...deals with one of the biggest companies in the world… Walmart. It towers over its competitors with hundreds of millions of people visiting its stores each week and saving more money in this economic depression. It lowers the prices of everything to help your average middle and lower class families out when they need it the most. One main reason customers keep returning with smiling faces and will continue to return are because of these blow out prices. I know and understand even when people start to hear more about the risks Walmart employes are taking they will continue to shop here. The deals are to good to pass up and until something bad were to happen to individuals they will come week after week. How this article opens our eyes as to how Walmart is anti union and does not meet with competitors on employee wages. "On average, Wal-Mart sales clerks -- "associates" in company parlance -- pulled in $8.23 an hour, or $13,861 a year, in 2001, according to documents filed in a lawsuit pending against the company. "How is one supposed to live their lives off off this and support a family in this day and age of high gas price and low jobs available. Anthony and Wendy point out that it only takes time for people to stand up for themselves and revolt. "Indeed, the company now faces a revolt of sorts in the form of nearly 40 lawsuits charging it with forcing employees to work overtime without pay and a sex-discrimination case that could rank as the largest civil rights class action...
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...UNETHICAL BUSINESS PRACTICES OF WALLMART AND NIKE INTRODUCTION Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., branded as Walmart is an American multinational retail corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's second largest public corporation, according to the Fortune Global 500 list in 2013, the biggest private employer in the world with over two million employees, and is the largest retailer in the world. Walmart remains a family-owned business, as the company is controlled by the Walton family, who own a 48 percent stake in Walmart. It is also one of the world’s most valuable companies. The company was founded by Sam Walton in 1962, incorporated on October 31, 1969, and publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange in 1972. It is headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas. Walmart is also the largest grocery retailer in the United States. In 2009, it generated 51 percent of its US$258 billion sales in the U.S. from grocery business. It also owns and operates the Sam's Club retail warehouses in North America. In the late 1980s and early 1990s the company rose from a regional to national giant. By 1988, Wal-Mart was the most profitable retailer in the US and by October 1989 it had become the largest in terms of revenue. Geographically limited to the South and Lower Midwest up to the mid 1980s,...
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...GROUP ASSIGNMENT -1 Total Marks: 10 Read the following case study thoroughly and answer the questions given at the end. (Consult course syllabus for writing guidelines. Total length should not exceed five pages) C A S E 22 Submission Deadline: 16-02-2015 Wal-Mart: But We Do Give Them a 10 Percent Employee Discount "l I Tal-Mart began as a simple dream by its founder, Sam Walton: to provide low l' l' prices for customers every day. That philosophy has taken Wal-Mart in fortyfour years from one five-and-ten store in Bentonville, Arkansas, to the largest retailer in the world with estimated annual sales of close to $300 billion. In 2005 it was the largest company in the world based on revenue and slipped to number two in 2006 when Exxon/Mobil took over the number one position. Wal-Mart has more than 1.5 million employees worldwide, including 1.3 million in the United States, and generates more than 2 percent of the gross national product in the United States. On December 19, 2005, the results of a Pew Research survey showed that 81 percent of the 1,502 people who responded to the survey considered Wal-Mart a good place to shop. In addition, 69 percent of the respondents stated that they had a favorable opinion of Wal-Mart. However, 31 percent of the respondents stated that they had an unfavorable image of Wal-Mart. Furthermore, 68 percent of the respondents believed that having a Wal-Mart store in their area was good for the community, and 64 percent...
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...27109-7285 Restaurant Development Group Memo To: Date: Re: Registered Students March 1st 2006 Restaurant Development Group’s Winston-Salem Project From: Mr. Bobbie Filet Introduction Restaurant Development Group (RDG) is considering opening a new restaurant in conjunction with the “Winston-Salem Partnership” group that is attempting develop a center of entertainment in downtown Winston-Salem, NC. As part of the project, the company plans to renovate an existing restaurant space in the downtown area and begin operations in six months. RDG has decided to hire several teams of professionals to handle various facets of the project. One team will work closely with city and county government officials to insure the project has strong support from all relevant government agencies. Another team will be responsible for developing the marketing plan and handling media and public relations to insure the project has a positive reception within the media. Finally, the finance and accounting team has responsibility for examining the financial viability of renovating the restaurant and developing a cash flow budget to determine how much cash will be needed open and operate the restaurant. You are part of this last team and are charged with preparing the necessary analyses. In addition to the “go or no-go” decision, RDG management wants to know whether the restaurant should be open for dinner only or open for lunch and dinner. The purpose of this memo is to ask you to examine the financial...
