out in time and meet the expected standards. Since engagement involves a behavioral spectrum rather than a binary outcome, the department staff wills align themselves to changes introduced by Ernesto in the hotel. After feeling a personal alignment to the hotels vision, the employees will be motivated to take on the maintenance responsibilities positively and will not resist any changes that will be introduced. The overall effect will be the satisfaction among the other departments with the maintenance operations accomplished and this will lead to the change in their attitude (Simms, 2013). That way the working environment for the maintenance department will be more relaxed and conducive, which will have a ripple effect of motivating even the staffs including those contacted on temporary basis.  A connection will be formed within the departments which make it possible to establish a good working relationship that will enable the accomplishment of the goal to satisfy customers.  After the staffs have accepted the changes, it is important that they keep the steam so that they continue with the implementation of the changes. An organization that realizes how important engagement of employees is will always be ahead of others.   To keep the change in progress, the employees have to keep `the focus and be allowed to provide ideas, and be advised on how react to the other employees in the organization who may still have problems adjusting their attitudes to the maintenance department (Simms, 2013). Therefore, Ernesto can engage the part-time employees in arranging the work schedules so that workload can be distributed well among them. This involves an effective workload that ensures the improvement of maintenance operations is achieved throughout the hotel facility.   

Question 3

Showing evidence of leadership and management skills would be the best way for Ernesto to convince the management and others of his ability to be involved in the strategic objectives of the organization. The success that would be shown in the improvement of maintenance operations without the input of the general manager would indicates that he has what it takes to develop strategic plans and get others to have fit implemented. Strategic management involves incorporating leadership skills in the process and having others to share a similar vision and mission (Yaeger & Sorensen, 2009). If the plans adopted by Ernesto in improving the maintenance operations bring about a real difference in terms of organizational performance, he will have a good bargain point for his promotion. The effectiveness of a strategic management is measures in terms of customer satisfaction, employee’s attitude in the workplace and the related financial improvement realized by the firm (Yaeger & Sorensen, 2009). In this case Ernesto’s performance would play a big role in convincing people that he has what it takes to have a place among the top positions.

Success in leading the hotel facility employees in the maintenance department to accept the induced changes, so that they are able to change their lethargic attitude to work  will be a starting point for convincing the management. In addition, the success in ensuring that employees in other sectors of the facility change their negative attitude towards the maintenance department will show how the strategic plans adopted by Ernesto have worked out to the advantage of a changed organizational culture which will translate to customer satisfaction with services provided. Showing the results of his effective skills would earn him a place at the table.

References

Simms,H.(2013).Organisational Behaviour and Change Management. Select Knowledge Limited.89-95

Yaeger, T. F., & Sorensen, P. F. (2009). Strategic organization development: Managing change for success. Charlotte, N.C: Information Age Pub.

Payant, R. P., & Lewis, B. T. (2007). Facility manager's maintenance handbook. New York: McGraw-Hill.13

SAMSUNG

Samsung is a multinational company in South Korea. The company has various affiliated business located in different place in the world. It is ranked as the largest manufacturer of communication devices. The company has set a manufacturing strategy by ensuring the availability of manufacturing facilities in different countries namely Korea, Vietnam, China, Indonesia, India and Brazil (Christiansen, 2016). In 2010 and 2014, Samsung achieved huge benefits from the strategy.  The strategy in manufacturing has helped the company in competitive markets, gaining core competence and adding value to the business.  In the production process, the company participates in producing parts and components and designing.  In other words, the company is able to compete with other rivals such as Apple through being involved in a complete production process.  In manufacturing sector, the company has product lines and prevents the overproduction risk in high tech industry (Christiansen, 2016). Other important point is that   the company does not concentrate on outsourcing but rather it employs the business model of ‘making’ and this plays an effective role in manufacturing consumer products.  Samsung is able to save the costs of production and control the process of manufacture through opening subsidiaries in other countries.  It controls its subsidiaries through vertical integration and by having various technological knowhow; the company eliminates future rivals (Christiansen, 2016). In addition, by having a full control of Smartphone products, the company ensures availability of products in the market hence enjoys a competitive advantage. Samsung phones have hardware components, it has control over the phone building blocks and it has an effective management on the hardware components (Christiansen, 2016).  Lastly, Samsung uses an effective approach by involving the hierarchical governance in production networks.  Hierarchical governance together with the entry strategy of ‘focused market’ helps the company in return on investment from production.

