...Assignment 2: Competitive Strategies Dr. Kathleen Irwing BUS: 508 Contemporary Business Strayer University Nov. 5, 2013 Competitive Strategies: Apple vs. Google Competitive strategies between businesses have changed the world. And sometimes business strategies can get quite intense. Thomas Edison once electrocuted an elephant to demonstrate the danger of a competitor's technology. (Colvin, 2013) An example of a competitive market in which there are ever increase consumers and sellers is the smartphone industry. There are so many competitors bringing smartphones to the market, but the two at the top are Apple and Google. Apple and Google’s corporate cultures have distinct differences that set them apart from each other. Their competiveness and driven innovation and stifled collaboration. Apple’s corporate culture is one of extreme secrecy. In a field where new technologies are being developed and released often, keeping information under lock and key is important. Employees wouldn’t even discuss projects with close friends and family. This keeps Apple in complete control of the message. Culture at Apple is strictly top down: any attempt to streamline, impact change, or even discuss a better way to do anything is strictly frowned upon when it comes from the bottom. The brand is guarded with an eagerness that borders on obsession. All the maple surfaces in all the retail stores are harvested at one particular time of the year in Canada so they all look the...
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...Coca Cola vs. Pepsi: Competitive Strategies Christoper Gilchrist BUS 508 7/28/2013 Coca Cola and Pepsi marketing are a consumer products company operating in highly competitive markets. They heavily rely on continued demand for products. To generate profit and bonus, they both must sell products that appeal to our customers and to consumers. Any significant changes in consumer preferences or any inability on the part to anticipate or react to such changes could result in reduced demand for our products and erosion of our competitive and financial position (Dyer, Jeffrey H., page 3). The achievements of Pepsi and Coca Cola relies on being able to answer to daily needs of buyers, concerning health and wellness, obesity, product attributes and ingredients, and to broaden into similar categories. Changes in product category consumption or consumer demographics could indicate a deductible demand for the good that’s produced. Consumer preferences could change for many reasons, such as generations being affected by the age (Hoffman, Benjamin, page 17). Socializing has also expanded and became very diverse. Traveling, vacation or leisure activity patterns, weather, seasonal consumption cycles, negative publicity resulting from regulatory action or litigation against companies in our industry, a downturn in economic conditions or taxes specifically targeting the consumption of our products. Any of these changes may reduce consumers’ willingness to purchase the goods of Pepsi...
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...BUS 508 Week 5 Assignment Financial Management (Pepsi and Coca Cola) To Buy This material Click below link http://www.uoptutors.com/BUS-508/BUS-508-Assignment-5-Financial-Management-Pepsi-and-Coca-Cola BUS 508 Week 5 Assignment Financial Management (Pepsi and Coca Cola) Long time competitors in the soft drink industry, PepsiCo and Coca-Cola continue efforts to gain additional market share. Which do you prefer, Coke or Pepsi? Let’s take a look at these two companies from a financial perspective rather than our drink preference. To learn more about PepsiCo and Coca-Cola Enterprises, download the PepsiCo 2009 Annual Report at: http://www.pepsico.com/annual09/ and the Coca-Cola 2009 Annual Report at:http://www.cce2009annualreport.com/. Review the annual reports for general information. Required: 1. Read Understanding the Income Statement at:http://www.investopedia.com/articles/04/022504.asp 2. Read Reading the Balance Sheet at:http://www.investopedia.com/articles/04/031004.asp 3. Compute the following financial ratios for both companies and provide as an appendix to the required paper. If you need help understanding the meaning of the ratios or how to they are computed, go to:http://www.investopedia.com/university/ratios/ Liquidity measurement ratio: • Current ratio Profitability indicator ratios: • Return on assets • Return on equity Debt ratio: • Debt ratio Operating performance ratio: • Fixed asset turnover ratio Cash flow indicator...
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...Students, please view the "Submit a Clickable Rubric Assignment" in the Student Center. Instructors, training on how to grade is within the Instructor Center. Assignment 1: Corporate Responsibility and Marketing Strategies Due Week 3 and worth 240 points Use the Internet to research the Apple Corporation, its current position and reputation regarding ethical and social responsibility, and the strategies that it currently employs to market its products. Write a six to eight (6-8) page paper in which you: 1. Examine Apple’s current position on the company’s ethical and social responsibilities, and determine whether or not the company has met these responsibilities. Provide two (2) examples that support your position. 2. Determine the impact that the publication of ethics and social responsibilities violations made by Apple’s suppliers has had on Apple’s reputation. Support your response with examples of the impact in question. 3. Suggest two (2) methods that Apple can utilize to ensure that its suppliers adhere to wage and benefits standards going forward. Justify your response. 4. Determine whether or not you believe that Apple’s customers would be willing to pay more for its products if Apple had to increase selling prices in order to provide better wages and benefits for suppliers’ workers. Provide a rationale for your position. 5. Analyze Apple’s current overall marketing strategy. Recommend two (2) actions that Apple can take in order to improve its...
