...The purpose of this memo is provide a recommendation on whether to invest in FedEx or UPS, given that the air transportation market in China is now open to both companies. Outlined in this memo are an assessment of the strategic approaches and an evaluation of the financial and non-financial performance of both companies, which led to the conclusion that UPS is the superior investment opportunity. 1.0 Strategic Approaches for FedEx and UPS FedEx and UPS are package-delivery companies that together provide supply chain, transportation, logistics and related information services. FedEx has expanded from operating in 25 U.S. cities, to serving international markets. Similarly, UPS initially operated just within the U.S. before expanding into Canada, Europe, Latin America and most recently, China. FedEx and UPS target the same markets and compete for presence in them. FedEx and UPS have some key differences with regards to their strategic approach to business (see Table 1). FedEx, which is regarded as an innovative, entrepreneurial, and operational leader has a strategy that focuses on providing high quality services to its customers. FedEx’s technological innovations, including the COSMOS interface, enables it to provide timely delivery service to its customers and large clients. UPS has a strategy that is driven by its quest for efficiency and cost reduction. In the past, UPS was regarded as “financially and operationally conservative” due to its reserved approach to investing...
Words: 280 - Pages: 2
...Exercises Implementing Strategy with IT For the first week of your internship, you got to know Lisa and Reuben, the owner/managers of Club IT, and learning some of the back office operations. You’ve become familiar with the Club IT website, and you want to help Lisa and Reuben see how they can achieve their primary strategic objective - “to build a community that meets regularly at Club IT.” After reading Chapter 2, you have seen many real business cases where IT has helped organizations achieve strategic objectives. The real estate industry has seen a major transformation with electronic communications and the web, the airlines are continuing to innovate, and even your course registration process is getting easier with online options. While Club IT doesn’t have the IT resources of Kmart or Sears, it is much more agile and should be able to take advantage of it’s information base to help build a community with the support of IT. 1. Many organizations now have a members’ website, where customers can keep track of different kinds of information related to the organization. Many have “wish lists” where you can keep track of items related to that business – eBay is a good example. Visit a site that allows users to keep a “my favorites” type of list (eBay, Amazon, Dell, Old Navy are examples) and prepare a paragraph discussing the kinds of competitive information the organization can gain by providing this service. 2. Consider the different strategies for competitive advantage...
Words: 433 - Pages: 2
...Harvey MGT/498 June 8, 2014 Erick Aguilar Strategic Plan At Riordan cohesiveness is the word that we want to best describe our internal culture as well as how we formulate and implement our business strategy. Although the company is departmentalized, ultimately we are one team with one mission and that is to put out the best quality product while using the most cost effective methods possible. Although there will always be unforeseen occurrences in business we believe that it is vital to create a culture in which our employees, from the corner office to the bottom floor understand the importance of continuity and team work. If we are going to achieve a desired outcome we must first have the right personnel in place, who have a clear, concise understanding of the objectives of our company and are motivated to excel their individual areas of responsibility. In order for operations to run smoothly and achieve maximum effectiveness communication is a staple for the Riordan Corporation. It is impossible for business operations to run smoothly without effective communication. At Riordan we will use both verbal and written communication to ensure that any information passed up or down is properly received and understood. Verbal communication reinforced with emails and memos are great for passing on information. Any written communication should thoroughly express the objectives hat are being passed on. It is also equally important to receive confirmation that the person or persons...
Words: 674 - Pages: 3
...Team Strategy Plan 1. Complete the following table to address the creation of teams at Riordan Manufacturing. Strategy Strengths Weaknesses Communication Employees who speak about and bring ideas to the table Employees who feel a lack of connection to other members of the team Personalities and attitudes Employees who speak openly about ideas and accept others ideas in a professional manner Employees who may get worked up easily when spoken upon Conflict resolution Employees who resolves issues and conflicts easily and effectively Employees who may not work well under pressure or under leadership Identifying and creating objectives Employees of the team who may be creative and works well with creating plans and identifying right from wrong Employees who may not have the mindset of creating and planning out strategies Feedback Employees who provides helpful information and effectively communicate with the members about the choices being made Employees who may not speak on how they feel about the outcome but may speak on it outside the environment 2. Identify the team formation strategy that is most suitable for Riordan Manufacturing, and provide the rationale for the decision. Your response should be at least 100 words. The team formation strategy more suitable for this organization would include current employees and some new hires to provide an equal ratio. The decision is based on the right give all employees a chance to work together...