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...Wal-Mart: Corporate Giant or Corporate Beast? Ever since Wal-Mart’s establishment, there has been an ongoing debate amongst shoppers of whether or not the company is a magnificent creation or a complete monster. On one side, costumers cannot deny that their everyday savings certainly do draw a smile on their faces; while on the other side, costumers feel that there must be some terrible reason for the prices of their products to be so low. This mystery that has stewed up this ongoing debate over the years about Wal-Mart needs to be discovered. In order to discover this mystery, research on the topic has to go all the way back to the beginning stages of the company. From the birth of the company to present day empire it has created, one question must be answered: corporate giant or corporate beast? Wal-Mart has a long history and they have been around much longer than what most people think. The founder of Wal-Mart was Sam Walton. Sam Walton was born into a farmer’s family in Kingfisher, Oklahoma on March 29, 1918. [31] He had one brother whose name was James Walton. Sam’s father was a farmer until he decided that farming was not producing enough revenue and decided to become a mortgage man. Sam grew up in the great depression where he learned many moral values like working hard. He had many odd jobs so he could help his family out with money. The family then moved to Florida, while there Sam became the youngest Eagle Scout in the state’s history. After graduating...
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...C H A P T E R T W O Communicating Strategically In the first chapter, we examined the changing environment for business over the last half century. In this chapter, we explore how these changes have affected corporate communication and why it has become imperative for modern companies to communicate strategically. Strategic communication can be defined as “communication aligned with the company’s overall strategy, [intended] to enhance its strategic positioning.”1 An effective strategy should encourage a company to send messages that are “clear and understandable, true and, communicated with passion, strategically repetitive and repeated, [and] consistent (across constituencies).” We begin this chapter with a summary of the basic theory behind all communication, whether individual or organizational in nature. We will also briefly discuss influential models in modern communication theory. Although many communication experts have adapted these theories to help leaders communicate in writing and speaking, few have looked at how these same basic theories apply in the corporate communication context—that is, the way organizations communicate with various groups of people. Communication, more than any other subject in business, has implications for everyone within an organization—from the newest administrative assistant to the CEO. Thanks in part to important strategy work by academics such as Michael Porter, Gary Hamel, and C. K. Prahalad, most managers have...
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...Communicating Strategically In the first chapter, we examined the changing environment for business over the last half century. In this chapter, we explore how these changes have affected corporate communication and why it has become imperative for modern companies to communicate strategically. Strategic communication can be defined as “communication aligned with the company’s overall strategy, [intended] to enhance its strategic positioning.”1 An effective strategy should encourage a company to send messages that are “clear and understandable, true and, communicated with passion, strategically repetitive and repeated, [and] consistent (across constituencies).” We begin this chapter with a summary of the basic theory behind all communication, whether individual or organizational in nature. We will also briefly discuss influential models in modern communication theory. Although many communication experts have adapted these theories to help leaders communicate in writing and speaking, few have looked at how these same basic theories apply in the corporate communication context—that is, the way organizations communicate with various groups of people. Communication, more than any other subject in business, has implications for everyone within an organization—from the newest administrative assistant to the CEO. Thanks in part to important strategy work by academics such as Michael Porter, Gary Hamel, and C. K. Prahalad, most managers have learned to think strategically...
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...In an ideal scenario, the development of an export strategy and ultimately export markets would prove to be a significant addition to company sales volume. As discussed in the textbook, the complexity of establishing and executing business in foreign markets can be daunting. In addition to the typical challenges associated with assessing domestic market opportunities and business development, issues such as market exchange rates, culture, language, regulatory environments, and export paperwork deter many businesses from exploring opportunities for strategic growth in the export marketplace. The case study detailing SteelMaster Building’s entrance into the foreign marketplace was an excellent example of an organization that identified how...
