...Microsoft Office System Customer Solution Case study REI Improves Its Product Development Processes by Integrating Process and Project Management Tasks “REI is combining the best of what Visio and Apprentice Process Modeler do for process modeling; what Project and PM Solutions do for project management; what SharePoint does for collaboration and document management; and what Outlook does for communication and collaboration. It’s all tied together with the Microsoft .NET Framework.” Kevin Myette Director of Business Operations REI (Gear and Apparel) Successful manufacturers of retail products, like Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), need to consistently develop high-quality products and decrease the time it takes to deliver them to market. To do that, they must efficiently manage product development processes, projects, and information. The REI Gear and Apparel division is taking an integrated process and project management approach to designing, managing, and tracking its product development processes and projects while collaborating and managing the workflow online. REI is combining Microsoft .NET technology, the Microsoft Office Enterprise Project Management (EPM) Solution, and software based on Microsoft Office Visio 2003 to create an integrated business solution it can use to model as-is business processes, experiment with what-if scenarios, and then convert the optimized processes into detailed project plans. Project managers can further develop these plans, assign...
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... SUMMARY URL CASE FOUNDATIONS OF BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE: DATABASES AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT Data Warehousing at REI: Understanding the Customer REI uses IBM data warehousing technology to achieve its vision of understanding what its customers want, and how they want to interact with the company. L= 4:39. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KEkA3O784s Systems REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.) is an American consumers’ cooperative that sells outdoor recreation gear and sporting goods via the Internet, catalogs, and over 120 stores in 29 states. It opens six to eight new stores each year. Its major competitors in the U.S. include many other sporting goods retailers. REI is the largest consumer co-op in the United States. A consumer’s cooperative is a business owned by its customers for their mutual benefit. The goal of a co-op is to sell quality goods and services at the lowest cost to its consumers, as opposed to the traditional model of selling goods and services at the highest cost that consumers are willing to pay. However, a co-op is no different from traditional firms in the following regard: databases and information management still play key roles in efficiency and strong customer service and are critical to the company’s bottom line. There is a one-time fee of $20 for lifetime membership to REI. The company normally pays an annual dividend check to its members equal to 10% of what they spent at REI on regularpriced merchandise in the prior...
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...REI – Working Together for a Better World Best Company for 25 Years REI is a cooperative – and a spirit of cooperation is infused in everything that they do. Leaders and employees cooperate with each other to insure that work is done well, people have a good time, and the labor conditions for employees at REI and at suppliers meet high standards. Employees cooperate with customers to listen to what they want and provide them with great products and great service. Everyone at REI cooperates with the environment, making numerous contributions outside of work time – in the form of community service work, educational programs and financial support – to help insure that the planet continues to exist in a healthy way into the next century. And all of this cooperation has brought REI significant positive recognition as one of only 5 companies to have been selected as one of the 00 Best Companies to Work for in America in both editions of the book of that name, and in every edition of the list published annually in Fortune magazine. REI is a model of the power and positive contribution that the spirit and practice of cooperation can bring to an enterprise. Living the Mission REI is a group of people striving to live up to the fullest meaning of the words used to describe the company. REI’s core purpose is to “… inspire, educate and outfit for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship.” As a cooperative, everyone in the company and customers, producers and suppliers, are...
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...1. What is a data warehouse and why is REI building one? A data warehouse is unique kind of a database where current and historical data about a certain group of people such as customers, is stored. Information from operational systems, such as transaction processing systems, is extracted and summarised then stored in in a data warehouse. This type of information includes records about customer interaction patens, customer purchasing history or trends and current customer records. The information in a data warehouse is used for management analysis and decision making. REI needs data warehouse for the following benefits • It will help REI’s management in decision making. Drawing trends about past and current customer buying patens will indicate as to which products are making the most profit and which ones require improvements. • REI will have an integrated, companywide view of high-quality information. The information systems department will be able to separate informational from operational systems to improve performance dramatically in managing company data. 2. What are some of the disadvantages of consumer cooperatives compared to ’traditional’ firms? Consumer co-operatives will not make a higher profit if they happen not to have a lot of members. While traditional firm firms will make profit from a variety of customers. Prices in Consumer-operatives are owners driven while traditional firms change their prices according to demands of products. This makes price...