 Samsung Company has a global focus in production and design.  Since 2000, the company has been awarded more than 100awards. In 2004, Samsung was awarded five IDEA awards and it becomes the first company in Asia to receive award (Lee, 2006).  The company has brought a global transformation in the past decades following that it has produced a well-designed phone products and the design strategy has helped the company to maintain it competitive edge in the global market.  It has received various awards as a result of producing products which satisfies the customers both locally and internationally.  In 2016, Samsung became the manufacture of year for producing quality smart phones and tablets.  The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded Samsung Company with Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) for producing Galaxy S6 (Lee, 2006).  Samsung Galaxy is a quality phone with 100% recycled packaging and is made with sustainable materials.  The company has exceptional innovation and its products have led to economic, social and environmental positive outcomes.  Since 2010 to 2016, the company has received several awards. For example it has received the following awards for phone production, in 2010, it becomes the Best Budget Mobile, in 2011, and it became the Smartphone of the Year and awarded for producing Galaxy S and in 2015 it become the Smartphone of the Year for Galaxy S6 edge (Lee, 2006). In 2016, it received several awards such as Samsung’s Galaxy TabPro S, Samsung’s new ultra-lightweight Notebook 9 and many more for producing quality telecommunication products which connects people with the world (Lee, 2006).

Samsung use Integrated Marketing Communications in ensuring effective communication. For example in launching Samsung Galaxy SII, the company used advertisements, Radio, YouTube video, Micro-Sites and other means of advertisement to convey the message (Michell, 2010). Communication through social media connects customers with the company and increases the market sales through reaching the audiences.  The company communicates through media advertising where live commercials are portrayed.  Message is also delivered through print advertising where customers and competitors view the Samsung’s products.  In print media, the company uses magazines with gender specification where each gender   presents Samsung products in different way (Michell, 2010).  This strategy of communication is effective in that people tend to share the information and the company is able to reach both local and national audiences.  Radio is also a means of communication where the company provides verbal communication on the products or plays music which audiences like to listen.  Television is mostly used by the company and it is an effective strategy to reach in the customers (Michell, 2010).  Advertisers select the best time to reach the audience and takes short time to preset and demonstrate the products. TV shows and comedies are also used to advertise the products.  Internet plays a significant role in delivering the message about Samsung products. Internet users can use the website to access Samsung information (Michell, 2010). They can also use Facebook and Twitter where they can view the products, comments and put responses.  The company also uses viral marketing where products are portrayed hence creating company’s recognition.  Other communication strategy which is used by the company is sales promotion.  It also has official websites with information based on products such as mobile phones (Michell, 2010).  Customers also get navigational flow where they can get all information on Samsung.

Reference

In Christiansen, B. (2016). Handbook of research on global supply chain management.

Lee, D. (2006). Samsung Electronics: The Global Inc. Seoul, Korea: YSM, Inc..

Michell, T. (2010). Samsung Electronics and the struggle for leadership of the electronics industry.

Singapore: Wiley.

“Problems to Ponder” (1)

Is it true that capitalist employers treat their workers as commodities?

In my opinion the every organization’s employer has a dissimilar way of treating his or her employers thereby; it is an expectation for a big company like Marriot to treat it workers with respect. A professional capitalist cannot treat any of his employees as a commodity rather; it is the workers who treat themselves as such since they tend to spend most of their lives in the workplace. At Marriot the workers are treated as commodities so that they are able to carry their obligation with care and seriousness. However, the organization does not aim on enslaving their employees but rather ensure that they are well equipped to delivering the best. Marriot;s tob priority is taking proper care of their workers (Skousen, 2014).

In what sense is marketplace ‘Cruelly Cupricious’. Give Examples?

Economic activities are imperative quintessence in daily business activity consequently; enabling companies endeavors positioned on a particular accept as true, like ‘Cruelly Cupricious’. Amazon Company being the best example successfully accomplishes all facet of seriatim a monetary association. Amazon Corporation is targeting the marketplace place thus; the shareholders hosted the notion of cruel cuprious to all employees while the bond was deliberating on the enterprise’s philosophy plus it inclination to encirclement impediments (Schermerhorn, 2011).

Is their labor ‘cruelly capricious’?

Labor is ‘Cruelly Caprious’ because according to Professor krugman it results to turning workers into commodities. However, workers generate an extensive diversity of dissimilar products in the market; this makes it difficult for consumers to feel dissatisfied over certain commodities in the marketplace (Skousen, 2014).

Is Marriot the exception to the rule among big companies?

Every organization aims at leading other business thereby, for Marriot it has all it takes to rule among other companies since leaders here are able to inspire their consumers as well as workers with passion as well as a belief, especially by giving their employees the first priority (Skousen, 2014).

 References

Skousen, M. (2014). Economic logic.

Schermerhorn, John R, (2011). Management. Hoboken, N.J: Wiley.

