...STUDY ABROAD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS – MAN 4956 AUSTRALIA – SUMMER A 2012 CITY-AS-TEXT ASSIGNMENT PART A As I embarked on my 20 hour trip to Sydney, Australia I couldn’t help but to wonder what lied ahead. I have had certain interest since I was a child in visiting this country but as many people do, I had certain preconceptions. The only thing I knew of this country was what I had seen on TV on the Discovery Chanel about the animal population; which the country is home to more than 140 species of marsupials (animals with pouches to carry their young), including koalas, wombats and the Tasmanian devil, now found only in the Tasmanian wilderness. Australia is also home to many unique animal groups thus creating in my mind a fear for both the marine life and other animals known only to reside there; and no there are no kangaroos bounding around downtown. I was also concern about the culture shock, I had this idea that Australians where more tall, light skin, blue eyes, blonde hair, but that quickly change upon my arrival ; there’s a diversity in culture (mostly Asian) and both man and women were not to tall. My idea of an open fields and small dessert like rural areas and under developed city quickly changed upon my arrival, while much of the land is grassland or desert, Sydney is a highly developed city with an economically advanced mixed economy. The city is much developed with so many places to visit like: The Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbor, which overlooks the...
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...EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This Virgin Blue will be discussing about Virgin Blue history and when it began, its establishment as the first low fare airline in Australia. This report will also examine about Virgin Blue’s business model their advantages, in the market as a low fare airline and their financial circumstances that the airline industries have faced during their operation. In Australia first low fare airline, the report will analyze how they are keeping their position in the competitive market airline and what are their plans for expansion. Virgin Blue’s marketing strategy will be included to analyze their “no thrills” method. Further on the marketing strategy, the report will analyze how Virgin Blue manages their operations in a way to expend their target market across Australia effectively. This report will further examine how their future plans can give them the opportunity to take on the big competitor in the Australian airline industry like Qantas, Jet airways and Tiger. As summery of Virgin Blue’s financial report will be discussing how their profit and loss margin is performing and the risks that the Virgin Blue could be facing on their restructuring scheme. By anticipating, Virgin Blue’s plan, the report will discuss how the plan will be implement and how effective and efficiently will this approach be internationally. 1. HISTORY (Marketing Situation) I. AUSTRALIAN AIRLINE HISTORY : The idea of passengers flying between cities in Australia was imagined in the...
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...Madagascar Rainforest Madagascar, located approximately 400 kilometers east of Africa is the world's fourth largest island. Because of its isolation it is occupied by some of the most unusual and rare species of plants and animals on earth. Madagascar was at one time formerly an independent kingdom; became a French colony in 1896 and regained independence in 1960. During 1992-93, free presidential and National Assembly elections were held ending 17 years of single-party rule(Science 1990). The main historical problem with international trade has been the correlated destruction of the environment. This is especially true when it comes to the issue of deforestation. In Madagascar, (Economic Geography, 1993) people have been cutting down the forests for decades. Throughout the past century, much of the rainforests of Madagascar have disappeared. People have begun moving out of the cities, industries have started to expand, and the use of land for farming (particularly coffee) has dramatically increased. All of these phenomenons have led to the destruction of the forest of Madagascar. Many plants and animal species have been severely endangered due to the deforestation (New Scientist 1990). With a current population near 14 million and growing at roughly 3% yearly combined with a per capita income of $230 per year, the major threats to the remaining forest are driven by subsistence needs and cutting for fuel. This has become a major issue, not only because of the value...
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...PRICING FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME History The brand name "Virgin" arose when Branson and a partner were starting their first business, a record shop. They considered themselves virgins in business. The current Virgin logo was originally sketched on a paper napkin and remains largely unchanged since 1979 Background Differentiation is the key They focus on what they can do best Understanding and meeting customer needs Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson Branson is also known for his adventurous spirit and sporting achievements such as crossing oceans in a hotair-balloon Branson made several world record-breaking attempts “My ability to listen to other people and accept it when their suggestions are better than mine has been useful during my 40 years in business” Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson Richard Branson ,as an entrepreneur, is always on the lookout for new opportunities and ideas that will enable him to gain an advantage over his competitors. Dan schulman Dan schulman was appointed CEO in the summer of 2001 Schulman had 18 years of telecommunications experience with AT&T and was the CEO of priceline.com His goal was to achieve a run rate ;1 million subscribers by the end of the first year and 3 million by year four He established his team and Virgin branded service launched in 2002 Virgin Group Limited Virgin Group Limited is a British branded venture capital conglomerate organisation founded by Sir Richard...