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...The critique of Case Study: Specialty Food and Beverage Company Written by: Haolin Li(ID:1207710), Jing Zhao(ID:1210347) Words : 1617 Specialty Food and Beverage company (SF), which founded in 2004 in Denmark, mainly covers foods and beverage, restaurants and hotel area. Recent years, the company had faced several problems which lead SF to an embarrassing situation. This assignment will introduce SF’s current issues, analyze the decision and then discuss the solution way which chose by SF’s high level management team. Tim Casey, the owner also the operator of SF, has made an extraordinary forward for the company business in 1992. He used over fifteen years to arise the company revenues from $1 million to $25 million mark, successfully opening business markets for the company and transfer them to the permanent customers. As a growing business, there were lots of troubles start showing and many business competitors appear to share the market, which would give the retailers more pressures and force them to choose another cooperator. The supply chain of the company is complicated and sensitive. The company gets the primarily tea from the Asia countries, such as China and India, which could make the company gets higher amount of tea with lower price. In contrast, this will costs extra time transfer tea products to the packing firm in delivery process . As Nepal stated that “ With annual production of 1,640,310 metric tonnes annually...
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...e-commerce. Discuss the origins and growth of e-commerce. Explain the evolution of e-commerce from its early years to today. Identify the factors that will define the future of e-commerce. Describe the major themes underlying the study of e-commerce. Identify the major academic disciplines contributing to e-commerce. Key Terms e-commerce, p. 12 e-business, p. 13 information asymmetry, p. 14 marketplace, p. 16 ubiquity, p. 16 marketspace, p. 16 reach, p. 16 universal standards, p.16 richness, p. 17 interactivity, p. 17 information density, p. 17 personalization, p. 18 customization, p. 18 Web 2.0, p. 19 business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce, p. 22 business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce, p. 22 consumer-to-consumer (C2C) e-commerce, p. 22 social e-commerce, p. 22 mobile e-commerce (m-commerce), p. 23 local e-commerce, p. 23 Internet, p. 23 World Wide Web (the Web), p. 24 disintermediation, p. 32 friction-free commerce, p. 33 first mover, p. 33 network effect, p. 33 Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. 2 Brief Chapter Outline Opening Case: Pinterest: A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words 1.1 E-commerce: The Revolution Is Just Beginning The First Thirty Seconds What Is E-commerce? The Difference between E-commerce and E-business Why Study E-commerce? Eight Unique Features of E-commerce Technology Web 2.0: Play My Version Types of E-commerce Growth of the Internet and the Web Origins and Growth of E-commerce Insight on Technology: Spider Webs, Bow Ties, Scale-Free Networks...
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...The Correlation Between Economic and Moral Disparity “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul” (NIV Matthew 16:26). The Bible does not directly condemn monetary prosperity. However, Jesus warns that the love of riches leads men further from the Kingdom of God and into a false idolization of wealth. This monetary worship pulls man away from God, and tears the seams of brotherhood that bond men together. Today, this bond between men has never been so frail and apathy has never been so vigorous. Millions of people die every year from preventable causes, including hunger, disease and countless other conditions, all derived from poverty. At the same time the richest 80 billionaires have the finances to solve world hunger, substantially increase the prevention of AIDS and effectively eradicate malaria. Wealth in itself is not evil; however, when humanity places riches above its fellow humans’ lives, it has reached a sinful state. The world has accepted material wealth at the price of what has become a sacrificial morality and love for mankind. The goal of this paper is to prove that global trends of economic inequality are unjustifiable from an economic/social standpoint, Scripture, and the recent position of the Catholic Church. Financial inequality is no new concept to the world. Since the beginnings of civilization there were the rich and there were the poor; many would argue...