BUSINESS ETHICS

Case 1

• Whether McDonald was aware that the coffee was to be consumed while driving and if the package was up to standard
• The jury should consider whether the victim was careless in her own actions, assess whether the restaurant was negligent and whether there were any warning labels on the cup.
• The stakeholders of the decision are other restaurants such as McDonald’s and consumers. If it was proved that the customer was negligent in her own actions then the restaurant would not have been liable. The consumer has to prove that she was cautious.
• The principle of caveat emptor should able because the buyer is responsible for checking the suitability and the quality of the goods before purchase
• This has a negative impact on McDonald in that many consumers will have grounds for legal cases when the obtain injuries from the hot coffee (Hartman, DesJardins & MacDonald, 2014).
• McDonald has the right to conduct business and the consumer has a right to query about quality services. McDonald owe the duty of care when selling coffee in the drive through window while the client has the duty of being responsible when handling the products
• Award the woman both compensatory and punitive damages. Important principles regarding McDonald negligence form the basis (Hartman, DesJardins & MacDonald, 2014).
• Both cases are as a result of negligence
• They both owed a duty of care to their consumers
• The principles are the same
• The consequences will be similar in that most consumers will tend to believe that they will be favored.

Case 2                  

• The regulations that govern the ads and whether there is manipulation and deception in the ads
• Your approval is guaranteed or we will give you $1000. No games, no gimmicks
• They include manufacturers, advertising agencies and safety stakeholders. Potential benefits include proper guidelines and observance. The adverts may portray a road vehicle to convey a careless attitude encouraging reckless driving and behavior (Hartman, DesJardins & MacDonald, 2014).
• Whether there is fair competition, its benefit and how it affects the attitude of the stakeholders
• Most of the people involved in advertising and sales of automobile are brokers and car dealers

Case 3

• Identify the marketing policy and the contract between the two companies and the magazine
• Newspapers, digital marketing, television and radio marketing
• Targeted population and the companies. The targeted population can get the message without conflicts while the companies can use the other opportunities to advertise extensively (Hartman, DesJardins & MacDonald, 2014).
• The magazine has the right to advertise and the company has right to get an advertising platform. The magazine has the duty of ensuring that it advertises fairly and the companies have the due diligence in their adverts.
• The magazine violated the advertising policies. I would consider the consequences of it would lead to unfair competition

Case 4

• It can be considered to be a business decision in that it accounts for the desired certification level and an ethical decision in that it desires for sustainable buildings both environmentally and socially.
• Yes, every building should meet the LEED standard because it eliminates the danger that comes with poor structured projects
• Investors and the government
• Yes, being a processing industry it faced controversies such as efficiency in energy usage, waste and recycle resources.
• Contract provision and the stipulation that allows a property owner to recover tangible losses can be avoided (Hartman, DesJardins & MacDonald, 2014).

Case 5

• It would be important to consider the historical significance of the land to the public, the viability of the project and environmental concern for the project.
• The historical value of the land and the national park. The dilemma was revolved around the ecology system of the national park as it would have a negative impact (Hartman, DesJardins & MacDonald, 2014).
• Citizens, investors, government, historians, environmentalists, and preservationists
• It willed to more conflicts as the environment is subjected to the demand of the market. It can also lead to grabbing of public land and increase human-animal conflicts (Hartman, DesJardins & MacDonald, 2014).
• The public have the right to own public land and the institutions have the right to invest on viable land. The public own the duty of taking care of the public land while organizations own the duty of care to the environment.

Case 6

• The provision for the soft loan, what the soft loan was used for and the role the financial adviser played.
• Clients, advisors and the brokerage firm. The brokerage firm is harmed. The objective of the research may not be met and the client may lose trust in its advisors (Hartman, DesJardins & MacDonald, 2014).
• The financial advisor works for the client to who she has a professional duty. The obligations arises from the brokerage and client where the advisor is required to be professional and use the soft loan in order to improve the service offered to the client (Hartman, DesJardins & MacDonald, 2014).
• Yes, it does. It would increase conflicts of interest and violate professional conduct
• There should be a strict stipulation for a soft loan. This is a legal solution
• They are similar in that if the practice is allowed there shall be no professional ethics and discipline. Physicians are gatekeepers and therefore the industry should be the same in order to encourage professional conduct

Case 7

• Confidentiality, conflict of interest and integrity
• From annual information forms, prospectus, management information and financial statement. They rely on the opinion of financial advisors. No, the information to access of information depends on with the research, experience and the accessibility of management information (Hartman, DesJardins & MacDonald, 2014).
• Management, investors and stockbrokers and advisors. An investor relies on the information of stock purchases
• Shareholders
• Stock markets, discussions, and analysis. Equal access to information can be ensured by regulations (Hartman, DesJardins & MacDonald, 2014).
• Alternative give more detail and crucial information and the influence the investors on investment decisions