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...Research Case Study Virgin Blue ‘You can’t make a business case that you should be who you are not’ Shayne Connell Student Number: 9809317 Case Study GSBS6010 – Foundations of Marketing Theory Due: 11 March 2010 th Lecturers: Penny Crittall and Joel Goodsir Page 113 Table of Contents 1. Executive Summary………………………………………………………3 2. Situation Analysis a. Identification of case issues………………………………....…. 4 b. Analysis of case issues using marketing theory…...........……5 3. Evaluation of alternative courses of action……………………………. 7 4. Recommendations………………………………………………………..7 5. References………………………………………………………………...9 Page 114 1. Executive Summary This analysis examines Virgin Blue’s strategy to increase share of the business and government travel market. This is the third change of strategic direction for the low cost carrier since 2000. The key issues are the challenge of repositioning the company while maintaining the brand strength of the airline, and continuing to meet the needs of the leisure market while offering value to business travellers. Virgin Blue has targeted the full service market leader, Qantas, by positioning itself as an airline for executives who can avail themselves of ‘Premium Economy’ services. The situation is analysed drawing on International case examples, strategic planning principles and growth strategies to evaluate alternative courses of action. Virgin Blue needs to target the business market in the unique Virgin way to differentiate...
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...Business Strategy Analysis Virgin Group Yingzi Dong Xiange Liu Huan Wang Introduction Virgin is the managing company for the branded private investment group, which had interests ranging from transportation, financial services, health and leisure, and media and telecom to space travel. Virgin’s founder Richard Branson,started the Virgin group in the 1970s, with Branson and Murphy had decided in 2005 that Virgin would focus on two additional pillars of growth: health& wellness, and financial service.In the past, Virgin had generally financed its expansion by selling equity in its operating companies,then, Murphy contemplated the group’s strategy for the next decade. Business Strategy Virgin Group’s corporate strategy is change due to the whole financial situation. At the beginning, Virgin Group is a branded private investment group and seeking an internal rate of return of 30% or more on investments per year. And the initial strategy includes, 1) The founder of Virgin Richard Branson is enthusiastic about his career. The ideas for new investments can came from various people, such as Richard and his meeting friends, entrepreneurs or colleagues. Also, once...
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...Exam cases: Kodak Virgin Australia Post Pre-seen exam information Semester 2 2012 Global Strategy and Leadership © CPA Australia Ltd 2012 Case Scenario 1 Kodak case facts Eastman Kodak Company (Kodak) was founded in the late 19th century by amateur photographer George Eastman in Rochester, New York. With the slogan ‘you press the button, we do the rest,’ Kodak gave consumers the first simple camera in 1888, making a cumbersome and complicated process easy to use and readily accessible. A major multinational organisation, Kodak was listed on the New York Stock Exchange and became a powerhouse in the photography industry. The company led the way as an innovator, launching a large range of new products and processes to make photography simpler, more useful and more enjoyable. With the rapid growth of digital photography, competition against its product and being slow to embrace the move to digital technology Kodak has fallen on hard times. In January 2012, Kodak and its US subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for Chapter 11 business reorganisation1 in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. A company spokesperson said the aim of the business reorganisation was to enable Kodak to bolster liquidity, sell off nonstrategic intellectual property, and enable the company to focus on the most valuable business lines. The process will allow Kodak to continue normal business operations while it attempts to emerge a profitable and sustainable enterprise2...
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...Qantas Airways STRATEGIC DIRECTION * Qantas Airways Limited may have won the capacity war between itself and Virgin Australia, but the cost has been considerable. The company now needs to consider drastic measures that were previously out of the question, such as selling low cost carrier Jetstar or its highly profitable loyalty programme. Much of Qantas Airways Limited’s future, however, is in the hands of the Australian Parliament, and whether or not it dismantles the 1992 Qantas Sales Act to allow majority foreign ownership. KEY FACTS Summary 1 Qantas Airways Limited : Key Facts Full name of company: | Qantas Airways Limited | | | Address: | 10 Bourke Road, Mascot, New South Wales 2020, Australia | Tel: | +61 (02) 9691 3636 | Fax: | +61 (02) 9490 1888 | www: | www.qantas.com | Activities: | Operator of a scheduled airline, a low cost carrier, air freight carriers and a loyalty programme | Source: Euromonitor International from Australian Stock Exchange, Qantas Annual Report Summary 2 Qantas Airways Limited: Operational Indicators | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | | | | | Net sales | A$14,894 million | A$15,724 million | A$15,902 million | Net profit | A$552 million | A$95 million | A$192 million | Number of employees | 32,490 | 33,600 | 33,265 | Source: Euromonitor International from Qantas Annual Report COMPANY BACKGROUND * Qantas is publically traded on the Australian Stock Exchange, but with limitations that were imposed on the...