Words: 497 - Pages: 2
...Transaction processing system – information systems that capture and record information about the transactions that affect the organization Management information system – information system that takes information captured by transaction processing systems and produces reports that management needs for planning and control Executive support system – support system that allow a user to explore the impact of available options or decisions Communication support system – supports systems that allow employees to communicate with each other and with customers and suppliers. Office support systems - support that help employees create and share documents including reports proposals, and memos Tools – software products used to help develop analysis and design specifications and completed system components Techniques – strategies for completing specific system development activities Analyst’s approach to problem solving 1. research and understand the problem 2. verify that the benefits of solving the problem outweigh the costs 3. develop a set of possible solutions (alternative)...
Words: 605 - Pages: 3
...COMMUNICATION STRATEGY MEMO TO: MR. WALTER MARTINSON, AEI PRESIDENT FROM: DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE COMMUNICATION SUBJECT: STRATEGY PLAN DATE: 1/11/2010 In light of the complaints from residential customers about the water taste and odor in Cobb County, the Executive Committee has authorized the development of a Strategy Action Plan by Administration that would explore issues, raise questions, and provide essential information to assist in protecting employees and customers in the event of any following incidents in the Cobb County area. At this time, The Strategy Action Plan is incorporated into a document that would contain strategies for possible, posed threats to the employees, customers, and the environment. In cooperation with the officials of the Water and Sewer Authority of Cobb County and the Georgia Department of Environmental Protection, we have made clear responses to contain the situation as a result of those efforts. It is in public record that AEI acquired Multi-Phase Equipment, which signed a contract with Wiregrass Disposal, Inc of Dothan, Alabama. Wiregrass was responsible for properly disposing the PCBs drums in a federally licensed toxic waste facility. In addition, Wiregrass was responsible for disposing all PCBs drums removed during the rebuilding and refitting process. Wiregrass was supposed to maintain both state and federal recorders regarding the material removed from the Multi-Phase Equipment site. Wiregrass did not fulfill the signed agreement...
Words: 498 - Pages: 2
...MMPBL/530 Human Capital Concepts Worksheet Assignment Week 1 The first week’s assignment focuses on creating a worksheet you can use in planning to gain knowledge about key course concepts and to recognize application of those concepts in the real world. The assignment has three purposes: (A) identify at least five key theoretical concepts from this week’s readings, (B) relate each key concept to its application in an organizational setting, and (C) communicate well-researched information clearly, concisely, and in an organized manner. Read the InterClean, Inc. scenario to identify examples of five or more key course concepts. Remember that the mind map is a source of these concepts. Then, read the assigned text materials to develop knowledge about the concepts. You may also wish to research these concepts through database searches in the University Library. This additional research will help expand your understanding of the text materials. By completing the worksheet following the title page, you can begin to develop your research and written communication skills. The example below is from the MBA/500 course using the USAuto scenario. This example can be useful to understanding the assignment’s requirements. Please note that in describing the application of the concept, the worksheet should not contain simple one-word or even one-sentence answers; it should adequately demonstrate, in short paragraphs, careful study of the situations presented in the scenario...
Words: 1312 - Pages: 6
...MANAGE OPERATIONAL PLAN BSBMGT515A Table of contents 1. Introduction (1) 2. Operational planning within The Iconic (2) 3. Components of operational plan (3) 4. Budgets (4) 5. Forecasts (5) 6. Environmental Scanning (6) 7. Key performance indicators (7) 8. Acquire Resources (8) 9. Monitor Operational Performance (9) 10. Monitor and review operational performance (10) 11. TOWs analysis on The Iconic (11) 12. Summary (12) 13. Reference list (13) Introduction (1) Planning means factoring in all aspects of what needs to happen in the future in order to ensure that it all gets done in the time available. In a business environment we use operational plans to ensure that targets are met within given timeframes and to satisfactory quality standard. There are three types of plan used at different levels within an organisation: * Strategic plan * Business plan * Operational plan The strategic plan is developed for long-term planning and covers a period of about five years. The strategic plan specifies the missions and goals of the organisation including decisions on how resources, both capital and human, will be allocated to meet organisational goals. A business plan sits between the highest-level plan (the strategic plan) and the operational plan. A business plan is a formal statement of a set of business goals and objectives that are to be achieved to meet the strategic objectives of the organisation. The...