Case 8

• Public responsibility mitigates ethical lapses but cannot solely prevent business lapses
• Corporate culture, existing business ethics and the regulation put in place
• Confidentiality, social responsibility and honesty
• Investors, government, agents of business and management
• Lisa Newton has credible evaluations in her alternatives because the alternatives are able to go deeper into the business ethics (Hartman, DesJardins & MacDonald, 2014).
• The alternative such as Theodore Roosevelt compares the need to change as it is important to change the corporate culture and business ethics in order to prevent the case of Enron Debacle from happening. This affects the stakeholders in practicing proper business ethics and making right decisions for the organization (Hartman, DesJardins & MacDonald, 2014).

Reference

Hartman, L.P, DesJardins, J., & MacDonald, C. (2014). Business Ethics: Decision Making For Personal Integrity &Social Responsibility. McGraw-Hill Irwin

Best of Middle East- Business Plan

Executive Summary

Best of the Middle East will be a moderately priced 54 seat restaurant that will be based on offering family style meals as well as services.  The restaurant will mainly offer specialty of the Middle East foods which will include both light and small portions diets for kids. Best of the middle believes in the special delivery of services based on its primary policy consummated culture.  This can be regarded as the traditional Middle East and west outlook that will provide the consumers with the general sensation of being the primary priority of the restaurant (Shai, and Shapir, 87).  Despite the fact that we are new in this market the love, as well as the taste of our meals, will be great and abundant.  The restaurant will be located in Boston, Malden MA which will provide huge accessibility to the target consumers.  The location will offer a huge access of individuals from the Middle East and American culture who truly loves Middle Eastern meals.  The restaurant will offer all kinds of services to individuals in all age brackets.

The corporation will be individual owned and operated targeting a site that was previously utilized an Italian restaurant.  Despite the fact that the location was formerly utilized as a restaurant the previous tenant took most of the equipment’s, fixtures as well as furniture’s which will thus necessitate a replacement sooner.  The location will additionally necessitate additional renovation in order to ensure that the lavatories are updated and also increase the spacing of tables in the dining section. The general décor of the restaurant will mainly feature chairs accented with wood with a red and white cloths checked tables and chairs.  The dinner tables will utilize a surrounding of wooden chairs which has comfortable seating and leaning cushions.

The assumed sales projections stand at 1500 clients every week where the weekly sales will total up to approximately $20,000 or 1, 040, 000 every year. This results in an equation of about 300 dollars per square foot in the context of sales. This will, therefore, position BOME as a restaurant with very high ownership concepts in regard to table servicing market as this generation can be considered are a moderate profitability in the restaurant market and this can, therefore, be regarded as a favorable investment (Pride, 247).  The restaurant targets the Middle Eastern food lovers including those from the Middle East living in Boston. The startup cost for the restaurant will mainly be 350,000 dollars and as the owner, I will contribute 170,000 dollars and the remaining amount will be gathered from a proposed loan from the bank. 

The most important aspect of the business will mainly be grounded on the decisions of pricing as well as consumers satisfaction. Marketing will mainly be achieved through the use of technology such as social media and print advertising.  Pricing will mainly be focused and set based on value as well as market pricing. The corporation will begin with 25 employees to ensure that cost of operation is not high (Pride, 247).

Situational Analysis

The location for the restaurant business has a population of 60,293 and average income of 31,352 dollars. The location is associated with different benefits like the cities around the area have larger populations of individuals from the Middle East nations, for example, Boston with a population of 639,594, and $34,770 average income this provides a wider market for the restaurant foods (Pride, 247). Another city would be Cambridge, with a population that less than Boston, but it also large compared to Malden, the population of Cambridge is 106,844 and average income of $48,446 (Pride, 248).

The target consumers being individuals with a high interest in Middle Eastern food the location provides a growth opportunity for the business. The location has not been fully explored with Middle Eastern food. In addition, individuals have to travel longer distances to get meals which are priced highly by the well-established firm (Pride, 248). The firm will, therefore, offer moderately priced, fresh, quality and healthy meals unlike what is being offered.  Consumer satisfaction and good consumer services will be the main focus of the business.