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...Exam cases: Kodak Virgin Australia Post Pre-seen exam information Semester 2 2012 Global Strategy and Leadership © CPA Australia Ltd 2012 Case Scenario 1 Kodak case facts Eastman Kodak Company (Kodak) was founded in the late 19th century by amateur photographer George Eastman in Rochester, New York. With the slogan ‘you press the button, we do the rest,’ Kodak gave consumers the first simple camera in 1888, making a cumbersome and complicated process easy to use and readily accessible. A major multinational organisation, Kodak was listed on the New York Stock Exchange and became a powerhouse in the photography industry. The company led the way as an innovator, launching a large range of new products and processes to make photography simpler, more useful and more enjoyable. With the rapid growth of digital photography, competition against its product and being slow to embrace the move to digital technology Kodak has fallen on hard times. In January 2012, Kodak and its US subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for Chapter 11 business reorganisation1 in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. A company spokesperson said the aim of the business reorganisation was to enable Kodak to bolster liquidity, sell off nonstrategic intellectual property, and enable the company to focus on the most valuable business lines. The process will allow Kodak to continue normal business operations while it attempts to emerge a profitable and sustainable enterprise2....
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...It was during this time that Branson had the idea to begin a mail-order record company called Virgin to help fund his magazine efforts. The company performed modestly, but made Branson enough that he was able to expand his business venture, adding a record shop in Oxford Street, London. With the success of the record shop, the high school drop-out was able to build a recording studio in 1972 in Oxfordshire, England. His first artist on the Virgin Records label, Mike Oldfield, recorded his single "Tubular Bells" in 1973 with the help of Branson's team. The song was an instant smash, staying on the UK charts for 247 weeks. Using the momentum of Oldfield's success, Branson then signed other aspiring musical groups to label, including the Sex Pistols. Artists such as the Culture Club, the Rolling Stones, and Genesis would follow, helping to make Virgin Music one of the top six record companies in the world. Branson expanded his entrepreneurial efforts yet again, this time to include the travel company the Voyager Group in 1980, the airline Virgin Atlantic in 1984, and a series of Virgin Megastores. But Branson's success was not always predictable. By 1992, Virgin was suddenly struggling to stay financially afloat. The company was sold later that year to THORN EMI for $1...
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...best known for his Virgin Group of more than 400 companies. His first business venture was a magazine called Student at the age of 16. In 1970, he set up an audio record mail-order business. In 1972, he opened a chain of record stores, Virgin Records, later known as Virgin Megastores. Branson's Virgin brand grew rapidly during the 1980s, as he set up Virgin Atlantic Airways and expanded the Virgin Records music label. Richard Branson is the 4th richest citizen of the United Kingdom, according to the Forbes 2011 list of billionaires, with an estimated net worth of US$4.2 billion. Branson was born in Blackheath, London, the son and eldest child of barrister Edward James Branson (10 March 1918 – 19 March 2011) and Eve Huntley Branson .His grandfather, the Right Honorable Sir George Arthur Harwin Branson, was a judge of the High Court of Justice and a Privy Councillor.Branson was educated at Scaitcliffe School (now Bishopsgate School) until the age of thirteen. He then attended Stowe School until the age of sixteen. Branson has dyslexia and had poor academic performance as a student, but later discovered his ability to connect with others. Branson started his record business from the crypt of a church where he ran The Student. Branson advertised popular records in The Student Magazine and it was an overnight success. Trading under the name "Virgin", he sold records for considerably less than the "High Street" outlets, especially the chain W. H. Smith. The name "Virgin" was suggested...
