McGee Cake Company Mini Case

Advantages and disadvantages of changing the company organization from a sole proprietorship to an LLC

Advantages

The McGee Cake Company may enjoy benefits from a Limited Liability Company as it does not have a legal responsibility and this means that members cannot be held liable for company’s debt.  In addition, LLC enjoys profit through taxation in that taxes are straightforward or in other words the company is allowed to select whether it should be taxed as a partnership or as a sole proprietorship (Warda, 2007). On the same note, the company is not liable for federal taxes.  Thirdly, it has a limitless ownership and this means that there are no legal structures imposed in LLC and so the company can have as many members as possible.  Fourth, LLC has an effective management structure since it does not require formal minutes or annual meetings and so LLC can be managed by members or hired manager (Warda, 2007).

Disadvantages

In LLC, building capital is low since it cannot be issued with stock to increase funds.  Since there is no strict corporate structure,   investors may fail to contribute their money to LLC.  Secondly, it requires higher fees such as fees for annual report.  It is also hard to transfer the LLC ownership and LLC can break up if a member has a bankrupt or dies (Warda, 2007). Third, LLC does not have a case law which may protect the business in case of any liability from business practices.  Other problem with LLC arises from taxation where the business can pay a high amount of tax as a result of business models, business nature and personal income.

Advantages and disadvantages of changing the company organization from a sole proprietorship to a corporation

Advantages

The McGee Cake Company may enjoy benefits from a corporation since this is a legal entity business under state laws and its shareholders are not liable for business debt and personal assets are protected from debts.  Corporation has a higher amount of starting capital as it can get money from selling shares and stock markets (Mancuso, 2009).  There is an easy transfer of ownership as the owner is issued with share certificates.  Corporate business has a perpetual existence and this indicates that there is no life limit since the   change and death of ownership does not affect the business.  Since the business is a single-entity, it has no tax liabilities and the business pays taxes from personal tax return.

Disadvantages

            Corporate business requires a high cost for running the business.   There is a complex process from the regularity authority which demands the completion of certain requirements.  For example, the incorporation paperwork requires the business to high an accountant which may need a high cost for completion (Mancuso, 2009).  Secondly,   a corporate business meets challenges from agency problems. Since   corporation shareholders assign functions to board of directors who then hire managers, the problem arises when then hired managers perform their roles with own interest rather than corporation interest.

Recommendation

I would recommend that McGee Cake Company should change the business to corporation since this is the best decision. This is because, the company has already gained a reputation and there is a high demand for the product and therefore corporation will help the company to reach the potential customers since it will live forever (Mancuso, 2009).  Corporation will encourage the members to invest their money and buy stocks   in order to meet the global demand and gain competitive advantage.   It is important to note that a legal business structure with legal entity with have a limited liability and it is easy to transfer the business with credibility with respect to the law. In addition, the company will enjoy benefits from tax gain such as health insurance premiums and life insurance (Mancuso, 2009). Corporation will help the company to establisha professional identity which will increase credibility and prove legitimacy to global customers.

Reference

Mancuso, A. (2009). Incorporate your business. Berkeley, CA: Nolo.

Warda, M. (2007). The LLC and corporation start-up guide. Naperville, Ill: Sphinx Pub.

Investment Analysis

Bank of America is among the leading financial institutions in the world and its customers include individual bankers, small and medium-sized firms and large organizations. Its products and services ranges from investing, banking, management of assets, risks management and other financial services. The company services about 47 million customers and small enterprises and has about 4,700 centers of financial services, about 16,000 ATMs and an excellent online banking that has previously been awarded. Its active accounts are approximately 33 million and over 20 million mobile users that are active. It has a leading global role of in management of wealth, investment and corporate banking and trading that comprises a wide range of classes of assets. The roles also include serving the various government institutions worldwide. The company has its operations in 50 states in the United States and over 35 countries in across the globe (Bank of America Corporation, 2015).

The last few years have been very challenging for financial institutions. Bank of America have embarked on addressing these issues through the trimming of large amount of funds in assets from their balance sheet , elimination of various non-core businesses and raising the capital and liquidity level in order to survive and ensure uninterrupted operations in any crisis that they may encounter. This also include right-sizing of the cost base for its revenue and good risk management and settling most of the issues concerning past financial crisis more so the mortgage space.  The company has also embarked on the need for high cyber security that is state-of-art and continued investment innovation and security technologies for its teammates and customers. If the company sticks to its core strategies of providing quality services to clients and customers as a driver for helping the growth of economy, it will manage to fulfill the set financial goals  through connection and simplifying a world that is quite complex.  To do this the company has focused on low-risk growth and high quality, restoring their brand and shared success with clients and customers (Bank of America Corporation, 2015).  The company serves business clients through business banking, Global Corporate, Commercial Banking and Investment Banking. The firm’s global capability is enabling it to serve various small and medium sized companies many of which are looking to access resources outside the United States while others are putting up manufacturing facilities around the countries that serve as their markets. They aim at reducing the delivery cost of their products and this is where the Bank of Africa comes in to help. The firm’s capability gives a competitive edge in the global market.  The company has also been continuously investing and helping clients by providing the best possible capital management and easing the means of transacting with their clients.  The Bank’s CashPro online application has enabled it to create efficiency and lower its cost through retirement of outdated payment technology.  The services to clients are also enhanced by working its commercial bankers through the bank’s U.S trust partners and Merrill Lynch. This has seen the corporate clients bring in more of their private assets to the bank’s Investment Management and Global Wealth businesses.  The banks also have a research platform consisting of 700 analysts, with Merrill Lynch being ranked among the top research firms globally by Institutional Investor Magazine (Bank of America Corporation, 2015).

To focus more on providing liquidity and capital to markets and companies across the globe, the bank acts as the intermediary between its issuer clients – firms issuing equity or debt – and its investor clients such as retirement and pension funds. The bank also experience synergy with its wealth management customers through research it provides to enable them make sound investment decisions. This is guided by a simple goal of not needing to be the largest player the business but being the best for their clients. The company’s teams continue to lower risks, simplify business and thus realize high revenue and profits Bank of America Corporation, 2015).

Financial ratios analysis

Financial ratios are vital aspects that help in understanding the performance of a company over a period of time (Khan & Jain, 2004). The company’s main financial ratios include the asset turnover ratio, profitability ratios, solvency ratio, debt equity and current ratio. The banks efficiency ratio for the years 2013, 2014 and 2015 period were 68.56. The bank’s asset efficiency ratio for the years 2013, 2014 and 2015 period were 77.07 %, 88.25 % and 68.56 % respectively. The profitability ratio looks into the percentage return on equity for the three years and included 4.61 %, 1.72 % and 6.29 percent.  The return on equity measures the bank’s earnings percentage contribution to the total equity for the shareholders. The efficiency ratio represents the company’s assets turnover in percentage. The banks debt-equity ratio for the past three years included 9.58 %, 9.39 % and 9.17% respectively. The debt-equity ratio defines the company’s financial leverage, a measurement of how much capital comes in form of loans or its ability to meet the financial obligations (Colombo & Stanca, 2006). The banks debt equity ratios for the three years include 1.14 %, 1.08 % and 1.01 percent respectively. In addition, the company’s free cash flow ratio includes 8.07 %, 5.29 % and 1.75 %. The percentage earning per share for the three past financial years include -12.86 %, - 20.76 percent and -10.65 % respectively. The earnings per share were calculated on the basis of 10 – year average. The company’s earnings indicate high volatility which can be attributed to the slightly higher level of financial leverage.  Interest is normally an expense that is fixed, hence the reason why leverage will always magnify the returns and the earnings per share. The operating cash flow ratio is an indication the extent to which current liabilities can be covered by the same cash flow realized from the operations (Wójcik, 2011).

The bank of America market index over the past five years indicates that it has recovered from previous financial crises. It has realized constant profits which have lead to a stronger capital base, which has afforded it opportunities for delivering high value to shareholders and to maintain growth in the long-term. This can be attributed to an end to the cycle of the banks downward trend. The bank shares in the past 5 years has shed some 7.4 percent to the current year an aspect that create a good entry point for any investors. Over the past one year, the bank’s net income interest has fallen by 12 %. Since 2012, the firm’s net charge-offs have experienced a significant decline, while its common equity that is tangible has grown a high record (Morningstar, 2016).  In the year 2015, the bank experienced an increase in the shareholder’s equity. This was driven by issuance of preferred stocks and higher earnings, and was partly offset by return of some capital to a number of shareholders through dividends for preferred and common stock and repurchases of shares (Marketwatch, 2016).

The performance of Bank of America in the stock market indicates its volatility hence an aggressive investor would be best suited for this investment. Such an investment includes a strategy for portfolio management whose attempt is to maximize on returns through taking a greater degree of risk (Finance, B. I. 2005). An approach for aggressive investment puts more emphasis on capital appreciation as the basic objective rather than principal safety or related income. An investment in the banking industry requires a bold risk taker given that the market is very volatile and the line between profit and loss is very thin. This is seen in the company’s earnings per share over the last 3 years, which has been continuously negative although there have been a positive growth in the year 2015. The risks in such an investment can be attributed to the low confidence in financial sector arising from fears of possible recessions and a low outlook for low interest rates. The uncertainty in the macro-economy has also contributed small rise for such interest rates weighing heavily on stocks in the banking sector. Thus, an aggressive investor would be best suited for this investment. The rationale for this investment include better target price in the foreseeable future which would lead to an upside potential stretching over a year (Pring, 1992).