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...| Prepared by: Zia Uddin Fakhrur Rahman Shatil Mahmood Mahazabin Faria KhanCourse: Management of Organization & Systems [MGT 701] Couse Instructor: Prof. Md. Mahbubul Alam Date: 1st December 2014 | Table of Contents Executive Summary Introduction to REI Porter Analysis REI’s current Strategies ------------------------------------------------- Executive Summary REI leads outdoor sports stores in the US by offering apparel, gear, and services to the physically active crowd. REI is the largest consumer cooperative in the country, with more than 2.8 million members. With 94 stores in 26 states, REI garners unmatched customer loyalty as an outdoor sports authority. REI’s unique, innovative positioning strategy allowed its continued growth over the years. However, many retail stores are adopting REI’s strategies, threatening to carry away REI’s market share. REI should modify its strategies to maintain its position in the sporting goods industry. In this report, we analyze REI’s strategy using Porter’s Five Forces analysis. We analyze threats and show how REI differentiates itself from its rivals to builds its brand. Finally, we suggest strategies to stay ahead of competitors and to improve profits. ------------------------------------------------- Introduction History and Background From the 1970s to the 1990s, interest in healthy living and personal fitness has corresponded with...
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...3.0. How to structure a business dissertation Title Page Dedication Acknowledgements Abstract: A summary of the dissertation Table of Contents Introduction: Introduces the study and summaries the state of area prior to the research. This section outlines the problem(s) to be investigated, the aims and objectives of the research and describes the methodologies used. Additionally, an outline of the overall dissertation structure may be included. Literature Review: This accounts the previously written, published and unpublished literature on the selected research topic. The purpose of conducting a review on the existing knowledge and ideas on the topic is to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the research area whilst defining a guiding concept for the dissertation. To achieve this, four important steps must be followed: concentrate on the relevant theories; break down the topic and define key terms; examine recent research in the area; and conclude with the research questions that will be resolved in the study. Methodology: This section is designed to give the reader a coherent, clear and precise account of how the study was conducted. The section is composed of number of sub-sections which should include: research philosophy, research approach, research strategy, data collection and any problems encountered in the data gathering process, data reliability, validity and generalizability, and finally, ethical issues and possible limitations with the research. Results: ...
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...NORAZASMIRABT OSMAN 2014192231 Chapter 6: Case 2 Data warehousing at REI: Understanding the customer 1. What is a data warehouse and why is REI building one? Data warehouse is a large store of data accumulates from a wide range of sources within a company used. It collects data from the customers to better understand the customer’s trends, needs, and preferences. It also helps company analysing the data collected and improve the management strategies and decision making process. 2. What are some of the disadvantages of consumer cooperatives compared to ‘traditional’ firms? There are some disadvantages of consumer cooperatives compared to traditional firms where traditional model allow selling goods and services at the highest cost that are consumer willing to pay that will reflect the company to maximizing profits. In contrast, the goal of coop is to sell quality goods and services at the lowest cost to its consumers. The members of a consumer cooperative rarely benefit from the financial success of the cooperative. Additionally, coops can sometimes suffer from management difficulties because each member can technically play some part in managing the company. 3. Describe. Would these have been possible before the data warehouse was built? Some of the marketing strategies that REI’s data warehouse will allow it to use? REI’s data warehouse allows the company to better understand their customers’ preferences such as their favourite product. Hence...
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... The North Face is a retail and manufacturing corporation of equipments and outdoor apparel also improving in casual sportswear and outdoor sports equipment markets. The North Face is one of the lead servers in casual sportswear market, rather than specialty market. The products offered at REI has great variety, one of the product category is fitness clothing product line. Men’s fitness clothing includes shirts, shorts, hats, gloves and mittens, pants, jackets, vest and gaiters. Fortune Magazine has ranked REI number nine in 2011. ("100 best companies," 2011) The North Face is a well-known brand and popular among youth and college students. North Face is The product availability is very less in men’s running clothing it is limited. The current availability in mega sale for men’s running is two socks product, which are of North Face at 35%, which is not enough for to grab customer’s attention at the sale products. They offer outdoor school, which provides beginning to advanced-level classes and outings in many different activities like kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking, camping skill and mountain biking for families and individuals. REI offer’s about hundred and sixty men’s fitness clothing, which has hundred and twenty running wears also includes hiking and yoga clothing’s pricing, is any where from dollar twenty to two hundred, out of which eleven items are on sale. The North Face is a well-known brand and popular among youth and college students...
