...Business Solutions of a Successful Restaurant CIS 207 April 30, 2012 Vickie Martin Business Solutions of a Successful Restaurant Taking on a task to simplify, streamline, and update a company’s business process or more appropriate, the company’s technology-based support and service, is not one on the easier side. Darden Restaurants took on this task in 2005 as it was faced with acquiring solutions to its growing and success. There were many changes that needed to be made but executives within Darden knew that restaurant operations were at the forefront of the updating which meant that they were in need of a serious overhaul of the company’s POS system and back-office support systems. At that time they were using dated Microsoft applications such as MS-DOS and Windows NT server operating systems. These were fine and acceptable the decade before when they were integrated. With the growth and goals that Darden wanted to achieve, a new solution was needed. In the end and looking toward the future, “Darden wanted to reduce the time and cost of maintaining its aging point of service devices, as well as a way to save time and cost of deploying devices to new restaurants.” (Microsoft, 2007) To accomplish this task, Darden asked the assistance of its in-house IT guy, Bob Gentry, whose title is actually Director of Strategic Initiative. The director was able to review many options before choosing a direction to take, but with the help of their hardware supplier, NCR, and...
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...UVA-OM-1497 Authorized for use only in the course EMBA 816 Production and Operations Management at University of Regina taught by James Mason from Jan 03, 2015 to Apr 30, 2015. Use outside these parameters is a copyright violation. Rev. Apr. 7, 2014 DARDEN BUSINESS PUBLISHING GETS LEAN (A) Darden Business Publishing (DBP) prepared business case studies for use in the Darden classroom and, simultaneously, for publication and sales worldwide through both its own website and those of partner distributors. The case collection was a key manifestation of Darden’s intellectual capital and value proposition; new cases kept the MBA curriculum relevant and imparted thought leadership by Darden faculty and researchers. But Steve Momper, DBP’s director, had grown frustrated by a backlog of work in process (WIP) and an average 86-day lead time for case publication. Future growth in the business required an expansion of capacity, yet budget constraints had forced the elimination by attrition of two editor positions. Momper knew that the editing and publishing process required significant rework. The time was right to call on Austin English, a Darden alumnus whose consulting firm, RCF Associates, specialized in continuous process improvement (CPI). The Existing Process In recent years, DBP had grown rapidly, yet its process had never been reevaluated in its entirety so, over time, legacies had led to inefficiencies. There was more emphasis on beginning projects as they were received than...
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...Introduction: Darden restaurants are the largest full service restaurant company in the world. Located in Orlando FL, they operate over 1,500 restaurants. They own many brands such as Olive Garden, Longhorn steakhouse, Bahama Breezes, Seasons 52, The Capital Grille, Yard House plus many more. They tend to all be located in high traffic areas, which encourages business. The restaurant industry is the fastest growing industry in America (Feeding America). Darden is committed to building and maintaining a customer-orientated environment. They provide work for nearly 150,000 employees; they focus on making their work environment vibrant and desirable. Darden values integrity, fairness, respect, diversity and teamwork. Recently in the news, all members of the board of directors of Darden were fired. They violated Darden’s values. The previous board of directors decided to sell Red Lobster and activist investors and shareholders were not pleased with the decision. So in a form of revolt the shareholders decided to fire the entire twelve members of Darden’s board and elect a new board based on activist’s investor’s insight. Statement of Problem In the case of Darden, activist’s investors conglomerated with shareholders to create a proposal of how Darden could increase its revenue. When hedge funds purchase a substantial stake in a company they typically try to restructure the company because they see value. Darden has hidden value in its real estate. A research report issued...
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...SPLITTING THE CHECK: AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC. vs. BARINGTON CAPITAL GROUP LP Table of Contents Executive Summary 4 Position 5 Sense 6 Uncover 7 Solve 8 Build 9 Achieve 10 Bibliography 23 Executive Summary This is the first paragraph of your executive summary. It should be indented, it should be double-spaced, and it should be in 12 pt Times New Roman font (as should the rest of the body of your term paper). An executive summary should be no longer than two pages (and preferably shorter), and should be written after your paper has been completed. It is a complete summary of your recommendations, and the reader should get a clear picture from this section alone. Assume that the reader reads nothing else. Darden Restaurants, Inc., a multi-billion dollar full-service restaurant company, is facing – and will be facing many difficult challenges. In addition to billions in lost revenue from the economic downturn and a severe shortage in their most served menu item, they have recently been challenged by a new minority shareholder who is pressuring them to reorganize their corporate structure. This activist investor, Barington Capital Group, LP, is known for being particularly aggressive and frequently getting what they want. Darden’s revenues are down significantly over the last couple of years in their two flagship – and typically most profitable restaurants, Red Lobster...