References

Finance, B. I. (2005). The Boston Institute of Finance Stockbroker Course: Series 7 and 63 Test Prep + CD. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons.240

Pring, M. J. (1992). The all-season investor: Successful strategies for every stage in the business cycle. New York: Wiley.79

Khan, M. Y., & Jain, P. K. (2004). Financial management ; Text, problems and cases. New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill. 7-9

Colombo, E., & Stanca, L. (2006). Financial Market Imperfections and Corporate Decisions: Lessons from the Transition Process in Hungary. Heidelberg: Physica-Verlag Heidelberg.70-71

Wójcik, D. (2011). The global stock market: Issuers, investors, and intermediaries in an uneven world. Oxford: Oxford University Press.16-17

Bank of America Corporation,(2015). Annual report.

Morningstar,(2016).Bank of America Corporation. Retrieved from: http://financials.morningstar.com/ratios/r.html?t=BAC&region=usa&culture=en-US

Application to organization leadership and capstone project

            Introduction

    This paper will focus on the application of the integrative leadership which will climax the general learning development throughout my degree involvement. It will also focus on the way in which education skills, as well as the implementation of the new skills, will be incorporated so as to assist in the achievement of the organizational leadership attainment and sustainability in the future.  Being a servant motivational leader, I have experienced so much from the leadership program which has acted as an eye opener. The world is changing each and every new day and this has been reflected with the increment in the competition in the economy and thus in the marketplace. This has attributed to the need for organizations to learn on the way that they would use to bring about change so as to be able to become competent and sustainable. Thus the organizational leaders have had to change in different sectors such as in their leadership styles and attitude to leadership with an aim of building and leading competitive and workable interactions, groups, and establishments. The education experience all the way through the leadership education program has been so immense. However, I have incorporated parts of education that talk of issues of mindfulness, a resilient sense of responsive intelligence, and understanding of people so as to be able to become the best leader. These specific capacities of learning were quite new to me but I, however, was able to gain valuable skills, experience, education as well as a toolbox of techniques that will help me in becoming a good leader and the way in which I can implement the best practices in leadership. Some of these practices will include building relationships, team development, leadership development skills that will help me in leading my future business and its employees towards a great success and sustainability.

    My main focus in leadership application is on the applying of the adult learning standards in my own organization this will be enhanced through the development, modeling and evaluating of the educational training lessons focusing on the adult learning standard. I will also aim at improving on my organizational leadership through progressing, modeling and evaluating the efficiency of the new educational and workflow progression. Another aim of the leadership application is to change the entire organization so as to be able to offer them what they need most such as the leadership, management of the operations and remediation. This will be enhanced through the improvement, implementation and analyzing of the needs valuation survey.

    Servant leadership is established on a firm foundation that deals with service for oneself and for others. Its concept deals with the self-sufficiency, empowerment, involvement, shared authority, shared vision, shared obligations and the establishment of a society of trust. The servant leadership model has four elements that are; putting off service before self-interest and it requires that leaders should make a conscious choice of assisting others towards taking preference over the urge to achieve a formal leadership place and attainment of control over others (Greenleaf 1977).  Another element is on listening so as to support others and thus leading to a fuller understanding of the challenges that face other people. It is through this understanding of the other people that the servant leader is able to contribute to the best cause of action. The other element is on the inspiring of trust by being trustworthy. This will enhance the servant leader to form trust by achieving what they actually say through being truthful and giving up on power but rather focusing on the good will of other people. Trust is therefore believed to grow from believing others to make personal decisions. Servant leaders advance trust since they offer everything that is governance, payments, facts, and acknowledgment.

 The final element of the servant leadership model is on the nourishing of other people and making them feel complete as it necessitates the leader’s confidence in the special prospective of each individual so as to have a progressive influence in the world. As leaders make themselves vulnerable to other people showing their own pain and humanity, makes them become close to other people (Greenleaf 1977).

    According to Meng, there is a strong correlation between leading sensibly and emotional intelligence. The use of mindfulness is important as it allows the training of a quality attention that is strong in intelligibility and stability (Meng Tan 2012). This is thus used to direct the power charged devotion to the physiological aspects of emotions with an aim of perceiving emotion with high brilliance and resolution. The capability to perceive the emotional knowledge at a higher level of precision and resolution builds the basis for the emotional brainpower.  This, therefore, results in the capability of leading others with intelligibility, compassion, and understanding and with recognition of motivators which leads to trust between the leaders and those that are led. The expected outcome of this leadership is much more productive more fulfilling workplace relations, more job fulfillment and a higher rate of morale and larger levels of happiness (Meng Tan 2012). Leaders mind can be developed beyond that one of the non-leader through the sovereign thinking, open-mindedness, organizations thinking and individual mastery. Integrating all of these disciplines provides a basis that can assist leaders in examining their mental models and overcoming of blind spots that may restrict their leadership efficiency and the success of their organizations. Sensibility in this context can be viewed as the constant re-evaluation of the previously learned techniques of doing things in the context of evolving information as well as shifting situations in the organization.

Mindful leaders, therefore, are regularly looking for new ideas and styles that would enhance the betterment of self and that of other people. This is because all the four disciplines reach that can move forward in a significant manner towards the mastery of their minds and hence lies on each other and leaders are working towards developing at least one of their mental mindfulness thus becoming more efficient.

    According to Putz and Raynor, an integral leader is capable of objectively assessing the way in which the individual’s identity tends to be created within the setting of a true but partial model and he thus has the capacity to change his sense of self-identity as needed in the phase of model change. This capability is to restructure the identity as one way through which the integral leadership separates itself from other forms of leadership. Development is a key element in integrating the theory of leadership. This enhances the identification with one level to the other and this allows the differentiation and development of distinct traits (Putz & Raynor 2004).  

    Transformational leadership is interested in the inspiring and motivation of the followers so as to assist them to attain high levels of moral conduct and value centered actions. It involves the assessment of followers’ motives, fulfilling their motivation needs and treating them well as human beings. Thus they are involved more in development, ethics and morals (Reams 2005). Transformational leadership is thus important as it offers track of where one wants to go as far as occupation is concerned. Having the complete knowledge of the strengths, weakness, personality conduct, and emotional intelligence will enhance effective leading the organization. Transactional leaders, on the other hand, are focused on the job and the running of the day to day operations. This is so essential while leading as it will enhance the leader to be able to run the departments, manage others and self. However, a transformational leader is more effective as they lead other people through inspiring, involving and motivating them.

Thus these types of leaders are able to establish and inspire the organizational goals that make transformation occur (Reams 2005). Being a transformational leader is of more essence as compared to other types of leadership. This is because of the positive impact that these leaders have on other people and the transformation that occurs. Serving others is a matter of making the relevant changes for oneself and for others thus allowing them to transform in a better way that is of benefit to them and to the entire society.

            Conclusion

    Servant leadership primarily deals with the encouraging of other people in their personal development and also assisting them to be understood and appreciate the greater determination of their work. Leaders are always concerned about the way their employees feel about themselves, their role and their relations with other people. Leading thoughtfully practices maintain and enhance personal growth and improvement of emotional intelligence which leads to a better governance and management over the emotions that people have. This capability can be developed further through the various consideration practices that may be as simple as taking a meaningful pause. Constant personal growth and improvement allow one to develop skills and capabilities in developing the same to other people. Leading sensibly will enhance the leaders into leading in a more intellectual, moral, ethical and in a sound decision-making that will enable one to be able to see the bigger picture. This will also enhance the leader to listen to other people's input and to consider other people’s creative ideas. Throughout my study, I have learned various essential tools and methods that are important to me as they give me meaning, determination, job satisfaction and eventual happiness in my work.

Thus with this kind of knowledge and experience, it is my main goal to acquire a job or an organization that fulfills both my personal and professional needs. It is through this that I will be able to lead mindfully so as to help me in fulfilling these professional and personal needs to others and also to create a high level of emotional aptitude, job gratification and contentment for those that I am leading and serving. It is through this interpretation that I am able to connect between thoughtful leading and servant governance and how this will enhance me in attaining abundant achievement as a leader and in helping other people.

References

    Greenleaf, R. (1997). Servant Leadership; A journey Into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness. Paulist Press, Mahwah, NJ.

    Meng Tan, C. (2012). Search inside Yourself; The unexpected Path to Achieving success, Happiness And World Peace). Harper-Collins, New York, NY.

    Putz, M & Raynor, M. (2004). Integral leadership: overcoming the paradox of growth. Unpublished manuscript

    Reams J. (2005).What’s Integral about Leadership? A Reflection on Leadership and Integral Theory.