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...BUS 508- Assignment 2: Human Resource Strategy Latasha Luke Professor Mary Jane Granoff Contemporary Business-BUS 508 2/18/2015 In choosing an industry in which two or more companies that have been voted on some of the best places to be employed and carefully reviewing the Top 100 companies on Forbes I have chosen Wal-mart and Target. Wal-mart and Target are the leaders in the Retail industry. Both have many things in common when discussing corporate culture. Wal-mart and Target are both very customer driven. You can go into a store owned by either business and be met by knowledgeable, helpful employees. The type of service provided is a direct reflect of the type of training that is provided by each companies Human Resources Department. Each company has also embraced the idea of focusing on customers’ needs as well the needs of their employees and realizing that taking care of their employees is a way to build a strong team. Another way that these companies mirror each other is through community service efforts, both strive to be good corporate citizens at a time when the communities really...
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...Assignment #2 Amazon.com’s E-Business Model By: Shamaila Akram Professor: Lisa W. Witzig The Business Enterprise – BUS 508 04/30/2011 Discuss the pros and cons of Amazon’s growth and diversification of business and specialization, and make recommendations about what Amazon could have done differently. Amazon is a largest online book retailer made by largest customer base. Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, had great confidence in the World Wide Web even before the dot.com boom. He used the internet as the core of Amazon's business model. Amazon customers are able to search inside the book before buying it, read customer ratings on products of interest, and purchase products at low prices. Amazon initial target market is an online book consumers, proved to be very lucrative. In addition, the expansion into more diverse product offerings beyond books, such as music, DVD & video, toys, electronics, home improvement and auctions only served to increase the company’s product list. Branching into other areas such as automotive, apparel, jewelry, office equipment, and recreational merchandise, to name a few, is necessary to achieve Amazon’s goal of providing every type of product. Amazon has identified an aggressive marketing strategy to broaden the companies target market, expand the product positioning to all consumer goods, focus distribution outlets through the top ten web sites and price items at a low but profitable margin. Determine the impact if Amazon...
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...Contemporary Business Assignment 1: Business Analysis Dana Morrison Dr. William Bonaparte BUS 508 Strayer University October 24, 2015 1. Provide a brief description of an organization where you currently work, would like to work, or one in which you have an interest that you have chosen for this assignment. In 1914 Edwin Booz started his management consulting firm renamed Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH) in 1943. BAH is considered one of the oldest management consulting firms. Edwin Booz believed in a new approach to management. He believed that if you could find the right people, properly place them in the right position and provide the best possible support that the end result would be better than any theory or method. Ed believed that the three key attributes involved in placing the right person with the right partner were character, intelligence, and industry. These key attributes continue to be the core of their business and are otherwise known as "Boozisms" within the organization. In 1940 the U.S. Navy contacted BAH due to its reputation and success in management consulting and its performance with Goodyear Tire & Rubber and Montgomery Ward. Working with Navy planners, Booz consultants began working to develop a special sensor system that could track German U-boat's and assisted Navy planners with designing an attack strategy. This collaboration, by war's end, led to sinking or crippling most of the German submarine fleet and was the beginning of a long term...
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...Competitive Strategies Case Study Assignment 2 STUDENT NAME: Professor: Dr. Wright BUS 508: Contemporary Business Raleigh, NC May 5, 2013 Determine how each corporate differs from the other The corporate cultures of the two companies are very different. One example. GM pulled its ads from Face book. Ford is doing more with Facebook. Another, GM bailed out by the government, Ford weathered the storm. The social media strategy of each company is extremely interesting. GM is going to go the traditional route. Ford has embraced the tools of social media to connect with its customers. I think that gives Ford a competitive edge. General Motors Company is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, and among the world's largest automakers by vehicle unit sales, employing 202,000 people and doing business in some 157 countries. They also have five different business segments. They also provide on star vehicles safety, security and information system. As the second-largest automobile company in the world, Ford Motor Company represents a $164 billion multinational business empire. Known primarily as a manufacturer of automobiles, Ford also operates Ford Credit, which generates more than $3 billion in income, and owns The Hertz Corporation, the largest automobile rental company...
