Questions On Mba International Business - 1822 Words

Coursework Header Sheet 219510-110 Course BUSI1604: Fdns of Scholarship Res Course School/Level B/PG Coursework Topic review Assessment Weight 0.00% Tutor Khairy Eteiwy Submission Deadline 15/10/2014 Coursework is receipted on the understanding that it is the student s own work and that it has not, in whole or part, been presented elsewhere for assessment. Where material has been used from other sources it has been properly acknowledged in accordance with the University s Regulations regarding Cheating and Plagiarism. 000851915 Tutor s comments Grade Awarded___________ For Office Use Only__________ Final Grade_________ Moderation required: yes/no Tutor______________________ Date _______________ Course: MBA International Business Subject: BUSI 1604 ID No: 000851915 TOPIC REVIEW: The ability to innovate is becoming a critical indicator of business success. Discuss in relation to two sectors. Introduction In the present global business world every organisation needs to become a successor. To gain the business success everyone has to adopt innovation in their organizational structure. The word innovation has derived from the Industrial revolution, which had taken placed in Nineteenth Century. After the Industrial Revolution, it was observed that there was a growth in the economy as well as progress in the living standards of human societies dueShow MoreRelatedMba Vs. Ms Degree1071 Words   |  5 PagesI get this question a lot: What is the difference between an MBA and an MS Degree? Should I go for a Master of Science or MBA (Master of Business Administration)? And that s why I m writing this article. If you re here for the same purpose, read on Getting your masters degree requires a huge investment of your time and a large amount of change you must need, to actually find the answer to your question: Master of Science or MBA which you should pursue? MBA vs. MS If you have already narrowed yourRead MoreInternational Awareness And Intercultural Competence1574 Words   |  7 PagesBackground Global awareness and intercultural competence are some of the hottest buzz words in higher education right now. With the U.S. population becoming more diverse, and our economy increasingly interlinked with economic issues globally, government, business, and society at large are looking more and more to higher education to create the human capital necessary to continue U.S. preeminence around the globe (Duncan, 2011). The method of choice in higher education for teaching these competencies is throughRead MoreWhy I am Pursuing a MBA Degree Essay1032 Words   |  5 PagesWhy am I Pursuing an MBA degree? I decided to pursue an MBA degree in order to further my managerial career in the company I work for. The question would be: Why do I think it will enhance my management career? The answer to that question requires short background information. I started my career as an entry level programmer in 2000, after receiving my bachelor’s degree in computer science. My career took a turn to management in 2003 when I was offered a team lead’s position with the company IRead MoreStatement Of Mba In Travel And Tourism1006 Words   |  5 Pages MBA in Travel and Tourism Overview: Profession in travel and tourism gives gigantic chances to visit and investigate different destinations, their way of life and legacy. People usually gain insight from their travel encounters. To pursue a career in Travel and Tourism, sounds extraordinary to each adolescent as it enables an individual to tour worldwide and communicate with the other individuals. As indicated by the National Economic reports, currently, India spends just 0.97% of its GDPRead MoreMgmt 410 Final Exam 100% Correct Answers1204 Words   |  5 Pageshttps://homeworklance.com/downloads/mgmt-410-final-exam-100-correct-answers/ For More Information Visit Our Website ( https://homeworklance.com/ ) Email us At: Support@homeworklance.com or lancehomework@gmail.com FINAL EXAM TOPICS/CONCEPTS WITH RELATED QUESTIONS (10) 1. Human Resource Management and Strategic Planning – Identify and describe the Functions for Human Resources Management Define the concept Strategy Planning within HRM? 1. Describe and give an example for the following functions: 1.Read MoreStudy Abroad Essay1662 Words   |  7 PagesQuestions to Ask Your Study Abroad Consultant With the ever growing popularity of overseas education, international admissions experts have sprung up like tea stalls at every street corner. Some promise a red carpet walk to the admissions office, in exchange for your first born, while others let you easy on the price but offer very little in credible services. Take, for instance, MBA admissions consultants. More than any other overseas degree, MBA aspirants are the most likely to avail the conveniencesRead MoreCareer Goals1008 Words   |  5 PagesEssay Question: What are your short-term and long-term career goals? How will the Columbia Business School MBA help you achieve these goals? I have always been told to figure out what you like to do and then make a career out of it. Eight years ago, armed with this bit of philosophy, I set out to find out what I liked to do. Before entering college I realized that my interests lay in business. In college, my courses in business were the ones looked forward to the most, and my business projectsRead MoreI Volunteer Full Time For A Non Profit Animal Rescue Group795 Words   |  4 Pagessupport of U.S International Operations. As a Military Police and Prison Guard, my duties included managing daily operations and briefings for three Admirals regarding personnel, ships, submarines, and aircraft s. Addition missions performed where various duties in regard to tracking aircraft activity during Counterdrug Operations. My goals are to acquire a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA), certification for (CAPM) Certified Associate in Project Management and Business Analyst, andRead MoreEthics, Corporate Social Responsibility And Fiduciary Responsibilities Essay1695 Words   |  7 Pagesleadership in business† (Archbishop of Wales calls for ethical business). It is probably the case that all businesses should sign the oath, this gives consumers to show that they are dedicated to being an ethical business. There are numerous of old businesses that can steer the new business in an unethical direction in this field. By adapting business ethic terms and look for examples in the business fields that have an ethical or unethical reputation, this will give the opportunity for the business leadersRead MoreSample Resume : Business Administration1067 Words   |  5 Pagesdegree in business administration. This project is focus in helping accounting students to recognize what is best if p ursue a master’s degree in business administration immediately after the undergraduate degree or after gaining some years of jobs experience. It is going to compare the different graduate programs related with the accounting field, specially the master in business administration with focus in accounting and the master in accountancy degree. This project should answer any questions of business