Colloquy Grog Shop marketing strategies

The Colloquy Grog Shop’s branding remains to be the stronghold aspect of the marketing plan. However, the brand will need to gain recognition and popularity for it to position the company on a more competitive edge with respect to its competitors. This explains the reason why a branding strategy is vital in this marketing plan. Basically, the branding strategy puts clear on how, what, where, when and to whom the brand is targeting and the immediate actions that shall be done to make known the Colloquy Grog Shop brand (Lai, Mo, Lau, Gu & Hao, 2016). First, communication of the brand will be done through advertisements and grassroots methods. The strategy management of the company proposed to carry them out during national holidays and much of it in the month of December. The branding strategy shall focus on the targeted segment of professionals who are single and range between 25 to 45 years. In addition, the branding strategy will be focusing on the benefits of the customer as they shall be meeting their fellow singles. Among the benefits would be getting a marriage partner, sharing of business social and other forms of ideas (Lai, Mo, Lau, Gu & Hao, 2016).

As mentioned earlier, the distribution the Colloquy Grog Shop distribution would be based at the retail shop since the company is yet to establish branches. In this regard, the distribution of services shall use the direct distribution strategy since the distance or channel between the company and the customers is very little. In the direct distribution, the marketing plan wants to reach the highest level of penetration implying that the Colloquy Grog Shop will embrace the intensive distribution strategy. The pricing strategy is another aspect that the company has aimed to rhyme with the industrial based standards of pricing.

Competition that is facing the company is expected to come from different sources. However, all the competitors fall under the categories of either the inter-brand or intra-brand competition. The Colloquy Grog Shop has differentiated its services from those of bars which lack the mission of bringing the singles together. This is an inter-brand competition that the company has taken to compete with bars and coffee shops (Fong & Rashad, 2015). The company’s other main competitors are the community events that are structured people together. They have the same service and mission as the Colloquy Grog Shop. In response to these events and community activities, the company has purposed to get into an intra-brand competition. Since most of the community activities are usually cheap or free, the pricing terms shall have less part to play. The company has therefore laid out non-price competition strategies that will help it to survive the intra-brand competition (Fong & Rashad, 2015).

The Colloquy Grog Shop has made several predictions concerning the issue of winning customers from the hands of the potential competitors. The company prefigures that singles will abandon or rather supplement their existing methodologies of meeting people and adopt new integrated methods. These methods shall be at their disposal at Colloquy Grog Shop and therefore the thoughtful goal of introducing like-minded individuals shall have been achieved. The community-based activities offer the stiffest competition to the Colloquy Grog Shop because they are able to collect singles in large numbers. This gives the activities the strength of dominance. The weakness is that the conversations and the social environment is less integrated which implies that the competitor is weak technologically (McDonald, 2007).

The differentiation strategy for the Colloquy Grog Shop will be based on the main objective of the company to become the premier place that can offer the best environment for professional singles to meet their likeminded singles. In order to distinguish itself from the local close competitors of coffee and bar shops, the Colloquy Grog Shop shall adopt a business that concentrates its focus on developing value for customers. The company is interested in the benefit of the customers beyond the drinks it offers. With respect to this differentiation strategy, the Colloquy Grog Shop will develop an effective social setting that is inherently structured that encourages the socialization of like-minded singles (McDonald, 2007).

Unlike most of the adjacent competitors, generation of value for the customers is the sole purpose of the Colloquy Grog Shop. The provision of different drinks shall only be a source of income which is basically an ancillary part of the Colloquy Grog Shop’s business model. In this regard, the differentiation strategy have been developed using the structured conversation system which entirely distinguish the services offered by the Colloquy Grog Shop from those offered by coffee bars and bars. The differentiation strategy also has considers the community events as a major competitor. To differentiate the Colloquy Grog Shop from the community events, the shop is planning to integrate its services so that they can meet the evolving demands of the customer needs (McDonald, 2007).

Since this is a unique business of its kind, the Colloquy Grog Shop has aimed to be the leading company in the industry of bringing singles together. There is no other company ahead that the Colloquy Grog Shop is aiming to be like or follow. This can also be drawn from the message communicated by the company that “THE Colloquy Grog Shop IS THE PLACE TO MEET SINGLES.” The direction in which the Colloquy Grog Shop is heading is towards serving a more sophisticated customer. The sophistication is expected to be in terms of the food quality, the quality of conversation, and the access to people (Sorger, 2012). Coordination of these aspects would place the company at a leading position in the industry. In this goal of becoming the leading coffee shop in the world, the Colloquy Grog Shop has put down some keys that are determinant to its success. First, the company shall have to attract customers who are able to appreciate the customer value that is offered by the shop. These customers are within the criteria used to choose the target market. The second key is to offer excellent services to customers and lastly to maintain the expenditure at below 50% to keep the move balanced (Sorger, 2012).

Developing marketing communications strategies is the heart section and the soul of this marketing plan. The marketing communications strategies will generally be targeting the different prospects that are present at each stage of market development. For instance, the Colloquy Grog Shop shall use advertising, direct marketing and public relations to reach the cold and cool prospects. These advertisements for marketing of the company’s plan shall be done through the local magazines such as the Willamette Weekly and the liberal arts magazine which are believed to be potential areas where the company can meet the cold prospects. Advertising through the local newspapers and magazines directly marry with the advertisement strategies that have been put in place by the company to ensure that each target is fully reached. These magazines are suitable because the readership demographics are similar to those of the Colloquy Grog Shop. They have details all the entertainment trends and events that are coming up in the whole of Poland (Sorger, 2012).

The marketing communication through public relations shall aim at creating friendships with customers on long term basis for the sake of customer retention and service. This is also related to the advertising strategy that has been put in place by the Colloquy Grog Shop. The company has designed this communication of public relations with respect to strategic relationships that it has put in place in the marketing strategy. Public relations will be based on individual customers while the strategic relationships shall be between Colloquy Grog Shop and companies that target customers of similar demographics (Sorger, 2012).

The marketing plan for the Colloquy Grog Shop shall utilize two major social media which are Twitter and Facebook. The management will build online communities and constantly look for followers. The communities will enable the customers to post queries that may concern the marketing plan. Interaction shall be enhanced by responding directly to the posts that shall have been made by the customers. Facebook will assist the company to invite online users to like the Colloquy Grog Shop Facebook page with an aim of gathering customers (Westwood, 2013). The rationale for choosing Twitter and Facebook is the fact that both are the most popular social media channels where a person can just create a community and gather followers. Both social sites could play a significant role in advertising the brand and establish online interactions. By posting the images and videos that show the great experience that is present at the Colloquy Grog Shop, customers will get interested to join in to experience the same. Facebook and Twitter are progressively gaining popularity and this gives the Colloquy Grog Shop an assurance that the marketing strategy would work well (Westwood, 2013).

The Colloquy Grog Shop has also considered on reaching the warm prospects in its marketing communications. The warm prospects are those customers who might have previously seen the marketing message of the Colloquy Grog Shop. The warm prospects are also those customers who might have been served before. The marketing communications for this category will be done through loyalty programs and customer appreciation events. In connection to the advertising marketing strategy of the company, the grassroots shall serve this purpose. Appreciations shall be in form of discounted services and promotions. This shall play the role of customer retention for the sake of long-term market maintenance (Luther, 2001). Lastly, the hottest prospects of the company shall communicate interpersonally. These are the regular customers who have appreciated the value that is offered by the shop. The communication here shall involve phone calls, in person or through emails. The communication will generally encourage the regular customers to invite their friends. It shall be therefore an extension of the advertisement as a marketing strategy (Luther, 2001).

References

Lai, C. Y., Mo, P. H., Lau, J. F., Gu, J., &Hao, C. (2016). Association of Situational and Environmental Factors With Last Episode of Unprotected Anal Intercourse Among MSM in Hong Kong: A Case-Crossover Analysis. AIDS Education & Prevention, 28(1), 26-42.

Fong Mun, Y., &Rashad, Y. (2015).The Comparison between NGO Marketing and Conventional Marketing Practices from SWOT Analysis, Marketing Mix, and Performance Evaluation Perspectives.International Journal Of Management, Accounting & Economics, 2(9), 1075-1087.

Top of Form

McDonald, M. (2007).Marketing Plans: How to Prepare Them, How to Use Them. Burlington: Elsevier.

Bottom of Form

Top of Form

Sorger, S. (2012).Marketing planning: Where strategy meets action. Boston: Pearson.

Bottom of Form

Top of Form

Westwood, J. (2013). How to write a marketing plan. London: Kogan Page.

Luther, W. M. (2001). The marketing plan: How to prepare and implement it. New York: AMACOM.

Bottom of Form

Golden View LLC

Golden View LLC is a Real Estate that focuses on formalized property investment for the retirement community. The major objective of the company is to offer private investment services together with loans to the target market segment. Potential customers targeted by the company include retirement age people who are searching for a community that offers property and loan services with regard to their age and income level. Citing from the fact that Golden View Inc. is a limited liability partnership, it hosts skilled and experienced staff members who have served more than 20 years in the real estate industry. Precisely, services offered by Golden View Inc. include mortgage services, new homes selling, consulting services, home search, title transfer, property preparation, and appraising among others.

Market    

It is factual that retirement industry has been advancing significantly over the past two decades. This is based on the fact that people at the retirement age cover more than 20% of the general U.S population (Real Estate Industry Profile, 2015). Additionally, the percentage growth of the retirement age population has been approximated to be 3% per annum. However, the growth rate is not constant in every part of the country as it is exhibited that in southwest parts, the growth rate has reached up to 9% per year (Real Estate Industry Profile, 2015). According to U.S Census Bureau report, retirement industry which offers apartments and property services, retirement services, and medical facilities accounts for approximately $4 billion of annual national income (Goodwin & Stetelman, 2013). Thus, it is noteworthy that the market segment served by the company guarantees stakeholders future development and expansion.

