...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 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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...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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...CHAPTER 8: HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: FROM RECRUITMENT TO LABOR RELATIONS Anielli Eugenia de Padua Guimaraes Professor Dr. Evangeline Jefferson BUS 508 - Contemporary Business October 23, 2012 Chapter Overview The importance of employees to the success of any organization is the very basis of management. In this chapter, we explore the important issues of human resource management and motivation. We begin with a discussion of the ways organizations attract, develop, and retain employees. Then, we describe the concepts behind motivation and the way human resource managers apply them to increase employee satisfaction and organizational effectiveness. We also discuss the reasons why labor unions exist and focus on legislation that affects labor–management relations. The process of collective bargaining then is discussed, along with tools used by unions and management in seeking their objectives. Glossary of Key Terms Collective bargaining: process of negotiation between management and union representatives Compensation: amount employees are paid in money and benefits Downsizing: process of reducing the number of employees within a firm by eliminating jobs Employee benefits: additional compensation such as vacation, retirement plans, profit-sharing, health insurance, gym memberships, child and elder care, and tuition reimbursement, paid entirely or in part by the company Employee separation: broad term covering the loss of an employee for any reason,...
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...CHAPTER 8: HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: FROM RECRUITMENT TO LABOR RELATIONS Anielli Eugenia de Padua Guimaraes Professor Dr. Evangeline Jefferson BUS 508 - Contemporary Business October 23, 2012 Chapter Overview The importance of employees to the success of any organization is the very basis of management. In this chapter, we explore the important issues of human resource management and motivation. We begin with a discussion of the ways organizations attract, develop, and retain employees. Then, we describe the concepts behind motivation and the way human resource managers apply them to increase employee satisfaction and organizational effectiveness. We also discuss the reasons why labor unions exist and focus on legislation that affects labor–management relations. The process of collective bargaining then is discussed, along with tools used by unions and management in seeking their objectives. Glossary of Key Terms Collective bargaining: process of negotiation between management and union representatives Compensation: amount employees are paid in money and benefits Downsizing: process of reducing the number of employees within a firm by eliminating jobs Employee benefits: additional compensation such as vacation, retirement plans, profit-sharing, health insurance, gym memberships, child and elder care, and tuition reimbursement, paid entirely or in part by the company Employee separation: broad term covering the loss of an employee for any reason,...
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...Amazon.Com’s E-Business Model Amazon.com’s E-Business Model Contemporary Business – Bus 508 Dr Linda Harris July 21, 2011 Question 1 1. 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. As the economy continues to grow and change so will consumers with how they shop and purchase their everyday needs. Having a successful business online takes time and effort to ensure that consumer needs are being met. This paper will discuss how Amazon has been able to stay so successful with new and upcoming competitors. In addition to discussing the success, the struggles will be evaluated as well as ways to improve the company. When visiting Amazon, one obtains several products at one time;-it is a one-stop shop similar to an online “Seven-Eleven Store. “ Amazon is the largest online book retailer composed of a multi million-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’s initial target market of 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...
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...Entrepreneurial Leadership Courtney Sapp Benjamin Bao Bus-508 Contemporary Business October 27, 2013 Entrepreneurial Leadership Five Guys Burgers and Fries is one of the fastest growing fast-food chains in the world today. They pride themselves on serving fresh made to order burgers and fries to their customers. Five Guys Burgers and Fries were started in 1986 by the Murrell family. The first location, which was a carry-out burger joint, was opened in Arlington, VA and the company has now expanded to over 1000 locations nationwide and over 1500 units in development over a span of 20 years (Five Guys Burgers & Fries, 2012). According to the CEO of Five Guys Burgers and Fries Jerry Murrell, he said “anybody can be successful in the restaurant business if you serve a good product, (have a) friendly and clean atmosphere and reasonable price, (Joiner, 2012).” Five Guys Philosophy Five Guys Burgers and Fries have several characteristics that set it apart from other fast-food chains. One of the biggest things is the company’s focus on providing excellent customer service. The mission of Five Guy’s Burgers and Fries was to serve the best burger possible and to ensure each customer knew that they were important to the success of the company. Five Guys Burger and Fries also ensured their customers understood that the company depends on them and their allowance to serve them great food. The franchise refrains from using frozen meat and only uses fresh ground meat. This...