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...Ethics in Production Nestle is an extremely unethical company that promotes slavery and poor work conditions for its employees. They produce infant formula that violates international regulations for breast milk substitute. They take advantage of cheap prices for their cocoa because they use child slave labor. They also abuse water rights and implement practices harm water sources in their bottled water operations in the U.S. and Brazil. Nestle will not allow a union and shuts down every effort for workers to have a collective bargaining arrangement. They do not practice fair trade and take every advantage they can to exploit workers. Nestle defends these unethical practices with denial and deception to convince people they aren’t a bad corporation. Barrick Gold Corporation is also an example of an extremely unethical company. They are a Toronto based corporation that has allegedly had a part in burning down 130 homes in Papua New Guinea. They have been accused of manipulating Titles in Chile and Australia and leaving toxic levels of arsenic near Tanzania. They are associated with the 60% shrink of glaciers near the Argentina and Chile boarder. They have polluted water resources around the world and take advantage of third world countries and their resources. These companies are able to exploit the resources of third world countries and the people in them because of the demand for these products in the U.S. Consumers cannot directly see what goes into the...
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...increase in Money Supply upon the overall level of economic activity, using both the traditional transmission mechanism, and in the IS'LM model. Are there any major differences between these 2 models? Your answer should include all relevant diagrams. (20 marks IN RELATION TO THIS QUESTION, STUDENTS WOALD BE EXPECTED TO IDENTIFY AND EXPILIIN THE TRADITIONAL TRANSMISSION MECHANISM AND BRIEFLY EXPLAIN ITS CONSTITUENT PARTS; NAMELY MONEY MARKET, THE INVESTMENT DEMAND CARVE, AND FINALLY THE 45 DEGREE LINE PRODUCT MARKET MODEL. THEY WOALD BE EXPECTED TO BRIEFLY DESCRIBE THE EFFECT OF AN INCREASE IN MONEY SAPPLY WHEN THE ASSET DEMAND CURVE FOR MONEY IS RELATIVLY FLAT AND THE INVESTMENT DEMAND CT]RVE IS RELATIVELY STEEP. BETTER ANSWERS WOALD EXPLAIN WHAT THE LATTER 2 SLOPES INDCATE ABOUT THE PARTICULAR MARKETS. ANSWERING THIS QAESTION STUDENTS SHOALD IDENTIFY THE 2 PARTICULAR WEAKNESSES THAT CHARACTERISE THE TRADITIONAL TRANSMISSION MECHANISM. THE ARTE THE 2 PROBLEMS OF TryHEN INTERDEPENDENT VARIABLES AND IN TARN UNCERTAIN OR ANPREDICTABLE OR INDETERMINATE OUTCOMES OR RESALTS. OK. AS PART OF THEIR ANSWERS STADENTS SHOULD CERTAINLY MENTION THE FEEDBACK EFFECT OR THE RELATION BETWEEN CHANGES IN GDP OR Y, AND IN TARN CHANGES IN THE LEVEL OF TRANSACTIONS DEMAND FOR MONEY. FINALLY STUDENTS SHOALD EXPLAIN THE IS.LM MODEL BRIEFLY AND SHOW THE EFFECTS...
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...Case Study for Yohji Yamamoto After Recession, How Yohji Yamamoto Protect His Business? Compare with Comme des Garcons. University for the Creative Art Directed by Mo Tomaney Written by Yu-Han, Lin (Monica) Date: 19th January 2012 MA Fashion Management and Marketing Introduction Yohji Yamamoto is a Japanese poet, a philosopher of Eastern aesthetics, and as known, he is a fashion designer. When people talk about Yohji Yamamoto, it seems impossible to discuss his early work without referencing Rei Kawakubo. Both of them were born in the war era, obviously, it can be told from their collections that the later stage of the Second World War left some significant influences. Their concept of fashion and design are similar, and also the way they express their concerning about societal and global issues are usually positive. A functional elegance and sobriety is their philosophy. As people know, black is the essential colour they always apply in their every seasonal collection. As Yamamoto explained, “Black is modest and arrogant at the same time…It means that many things go together, yet it takes different aspects in many fabrics…But above all black says…don’t bother me!” (2000 cited in English, 2011: 46) Besides, their attitude about choosing fabrics and respect for the wholeness of the body are similarly severe and carefully. The aesthetic they present is considered very ideological. For example, bias-cutting, irregularly overlapping design, applying washed fabrics and dark...