Keys to Success 

Enhancing customer relations by keeping a close contact with the clients which has helped the company acquire top not reputation

Offering premium quality services to enhance customer experience on sectors such as consultation, community information, sale preparation and appraisal among others       

Marketing Department

Golden View Inc. focuses on a single market segment that is the retirement age community. This segment consists of people beyond the age of 55 including couples and families who are searching for retirement apartments and properties. Therefore, as a manager in the marketing department, I will focus on reaching out the target customers by creating awareness on the real estate properties offered by the company. Based on the presumption that the target market segment is searching for the real estate properties, the only way to reach out to them is through information technology especially through computer clouding. The department focuses on informing the target clients on facilities offered by the company such as entertainment, dining, medical and shopping,  just to name a few. As a result, Golden View Inc. has been using digital marketing strategies such as using social media and company’s website in order to reach out to the customer base. In addition, the company has been paying considerable attention to traditional marketing approaches such as use of magazines, radio and television commercials. Golden View Inc. has been spending 20% of the generated revenue per year on marketing strategies. Thus, citing from the encroaching technology, digital marketing has helped the company significantly as we have been able to reach out to customers from across the state using internet and social media.

The Concept 

It is factual that the real estate industry is on radical transformation due to the proliferation of information technology resulting from use of mobile phones company’s websites, online connection to finances and software (Goodwin & Stetelman, 2013). Contemporary, real estate services are offered and delivered quickly with more efficiency than traditionally. Nevertheless, it is factual that information technology has resulted to stiff competition in the real estate industry obliging companies to adhere to the current trends in order to be competitive in the market (Benjamin, Chinloy, Jud & Winkler, 2005). For example, traditionally, files were and information regarding the detailed property were stored in the folders which made it had to retrieve. In the contemporary real estate industry, information is stored technologically in folders that can be accessed using a mobile phone (Benjamin, Chinloy, Jud & Winkler, 2005). This means that information technology has enhanced business process which can be conducted everywhere. Furthermore, information technology has increased security of documents and promoted easy retrieval. From the age of smart phones, getting an email from the phone then accessing the required documents from the computer might be time consuming (Acharya, Kagan & Zimmerman, 2010). Precisely, the objective of the mobile app will be to combine different platforms in single mobile phone software in order to promote fast and easy access of the intended information.  This means that the user does not need to visit the company’s website through the browser to access information regarding the company.         

Business Drivers

It is noteworthy that the implementation of mobile solutions and strategies has been propelled by the rapid storm of software, hardware, business trends, challenges and market demand. Therefore, the following current trends are the drivers of implementing mobile for Golden View Inc.

• Commercialization

It is factual that technology has become very important and ideal tool of contemporary day-to-day life (Acharya, Kagan & Zimmerman, 2010). As a result, business users who are the target customers are using mobile phones for nearly every aspect of their daily life starting from socializing, purchasing habit, and entertainment. It is exhibited that mobile devices are turning to be user friendly, where its interfaces are reliable, customizable, and instinctive. Generally, Golden View Inc. has to adopt the trend in order to adhere to the market changes with regard to the track followed by the target market segment.

• Ever-Present Connectivity

 This is based on the fact that technology has become inherent in the business sector where most of the processes require certain technological effort to be completed effectively (Haselmayr, 2014). Thus, employees require constant access of applications and data in order to complete business processes efficiently. For instance, different users have demanded access to information at anytime and anywhere using the most portable device. On the other hand, business users as a team require collaboration, quick decision making, and enhancing customer experience (Haselmayr, 2014). In the process, business users find themselves utilizing mobile devices to enhance teamwork and efficiency. Therefore, in order to make sure that business users can access the information at any time and everywhere, Golden View Inc. has to implement mobile app technology to enhance its processes.

• Centricity

The major significance of mobile networking and computing is based on the fact that it is dominated by expediency, flexibility and effective performance (Haselmayr, 2014).  Therefore, using mobile computing services, the user can benefit from instant connection and access to cloud-based services. This means that the user is always at the heart of the mobile computing processes. Citing from the contemporary use of technology, it is exhibited that cloud-computing has already replaced traditional business processes and applications (Haselmayr, 2014). It is turning out that users are becoming obsessed with the current information technology especially to using their mobile devices. Generally, this obliges Golden View Inc. to adopt information technology (mobile app) in order to reach out to a wider customer base to promote effectiveness of its business processes through the staff members.

• Development of Cloud Computing

The contemporary business sector has advanced its use of cloud computing where it has become device independent and data-oriented (Haselmayr, 2014). Contemporary, cloud communications are used to distribute business prerequisites such as emails and data. Additionally, users are able to access cloud services in any device that is most accessible.

• Ownership Cost

As the popularity and taking up of mobile devices continue increasing significantly, the competition amongst the providers of the devices and platforms increase correspondingly resulting to quality development and prices decrease (Haselmayr, 2014). Additionally, most of the supportive features of cloud services in the mobile devices including screen resolution, power consumption, processing power and overall security have been improved. Thus, this has promoted significantly in the overall use of mobile devices by the business users.

Benefits of Mobile App     

To start with, it is true that mobile app for the business is basically meant to solve problems associated with business processes, enhance customer experience and offer an alternative to web portal (Haselmayr, 2014). Therefore, the following are the benefits that Golden View Inc. will enjoy from implementation of a mobile app.

1. Increasing and Maintaining Competitive Advantage of the Organization

 This is based on the fact that mobile devices are endorsed in the current society which means that most of the competitors in the real estate industry are adopting the technology significantly (Haselmayr, 2014). Therefore, it can be asserted that acquiring the mobile app prepares the business for the future market changes. Additionally, it is perceptible that the business that utilizes mobile applications exhibits a highly probability of benefiting from future technological changes. Thus, Golden View Inc. will benefit significantly from mobile app technology.

1. Brand Image Building

Brand image is very important in the contemporary technology-oriented world since people can compare different brands and share ideas through technologies such as social media platforms (Haselmayr, 2014). This means that the image on perception of the brand can spread quickly using clouding services. As a result, Golden View Inc. will reach out to its target customer base using the mobile app which will promote brand recognition.

1. Promotion Services

The mobile app offers a wide range of features and services which includes features for promotional ads (Haselmayr, 2014). Additionally, there are specific mobile apps that make it possible to offer custom promotions to the target customers. Generally, this means that, the company can outsource some of its marketing strategies and focus on mobile app marketing. Thus, it is factual that mobile app will promote increase of sales for Golden View Inc.

1. Increasing Expediency

The mobile app is an extension of features and products offered by the organization. Therefore, it offers different services to both the company and the customers (Haselmayr, 2014). For instance, it is possible to make enquiries through the app and purchase products through the same platform. On the other hand, the company benefits from the app on the basis that it can offer products to the potential customers directly, effectively and promptly (Haselmayr, 2014). Furthermore, the app is accessible to the user and offers faultless customer experience. Basically, Golden View Inc. will be able to make close contact with the target customers and offer services and products effectively.

1. Generating Additional Sales and Revenues at Low Cost

It can be costly to develop the mobile app but the cost can be reduced by outsourcing some of the features that are unnecessary (Haselmayr, 2014). Therefore, after developing the app with the most important features, the app can be used for different purposes such as products and services offering, promotional services and business process. This means that all those and other features in one platform reduce the costs that could have been used for individual purposes served by the app.

1. Enhancing Customer Engagement

  Since the use of smart phones by the contemporary generation has increased significantly, the company is able to keep a closer contact with the customers using the mobile app (Haselmayr, 2014). This is based on the fact that most people in this society spend much of their time on mobile devices. Therefore, it is easy for the company to built relations with the users of their mobile app. Generally, Golden View Inc. will enhance customer relations with the mobile app through close contact.

Target Audience  

To start with, the overall target audience consists of the customers and employees in the organization. The customers segment consists of people at the age above 55 years assuming that they are within the segment that spends much of their time with their phones. Additionally, implementation of the mobile app is based on the presumption that most customers prefer using real estate online services prior to visiting the company physically. The other target audience for the mobile app is the staff members of Golden View Inc. It is factual that every staff member in the company owns a smart phone which he or she uses for daily activities. Apart from communication, mobile app will help the employees access information on the details of the job through a featured transform in the app. Additionally, the app will help different staff members in storing and retrieving data and messages.