Words: 3208 - Pages: 13
...When a firm creates, formulates, and implements a strategy that adds value and competitive advantage that is a strategic business plan. A strategic business plan is the layout or outline that specifies how a firm is going to reach their plans or goals over a certain period of time. The plan can be very specific or very broad. It can focus on one part of the business, as well as a whole focusing on all functions within a company. This plan is important to an organization’s long-term success because it gives the company a direction or purpose in which to set goals and carry them out. A strategic business plan assists a company in providing products and services in a more efficient and effective manner. Without a strategic business plan a firm will have a difficult time maximizing the potential of its resources. New opportunities and key resources for growth or improvement will be limited or perhaps even missed. A strategic plan is important to both small and large businesses. I believe that for any company, no matter the size, it is equally important to have a strategic business plan in place. This will assist in understanding customer needs and be able to adapt to constant changes and new trends taking place within the company. With a successful strategic plan, a company has a great opportunity for becoming very successful. Innovation plays a key role in developing a company that has potential for growth and success. Innovation provides the company with ways to maintain a competitive...
Words: 277 - Pages: 2
...OUTLINE a. Module learning outcomes b. Themes and topics c. Learning supports 3. MODULE DELIVERY SCHEDULE a. Session arrangements b. Student engagement c. Office hours arrangements 4. ASSESSMENT DETAILS a. Assignments b. Module assessment components i. Pre module assignment ii. Group project iii. Examination 5. GRADING a. University grading policy b. Grade descriptors for assessment components 6. CONCLUDING COMMENTS APPENDICES 5 6 10 12 16 19 21 3 Welcome message Welcome to this unit on Business Policy. Dr Yousef Eiadat will be joining me in teaching this course. In this unit we aim to build skills in Strategic planning – the analysis behind strategic decisions, the crafting of strategies and the implementation of them to ensure organisational success. Strategy involves managing the interface between an organization and its external environment. To this end, the first three topics develop skills in strategic analysis, leading to consideration of the positioning of an organisation in its strategic environment. These cover internal and external analysis, and the options in setting strategic...
Words: 4379 - Pages: 18
...TYPES OF MARKETING STRATEGIES MARKET LEADER STRATEGIES 1. Expand total market 2. Defend market share 3. Expand market share MARKET CHALLENGER STRATEGIES 1. Define strategic objective and opponents 2. Choosing an attack strategy MARKET FOLLOWER STRATEGIES MARKET NICHE STRATEGIES ================ A. 1. MARKET LEADER STRATEGIES EXPAND TOTAL MARKET • New Users E.g.: perfume:--> non-users (mkt-penetration strat) --> men (new market strat) --> other countries (geo-expan strat) E.g.: J&J Baby shampoo: birthrate declining --> ads target adults --> leading brand • New uses Cereals: as snacks --> increase frequency of use OJ: “not for breakfast anymore” Du Pont nylon: parachute-->pantyhose-->blouses & shirts --> auto tires -->seat belts --> carpeting Arm & Hammer: baking--> fridge deodorant --> quell kitchen grease --> carpet/pet deodorant --> bath tub relaxant --> toothpaste --> ???? • More usage: Michelin: want French to drive more --> rate restaurants (best in south --Provence & Riviera) --> publish guidebooks with maps and sights along the way 2. DEFEND MARKET SHARE • decide where to defend • continuous innovation along Mktg Mix Position defense: - purely defensive not enough --> must take offensive counter-measure Eg: Coke --> multi segments of cola mkt --> enter wine market --> acquire fruit drink companies --> desalination equipment --> plastics Flanking defense: - guarding territory not enough - create outposts/flanks: --> protect weak front --> invasion base for counter-attack...
