...Corporate Strategic Planning and Policy Professor Frank ShipperPOLICY AND FUNCTIONAL STRATEGIES McDonald’s has been an industry leader within the fast food industry for years. In the introductory phase of their business operations they focused on following a generic low cost strategy consisting of offering consumers low priced food products in order to, “make eating out on a regular basis affordable for families…” (Marino 627). Faced with changing consumer trends and competitors pursuing aggressive competitive strategies focused on product differentiation and quality; McDonald’s then CEO, Jim Cantalupo, determined in order to address the companies recent profit losses and challenges a different stand on generic strategy must be taken. Through the implementation of McDonald’s Plan to Win strategy, Cantalupo shifted the company’s generic strategy to differentiation by focusing on marketing to turnaround the negative publicity recently experienced through offering customers a better overall fast food experience as compared to their competitors. McDonald’s financial strategy focused on decreasing capital expenditures by 40% while using their cash from 2003 operations to pay off debt and return cash to stockholders. These financial strategies have allowed the company to implement the Plan to Win strategy while also improving stock performance and sales. Through a growth strategy that involves renovating, rebuilding, and relocating buildings; McDonald’s hopes...
Words: 2692 - Pages: 11
...The Long Journey of Missteps, Failure, and Change For Better. The self-reflective analysis of BlackBerry Limited’s change management Written by: Josephine Carolina Andjaya (3169628) Tutorial: A2 ; Tutor name: Dr. Huong Ha Executive Summary (Abstract) Nowadays, dynamism and complexity of company’s surrounding environments have pushed the company to change. To survive, companies started to compare, analyze gaps between current company position and desired state, and search for ‘best change practices’ to solve the puzzle. In the name of old glory and freedom from financial crisis, the tangled-clueless BlackBerry Limited has gone through critical situation since 2011 until deciding to kick-out Thorsten Heins and replaced him with John Chen as their new CEO in November 2013 to act as change agent transforming the company. With expertise, suitable leadership style, creative mind and teamwork, in less than a year, John Chen has proven satisfying outcomes and closed to “profitable state” that invite global citizens’ curiosity. This report highlights the 3 changes John Chen has done such as: leadership change, change in business structure, and change in business strategies, compared to ex-CEO Thorsten Heins’ change management; Overcoming the resistance of changes which is the pessimistic organization culture is also one of Chen’s achievement. The Action Research Model becomes platform of change application stages (institutionalization), changes must be preceded by research and planning...
Words: 4299 - Pages: 18
...Capstone Wal-Mart Introduction Wal-Mart Corporation is one of the largest retail stores in the world. They serve customers in meeting their needs with low cost saving items. On October 31, 1962, Wal-Mart was founded and incorporated by Sam Walton in Bentonville, Arkansas. Mr. Walton went into business because he felt that items sold were too high for the average customer to afford. His focus was to sell products at low prices to get higher volume sales at a lower profit margin. He bought bulk products from different suppliers so he could incorporate savings into his pricing to lower cost for customers. Under the savings cost concept, Wal-Mart grew rapidly and surpassed its competitors in sales and generating profits. By 1987 there were 1,198 stores in the United States with sales of $15.9 billion dollars and 200,000 associates (Wal-Mart Corporations, n.d.). In 1988, under the direction of David Glass, (the CEO who proceeded Sam Walton) the first Wal-Mart Supercenter was created. It combined general merchandise with a full-scale supermarket to provide a one-stop shopping convenience for customers. By 1991, Wal-Mart Corps had outperformed its competitors in the market. Surpassing both K-Mart and Sears; Wal-Mart was labeled as the leading retailer in the United States. Currently, Wal-Mart has 10,700 stores in 27 different countries and they are operating globally around the world (Wal-Mart Corporations, n.d.). Vision, Mission and Stakeholder Influences...
Words: 3837 - Pages: 16
...Multimedia Architects 3D Virtual Reality Strategic Technology Plan Tony E. Rumford, Quincy Jones, Cheri Bennett, Ryan Shemer, Darren Roony CMGT/557 - EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES & ISSUES 07/13/2015 TAMMY BORUNDA Table of Contents Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 3 Overview of Technology Plan........................................................................................................ 4 Organization Mission: ............................................................................................................... 4 Organization Description: .......................................................................................................4-5 Technology Planning Team: ..................................................................................................... 5 Organization Analysis .................................................................................................................5-6 Current Business Processes: ...................................................................................................6-7 Process Improvements: ..............................................................................................................8 Current State of Technology: .................................................................................................8-9...