Impact on Existing Staff, Processes and Procedures        

As aforesaid, one of the major benefits of the mobile app to the employees includes access to organizational data and information. Therefore, the impacts of the mobile app to the staff, process and procedures include the following;

1. Effective and swift communication among the staff members
2. Quick business processes arriving from instant response of the employees on certain tasks
3. Immediate customer services
4. Effective teamwork and collaboration
5. Building employees’ skills and experience
6. Developing organizational culture

References

'Real Estate Industry Profile: United States' 2015, Real Estate Industry Profile: United States, pp. 1-33. Acharya, R, Kagan, A, & Zimmerman, T 2010, 'Real Estate Information Technology: Influence of Email Marketing on Real Estate Agent Performance', Journal Of Real Estate Literature, 18, 2, pp. 329-343

Benjamin, J, Chinloy, P, Jud, G, & Winkler, D 2005, 'Technology and Real Estate Brokerage Firm Financial Performance', Journal Of Real Estate Research, 27, 4, pp. 409-426

Redfin 0007, 'Redfin Brings Progressive Real Estate Brokerage, Industry-Leading Website and Mobile Apps to Reno', Business Wire (English), 7

Goodwin, K, & Stetelman, S 2013, 'Perspectives on Technology Change and the Marketing of Real Estate', Journal Of Housing Research, 22, 2, pp. 91-107.

Haselmayr, M 2014, ‘Here’s Why Your Business Needs Its Own Mobile App’, Forbes Magazine, N.p, retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/allbusiness/2014/11/17/heres-why-your-business-needs-its-own-mobile-app/#278dcd705c76

Executive responsibility

Globally the salary of the CEO’s is far above that of the non-executive minions. They also enjoy compensation levels that are extreme putting into consideration the real growth levels they have created in the corporate world (Worthington, N.p). The severance packages given to the failed CEO shows great irony by rewarding them lavishly. This is a terrible mistake to have such structure in the organization that sees the top person walk away with millions when they have wasted the company through making poor decisions (Bloxham, N.p). The multi-million packages should be more realistic in order to reduce the shocking exit from the capitalist reasoning of the CEO lavish riches to losers (Bloxham, N.p). By extending it to the top management performance of the CEO will increase performance as they will be more cautious with the decision they make. This will create a notion that hefty packages are only rewarded to the performing CEO’s and that they are not rewarded for their failure.

Executives should be held responsible for their actions as they are entirely given the powers by the stakeholders in faith that they will make the right decision that will see the firms make profits and achieve its objectivity (Bloxham, N.p). They should be charged and be held accountable and be penalized to the extent of compensating to the company if they never acted accordingly as this will serve as an example. They should be left to walk free if they are seen that the decision they undertook was for the best interest of the organization and there was nothing better they could do about it. The hefty penalty of the severance package is an effective strategy that can be used to attract top- level management personnel’s with talent. This will minimize the number of failed CEO’s as they will know that they will be held accountable for their actions.

Work cited

Bloxham Eleanoe. How can we address excessive CEO pay? April 13, 2011. Retrieved from http://fortune.com/2011/04/13/how-can-we-address-excessive-ceo-pay/

Worthington David. Costco’s CEO becomes a progressive hero, internet meme. November 28, 2012. Retrieved from http://www.zdnet.com/article/costcos-ceo-becomes-a-progressive-hero-internet-meme/

                                                                    CSR Critics

    Q1.

    According to the author, CSR is a failure and this is one of his strongest arguments as he strongly believes that it has not yet fulfilled its obligation to which it was set up to fulfill. He, therefore, gives so many illustrations that show that the success of something is measured by its output and similarly this is the case with CSR which ought to have produced good results from the various projects that they have endeavored in. however, so many people have come up with theories and stories stating how the CSR have failed and their main motive is to mislead the public hence they are not working for the interest of the public. This is not entirely the case according to the author as he agrees with them to only some point but he is convinced that there is an improvement in the way the CSR are carrying out their project and the conditions are not worsening but rather improving. It is evident that the world is facing a lot of social, environmental as well as ethical complex issues but this is neither the CSR’s obligation nor within their ability to achieve. The fact that CSR has failed to find solutions to all of the world’s problems does not necessarily mean that the creation of a new CSR that will address all the challenges will fail.

1. B.

    I agree with the author’s argument this is because he has strongly supported all his evidence and this makes it easier for anyone to understand why he is critiquing the CSR. Basing on his definition of CSR he clearly states that it stands for corporate sustainability and responsibility. This is to mean that it is a business that involves the integration of the community where they continually share the values that exist in the society. Sharing of these values ensures that they meet their goals in economic development, good governance and also environmental improvement and participants’ awareness. In this case, therefore, the CSR has not been able to fulfill all their objectives as they should ensure that all these sectors that are essential to the people are well sustained. However, only a few of these sectors have been able to be well managed while others have not been well managed and this causes instability within the society. It is thus clear that the CSR has failed in their operations which have resulted to so many critics from all over and from the author himself. The environmental sector, for instance, has been adversely affected where the environment has been degraded over the years with the misuse of the natural resources and the increased amount of the greenhouse gasses. This is, therefore, evident that the CSR has not yet fulfilled their mission of being responsible and offering solutions to the challenges facing all the sectors important for the society’s good. Thus their projects, programs, and activities ought to be selective and sorted so as to ensure that they are sustainable and also offer corporate responsibility for the public interest. Hence this will ensure that they are able to sort all those problems facing the society with the urgency required so as to ensure that their CSR activities are less bad.

    Q3.

In cases that involve ethical consideration, it is important to take caution before taking any step. This is because there are two sides to consider before making the final decision and thus the options must be analyzed critically so as to come up with the final and best decision of cause of action to take. The fact that it is wrong and against the rule to have an exam before the paper makes it an offense for the strude4nt who is in possession of the paper. Thus an action ought to be taken since there is the violation of the school's rule. Thus taking the option to report the case is a nice step, however, there are consequences that are involved.

 One, the student might be expelled from the school which may put a stop to the student’s education to a halt. The student may be innocent and he may not be intending to use the paper at all. The student may have come across the paper mistakenly and he was afraid that if he reports he may be punished as no one would believe him. However, he being reported may serve as a warning to others and to the student as stealing is an offense. Another option may be to keep silent and assume the issue. However, this will encourage other students that it is right to steal which is not true. On the other hand, this will help in protecting the confidential information and maintaining the friendship. However, this is not ethical at all. Another option will be to advise the friend to talk to the other friend encouraging him to hand in the paper to the administration as this is the right thing to do and it will help reduce on the punishment that he would get after he has been caught using it.  

Banking and micro-economics aspects.

The history of banking can be traced to the minting of the first currencies particularly the use of coins. Currencies arose out of the need for taxation in the ancient empires but later became less desirable as the empires expanded.  The need to pay for foreign goods or services with something that can be exchanged more easily led to the differentiation of the currencies into different values. The political, social and economic structure of banking can be used to explore the essence of commerce in an economy. The banking sector has a considerable influence in the process of capital allocation, economic growth and the sharing of various risks the economy may be faced with. The banking sector is on the other hand affected by the social and political environment of the countries which the economy is based. In most countries the money is normally supplied by the central bank, which is the Federal Reserve in the United States (Rajan & Ramcharan, 2011).

The economic structure of the banking system is normally defined by the role it plays in the growth and the development of an economy and how it relates to the social and political aspects of the relevant countries. Commercial banks are organization that are involved in the buying of money from the depositors who usually surrender the utility of pending that money and are thus guaranteed interest and safe storage (Information Resources Management Association, 2015). In the United States and virtually other western countries, there exists a reserve banking system that is fractional where the banks hold a minimum amount of money that is determined by the government and can then loan the balance to the customers.  The required reserves bring about money multiplier a system where the initial money is magnified in the system. A big portion of the loans given to the customer is thus the deposits belonging to the public a major explanation o why the banking sector is very fragile. This fragility results to a lot of regulations by the authorities. The banks are then expected to provide various unique services - means of payment and liquidity – to the members of the public. Due to the existence of frictions in the trading operations, money makes it very efficient to exchange goods and services rather than exchanging commodities with commodities. After the evolving of commodity money to fiat money, where it became as intrinsically useless but just medium of exchange, the role of the banks came into play (Rajan & Ramcharan, 2011). The banks have to play the roles of fiat management and the exchange of various currencies provided by the different institutions. The money-changing activities have brought about the definition of the structure of the banking system ad throughout the history these roles have determined what the management of the banks should involve. In the earlier times big cash imbalances among the merchants were very frequent in the commercial fairs and the banks came in to clear the positions of the merchants. Clearing activities became a crucial process in the United States and Europe especially at the end of 19^th century which leads to the current day payment systems (Rajan & Ramcharan, 2011).

The banks structural role extends to the asset transformation. These include the banks acting as the financial intermediaries between to offer the missing connection between the financial products that are issued by various firms and the ones that investors desire to obtain. Quality transformation happens when the deposits in the banks offers better risk-return than the direct investments or when bank possesses better information than its depositors. The banks can also be seen to transform the securities so that those with short maturities are turned to long maturities a factor that is desired by the borrowers (Dong & Men, 2014).  The function of asset transformation among the banks has further effects in the management of risks. The bank usually takes a risk when it is transforming maturities or offering liquid deposits which are normally guaranteed by loans that are illiquid. Managing the risks of interest rates has also become very important for the bank (McConnell, Böcker & Ong, 2014). Of more importance is the part played by the banking sector in the development and growth of countries’ economies, given those countries that are more bank-oriented like Germany and Japan have experienced high economic growth rates. Thus in commerce the banking sector plays a significant role in the organization of the micro-economics of the countries that are bank oriented. The banks thus act as buffer against the micro-economic shocks and make it possible to share the risks in the nations that are bank-oriented. This is also seen the functional role of the bank in the financing various factors of production in the economy. The economic structural of the bank thus revolves around the customer need for the safety storage of money and the availability of it in the investments portfolio (McConnell, Böcker & Ong, 2014).