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...Organizational Behavior & Communication Paper Jessica Ginger COM/530 January 30, 2012 Aileen Aspect The research in this paper focuses on the relationship between organizational communication and organizational culture. Many things can effect communication and culture to including determining if an organization is living up to the standard set forth in their core values and resolving conflict through these values as well. Organizational Behavior & Communication Paper Starbucks has created one of the most exceptional models of organizational culture and communication in American business history. Starbuck’s culture is built on the platform of creating the ultimate coffeehouse experience for the consumer. It accomplishes this through offering the highest quality of coffee, hiring a diverse and passionate workforce, and sustaining the environment in which it operates. Starbucks commitment to social awareness has created a strong healthy organizational culture thus aligning their espoused values and enacted values. For example in the coffee bean farming industry, Starbucks became a leading supporter and purchaser of Fair Trade Certified coffee. Through their commitment to the Global Exchange and Fair Trade they are the only company licensed to sell the coffee in 23 countries. This action supported a core value by allowing Starbucks to still purchase their high quality coffee while supporting human rights issues. Another example would be their...
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...4 Restructuring 4 Innovation 4 Uitwerking marketingcase TripAdvisor 5 De casus in het kort 5 China 5 Vacation rental 6 Probleemstelling 6 Probleemanalyse 6 Marktafbakening (model van abel) 7 Afnemerstechnologie 7 Afnemersfunctie 7 Afnemersgroepen 8 Het model in beeld 8 Porter toegepast op case TripAdvisor 9 Potentiële toetreders. 9 Macht van leveranciers 10 Macht van de afnemers. 10 Dreiging van substituten 11 Concurrentie tussen bestaande concurrenten 11 Kern-competentie 11 Probleemoplossing TripAdvisor 11 Situatie 1 11 Advies 1 11 Situatie 2 12 Advies 2 12 blueprint model 13 Doelstellingen les Aan de hand van een literatuuronderzoek gaan wij het 5-krachtenmodel van Porter toelichten. Hiernaast lichten wij de kerncompetenties van Prahalad en Hamel uitgebreid toe. Na deze toelichting worden de modellen toegepast op de toegewezen casus: TripAdvisor. Als laatste wordt het blueprint-model uit het boek van de Vries toegepast op TripAdvisor. Hoofdonderwerpen Literatuuronderzoek * The five competitive forces that shape competitors, 2008, Michael E. Porter. * Building growth on core competence – a practical approach, 1997, Nigel Petts. TripAdvisor, de case * Toelichting op de casus * Probleemanalyse * Toepassen model van Abell * Toepassen 5-krachtenmodel van Porter *...
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...Intercultural Relations 28 (2004) 577–594 www.elsevier.com/locate/ijintrel Learning styles and their impact on cross-cultural training: An international comparison in France, Germany and Quebec Christoph I. Barmeyerà ´ IECS—Ecole de Management de Strasbourg/Universite R. Schuman, CESAG (Centre d 0 Etude des Sciences ´es ` ˆt Applique a la Gestion), 61, Ave de la Fore Noire, F 67085 Strasbourg, France Abstract Every person has his or her own individual way to learn and to solve problems in day-to-day situations. These personal cognitive strategies, acquired in a long socialization process are called ‘‘learning styles’’ and may differ depending on gender, age or culture. In this study, the learning styles of over 300 students in business administration in France, Germany and Quebec are examined with the Learning Style Inventory (LSI). Representative and signiï¬cant learning differences where found. This is why the LSI can be used in a ï¬rst step for the illustration and comparison of typical patterns of learning. In a second step the results may be of use to international trainers in making decisions about course design and methods of cross-cultural training in relation to the learning proï¬les of the participants. r 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Learning styles; LSI; Culture; Cross-cultural management; Socialization; Intercultural training; Cultural differences; Training methods ÃFax:+33 3 90 41 42 70. E-mail address: christoph.barmeyer@iecs.edu...
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...Technology Ventures Prompt: Rutgers professors have invented a novel method for real-time tracking of the position of 3D wireless transmitters in indoor environments. It provides positioning software and core tracking services for various wireless technologies, including WiFi, ZigBee as well as active RFID tags. The unique combination of hardware and software works with minimal human effort. Users can begin tracking devices on their existing wireless networks by simply placing a few Kortrax landmarks in their building. No additional set up is required. 1. What problem(s) likely led to recognition of the technology? Provide a full market understanding for one of the problems you identify - be sure to discuss the nature of the problem - and describe the technical understanding that made this invention possible. (50 Points) (2 pages, single-spaced max.) Problem There were several underlying issues that created a need for this 3D tracking Wireless technology, which dealt mostly with the lack of efficiency in certain environments. Wireless technologies already aide in improving efficiencies—for example, the use of RFIDs by Walmart has immensely helped manage its inventories and overall, improve its supply chain. However, there is a large gap in accurately tracking their inventory in each phase, especially in an indoor environment. To offer a better example of this problem, it will be helpful to look at how this tracking technology affects the emergency services and hospital...
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