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...CLC Assignment: VDOT: Trying to Keep Virginia Moving Grand Canyon University: MGT-420 July 26, 2014 Introduction Why was the Virginia of Transportation in need of a complete overhaul? Why was Philip Shucet, a person of 30 years plus of leadership experience, selected as the suitable candidate hired in as transportation commissioner? In our group effort to process and examine, we were able to break down the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) case study. In our efforts to obtain, through insight and research and based off statics and input of the composer of the article, “Virginia Department of Transportation: Trying to Keep Virginia Moving” we try to understand the organizations failures in practice and challenges that they faced through its previous leaders practices. (Darden, n.d., pg. 1-13) We also touch base on certain individuals philosophies in management theories, as well as their approach practices related to VDOT recent and past difficulties. We learn about an organization and question their development practices upon their foundation structure and lack of organization. We relate them to today’s modern day challenges and experiences and managerial theories and practices, as ways in building and creating new culture and organizational foundation and structure. Similar to the efforts of new transportation commissioner Philip Shucet, as dealing with general environment issues of economic conditions, social-cultural conditions, legal –political conditions...
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...FIN 4414 Financial Management Course Syllabus Spring 2010 Term INSTRUCTOR: Dr. T. Craig Tapley Graham-Buffett Master Lecturer of Finance Section: Section: Room: 2109 – Monday and Wednesday, Periods 3-4 (9:35 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.) 7111 – Monday and Wednesday, Periods 5-6 (11:45 a.m. – 1:40 p.m.) 112 Matherly Hall Office Hours: Wednesday (2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.) Thursday (1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.) CONTACT INFORMATION: Office: Phone: Fax: E-Mail: 329 David Stuzin Hall (352) 392-6654 (352) 392-5237 ctapley@ufl.edu http://vista.courses.ufl.edu/ Class Webpage: COURSE MATERIALS: TEXTBOOK 1. Financial Management: Theory and Practice (12th Edition), Eugene F. Brigham and Michael C. Ehrhardt, Thompson/South-Western, 2008, ISBN: 0-324-42269-5. The official textbook for the class will be an excellent reference book as you start your career, as you may easily find that there will be times, on the job, when you need to reference prior material, or formulas, covered in your corporate finance classes at UF. However, books have become somewhat expensive, so you may, instead, purchase the 11th or 10th Edition of the book, typically at a cheaper price, through various online booksellers. However, there are minor differences between the 10th, 11th, and 12th editions; mainly in the order of the chapter. These differences should not impact your ability to perform well in this class, but you may need to map the chapters in the 10th or 11th Edition to those assigned in the 12th Edition. This is...
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...BUSINESS BRIEF CASE 4254 SOLUTION. This paper provides a Berkeley Research analysis and case solution to a Harvard Business organizational behavior case study by John J. Gabarro and Colleen Kaftan on interpersonal, organizational and managerial difficulties at Modern Lighting Industries (MLI), a struggling regional distributor of industrial lighting systems and equipment in Chicago. The case focuses on conflicts between MBA graduate and newly recruited Vice President of Marketing Jamie Turner and MLI’s President, Pat Cardullo. The analysis includes problem identification, problem analysis, identification and assessment of alternatives, and recommendations. APA Style. 12 pages, 11 footnotes, 5 bibliographic sources. 3,340 words. About Berkeley Research Case Solutions: Berkeley Research has offered authoritative case solutions to Harvard Business School case studies since 1984. We also feature solutions to case studies from other leading graduate business schools including Stanford, Darden, Wharton and Ivey. Our case solutions feature in-depth analysis drawing on appropriate analytical tools including S.W.O.T., P.E.S.T. and Five Forces analyses, and include secondary references from scholarly journals and leading business periodicals. We do not offer student-written essays; all of our case solutions are professionally written by MBA and DBA –degreed writers with proven aptitude and long experience in writing insightful case solutions. Unlike other case solutions made available...