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...Assignment 2: Competitive Strategy Presented By: Carolyn Campbell Presented To: Prof. Laura Pogue Class: BUS 508 Date: November 4, 2012 Assignment 2 1. Determine how each corporate culture differs from the other. Southwest Airlines culture was very unique among all of its employees. The company generated a culture around prioritizing their workers over their customers. This family oriented atmosphere that was created enabled worker retention and customer service to skyrocket. Southwest was ranked number one among all major US carriers several times on a customer service as well as safety, price, on time performance, and baggage handling basis. Both customer and employees were expected to be treated with respect and dignity. This would soon be incorporated with red hearts on banners and posters as reminders of compassion that was expectant toward employees and customers. Fun was also incorporated into the company’s core value as a form of behavior that employees exhibited while performing their jobs. The company’s day-to-day operations included jokes and pranks, as well as frequent company-sponsored party to boost employee morals. The management team within Southwest Airlines was given roles to ensure that employees were proud of the company that they worked for. Managers were expected to spend at least one-third of their time amongst their workers, observing and ensuring that demands were met and also listening to employees concerns and suggestions. Managers and...
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...Running head: Assignment #1 Entrepreneurial Leadership Assignment #1 Entrepreneurial Leadership BUS 508 Contemporary Business Assignment #1 Entrepreneurial Leadership Determine how Five Guys’ philosophy sets it apart from other fast-food chains. Five Guy’s is set apart from other fast-food chains by the history of its origin. Since the company started in 1986 the owners the philosophy was to work out all the details of how to not only create but yet serve the best hamburger and fries. Five Guys uses only the freshest ingredients’ to cook and serve to its customers. In comparison with other fast-food chains in the market place today only two can compare but not surpass the Five Guy’s philosophy. The first fast food chain Wendy’s was created in a similar fashion. In 1996 several years later the first Wendy’s was opened. It philosophy was to also to sever fresh not frozen beef and to be cooked as ordered. This was similar to Five Guy’s however the freshness part was not taken to the same level. Wendy’s used store purchased produce and buns. Five Guys take the freshness to another level of baking the buns they used. The orders were cooked to order but with Five Guy’s you might get your burger a few moments later then Wendy’s but the taste was worth the wait. Customers did like the flavor of the food at Five Guy’s and would often be heard it was worth the wait. Five Guy’s best philosophy was that it went out into the community to local vendors and suppliers...
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...Competitive Strategies Pg 1 A Battle in Technology Bus 508-Contemporary Business November 2, 2013 Dr. Jean Fonkoua Competitive Strategies pg 2 The U.S offers a free market where businesses are able to have free enterprise to open and operate an ideal to provide a product or service to the public. There are many businesses that offer similar products and create competition (2013, 02). Consumers are able to have options in the marketplace. Apple Inc. and Microsoft are two companies that offer similar products to consumers. Apple, created by Steve Jobs, is an American multinational cooperation headquartered in Cupertino, California that designs, develops, and sells consumer electronics, computer software and personal computers. Microsoft, created by Bill Gates, is an American multinational software cooperation headquartered in Redmond, Washington that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services related to computing. This paper will discuss how the cooperate culture of these two companies differ, three ways that each unique culture has benefited by the other’s competition, and how these companies will potentially thrive in the future. The cooperate culture of these two technology giants are very different in that Apple is more conservative, distinct, and expensive, whereas in Microsoft is more personalized, flexible, and affordable. Apple has masterfully executed a plan to sell high-priced...
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...Assignment 1: Entrepreneurial Leadership BUS 508 Taura Boykin July 22, 2012 Dr. Ann Pohira-Vieth Assignment 1: Entrepreneurial Leadership Determine How Five Guys’ Philosophy Sets it Apart From Other Fast-food Chains Five Guys follows the philosophy of focusing on a few items, and serving them fresh to order. Five Guys is not your typical fast food chain for a number of reasons, one being that they limit their menu. Five Guys serves burgers made to order, which are fresh and never frozen (Boone & Krutz, 2012). Customers can customize their burger with a choice of 17 free toppings such as ketchup, mustard, and jalapeno peppers. The buns are toasted on a grill for better taste, rather than in a bun toaster. The potatoes for the fries are grown in northern Idaho, and are cooked in peanut oil (Boone & Krutz, 2012). Although they may not have a drive-thru, Five Guys offers a sit down restaurant in a warm, clean environment. Analyze the Original Values for the Start-up Company and How it Remains Strong Today Values of a company play a very important part in establishing a business in today's competitive market. The first Five Guys Burgers and Fries opened in Arlington, Virginia in 1986 by the Murrell family (Five Guys’, 2011). The family opened a carry out burger joint in Arlington, Va., that served hand formed burgers and fresh cut fries cooked in pure peanut oil. The Murrell family wanted to provide good food and to keep it simple. The founder of Five Guys believe...