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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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... 1 Five Guys Burgers and Fries: Recipe For Success Bonds Contemporary Business- BUS 508 January 25, 2013 Five Guys: Recipe for Success 2 Five Guys Burgers and Fries: Recipe For Success Introduction Five Guys and a Burger was created in 1986 when founder Jerry Murrell realized his two oldest sons did not want to go to college. He was okay with their decision and decided to use their tuition money that had been saved to open the first Five Guys and a Burger, a quality hamburger take out restaurant located in Arlington, Virginia. This paper will discuss the company’s philosophy; start up values, factors for success and the culture of the food. Five Guys Philosophy Five Guys’ philosophy sets them apart from any other food chain. They believe that if you sell quality food and maintain superior customer service that the product will sell itself. “Keep it simple, focus on “food,” not “fast,” and use honest-to-goodness fresh ingredients of the highest quality you can buy.” (Smith, para.3) When a restaurant keeps it simple, inventory and training is much easier within the restaurant and employees usually do a better job due to their tasks being much more manageable. When owning a small business quality versus quantity is important because it separates you from well known companies. Most consumers know and recognize...
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...Energizer vs. Duracell 1 Competitive Strategies: Energizer vs. Duracell By LaShonda Griffin BUS 508- Contemporary Business Dr. Laura Jones November 5, 2012 Abstract 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. Consumers are able to have the options in the marketplace. Energizer and Duracell are two companies that offer similar products to consumers. Energizer has been around since 1986 and has grown into a mutli- billion dollar company within the last decade. Duracell first got started in the 1920’s from two scientists, and finally become a brand in 1964. This paper will discuss the two companies’ background, the competition between the two, and how they will thrive to compete in the market place in future. Energizer Energizer is formerly known as Eveready Battery Company and changes its name in the late 1980’s. By the 1990, Energizer has established their brand and had over 30 percent of the domestic market. They were trailing Duracell by 10 percent, who at that time had 40 percent of the domestic market. Energizer is the manufacturer of dry cell batteries and flashlights, with a full line production of in three major categories: alkaline, carbon...
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...Entrepreneurial Leadership Contemporary Business BUS 508 Thomas Edison, Saying “I never perfected an invention that I did not think about in terms of the service it might give others… I find out what the world needs, then I proceed to invent.” (This leadership entrepreneurial approach is profit oriented). During the research on Thomas Edison I found in 1868 he came up with his first invention, “known as the “Electrical Vote Recorder.” This application was signed on October 11, 1968 (Thomas Edison’s Inventions, 2011). He put together what he knew about electricity with what he knew about gas lights and invented a whole system of electric lighting. This meant light bulbs, electricity generators, wires to get the electricity from the power station to the homes, fixtures (lamps, sockets, switches) for the light bulbs, and more Edison made up the pieces as well as fitted them together. In 1869, Edison comes up with a Boston steamship, landed in New York City. This project left him poor and penniless, and in debt. Today with Thomas Edison electrical invention we now have the ability to have electricity to turn appliances on and off like dishwasher, washers and dryers. According to Anita Ruddick, founder of the hugely successful fair trade outlet The Body Shop’ said, “Nobody talks of entrepreneurship as survival, but that’s exactly what it is and what nurtures creative thinking. Innovation plays a large role in the study of entrepreneurship and the two ideas are closely linked...
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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 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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...Case Study for the Ethical Problem in Business Bus 508 The Bussiness Enterprise Introduction Business owners need to be concerned not only about profit, but also about social responsibility too. Social responsibility is often mandated by certain consumer protection laws, but it benefits business owners to make social responsibility a part of their business plan in order to provide a positive image and reputation in the marketplace. If firms want to do well for their business in the long term, they must have ethics and social responsibility. Social Responsibility includes: Responsibilities to the general public include dealing with public health issues, protecting the environment, and developing the quality of their workforce. Responsibilities to the customer include considering the customer’s rights, such as the right to be safe, the right to be informed, the right to choose, and the right to be heard. Responsibilities to Investors and the Financial Community Responsibilities to Employees. Companies require skill and knowledge from their employees to properly get the job done for them, so the company can earn a profit. In return the companies have wide ranging responsibilities to their employees. These include workplace safety, quality of life issues, ensuring...
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...n Entrepreneurial Leadership Llami Sloman Dr. Terry Dowdy Contemporary Business 508 July 21, 2011 Common Elements The common elements that were found in the thinking of Case, Kuzes and Drucker were some important factors of the decisions that were made. There are many risk that business along with people can take that will help change the world, as well there are many creative approaches that will help keep things fresh ad the product changing to stay current with the economy. Hiring people to work for the business that have a driven purpose is important, as well getting to know them along with there opinions is a way off being successful, also rewarding the employee when they are doing something successful. Its important to have a good management team that will lead the way for the employees to follow, be passionate about working and the employees will be the same about there work. Theory My “Business Driven” theory would be a business that can manage under the constant change of the economy rather its good change or bad change, this business will still be able to function and meet the needs of the customer and still be successful. The article “understanding entrepreneurial leadership in today’s dynamic markets” means entrepreneurial leadership has the privilege of being able to find different opportunities that are open in the global driven market. Being a business person a person must first know when to change directions in a market that is constantly...
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