Words: 3054 - Pages: 13
...Strictly Confidential 2014 Strictly Confidential Gorillas The Mist Eco-Hotel “Gorillas InInThe Mist” Ecotourism Hotel Investment Venture Summary “Gorillas In The Mist” Safari Lodges Kaberu, Kitumba Sub County, Kabale District. Uganda Address: C/O, P.O BOX 710, Voice of Kigezi, Kabale Tel: +256751918103 Phone: +256775705779 E-mail: fdnuganda@gmail.com By: Owen Phillip M FDN Ventures Hub 5/1/2014 1. Introduction to Project “Gorillas in the Mist” Ecotourism Hotel In this fast paced world, more and more travellers are seeking nature-based experiences such as an adventure into the high misty mountains as part of their holidays and “Gorillas in the Mist” will offer exactly that. “Gorillas in The Mist” Ecotourism Hotel will be a seven million dollars ($7m) budgeted high-end hotel, planned on 11(eleven) acres of land, located at the prime view point of Africa‟s second deepest lake “Bunyonyi” and Mt. Muhavura, surrounded by the famous natural misty forest cover that includes Bwindi Impenetrable forest and Mugahinga national park that accommodated more than half of worlds mountain gorilla population. Not just with unrivaled world standards 100 room occupancy capacity accommodation, sustainable Eco lodges, Sports and Recreation, MICE, Business Hub, Cultural and Artesian, beauty Spas, F&B, Social Hubs, primate museum, among many more competitive facilities, but “Gorillas In The Mist” will offer excellent hospitality experience, quality ecotourism packages and Ecotourism research services...
Words: 2512 - Pages: 11
...essential that within this current climate, the organisation adapts their strategies to the internal and external demands of the constantly changing environment to secure their financial position for the future. This report has been designed to provide an in depth strategic analysis of the internal and external environments the BBC operates in. Our internal analysis has demonstrated that BBC has high levels of turnover but the gearing level has also been rising. To counteract this it has been recommended that the BBC can exploit their resources and implement a short term strategy to increase their services by publishing adverts, expanding the BBC iPlayer internationally and introducing pay per view services to create additional revenue streams to combat the stagnated and threatened licence fee and government grants. The external analysis has indicated that technology has been rapidly changing and competitive rivalry is an issue within this industry therefore a long term opportunity has been recommended for the BBC, to penetrate into BRIC and other international markets to promote their brand and take advantage of the huge growth potential in these markets whilst creating larger profits to be reinvested in quality, their people and technological advancement. Contents 1. Introduction 5 1.1 Report objectives 5 1.2 Company Overview 5 2 Analysis 6 2.1 External Analysis 6 2.1.1 Macro-Environment PEST 6 2.1.2 Industry Analysis 7 2.1.3 Porter’s Competitive Forces 8 ...
Words: 9575 - Pages: 39
...Sampson CIS 620 Management Information Systems Fall Term 2002 October 10, 2002 Table of Contents Introduction 3 Definitions 4 Strategic Planning 4 Environmental Scanning 4 Environmental Scanning in the Business World 5 Four Scanning Strategies 5 Perceived Uncertainty 5 Competitive Intelligence 6 Environmental Scanning in the Academic World 7 Why Scan? 7 Learning Organizations 7 Scanning as a Four-Step Process 8 Trends to Scan 9 Environmental Scanning at the University of Missouri System 9 Environmental Scanning at Ole Miss 10 Environmental Scanning at the Center for Information Technology, Bellevue University 11 General Attitudes Toward Scanning 11 Sources Being Scanned 11 Interview with Director Creagan 12 Conclusions and Recommendations 14 Conclusions 14 Recommendations 15 Bibliography 16 Introduction Environmental scanning is a tool used by strategic planners in the business and academic worlds. However, these terms often meet with a blank stare when presented to people outside of senior management. What is strategic planning? What is environmental scanning? How do businesses and universities use these tools? Is environmental scanning a tool that can be used more effectively at universities? These questions will be investigated, with specific attention on the role of environmental scanning at the Center for Information Technology at Bellevue University. First, this paper will provide background...