Competition Analysis

The business is just starting and therefore it is mainly objected at gaining a favorable market share through the proposed marketing strategies which will help in gaining a competitive advantage.  Currently, the major competitors of best of the Middle East are the ‘’chicken and rice, Mediterranean piper grill, committee restaurant, café Jaffa and Bonapita’’ (Rhonda, 117). While reviewing the competitors it is clear that they utilize value and price strategy in developing the competitive market.  In this case, BOME will be utilizing consumer satisfaction and health based diet as the primary competition strategy.  The restaurant will offer more affordable meals to ensure that individuals from different background are involved.  There is a closing need of providing precooked meals and nutritious which will satisfy even the poor timers food consumers (Rhonda, 115). In preparing Middle Eastern foods in the location much speed is required and the competitors have not established this since meals mainly take even more than thirty minutes in preparation. BOME will surely work in changing this occurrence.

Bonapita restaurant is a major competitor as it is intending on opening fresh stores in Boston in the beginning of next year.  The company is currently operating 6 stores around major cities. As indicated by the latest corporation revenue research it is clear that the annual revenue for the corporation exceeds 5million which is a representation of 75 percent growth rate as compared to the previous financial year (Rhonda, 114).  The growth is an encouragement to BOME which through the use of a competitive advantage will result in a wider exposure. Based on the large existence of competitors in Boston BOME can be an attractive merger or even acquisition intention. There are several competitive barriers that the restaurant must be ready for.  This includes modality  fast food  modality  availability which is characterized by unprepared periods, low investment capital, a unsegment market that has not be explored fully, nutritious,  fast,  fresh,  price and quality competitive  options and  identifiable product  and effective  management (Rhonda, 117).

Business Model

The business has several advantages over the competitors since it will enter into the well-established market. This means that the efforts that will be utilized in creating of brand awareness will not be high. The marketing philosophy places it at an advantage because the product will be fresh and nutritious which matches the market trend (Mbengeranwa, 14).  However, the corporation will have to deal with huge cost and risk as a starter. This will thus require the business do extensive research to avoid the occurrence of the capital risk. In addition, the company will employee experienced personnel’s in the management department to lower the amount of marketing and operating risks. The business is oriented on the wellbeing of individuals which will hold a positive impact on the society and the economy in general (Mbengeranwa, 14).

The competitors are characterized by different strengths and opportunities in that, they have well-established the brand with a strong focus as well as quality.  Their prices are also established based on competition and the fact that they are established firms.   The competitors have well managed and experience teams which show that they operate on low risk and the market condition in additionally favorable.  However the firms are characterized with the following weaknesses their brand awareness is not strong, their brands are not diversified and differentiated and they offer their brands   prices based on competition thus ignoring healthy and the changing lifestyle changes.  This, therefore, makes their products to be vulnerable to the changing times (Mbengeranwa, 14). 

Market Analysis

For BOME consumers are the general priority of the business. The  major  target group of the first  set of  middle eastern foods is a resident of Boston, MA which fits the status of  low to  higher  income  generators with healthy and tasty lifestyle goals.  The initial phase of the business will generally entail creating awareness of the products and the major franchises that the business will target are university institutions (Mbengeranwa, 15).  In extending the idea the brand will also target those that are seeking for value branded and low-cost products in supporting both organized and private events.

Given that the United States holds the first position in the global market of fast foods the corporation will utilize the market strategy of rapid penetration through the market (Rhonda, 118).  This will be achieved through placing the business in the location where there is a high consumption of takeaway and dining Middle Eastern foods.  The market will be expanded through addition stores via franchising to different locations to optimize the competitive as well as a marketing approach.  Given that the market for fast foods yields more than a hundred and five billion yearly the chances of developing the existing and fresh products is very accurate.

The  corporation marketing objective is  to ensure  that it is positioned  well and the consumers gain the confidence in consuming  fresh  and healthy  products which will be  enhanced with great consumer experience.  The marketing  objectives, in this case, will include  brand capitalization via  diversification of product and franchising,  gain and  sustain high  margin  gross of  products, position the corporation as the alternative for quality, tasty, healthy and  traditional  options and establish the restaurant's brands via retailing (Mbengeranwa, 16). Due to the growing health consciousness, it is very good for the food industry to main appealing and healthy meals. In ensuring that the economic environment is successful all the factors will be considered adequately. The moderate pricing of products will ensure that the corporation attracts a good share of the market via the differentiation of goods.

Operation Analysis

The business will be situated in Boston, Malden MA. This is because the location has a lot of Middle Eastern and Americans who love the Middle Eastern food in that area.  This idea is feasible because there is not a Middle Eastern restaurant with different types of Middle Eastern food at that area. In addition, people come all the way to providence and other places to enjoy the limited and pretty high priced food. This means that there is obviously a market demand at that place (Mbengeranwa, 17). The restaurant will be operating for fifteen hours   each day which will allow the employs to work in shifts and to get adequate time to rest and organize operations.