The social structure of the banking sector defines the organization of the banks so that their main objective involves achieving a positive impact or contribution to the potential of all the individuals in the society so that they can develop currently or in future. The structural role can be linked to the concept of social banking where financial services are made available. The purpose of social banking is to focus on the way of satisfying the existing needs in a real economy and the community while at the same time considering cultural, social, economic and ecological sustainability. The banks orientation is thus to further the common good through the generation of numerous returns in regard to the aforementioned aspects as the major concern. (Acharya, Beck & Evanoff, 2013) The banks management thus remains conscious of its role in handling money as a formative medium. The generation of monetary returns is not regarded as the end but a prerequisite that ensure the necessary flexibility for going after the desired objective in an microeconomic environment that I always changing. The banking business is thus described as a continuous process but not fixed state.

In addition, the banks as financial institutions undertake the economic tasks of transferring resources from those individuals who have saved in surplus since they spend less as compared to their income to those with deficit resulting from more expenditure than income.  The modern society creates new uncertain situations through the influence of new technologies and thus new products due to changes in commodities and the flow of cash in the sphere of the economy. The process may not bring about processes that are economically profitable but results to the development of social tools for risk mitigation which in turn is influenced by social structure and the distribution of power in the society (Weber & Remer, 2011). This goes hand in hand with the social responsibility role in the financial sector, which should not aim only at the enhancement of micro-economic activities but also the social well being in which the banks are operating (Weber & Remer, 2011). The management of the banking sector is not secluded from the society. The operations of the banking firms are aimed at profitability and growth which in turn depends on the satisfaction of the customers. If the firm’s leadership and culture undergoes positive change, the customer satisfaction will be achieved. In a microeconomic environment, the social responsibility emphasizes on the need for more professionalism that will focus on the ethical codes, transparency and corporations with social organizations. The essence of commerce in this sector is thus to have a society that is sees the need to cater for its needs while pursuing profit (Benedikter, 2011).

The political organization in the banking sector has been influenced by the need for supervision and regulation. The players in the countries’ economies are focusing o the interdependence between financial sector and banking which in turn influences on the commercial activities in these economies (Benedikter, 2011). This can be attributed to the various challenges such as financial crisis in the micro-economic environment. The need for banking takes place within the context of banking industry structure, considering the various activities that allowed or disallowed. This result to regulations imposed by the governments through the central banks motivated by the need for slight control in the micro-economic environment of the relevant markets (Rajan & Ramcharan, 2011). From a commerce point of view, ownership of bank by the government may result to short-circuiting of financial pressures on financial institutions to give credit extensions and the decisions on investment. The political structure extends to the government involvement in the management or setting up of regulations that control interest rates in the banking sector. (Rajan & Ramcharan, 2011).Thus a social, economic and political structure of banking sector plays a major role in determination of the idea on commerce.

References

Acharya, V. V., Beck, T., & Evanoff, D. D. (2013). The Social Value of the Financial Sector: Too Big to Fail or Just Too Big?. Singapore: World Scientific Publishing Company.404

Benedikter, R. (2011). Social banking and social finance: Answers to the economic crisis. New York: Springer. 22-42

Dong, Y., & Men, C. (2014). SME Financing in Emerging Markets: Firm Characteristics, Banking Structure and Institutions. Emerging Markets Finance & Trade, 50(1), 120-149. doi:10.2753/REE1540-496X500107

Information Resources Management Association. (2015). Banking, finance, and accounting: Concepts, methodologies, tools, and applications.33

McConnell, P., Böcker, K., & Ong, M. K. (2014). Special Issue on Behavioural Finance: Is there a role for behavioural finance in risk management and banking regulation?. Journal Of Risk Management In Financial Institutions, 7(2), 100-102.

RAJAN, R. G., & RAMCHARAN, R. (2011). Land and Credit: A Study of the Political Economy of Banking in the United States in the Early 20th Century. Journal Of Finance, 66(6), 1895-1931. doi:10.1111/j.1540-6261.2011.01694.x

Weber, O., Remer, S. (2011).Social Banks and the Future of Sustainable Finance. Taylor & Francis.52-65

Qualitative Focus Group Research Discussion Guide

    Flowers Food Company is one of the largest wholesale distributors in the United States its headquarters are based in Thomasville in Georgia. The company was established in the year 1968 by two brothers’ and over the years it has shown great improvement in their market. This company deals with flour products where it bakes, markets as well as distributes fresh bread to their targeted customers. They produce products such as the buns, bread, rolls, bakery sweet junkies and corn and flour tortillas. They target customers from the Western, northeastern and the southern part of the US (Plunkett & Plunkett 2009). They also produce goods such as snack cakes, frozen bread products as well as doughnuts which they sell locally to the people around through retailing and co-pack to customers nationwide.  They have several different bread brands in the company and they have developed the direct store delivery where they deal with fresh bread, buns as well as snack cakes that they sell to customers through their network of independent suppliers (Plunkett & Plunkett 2009).  This paper, therefore, will focus on discussing the various opportunities and problems that exist in the flowers food company, their target audience and the exercises involved in the group so as to address the informational goal of the company.

    The company is, however, facing a lot of challenges that affects the company from performing well. One of the greatest challenges is in the change of customers preferences where the consumer’s tastes evolve over time. This affects the company’s results and thus the company has to evolve with the time so as to be able to meet the needs of their customers. Most of the consumers are currently moving away from the consumption of the gluten and the yearning of fresh and healthy foods over the packed products which have questionable ingredients.

 Another challenge is in the sales where it is primarily affected by pricing, products quality, brand recognition, innovation of products; products line extensions, marketing, and services. A Price fluctuation on the raw materials is another problem that faces the company. This results to increment in the price of the products that they produce so as to cover up on the cost f producing the goods. Competition is another problem facing the company and this has reduced the number of customers in the company. There are a number of competitors from the small regional bakers in the US, independent regional bakers, and retailer owned bakeries. Competition in the bakery industry is increasing due to several factors. These factors include the capability to serve consolidated retail and foodservice consumers, generational evolution in the family owned businesses and promotional efforts from the competitors from the branded stores and the store brands. Competition is therefore basically based on product availability, quality, brand loyalty, pricing and efficient promotion and the capability to target evolving consumer tastes (In Smith 2013).

The company also has some of the opportunities that lie ahead of the company. The company is stable and has expanded its operations geographically and thus the demand for their products is high and thus more earnings. The company, therefore, has greater access geographically and thus a greater opportunity to expand their production. They also have the opportunity to invest in technology so as to improve and upgrade their manufacturing function and logistics. They also have the opportunity to acquire brands that scale up so as to tap the evolving consumer trends so as to achieve their aim of becoming successful. The company thus has a room for more geographical expansion in America and hence more potential acquisition chances in the greatly fragmented bakery market (Graber 2004).

    The company’s target audience includes the mass merchandisers, retailers, and supermarkets, quick-serve chains, restaurants, organizations, dollar stores, vending organizations and wholesalers. The warehouse segment o the company distributes the company’s products nationally and regionally to restaurants, organizations and foodservice suppliers and retail store bakeries. It also focuses on distributing the packed bakery products to wholesalers for an ultimate wide variety of food outlets. However, it sells packed bakery snack cakes primarily to consumers who deliver the products nationally through the multiple channels of distribution. The company thus has independent distributors who operate under independent contracts instead of using their employees to deliver the products to their targeted customers and this strategy helps to save the company from overspending on paying the overtime wages to the employees (Graber 2004).

    The most important goal of this research is to identify some of the key areas that the company needs to improve on so as to be able to face their problems and be able to attain their goals. The research will enhance the entire group to identify some of the chief strategies that the company has used so as to enhance their growth in the market. This will thus enhance the group members to be able to make informed decisions on which strategies that they can apply so as to be competent in their competitive environment.

    Different exercises ought to be taken so as to meet the goal of solving the problems that the company is facing in the competitive environment. One of the exercises is in the production sector where the company should engage in producing quality products. This will enhance the company to go beyond the expectation of the customers and thus the company will be more competent than the other competitors (Graber 2004).

Provision of better and improved services will enhance the company to build strong relationships with the retailers and the foodservice consumers. This will build the reputation of the company and thus there will be excellent service support for the company’s sales growth in their core market and thus enable them to move to new markets. A training exercise for the company’s employees is another exercise that can be offered to the employees thus offering them an opportunity to perfect on their services and pro-efficiency thus encouraging their professional development and thus making the company more competent in their operations. Improvement in the shipping and logistics of the company is another exercise that can enhance the company to be competent and to realize great profits (Plunkett & Plunkett 2009). This exercise will allow effective products flow, greater accountability of the finished products, order and delivery fulfillment and minimal shortage costs. Engaging in more research and development operations that include the development of new products exercise will enhance the company to be able to improve the quality of the existing products and thus improving the computerized production processes. This will enable the company to realize the changes in the customers’ preferences and thus they will be able to produce goods that meet the customers’ needs, wants and preferences before their competitors and thus allowing them to be more competent than their competitors.  When the company engages in the implementation of the various exercises, it will be able to become competent than the other competitors and thus they will be able to attain good returns from their increased sales (In Smith 2013).