Words: 1301 - Pages: 6
...clients. For many firms, the “80/20 rule” applies where the largest concentration (80%) of your revenue is being derived by a relatively small subset (20%) of your customers. These clients, due to the leveraged impact they have on your bottom-line and infrastructure costs, need to be carefully managed and made a key focus of your business strategy. This is equally true for a huge multi-million dollar conglomerate or a relatively small professional practice. While a continuing focus on new business acquisition is of paramount importance – “Grow or Die” – the strategy decision of how you marshal your limited resources of time, money and effort is a crucial one. Deciding to manage your top clients as “strategic accounts”, and investing your resources to build your relationships with them, provides a multiplier effect of benefits. To name a few: lowers acquisition costs for new business, engenders a higher level of customer loyalty, creates revenue stability and profitability enhancement, inspires ongoing future business, and develops a strong referral generator and free PR. Small businesses and professional practices can learn and incorporate strategies and practices from the larger, established strategic account departments of larger firms. Strategic account management is a mindset and a methodology, a series of carefully thought out decisions and processes that enforce and ensure that you truly place your top clients at the core of your business. This discipline needs to be internalized...
Words: 961 - Pages: 4
...Strategic Plan Strategic planning is an important tool for any organization. By having the right strategic plan, a company could reach their goal as well as meet their customers’ demands. A strategic planning helps a company develop basic goals which company will try to reach in certain a time period. In the strategic planning, company will usually consider the mission statement, vision, and values of company. Through this paper, an individual will gain information how US Airways business, product the airline provide, and services US airways. The reader will also gain information about how US airways work on developing right mission statement. The reader will also gain information how important mission, vision, and values to US airways in direction of their strategic plan. Mission Statement The mission statement is short and memorable, like a catch phase. The purpose of a mission statement is to endorse the meaning of the company and associate with company business. The company main customer’s bases are individual who like to fly. The mission statement of US airways is “Fly with US”. It is very obvious that the company is an airline operator, providing travels all around the world for its valued customers. The mission state or the slogan “Fly with US” could vary with different meanings for individuals. The individual could perceive this statement in many different ways. An individual could look at US as top airline for United State . This could also mean by flying...
Words: 1312 - Pages: 6
...sure you have a strategy? Donald C. Hambrick and James W, Fredrickson Executive Overview After more than 30 years of hard thinking about strategy, consultants and scholars have provided an abundance of /rameworks for analyzing strategic situations. Missing, however, has been any guidance as to v^hat the product of these tools should be—or virhat actually constitutes a strategy. Strategy has become a catchall term used to mean whatever one wants it to mean. Executives now talk about their "service strategy," their "branding strategy," their "acquisition strategy," or whatever kind of strategy that is on their mind at a particular moment. But strategists—whether they are CEOs of established firms, division presidents, or entrepreneurs—must have a strategy, an integrated, overarching concept of how the business will achieve its objectives. If a business must have a single, unified strategy, then it must necessarily have parts. What are those parts? We present a framework for strategy design, arguing that a strategy has five elements, providing answers to five questions—arenas: where will we be active? vehicles: how will we get there? differentiators: how will we win in the marketplace? staging: what will be our speed and sequence of moves? economic logic: how will we obtain our returns? Our article develops and illustrates these domains of choice, particularly emphasizing how essential it is that they form a unified whole. Consider these statements of strategy drawn from actual...
Words: 7729 - Pages: 31
...Inbox My Profile What's New Help Logout Welcome Kimberly Raetano (IRN:9038043721) Home Classroom Library Program Account PhoenixConnect MMPBL/590 Materials Discussion Assignments Grades MMPBL/590 STRATEGIES FOR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE Start Date: 01/17/2012 Print COURSE DESCRIPTION This course focuses on creating the value proposition as a driver of sustainable competitive advantage. Topics include translating key emerging trends into business opportunities; strategic challenges of global expansion; opportunities and constraints posed by regulatory change; competitor intelligence; scenario planning/planning for multiple futures; maximizing core business value; differentiating the value proposition; distribution channel development and integration; tailoring the value chain; building successful strategic alliances; and off-shoring models and approaches. Week 1 - Topic 1: Mission, Vision, and Values Objectives Distinguish between strategy and tactics. Explain the essential components of the strategic management process. Analyze the relationship among leadership, culture, stakeholder interests, and strategic outcomes. Create vision, mission, and values statements. Materials MIND MAP Mind Map Concept Outline EBOOK EBOOK COLLECTION: Chapter 1 - Pearce & Robinson. (2005). Strategic management (9th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. EBOOK COLLECTION:...
Words: 1984 - Pages: 8