The corporation will be objected on forging fresh and vibrant quality foods brands in the fast food sector which will work in challenging the existing operators through providing tasty, fresh and more expertise options to the consumers (Shai, and Shapir, 87).  This will thus help in developing a robust model of the business which will be grounded on high yields and low operation cost. Through franchising BOME visions that, it will dominate the domestic market which will help in the global operation.  The corporation will additionally diversify its products through product keeping and catering in places the supermarkets.

BOME holds the strategy of getting acquisition from a different firm in the next five years through posting large sales and revenue.  In addition to the particular period, the corporation may consider merging as an exit strategy.  Raw products will be sourced from the selected suppliers and the corporation will utilize the strategy of restocking which will help in preserving products to ensure that sales and preparations of meals are not affected.

            Work Cited

Abrams, Rhonda M. The Successful Business Plan: Secrets & Strategies. Palo Alto, Calif: The Planning Shop, 2003. Print.

Feldman, Shai, and Yiftah S. Shapir. The Middle East Strategic Balance, 2003-2004. Brighton [u.a.: Sussex Academic Press, 2004. Print.

Mbengeranwa, Allen. Restaurant Business Plan -: The Complete Practical Format. , 2014. Print.

William, Pride.  Marketing 2016. Cengage Learning, 2015.

Amazon Organizational Structure

Amazon uses a divisional organizational structure which majorly focuses on the functions of business as a base of determining the connections between components of the organization. The organizational structure of the amazon has the following characteristics: Global function-based groups, Global hierarchy and Geographic division (Hitt, Ireland, & Hoskisson, 2015).

Global Function-Based Groups

This is the main characteristic the company’s organizational structure, each and every business department has a devoted group, along with its senior manager (Hitt, Ireland, & Hoskisson, 2015). The main objective of having this structural characteristic is to enable the company to be able to expedite successful e-commerce operations management throughout the whole organization. Currently, amazon is undergoing a global expansion, which is majorly associated with its commercial structure in terms of creating operations in new markets (Nelson, & Quick, 2011).

Global Hierarchy

Even though hierarchy is an out-dated organizational structural characteristics, it is expressed as a structure of lines of command and authority which encourage the online market (Hitt, Ireland, & Hoskisson, 2015). The managers’ orders are therefore directed are therefore applied all over the organization, which affects all the relevant departments of the company all over the world. The main strategic of this feature is to enable the administrative control of the company’s whole organization.

Geographic Division

            In geographic division, different groups are based on the geographic regions and other business goals. The company consequently uses this approach to make it easier in order to manage the online marketing business, centred on economic conditions of different types of regions (Hitt, Ireland, & Hoskisson, 2015). Moreover, this characteristic enable the company to be capable of addressing issues or concerns which are relevant to each geographic region, bearing in mind the differences among regional markets. This approach has therefore allowed the company to be able to cater for its regional operations both in North America and Internationally (Nelson, & Quick, 2011).

The main problem facing amazon is shipping, due to a large number of customers that it has. This has consequently made it hard for the company to be able to deliver the goods to its clients within two business days. The main reason as to why amazon is facing shipping problems, is less investments in shipping (Hitt, Ireland, & Hoskisson, 2015). The company has therefore outsourced shipping and thus making it hard for it to be able to guarantee its customers a delivery within two days. Amazon has partnered with FedEx, UPS and US postal services in order to help in the shipping of goods. Moreover, amazon seems to be facing a follow up problem, since it never follows up the shipment of the goods to make sure they are shipped within two days.

The main job dimensions of amazon are skill variety, task significance, Feedback and task identity (Nelson, & Quick, 2011). Skill variety is very significant in the company since amazon employees are required to be smart thus being able to carry out different tasks without any problems at all. Moreover, the company allows its employees to gain different tasks through being transferred from one department to another (Hitt, Ireland, & Hoskisson, 2015). This therefore makes it for the employees to be able to deal with different tasks that they may be asked to accomplish. Task significance is also another major job dimension of amazon, amazon aims at doing jobs which are of great impact to both its employees and the customers. This therefore makes the company to strive in order to provide the best services to its employees and at the same time paying attention to the customers.

Amazon makes sure that the orders are made on time and the delivery process is also made according to the stipulated time through task identity (Hitt, Ireland, & Hoskisson, 2015). When a client places an order, the duration that the order takes is carefully calculated and thus making the employees to deal with the task at hand and make sure that they deliver within the given duration. Finally, feedback is also another significant job dimension of amazon, the company awards its employees for doing a better job, and thus making them to work even harder (Nelson, & Quick, 2011).