Words: 3484 - Pages: 14
... Abstract In continuation with my Business Analysis on Starbucks this week, I will review the strategic initiative that Starbucks has taken to adapt in the changing market. I will examine how the recent economic trend as affected the business, how they used or could use a strategy for adapting to the changing market with the recession going on. I introduce tactics that Starbucks has implemented or could implement to achieve their goals. I will also include a section on how their human resources management plays an important role in making sure Starbucks achieves their goals. In the end I will make my final decision whether or not, I want to invest my money into Starbucks Corporation. There will be a review on the analysis from my last two papers that I did and will show support for my conclusion. Business Analysis Part III Because of the recession Starbucks has had to make many changes to keep itself in the competitive market while trying to retain the authenticity of its brand. The Corporation has had to make some adjustments to its upscale formula to address a growing demand for a high quality product at an affordable price. Starbucks has to conform to keep their existing customers by outlining a twofold growth strategy, first to focus on profits in their existing stores and by making a new strategic investment in key initiatives (Barnes, 2011). Starbucks prides itself by offering more than just...
Words: 3753 - Pages: 16
...... On the ..................day of........................... 2012 Executive Summary The following report is an analysis of the contribution that Jim Collins has made to the literature and field of leadership. It has been written by the two authors in response to assignment requirements for the Managing and Leading Strategically module which is a partial fulfilment for a Masters in Business Administration degree with the University of Gloucestershire. Olivine Industries is a wholly owned Zimbabwean company, that is a key player in the manufacturing of cooking oil margarine and soaps The business is headed by the managing director Jonas and his supporting executive team. The business is currently implementing a turnaround strategy in an effort to recover from the effects of the 9 years of economic meltdown the country experienced between 2000 and 2009. The report begins by exploring the theoretical...
Words: 8040 - Pages: 33
...UBER In the last few years technology has drastically changed the way some industries do business. The newest company changing the essential nature of their industry is Uber. Uber’s company mission confirms this ambition. They want, “to evolve the way the world moves by seamlessly connecting riders to drivers through their apps”. Uber’s aim is to make cities more accessible, open up more possibilities for riders, and provide more business for drivers. This desire to change the nature of the ride for hire business has challenged the regulatory framework of the taxi industry and has caused a substantial amount of controversy for the company. This controversy hasn’t harmed the company’s bottom line. In fact, Uber is so loved by its users that it has grown to a billion dollar company on word of mouth alone. As Uber launches into each new market, these controversies are played out in the court of public opinion, and the power of Uber supporters and the quality of the experience, create a large amount of defense for the company from the local community. This support has changed laws, helped make easy transitions for Uber in new cities, and through local and national media has reached even more potential customers who would use an innovative new company reinventing a transportation experience that is nearly universally disliked by people everywhere. Uber has been an outstanding innovator who is experiencing great growth and success. This unique ability leads to the question, what...
Words: 4073 - Pages: 17
...Management Matthew W. MacClellan Webster University SECR 5060 – Mr. Griffaw July 8, 2012 Contents Introduction 3 Technology 3 Four Phases of Emergency Management 4 How to Develop and Maintain a Social Media Site 4 Mitigation 6 Preparedness 8 Response 9 Recovery 12 Works Cited 15 Introduction Communications has evolved greatly since the days of using a rotary telephone connected to copper wires in order to communicate. Today nearly 50% of the population in the United States use smartphones daily. According to Frank N. Magid Associates that is a leading research-based consulting firm, Smartphone owners have increased from 31% in 2011 to 44% in 2012 with a projected increase to 57% this year (Godfrey, 2013). Take a look around next time you are out in public and pay special attention to how many people are using their smartphones and tablet computers, you will see the use of them everywhere you go. Users can make phone calls on their smartphones, but tend to use data services such as Short Message Service (SMS) commonly referred to as text messaging, internet services, Global Positioning Service (GPS), and the camera on the Smartphone. Technology There are many other devices today from computers to tablet computers, but in order to frame how instantaneous communications can occur today it is important to understand the power the Smartphone yields when it comes to instantly sharing information, locations, and photographs. Access to great amounts...