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...the use of management functions and their involvement in guaranteeing staff focus and motivation in order to accomplish organizational objectives. Virgin systematically explains the functions leading and planning and its contribution to monitor the external environment. This report helped me to identify the significance of the management functions. It was a challenging and interesting experience. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to work with your organization. On this research. If you need any clarifications please contact me. __________________ xxxxxx Virgin stands for value for money, quality, innovation, fun and a sense of competitive challenge The use of management functions within an organisation. Report prepared for, Mr. Bruno Silva Prepared by: xxxxxxxx Student ID: xxxxxxxxxxx Table of contents 1. Executive Summary 4 2. Introduction 5 1) Purpose 5 2) Virgin Companies 5 3) External Environment 5 4) Management Functions 5 5) Methodology 5 6) Plan 5 3. Planning 6 1) Strategic Management at Virgin 6 2) Methods used to assess the environment 8 3) Methods used to allocate resources 8 4. Leading 9 1) Leading within the Virgin Companies 9 2) Trait Theory 9 3) Leadership styles 10 4) Emotional intelligence 10 5. Conclusion 11 6. Recommendations...
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...………………………………………….................. 3.0 References ………………………………………………………. Introduction The main aim of this report is to create a 12-month London based sales promotion plan. This will be done by using different amount of factors to determine the best strategy for Virgin Atlantic. These factors will be including the objectives of the company as well as to what type of consumers to target while taking a deep look to budgeting and scheduling details. Since it was established in 1984, Virgin Atlantic Airways has turned into Britain's second biggest bearer serving the world's real urban communities. Presently based at both London's Gatwick and Heathrow air terminals, it works whole deal administrations to thirty destinations worldwide as far separated as Las Vegas and Shanghai. Virgin Atlantic has delighted in tremendous prevalence, winning top business, shopper and exchange grants from around the globe. The aircraft has spearheaded a scope of advancements setting new measures of administration, which its rivals have along these lines looked to take after. Notwithstanding Virgin Atlantic's development the administration still stays client driven with an accentuation on worth for cash, quality, fun and advancement. Virgin Atlantic has conveyed 53m travelers since it started operations and now utilizes...
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...Virgin Mobile USA: Pricing for the Very First Time Company Background Introduction Case Background Issue of Concern Market Research Analysis All Options Theory Application Calculation Virgin Response Conclusion Recommendations Inviting Questions 2 Introduction Analysis Conclusion Company Background • Virgin, a leading branded venture capital organization, is one of the world's most recognized and respected brands. • Conceived in 1970 by Sir Richard Branson, the Virgin Group has gone on to grow very successful business in sectors ranging from mobile telephony, to transportation, travel, financial services, leisure, music, holidays, publishing and retailing. • Virgin has created more than 200 branded companies worldwide, employing approximately 50,000 people, in 29 countries. Case Background Issue of Concern [Source: company website Available from: http://www.virgin.com/AboutVirgin/WhatWeAreAbout/WhatWeAreAbout.aspx] 3 Introduction Analysis Conclusion Company Background Case Background Issue of Concern 4 Introduction Analysis Conclusion Company Background Case Background Issue of Concern Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson (born 18 July 1950), is an English entrepreneur, best known for his Virgin brand, a banner that encompasses a variety of business organizations. The name Virgin was chosen because a female friend involved in setting down the initial record shop commented that there...
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...Branson Sir Richard Branson is an English business magnate, best known as the founder of Virgin Group of more than 400 companies. Branson formed Virgin Atlantic Airways in 1984, launched Virgin Mobile in 1999, followed by Virgin Australia in 2000. Virgin builds each of its business, and delivers its services based on 5 core values: fun, value for money, quality, innovation, competitive challenge and brilliant customer service. He was 9th in the Sunday Times Rich List 2006, worth just over £3 billion and the 4th richest citizen of the United Kingdom, according to the Forbes 2011 list of billionaires. In his multiple ventures, both successful and not, he has identified what he believes to be the five key “secrets” to business success. First and most importantly you have to enjoy what you are doing. Secondly create something that stands out. In order to be successful you also must be a good leader. A good leader does not get stuck behind a desk so the last one of his secrets is to be visible. Meanwhile the 50,000 Virgin employees love their leader, and indeed many get the chance to join him for a weekend on Necker, which is a 74 acre island in the British Virgin Islands, owned by Richard Branson himself. British Virgin Islands are group of islands located approximately 1,100 miles southeast of Miami, Florida. He purchased the island at the age of 28, just six years after starting Virgin Group. It took 3 years and $10 million US dollars to turn it into a private island...
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