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...Assignment 1: Corporate Responsibility and Marketing Strategies BUS 508 – Contemporary Management Strayer University Introduction This assignment will examine the private enterprise systems, drivers of change on the system, ethical and social responsibilities of business, and the requirements for success in today’s business environment. Abysmal corporate ethics and social responsibility has been spotlighted in the media with events such as the Enron scandal in 2001, the BP oil spill in 2010, and more recently, the labor practices at Apple’s, China based, Foxconn factory in 2012. In an ever more competitive market place, events such as these bring ethics and social responsibility into the forefront of qualifying factors required to earn trust that equates to money from consumers. (Alijani 2012, Boon 2012, Duhigg 2012, Ewing 2013) Apple’s Current Position on Ethics and Social Responsibility Through transparency, Apple has spun this very public, internal defect of absent ethical and social responsibility by publishing a Code of Conduct, Supplier Responsibility Standards, and Working-Hours Reports on its commercial website. Additionally, Apple flooded the media with reports about it’s clean up efforts. For example, in February 2012, Apple announced it was the first technology company admitted to the Fair Labor Association (FLA). The FLA conducts independent monitoring and verification to ensure that the FLA Worklpace Standards are upheld (Apple 2014). Impact...
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...Assignment #2 Mergers and Acquisitions Bus 508: Contemporary Business ABSTRACT Berkshire Hathaway is “a holding company that specializes in insurance-related companies, but has a wide array of interests, making it a conglomerate (investorwords.com)”. The company is well known due to its owner, investment icon, Warren Buffet. “The second-richest American’s net worth continues to surge, despite his giving away billions, thanks to the juggernaut performance of Berkshire Hathaway (Forbes.com)” His current net-worth is $71.2 billion Jorge Paulo Lemann, Marcel Telles, and Carlos Alberto Sicupira established 3G Capital in 2004. The firm has offices in New York City and Rio de Janeiro. 3G Capital is a global investment firm focused on long-term value, with a particular emphasis on maximizing the potential of brands and businesses (3GCapital.com). The company is known for large acquisitions such as Anheuser Busch & Burger King. H.J. Heinz is a 144 year-old Pittsburgh based company. H.J. Heinz Company, offering “Good Food Every Day”™ is one of the world’s leading marketers and producers of healthy, convenient and affordable foods specializing in ketchup, sauces, meals, soups, snacks and infant nutrition. Heinz provides superior quality, taste and nutrition for all eating occasions whether in the home, restaurants, the office or “on-the-go.”(Heinz.com) Heinz is a global family of leading branded products, including Heinz® Ketchup, sauces, soups, beans,...
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...Assignment #2: Amazon.com’s E-Business Model Monique S. Kearson Dr. Woodard BUS 508 August 3, 2011 In recent years the world has undergone a transformation through time to a new day and age of technology. Any knowledge, answers, advice, or information you need can be found via the internet. Today nearly just about any and everything that you can image can be obtained online. From the beginning Amazon has had a great deal of success, so much success that they have changed the game of brick and mortar to click and order. Today, we live in a time where everyone wants a one stop spot for all of their needs. Not only does Amazon provider consumers with this convenience they also provide a lot of their product at a fraction of the cost. Pros and cons of Amazon’s growth and diversification of business and specialization and my thoughts on what could have been done differently. Amazon.com was founded in 1994 by Jeff Bezos; however the site did not go live until a year later in 1995. The headquarters can be found in Seattle, Washington. It is the world’s largest online retailer that supplies a vast array of books, movies, CDs, DVDs, electronics, phones, and several of other devices. The site also goes as far as retailing clothes, shoes, and fine designer jewels and jewelry. This may seem like any average site but this is a big improvement for a company that initially began as an online book supplier. In the beginning when Amazon.com started out its sole purpose...
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