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...Time Pressure, Time Saving and Online Shopping: Exploring a Contradiction Pamela L. Alreck, Gerard R. DiBartolo, Memo F. Diriker and Robert B. Settle Marketing Educators Research Group - Franklin P. Perdue School of Business Salisbury University, Salisbury, Maryland USA ABSTRACT Previous survey research revealed that consumers perceived online shopping and buying to be a time saving practice. Paradoxically, they only rarely reported using that tactic to save time, introducing a contradiction. Focus group research and unstructured interviews among active, time-pressured consumers provide partial solutions to the puzzle. Two types of online shopping benefits appeal to two types of consumers: Those experiencing situational time pressure respond well to "time-saving" appeals. Another, larger proportion, whose personal inclinations or personality traits result in time pressure are more interested in doing more tasks quickly or engaging in polychronic activities. These findings suggest online merchants simultaneously promote both time-saving and quicker accomplishment of more tasks. Though they are two sides of the same coin, time-pressured consumers tend to see only one side or the other. Both types of time-pressured shoppers eschew Websites requiring substantial "up-front" investment of time; complex, multioption initial or home pages, and early insistence for "registration" that requires revealing personal information. This suggests clean, clear, uncluttered introductory pages...
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...Process of Training and Development in Retail Sector In Executive Summary Training & Development process in retail sector is mainly a planned activity which is carried in Organization. It plays very important role in retail sector to develop employee skills & knowledge to sale product. It has been practiced more nowadays in retail sector because of modern technology & changing standard of living among customers. Main aim of training & development is to make employee perform well, especially Sales Executive, there is a need for constant training and development programme. The right employee training, development and education provides big payoffs for the employer in increased productivity, knowledge, loyalty, and contribution to general growth of the firm. Investment in training and development entails obtaining and maintaining space and equipment. It also means that operational personnel, employed in the organization’s main business functions, such as production, maintenance, sales, marketing and management support, must also direct their attention and effort from time to time towards supporting training development and delivery However, investment in training and development is generally regarded as good management practice to maintain appropriate expertise now and in the future. Retail Sector is emerging as a first light industry in India and is presently the largest employer after agriculture. As increase in Retail Outlets nowadays, requirement of trained employees...
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...A good leader is one who is able to engage members and get results. A great leader is one who listens to and empowers members to be innovative in looking beyond the present, to guide the path to strategic positioning, and places a premium on collaborative goal setting. A great leader is humble. They really understand that their job is to focus on the goal and not on themselves. Good leaders often compete for credit with the results in order to gain more influence or authority. "To lead people, walk beside them ... As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence. The next best, the people honor and praise. The next, the people fear; and the next, the people hate ... When the best leader's work is done the people say, 'We did it ourselves!'" Great leaders don’t operate in a vacuum assuming that they always know best. They know to consider input from everyone impacted by a decision in order to get buy-in from their team, stay grounded and remain objective. Although they retain final say, they’re team will stand behind the decision knowing that they’re input was wholeheartedly weighed and considered. James C. Collins loves to tell the story of Darwin E. Smith, someone most readers have probably never heard of. As Smith was ending two decades at the helm of Kimberly-Clark, maker of Kleenex and other personal-use paper products, he was asked what had driven him, what had he done to make his company so successful over time. "I was just trying to become qualified...
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...Begin Reading Table of Contents Photos Newsletters Copyright Page In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher is unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the publisher at permissions@hbgusa.com. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights. For Isabella and Calista Stone When you are eighty years old, and in a quiet moment of reflection narrating for only yourself the most personal version of your life story, the telling that will be most compact and meaningful will be the series of choices you have made. In the end, we are our choices. —Jeff Bezos, commencement speech at Princeton University, May 30, 2010 Prologue In the early 1970s, an industrious advertising executive named Julie Ray became fascinated with an unconventional public-school program for gifted children in Houston, Texas. Her son was among the first students enrolled in what would later be called the Vanguard program, which stoked creativity and independence in its students and nurtured expansive, outside-the-box thinking. Ray grew so enamored with the curriculum and the community of enthusiastic teachers and parents that she set out to research similar schools around the state with an eye toward writing a book about...
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