    In conclusion, it is important to note that the selection and proper implementation of effective strategies in any business are important. Identification of a target market is as well, important to the success of the business.

 Thus as the flowers food company has identified their target market they have been able to provide products that have enabled them to meet the needs of their consumers.

The various problems that have been facing the company have affected its operations and performance but with the right implementation of strategies that would help to solve these problems, the company will be able to realize profits. It is important for the company to produce highly quality products and sell them at affordable prices as this affects the sale of the products. With the changes in the consumer's preferences, the company should be keen in understanding what the consumers needs and thus they will be able to produce products which will be demanded as it will meet the customers’ needs.  The company’s performance heavily relies on the employees employed since they are the ones who offer the services and are involved in the production of these goods. It is, therefore, important to employ efficient and professional employees who will offer the best in terms of services and production performance.  

References

            Graber, S. (2004). The Carolina jobbank. Holbrook, Mass: Adams Media Corp.

            In Smith, A. F. (2013). Food and drink in American history: A "full course" encyclopedia.

            Plunkett, Jack W., & Plunkett, Jack W. (2009). Plunkett's Food Industry Almanac 2009: The Only Comprehensive Guide to Food Companies and Trends. Plunkett Research Ltd.

Elements of Motivation in project teamwork

Motivation refers to ways in which the management enhances productivity among the members of a team. Motivation can encourage inspire or stimulate team members in a project attain great accomplishments and can build an environment that facilitate collective initiatives to achieve teamwork and the set common goals. Herzberg’s Hygiene model that involves the motivation-hygiene theory attempts to find out how employees can be motivated.   This model outlines that various factors are linked to job satisfaction while certain work characteristics are continuously related job satisfaction.  Thus to motivate the team members, here is need to eliminate factors that bring about dissatisfaction while creating working conditions that will enhance job satisfaction.  The key elements that will enhance satisfaction and thus motivation include the persistence, effort intensity and direction towards the projects needs and goals (Peterson, 2007, 63). Thus, motivation is a factor that project managers must consider since it influences the ability of teamwork to carry out intended activities and thereby achieve the required objectives and goals. They should be aware that the level of job satisfaction among the team members determines their willingness to focus their efforts towards the completion of the work which they are supposed to do collectively (CHELLADURAI, 2006, 114).

Aim

The aim of this research paper is to identify and define the various motivation elements that enhance teamwork performance in a given project with an overall aim of achieving the set organization goals. The goal of the research is to comprehend the extent to which the motivational elements determines success in the achieving the set objectives of teamwork whose focus is a common set organizational goal.

Questions

What determines employee satisfaction as the major aspect in their motivation?

How do persistence, effort intensity and direction relate in a teamwork job environment?

How do the above motivation elements enhance teamwork in a project?

Research objectives

The intent of the study is to look into the stimulus of effort intensity which activates the decision processes which are in turn created by various needs in the project. The paper also an outline the direction determines how a decision is made among various alternatives so that to come up with the right decision that is appropriate for members’ satisfaction. Another objective is to identify how persistence helps to maintain the effort intensity among the team members so that there is no deviation from the main goal of the organization.

Literature review

Motivated behavior refers to a behavior which is focused on fulfilling a motive a need or a certain desire. Direction, intensity and persistence are the attribute of motivated behavior and a person’s experience with that behavior or anticipation of the results of the same can also affect their behavior. Herzberg motivation model is need based, such that when a need is not fulfilled, someone is aroused and motivated to find out the various sources of satisfaction of the need and carries out some acts so as to be satisfied.  However, the motivation process theories look into a person’s evaluation that makes them choose a given course of action and  how other aspects affects the results of the course of action taken (West, Braumand  ,Wastian & Rosenstiel, 2015, 27)

Effort means the reason behind a person’s increased energy in the context of work and the effort level is an indication of the state of their motivation. Therefore, the amount of effort that someone is willing to employ is connected to the value they attach to possible positive outcomes or rewards or the perception of the possibility that their increased effort will bring about the reward. This defines intensity as a motivation element (Peterson, 2007, 67). Direction connotes the choices made by a person among the various behavioral alternatives such as extending working time for the whole team members instead of going for a holiday or weekend outings. The members are thus motivated on the basis of over their certain behavior over others. Persistence connotes the amount of time that someone spends in a given work or project. They can be rated as highly motivated on the basis their persistence related to the project at hand. It is thus an indication of how long that individual member in a certain team can maintain their intense effort and channel it towards collective project performance and consistent with overall organizational goals. For these elements to work out well, the project managers must stimulate individuals in a team through harnessing interpersonal skills and create motivational work environment by associating with these key elements of motivation. The manager must realize the significance of individuality in these motivation elements especially in the ability to connect to and relate with team members and the environment (Matthews & McLees, 2015).

Research methodology

The research methodology choice involves a form of theoretical analysis which is followed by an empirical illustration which is based on survey carried out on project teams in various organizations.  The investigation method applied is the deductive technique which begins with most significant, general theories of motivation and is narrowed down to the three elements of motivation.  An own research design will be used in order to look into studies on the various motivation elements. Quantitative research is used since many elements of motivation are related to theories and other studies. Information is gathered from previous motivation research and literature while data is collected through questionnaires that are self administered for survey.

References

CHELLADURAI, P. (2006). Human resource management in sport and recreation. Leeds, Human Kinetics.107-118

Peterson T. (2007).Motivation: How to Increase Project Team Performance. Project Management Journal, Vol. 38, No. 4, 60–69

West, M, Braumandl, I, Wastian, M, & Rosenstiel, L 2015, Applied Psychology For Project Managers : A Practitioner's Guide To Successful Project Management, Cham: Springer, Discovery eBooks, EBSCOhost, viewed 22 August 2016. 21-28

Matthews, R, & McLees, J 2015, 'Building Effective Projects Teams and Teamwork', Journal Of Information Technology & Economic Development, 6, 2, pp. 20-30, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 22 August 2016.

American MNC specializing in high-end winter sports gear

The country chosen is Finland

Abstract

For an American multinational company to set up a foreign market in Finland, there are a number of elements that the company must address before taking a step of entering into the business. They include the company environment, a plan for social responsibility and sustainability, the similarities and the differences that exist between the two countries, recommendation for cross-cultural communication and negotiations, the strategy of entry, political risk and government relations, plan for motivation and a plan for selecting an expatriate. All these elements will help in making a recommendation for entry.

The economic, political, legal and technological environment as it relates the company

Economic environment

            This comprises of external factors in a business’ broader economy that can influence the business. For this particular industry specializing in high-end winter sports gear, these factors have to be considered (Kew & Stredwick, 2005). Those factors include availability of inputs, all factors that facilitate production and the ready market for finished goods. Basing on the chosen country, it experiences harsh and long winters that last up to four months in a year. This can therefore provide a ready market for winter sport gear. Additionally, Finland has been in a struggle to recover from global and Eurozone financial crisis after three years of contraction. Its state can therefore call for more investments due to the modest recovery in growth (Kew & Stredwick, 2005). This country is dominated by electronics industries hence the company shall not face a stiff competition.

Political environment

            This refers to the government actions that can affect the day to day running of a business. This company being basically an American Multinational, the Finnish government may not give it special favors like any other home company (Kew & Stredwick, 2005). This will therefore require the company to cooperate with the home companies resulting into merging. Additionally, the establishment of the company requires strong government support from both countries to avoid issues of political unrest.

Legal environment

            For an international legal environment, the business operation must abide with the public international law which governs the conduct and the relationship between international organizations and states as well (Kew & Stredwick, 2005). The two states must enter into agreements with one another to address specific aspects of international relationship with each other. Tax is one of the legal factors that affect business, therefore before entering any business, there is a need to understand the tax structure for the industry and since it is an international company, there are variations of tax codes from one country to another. There are taxes that support a business while others restrict the operation of certain businesses (Kew & Stredwick, 2005). Trade agreements help to address some issues of trade relationship between countries having a business transaction, including trade barriers that usually affect importation and exportation of goods and services. A product that is subject to a tariff will probably be more expensive compared to domestic products. This will therefore require the international company to ensure that its products are of good quality compared to the Finnish products in order to have a stable market for those products (Kew & Stredwick, 2005). Finally, there are also indirect barriers like local laws, customs and regulations that do make it difficult for a foreign company to conduct business in another country. This therefore requires an established relationship with the government of Finland as well as the locals. By doing this, the company will be received cordially hence being liked by the locals.

Technological environment

            Technological environment of a place affects the operation of the business. Any changes in the technology will affect the company’s operation. When we look at the chosen country Finland, it is ranked with a high level of technology in Europe (Kew & Stredwick, 2005). Finland is dominated by technology industries which comprise of electronics industry, metals industry, information technology, mechanical engineering, and consulting engineering. These sub-sectors of technology enhance responsible and sustainable production. With this technology, the company will be able to make various improvements on the products in order to ensure that the products produced are of excellent quality and admirable in the market (Kew & Stredwick, 2005). Additional advantages include increased productivity and cost reduction. Therefore, in entering the Finnish market, the company has that advantage of advanced technology which will simplify the business operation in that particular country.