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...Zeus Asset Management Inc. Harvard Case Solution & Analysis QUESTION 1 ZEUS’s INVESTMENT PHILOSOPHY The investment philosophy of the management of Zeus is based on the fact that the results of the investment or the return over the investment could be only achieved over the years by following a risk averse and conservative approach to the management of the risk. This ensures that the portfolio manager of the company works hard to deliver the best performance that is relatively the same as compared to the benchmark’s performance. The equity fund seeks for growth which is for the long term, when the earnings from the stocks are expected to grow above average rates. ZEUS’s PRIMARY INVESTORS The primary investors of Zeus consist of both the individuals and the institutional investors. The institutional investors come from corporations, endowments and foundations. On the other hand, the individual investors consist of high net worth and the risk averse investors that want to invest their assets for long periods and achieve growth. INDIVIDUALLY MANAGED ACCOUNTS & MUTUAL FUNDS The minimum requirement for the individually managed accounts is $ 2 million. Zeus used to customize the portfolios for these clients according to the investment objectives of these clients and afterwards it balanced the volatility and the time horizon of these investments. For other types of people or groups that did not have the minimum capital requirement, then these individuals could invest...
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...ACC3101 Student Activities Module 5 Solutions SUGGESTED ANSWERS TO DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Discussion Questions P 11.13 Prepare a DFD context, Level 0 [pic] [pic] P 11.10 Prepare a Document flowchart [pic] Ethics Use Stakeholder analysis framework to answer the ethical dilemma below (Horngren et al 5th ed p128) The net profit of Bynum & Hobbs, a department store, decreased sharply during the first part of 2008. Ron Bynum, owner of the store, anticipated the need for a bank loan in the last months of 2008. In June 2008, Bynum instructs the store’s accountant to record a $6 000 sale of furniture to the Bynum family, even though the goods won’t be shipped from the manufacturer until July 2008. Recommended stakeholder analysis steps: (NOTE: this is a full answer but you may have other issues and or recommendations to make. Words in BOLD are key statements to make for gaining marks in an exam.) 1. Recognise the ethical situation/dilemma. The owner is proposing an unethical treatment of revenue. Bynum & Hobbs a department store that expects to seek a loan in the future due to downturn of business, so the change is likely to be material if a $6 000 sale will make all the difference to getting or not getting the loan. Revenue must be recognised when it is earned. This occurs when ‘the seller has transferred to the buyer the significant risk and rewards of ownership’, in other words when the goods are delivered (AASB 118, para...
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...high threat of substitutes. Buyers have a high degree of bargaining power and suppliers have a moderate degree of bargaining power. The restaurant industry is highly competitive and experiences intense rivalry. In terms of macro-environmental factors, emerging markets around the world over are having an impact on how restaurants execute strategy both domestically and abroad. The growth of the middle class in emerging markets, such as China and India, presents a new demographic and an opportunity for quality growth in an industry that is simultaneously experiencing levels of maturity in the US and European markets. Internal analyses of the industry’s top players yields an in depth look into McDonald’s, Yum Brands, Burger King, and Darden Restaurants. McDonald’s is the industry leader in terms of revenues with $89B in 2013 systemwide sales, more than double of nearest competitor...
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...MKTG 201– Principles of Marketing Spring 2014 Instructor | Shoaib Ul-Haq | Room No. | 4th floor, 440, SDSB Building | Office Hours | By appointment | Email | shoaib.haq@lums.edu.pk (the preferred method of contact) | Telephone Extension | 5226 | Secretary/TA | Secretary: Ms. Nabeela | TA Office Hours | | Course URL (if any) | LMS | Course Basics | Credit Hours | 4 | Lecture(s) | Nbr of Lec(s) Per Week | 2 | Duration | 1 hour 50 minutes each | Recitation/Lab (per week) | Nbr of Lec(s) Per Week | N/A | Duration | N/A | Tutorial (per week) | Nbr of Lec(s) Per Week | N/A | Duration | N/A | Course Distribution | Core | | Elective | Yes | Open for Student Category | Seniors, Juniors, Sophomores, Freshmen | Close for Student Category | | Course Description | Marketing helps in meeting the local and global challenges facing different organizations throughout the world. This course introduces, to the students, the fundamentals of marketing such as key concepts, theories, and applications along with emerging marketing trends which are an integral part of managing profitable customer relationships and are essential to any successful organization. The goal of every marketer is to create more value for both internal and external customers. This course will enhance students’ knowledge and problem solving abilities towards Marketing related issues using customer-centric approach. | Course Prerequisite(s) | None | Course...