In order for amazon to be able to perform better, it needs to include autonomy in its job dimensions. This will really help in making the employees to be self-driven and thus making it easy for the company to be able to reach its goals (Hitt, Ireland, & Hoskisson, 2015). Furthermore, since the employees know the challenges they face, allowing them to participate in setting the goals of the company will really help in boosting their morale. The company can now be capable of beating its competitors, and it can also be able to avoid facing many challenges in the near future.

Amazon takes care of its employees through providing them with compensation packages which encourages them to work even harder. The executives of amazon receive a basic salary, and a security cover which 70% of the total basic salary. For instance, The Company’s CEO, Jeff Bezos receives a basic salary of $81,840, and a security cover of $1.63 million. On the other hand, the company pays its employees poorly, and it only allows them to purchase shares of 15% in the company only after working in the company for three years (Hitt, Ireland, & Hoskisson, 2015). This consequently makes most of the employees to work even harder in order to be able to buy shares after staying in the company for three years.

The compensation packages that the company is using is not effective, and it cannot therefore be able to motivate the employees (Nelson, & Quick, 2011). The executive compensation package is good, thus the management of the company makes sure the employees perform well. On the other hand, the employees are facing very many challenges, and the only way that the company can be able to boost their morale is through allowing them to purchase shares of more than 40% in their first year of employment. This will not only boos the turnover rates, but it will also allow the employees to provide the best services to the company (Hitt, Ireland, & Hoskisson, 2015).

Reference

Hitt, M. A., Ireland, R. D., & Hoskisson, R. E. (2015). Strategic management: Competitiveness & globalization : concepts & cases. Stamford, Conn: Cengage Learning.

Nelson, D. L., & Quick, J. C. (2011). Organizational behavior: Science, the real world, and you. Mason, OH, USA: South-Western Cengage Learning.

Human resource

Focusing only on physical resources investment superior production facilities or product does normally guarantee an edge over competitors. Maintaining an advantage normally arises from combining best human skills, knowledge base and other strengths and capabilities results to more yields in terms of gaining competitive advantage  and hence profitability. There is a need to recognize the importance of possessing superior human resources.  Organizations must have a stable highly skilled and knowledgeable workforce because employee turnover prevent them from getting the appropriate coordination and organizational learning that brings about high quality quick response, high quality products and services (Mello & Mello, 2014).  Investing in employee training and development translates into personal fulfillment and prospects of further career growth make lead to job satisfaction. Moreover, human resource systems and practices have a considerable effect on the various objective measures of an organization including return on assets or investments, productivity, quality and overall shareholders returns (Mello & Mello, 2014).

The current organizations can be said to see employees as valuable assets when they cannot retain them due to competition. In most organizations, especially the ones having no strategic human resource management, the investment value of an employee is not considered (Forbes Leadership Forum, 2013). In a public organization such as Southbridge City where there is little understanding of strategy, the employees are seen as convenient machines for processing payment and filling vacant positions. This is despite the concern that human resource departments can be large and involving high costs. However, companies that have had their brightest and most productive employees have learnt the hard way to consider their workforce as very valuable assets. Replacing such an employee would involve lots of resources; in addition to the cultural and psychological effects the loss can have the organization (Forbes Leadership Forum, 2013).

References

Mello, J. A., & Mello, J. A. (2014). Strategic human resource management.28-30

Forbes Leadership Forum. (2013). Nine Ways to Keep Your Company's Most Valuable Asset -- Its Employees. Retrieved from: http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesleadershipforum/2013/08/20/nine-ways-to-keep-your-companys-most-valuable-asset-its-employees/#706b88844390

BUSINESS INITIATIVE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Analyze the options available for producing the product or service. Next, evaluate which of the available options you can take to streamline operations

With respect to the evolution of Smartphones, product management entails a wide range of management activities whose main objective is streamlining its production process. This ranges from the time the new idea of the product is launched to finally offering an ongoing support to clients who had purchased such a new product (Funk & Palgrave, 2002). As in the case of any organization which conducts product development, either intentionally or unintentionally, the options available is carrying out feasibility study/analysis, product technical design and concept developing and testing is crucial. Out of this three, the following are the one to be considered;