A plan for social responsibility and sustainability

            This plan is drawn to outline various activities to be carried out by the company that will contribute to a sustainable environment in the long run (McDonald, 2011). As a multinational company to be started in a new country, much effort is needed to put a good and a meaningful start that will in turn lead to a bigger realization in the future. We will do so by effectively and efficiently using resources to produce the best of what is needed in the market to meet the expectations of the customers (McDonald, 2011). We must implement god business making to ensure measurability and sustainability.

            To start with, the company will carry out a thorough research of the product in Finland. This investigation will be basically to find out the best location of the company, the best market for the products, the customers’ view on how the product should be, and how the company shall operate. Obtaining this information will help the company to operate appropriately (McDonald, 2011).

            We are looking forward to providing various sports gears for all people including men, women and children. In addition to winter gears, the company will also provide attires for summer so as to have a sustainable market during all seasons but purely the company will deal with winter sports gears since Finland experiences a long winter period. Among many some of which include, snowshoeing, goggles, helmets, bags, clothes and many other items. This variety is to ensure that everyone’s need is met.

Finland’s similarities and differences to the United States

            Finland is an innovative country with advanced technology just like America. Additionally, it is a modern welfare state having developed infrastructure and services just like the United States. However, these two countries have some differences. Unlike Americans who work for longer hours, Finnish work for maximally eight hours a day and forty hours a week (Ahlstrom & Bruton, 2010). This kind of system will therefore require the company to adopt that working culture while setting up a company in Finland. Unlike Americans who are paid basing on minimum wage whereby workers are not supposed to be paid less than the minimum wage, the Finnish lack a standard minimum wage to consider while paying the workers. Therefore the company must be ready to enter into agreement with the workers on wage pay.

Recommendation for cross-cultural communication and negotiations

            Cross-cultural communications and negotiations are usually hard but very vital before taking a step further because you get exposed to the local customs and behaviors. In this case, there is a problem of language barrier between the two countries and this call for an understanding of cross-culture negotiation and communication (Hendon & Herbig, 1996). This gives an understanding of how people from different cultures communicate and how to deal with them in a proper manner as far as business is concerned. In this very case, the company has to employ more locals who can deal with their fellows properly more especially in sales and marketing department. We can also use internet services in business operations; this is working with people remotely rather than face to face hence evading the problem of language barrier (Hendon & Herbig, 1996). Internet is a more convenient and time saving way to mange cross-cultural communication as long as it is set according to the native language.

An entry strategy

            A company can enter a foreign in a number of ways. Some of the ways include direct exporting, licensing, partnering, franchising, buying of a company joint venture, Greenfield investment, etc. For this company to be started in a foreign country, it may not start with Greenfield investment which involves the buying of the land, constructing in it and fully carrying out operations (Root, 1987). This strategy is being withheld for the start because it is so risky while starting up a business connection but can be implemented in the long run. However, the company will apply the following strategies during the start. The company will start with direct exporting which involves products’ direct selling into the Finnish market using American resources. The company will form local distributing units in Finland to represent them in the market. These distributors will serve as middlemen in this case to report back what exactly the customers say about the product (Root, 1987). The company will also apply partnering strategy as time goes on whereby it will work jointly with the Finnish companies in the production of that specific product. For more expansion, the company may decide to buy off any Finnish home country with an aim to make appropriate improvement on it so as to reduce on the existing competition in case of any (Root, 1987). This will provide the company with a status of being a local company availing with the benefits of local market.

Political risk and government relations

            Political risk refers to the unexpected likelihood that a business investing in a foreign country will be constrained by the government policy of the host country. As a multinational company, we are very much aware of the political risk factors that are on our way. In case of such risks the company must be ready to manage them. Those risks are as a result of micro or macro issues for example macro political risk is an analysis of what would occur to a company if the opposition leadership comes to power (Moran & International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, 2001). Another area of consideration as regards macro political risk is government corruption for example occurrence of bribery. Micro risk issues include industry regulation, taxes imposed on specific businesses and local restrictive laws on the business. The essence of these issues is that these multinational companies are handled differently from domestic companies hence increasing the cost of business operation. Therefore as an American company looking forward to establishing operations in Finland, we are working hard to ensure that the business strategy applied makes the business sustainable in case these risks arise.

A plan for motivating and leading workers in the EU country

            As a manager, I have a number of ways of motivating and leading workers in Finland in order to see the company grow. The organizational management is one of the important factors that I will put on the front line. How employees are being managed in an organization influences their productivity (Bruce, 2003). I will therefore ensure that employees are satisfied with how the organization is managed hence persuading to work hard and even develop trust for the company. The company will also employ the use of reward systems. By rewarding the hard working employees, they will always be motivated to work harder hence encouraging the poor performers to do the same. Not all forms of motivation suits any business; there are specific motivational forms that may not apply in some businesses for example thorough supervisions may not be appropriate for other cases (Bruce, 2003). Therefore I will create a friendly atmosphere for employees that will make them feel affable while at work hence making them love the work.

A plan for selecting an expatriate in the position of VP, operations

            The company will need an expatriate in the position of vice president in order to oversee daily operations of the business. The process of selection is to be performed by the Human resource management department so as to get a right person with the intended qualifications. This is because the vice president takes responsibility of various duties of planning, coordinating and directing operations for the growth of the company (Tung, 1994). Additionally, the vice president also formulates training, maintains efficient team structure, and formulates policies for the growth of the company. Because of the many duties intended to the vice president and the skills required for effective operation, our preference is a candidate with extensive experience, advanced degrees and professional training.

References

Kew, J., & Stredwick, J. (2005). Business environment: Managing in a strategic context. London: Chartered Inst. of Personnel and Development.

McDonald, T. (2011). Social responsibility and sustainability: Multidisciplinary perspectives through service learning. Sterling, Va: Stylus Pub.

Ahlstrom, D., & Bruton, G. D. (2010). International management: Strategy and culture in the emerging world. Australia: South-Western Cengage Learning.

Hendon, D. W., Hendon, R. A., & Herbig, P. A. (1996). Cross cultural business negotiations. Westport, Conn. [u.a.: Quorum Books.

Moran, T. H., & International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. (2001). Exploring new frontiers. Washington, DC.

Bruce, A. (2003). How to motivate every employee: 24 proven tactics to spark productivity in the workplace. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Tung, R. L. (1994). International management. Aldershot [England: Dartmouth.

Root, F. R., & Root, F. R. (1987). Entry strategies for international markets. Lexington, Mass: Lexington Books.

Organizational behavior

Organizational behavior is basically the study of how people interact with each other within groups with an aim of creating a cohesive business organization. Theories regarding the concept of organizational behavior are all centered at purpose of maximizing the output of each member of the organization and hence the increment in the overall output of the organization (Phillips & Gully, 2013). The study has embraced several methods depending on the nature or the context of the organizational behavior much of which are found in the social sciences. Among them, quantitative research, computer simulation and qualitative research are the most common methods (Phillips & Gully, 2013).

Teamwork is part of the organizational behavior which is a skill that ensures that different members are working towards a specific goal of the organization and with one accord. Organizational behavior highlights the culture of the organization (Phillips & Gully, 2013).       Teamwork therefore introduces the culture of full utilization of different employees’ talents, human resource involvement and participation. The immediate outcome of the teamwork skills in an organization would be increased profits,ease in achieving the collective goals, improvement of skills and competence. These are the key marks of business integration and therefore they affect the productivity of the organization (Phillips & Gully, 2013).

Next, the managers are required to have been grounded on management skills while they are improving organizational behavior. Management skills include time management, planning and implementation of ideas to meet the required height. Through the management skill, it is easy for managers to introduce a culture that effectively establishes organizational goals, delegates the duties and sets priorities. The team of management is also able to conduct performance appraisals and other assessments so that the move of the organization is well defined. Management skills affect the productivity by the defining the direction planning, leading and assessing the move (Phillips & Gully, 2013).

It is also important to note that communication skills is an essential element of organizational behavior because it defines the flow of information throughout the organization. Effective communication skills keeps the various offices informed and updated for the purpose of handling matters that arise. Communication enables the staff members to communicate on internal and external issues of the business environment with an aim of addressing them for an action concerning them to be taken. Communication skills have been proven to have a significant impact on the production outcome of any organization (Phillips & Gully, 2013). This is through addressing issues that slow organizational growth, providing a way forward on how to fix them and recommending any job that is well one.

Lastly, technical skills are vital in the practical process of a company’s production. These skills are acquired from training and experience and therefore the organization can either have a literate or an illiterate human resource. Technical skills allow the members to run machines, devices and other equipment in an organization hence becoming an essential skill. Technical skills save cost through the minimization of hiring cost of skilled labor since the workers are well equipped (Phillips & Gully, 2013).

Since the organizational behavior reflects the capabilities, weaknesses and the opportunities of an organization, a platform from which decisions can be made is provided. For instance, an organizational behavior that has less skilled labor, the decision making would be based on recruiting knowledgeable workers. When the behavior is unethical, various counterproductive work behavior can be prefigured. These include employee mistreatment, personality concerns as well as lack of motivation (Phillips & Gully, 2013).

Reference

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Phillips, J., & Gully, S. M. (2013). Organizational behavior: Tools for success. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning.

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