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... Mr. Mehta and Ms. Pundir introduced a new quality control unit and hired two sales representatives and three nephews with the objective of creating commitment to the Pundir family. From the case, no audit or analysis was undertaken to ascertain whether the company needed a quality control unit. This is an example of how the company is increasing its operating costs which has contributed to its current liquidity challenges. Ms. Pundir is biased toward addressing shareholders’ needs rather than pursue what is good for business survival. It is reported that the company had previously declared high dividend payments to its shareholders because Pundir believed that it was risky to leave excess funds to the company. Similarly the company does not value its employees, the company prefers hire people in high season, and firing them in low seasons. Ms. Pundir is confronted with the challenge of addressing a unique cash shortage and this has to be done immediately. As a whole, the projections indicate that Kota Fibres limited is performing well in managing their financial assets. However, the company is facing some challenges in the area of liquidity management. The company should increase its total assets. Ms. Pundir’s should engage the stockholders in seeking a lasting solution to the company`s problems. It the shareholders are involved, perhaps they... [continues]...
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...A Case Analysis for “TheVidSoft Triangle (A)” A Case Analysis for “The Vidsoft Triangle (A)” I. Summary In what could prove to be his defining moment, Alaji Babatunde, senior technical support manager of a medium-sized & multicultural software company, is facing a crucible in the form of an interpersonal conflict in one of his teams which necessitates his quick but calculated decision that would impact the employees‟ harmonious & effective interaction in his department and that could question the integrity of a procedurally correct business decision he made. Discerning the conflict‟s apparent origins & consequences and considering probable answers will lead Alaji to an evenhanded resolution to this intense trial and secure against a potential repeat. II. Analysis When VidSoft Technologies, an internet company, opened in 1996 it was developing enterprise software focusing on procurement for its customers. Both its revenues and employee base increased after going public in 1999. The rapid growth of the company could be mainly attributed to the customer-centric corporate strategy and team-oriented work culture that was introduced and implemented by the organization‟s mild-mannered and charismatic CEO, Keith Nash. Teams are highly treasured in the company. They satisfy most employees‟ need for affiliation as McClelland‟s theory of needs explains (Robbins & Judge, 2009:180). Teams in the company can be classified as self-managed as they „can not only solve problems but implement...
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...labor and they would work like “worker bee”. The organization also acquired clients by personal references. The personal reference usually led to numerous applicant but it also could have the adverse effect on them if a client wasn’t satisfied with the work The diagram also focus on member recruitment which is very important. The club is on a strict timeline because all projects have to be completed by the end of the year. In order for that to happen, all officers and elected officials decision had to be done and approved by October. Member’s recruitment was based on previous member experience. Where the member had a good or bad experience would affect the increase or decrease in the number of perspective member signing up. In most case, some of the members that had a negative experience with the group, not only make plans of not returning but they would encourage other not to sign up. They even would try to encourage other members to leave the organization also. Also the overall dynamics of the projects and the reason why they were failing is examined. My recommendation to OCI in regards to client acquisition is to continue with the advertising aspect of...
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...Business AnAlytics And intelligence Course Starting: 29 June 2014 Application Deadline: Early Decision 28 February 2014 Regular Decision 15 April 2014 (Batch 5) (Classes conducted on-campus as well as off-campus) Certificate Programme on Business Analytics and Intelligence BATCH 5 in god We trust, All Others Must Bring data - W edwards deming he theory of bounded rationality proposed by nobel laureate Herbert Simon is evermore significant today with increasing complexity of the business problems; limited ability of human mind to analyze alternative solutions and the limited time available for decision making. introduction of enterprise resource planning (eRP) systems has ensured availability of data in many organizations; however, traditional eRP systems lacked data analysis capabilities that can assist the management in decision making. Business Analytics is a set of techniques and processes that can be used to analyse data to improve business performance through fact-based decision making. Business Analytics is the subset of Business intelligence, which creates capabilities for companies to compete in the market effectively. Business Analytics is likely to become one of the main functional areas in most companies. Analytics companies develop the ability to support their decisions through analytic reasoning using a variety of statistical and mathematical techniques. thomas devonport in his book titled, “competing on analytics: the new science of winning”, claims...
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