Words: 3561 - Pages: 15
...case study titled Disney Design, we would like sharing how The Walt Disney Company can be so successful in till today in the entire world mainly due to its successful organizational management. Walt Disney was established in the year 1923. As each and everyone know Walt Disney is the 11th world most valuable brand with a market capital net-worth of USD 179.5 billion by May 2015, according to the Forbes Magazine. It was stating from 1923 at California and it is still so popular in movie, TV program, theme parks, resorts and destination, entertainment, and games. The Walt Disney Company is a diversifies worldwide entertainment company with operations in four major business parts which are studio entertainment, parks and resorts, media networks and consumer products. They have 11 theme parks around the world, cable television network like Disney channel and ESPN. After precisely doing several research and analysis towards the Walt Disney Company, we would like to discuss three major topic regarding about what environmental factors that influenced its management style, what type of organizational structure it is, and how and where might the informal organization be a real asset at Disney? Management style is particularly important during crisis. There are some significant environmental factors constantly affecting the management style of a business, including Disney. Disney has to operate in an extremely complex environment on account of the internationalization of its operations...
Words: 3022 - Pages: 13
...is the flagship chain store of the Inditex group, The world's largest apparel retailer, the fashion group also owns brands such as Massimo Dutti, Pull and Bear, Uterqüe, Stradivarius and Bershka. It is claimed that Zara needs just two weeks to develop a new product and get it to stores, compared to the six-month industry average, and launches around 10,000 new designs each year. Zara has resisted the industry-wide trend towards transferring fast fashion production to low-cost countries. Perhaps its most unusual strategy was its policy of zero advertising; the company preferred to invest a percentage of revenues in opening new stores instead. This has increased the idea of Zara as a "fashion imitator" company and low cost products. Lack of advertisement is also in contrast to direct competitors such as Uniqlo and United Colors of Benetton. Zara was described by Louis Vuitton Fashion Director Daniel Piette as "possibly the most innovative and devastating retailer in the world." Zara has also been described as a "Spanish success story" by CNN. Amancio Ortega opened the first Zara store in 1975 in a central street in downtown La Coruña, Galicia, Spain.[4] Ortega named his store Zorba after watching the classic film Zorba the Greek, but apparently there was a bar that was called the same, Zorba, two blocks away, and the owner of the bar came and said, "this is going to confuse things to have two Zorbas." They had already made the molds for the letters in the sign, so they just rearranged...
Words: 7479 - Pages: 30
...(Akoum, 2008). Those emirates are: Abu Dhabi, which is the largest city and capital of the UAE, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Qaiwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah. Governed by Hereditary rule, each emirate consists of a Sheikh from the supreme council of rulers who work alongside a Crown Prince and a deputy ruler (Rees, et. al., 2007). These rulers control general policy and federal laws. Values and attitudes In keeping with Islamic tradition, families in the UAE share the view that men are guardians over women (Crabtree, 2007). They also believe that marriage is a means for procreation and to promote social stability. Patriarchal views are dominant throughout the region as well. Sons are valued more than daughters, a viewpoint that can be seen through the celebrations that occur following births. For example, two...
Words: 4265 - Pages: 18
...performance. • Discuss the effect of organizational culture on business ethics. • Compare and contrast four strategies for merging organizational cultures. • Identify five strategies to strengthen an organization’s culture. 16 S I X T E E N 496 T o an outsider, PeopleSoft is one of the loopiest places on the planet. The Pleasanton, California, business management software company has nerf ball shootouts and minigolf tournaments in the hallways. Dress-down day is every day of the week. A white collar is usually a T-shirt. The bagels and gourmet coffee are free. Having fun is so ingrained that many employees—called PeoplePeople—say it’s the best place to have a bad day. PeopleSoft also values egalitarianism— treating everyone with respect and minimal status differences. Executives don’t have secretaries, special perks, or grandiose offices. “Don’t kiss up and slap down,” PeopleSoft cofounder Dave Duffield reminds everyone. In other words, give the bagel delivery guy the same respect as the company president. PeopleSoft is also extreme on technology and flexible customer service. Job applicants use an automated voice response system to accept their job offer. On the first day of work, newcomers are outfitted with a notebook computer and a backpack. They also receive tools for posting personal web pages on the company intranet. “There’s an unstated expectation that this is how things are done at the company,” says Steve Zarate,...
Words: 12145 - Pages: 49