1. a) Carrying out feasibility study/ analysis_ with this, it means that sufficient information is to be collected which will result to the product success. This will involve the extensive organization of private groups which will obviously test a beta version of this product then evaluating the experience in the test panel. The feedback to be obtained is the one which will ultimately communicate the levels of interests of the target market as well as the desired features. Equally, it will assist in determining whether this product has the capacity of being profitable in line with meeting customer needs (Bernard & Rambaud, 2007).
2. b) Product technical design_ so as to ensure that its operations are streamlined; there is the need of integrating customer customers’ opinions. In common cases, the product concept or the idea ought to be taken into consideration i.e. must be tasted on a true client base. This is what can assist in adjusting as well as developing the concept. This then means that this option will majorly integrate the results to be obtained from feasibility analyses into the product production process. This then deals with turning the Smartphone production concept into a workable offering and ironing any technicalities encountered. In regard to that, this will foster its marketing, finance and production or operations (Funk & Palgrave, 2002).
3. Determine how the product or service will meet consumer needs

In the process on carrying out the above activities, it means that a lot will be realized i.e. the market trends and the customer views about this product. Firstly, the company will be in the position of understanding the nature of the competitive product already in the market. Next they will come up with tactics which will be aimed at increasing its quality and performance. In the process of doing so, it means that the customer needs will be met through ensuring that the new product are contented with what they paid for (Bernard & Rambaud, 2007).

3. Assess at least three (3) types of technologies that will improve the quality of the product or service. Explain how the technologies will help enhance capabilities and customer loyalty.

The continued technological advancement has necessitated the need for carrying out extra research which will assist in improving the quality of Smartphones. The reason for that is because of the desire of competing favorably with other companies in the industry, increasing profit, as well as responding to customer needs (Zheng & Ni, 2006). Because of this, below are some of the technologies that have the ability of improving the quality of the company’s Smartphones;

1. a) Incorporating high quality camera lenses_ since majority of modern Smartphones have in-built cameras of varied strengths, there is the need of extending research for this device so that the company can come up with in-built-high-quality camera lenses for their phones. Moreover, this in turn will aid high quality video streaming.
2. b) In-built projector_ with advancement in technology, it means that the Smartphones the company will be producing will be a question debate since the installation of in-built projectors will basically increase the demand for them as well as their competitive edge (Zheng & Ni, 2006).
3. c) Seamless Voice Control _ although voice control technology has existed for decades now it used to be a crude method. Therefore, having extensive research in this will imply that seamless voice control app will a wonderful tool to the company’s Smartphones.
4. d) 3D screens_ due to the fact that majority of the mobile companies are moving from 2D to 3D future-features-Smartphones, it means that the company should have extensive research aimed at improving their technology will ensure that the products it will produce are also in the same category. Basically, the 3D displays will have to be incorporated with elements of movements whenever it comes to customer interactions with the Smartphones.

With respect to the above, the need of driving brand loyalty is seen as being a crucial strategy. Therefore, with respect to the above technologies, it means that the embattled brand will be luring more customers back through exclusive offering and seamless customer experience whilst using them. These will help the company to win them back hence increasing their loyalty (Bernard & Rambaud, 2007).

Moreover, such technologies will enhance the brand loyalty thus putting the customer in the spotlight. Since it is the key brand loyalty which will keep on telling stories, it increases the customer satisfaction about the quality services they obtain through it. Equally, with it in place, it means that the customer complaints and desires are well catered for. In return, the customers remains to be contented with the company’s products and the desire of using any new product launched in the market from it (Bridgeland & Zahavi, 2009).

4. Identify at least two (2) technology policies that will apply to the product or service initiative. Next, analyze three to five (3-5) ways how those policies that you have identified affect your product or service initiative

With the evolution of mobile technologies, each day everyone is eagerly waiting to see what Smartphones manufacturing companies can offer as well as to the way in which the masses will react to the emergence of these devices. In other words, the new and better smartphones are accompanied by multiple issues that come with technological advancement which is introduced to public use. One of these issues is technology policies. An example of these policies include mobile device acceptable use policy and disclaimer policy

In regard to that, such rules or policies for the usage of Smartphones are much applicable in manufacturing facility as well in working places. The provided information, procedures, examples, samples, and guidelines ensure that there is efficient use of the Smartphones in any setting i.e. at workplace, driving and so on. Thus the objective of this policy is protecting the confidentiality and integrity of the Smartphones technology infrastructure.

Bibliography

Zheng, P., & Ni, L. M. (2006). Smart phone and next generation mobile computing. San
         Francisco, Calif: Morgan Kaufmann.

Funk, J. L., & Palgrave Connect (Online service). (2002). Global competition between and
        within standards: The case of mobile phones. New York: Palgrave.

Bernard, F., & Rambaud, G. (2007). Product feasibility guideline: From the idea to the
        market. Göteborg: Chalmers University of Technology.

Bridgeland, D. M., & Zahavi, R. (2009). Business modeling: A practical guide to realizing
       business value. Amsterdam: Morgan Kaufmann/Elsevier.