Freakonomics Essay - 811 Words

Freakonomics Book Report In chapter 1, Levitt and Dubner describe how many people in different cultures and walks of life, which are otherwise inclined to be honest, find subtle ways of cheating to advance their position or increase monetary awards when incentives are strong enough. The authors define an incentive as â€Å"a means of urging people to do more of a good thing or less of a bad thing,† and identify three varieties of incentives. Economic incentives are those, which a person responds to in the marketplace. Social incentives motivate people to respond in a certain way because they care or are worried about how they will be viewed by others. Moral incentives appeal to a person’s sense of right versus wrong. Three case studies of the†¦show more content†¦Experts in a field often create conventional wisdom. They make observations and draw conclusions without resorting to the facts. In chapter 4 the chapter considers a variety of possible explanations fo r the significant drop in crime and crime rates that occurred in the 1990s. Based on articles that appeared in the country’s largest newspapers, the authors compile a list of the leading, commonly offered explanations. The next step is to systematically examine each explanation and consider whether available data support the explanation. What the authors, in fact, demonstrate is that in all but three cases–increased reliance on prisons, increased number of police, and changes in illegal drug markets–correlation was erroneously interpreted as causation and in some cases, the correlation wasn’t even that strong. In chapter 5 the author summarizes the results of studies by his coauthors, as well as other studies, that examine the influence demographic, cultural and other variables have on the performance of school-age children on standardized tests. In a now familiar theme, the results are plangently counterintuitive. Based on a mountain of school childrenâ €™s test scores, a successful child appears to be more â€Å"made† than nurtured, more mused than molded. The chapter begins by reviewing how many parents get educated on raising their children and how parenting experts swing from one extremeShow MoreRelatedFreakonomics Essay1424 Words   |  6 PagesThe book Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, is designed to pose fundamental questions concerning economics using a variety of imaginative comparisons and questions. Examples of these comparisons and questions can be seen in the list of contents, with chapter titles such as â€Å"How is the Ku Klux Klan like a group of real-estate agents?† and â€Å"Why do drug dealers still live with their moms?† Not everyone is interested in economics, but with titles that grab attention, it is almostRead MoreFreakonomics Essay737 Words   |  3 Pagesthe result was Freakonomics, a book that claims to explore the hidden side of everything, using real-life examples such as studies and polls conducted by Levitt to explain how economics is everywhere, that economics is how the world really functions. Through everything from analyzing the inner thought processes of real-estate agents and crack dealers, to predicting the next popular baby names, Levitt and Dubner guide readers to think differently, ask questions, and to use â€Å"Freakonomics† in their dailyRead MoreFreakonomics Book Review Essay630 Words   |  3 Pagesat math, I don’t know a lot of econometrics, and I also don’t know how to do theory.† This marks right away Lennits to a different approach of ways to get his audience attention, he steps outside of the boundaries most people in society live by. Freakonomics, is a book that really triggered my imagination as a kept on reading, I really loved it. I myself started asking myself a great amount of questions that I had never looked at before. Especially toward the end that he asks the importance of onesRead MoreFreakonomics and Misconceptions of Economy Essay1244 Words   |  5 PagesA number one bestseller many say is grasping in amazement: Freakonomics is said to unravel the untold stories of life. Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner break common misconceptions of economics by revealing its true science. Freakonomics shatters the view of economics being an arid study of finance and markets. They pull in information to make inferences on past occurrences subtly influence on the present. Freakonomics packs punches with its countless number of tables and figures, serving asRead MoreEssay Freakonomics chapter 1 summary688 Words   |  3 Pagesï » ¿Freakonomics Chapter 1 Summary In chapter one of Freakonomics, Stephen Dubner and Steven Levitt describe how when incentives are strong enough, many usually honest people from different walks of life will cheat in order to gain financially or climb the ladder in their careers. The authors define an incentive as â€Å"a means of urging people to do more of a good thing or less of a bad thing.† This chapter covers three varieties of incentives: Economic, Social and Moral. Economic incentives motivate peopleRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book Freakonomics By Steven D. Levitt1195 Words   |  5 PagesIn the book Freakonomics, by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, is made up of a series of scenarios in which an economist and a journalist apply basic principles of economics to demonstrate that information can often expose interesting truths about how the world operates. It uses the science of economics and specific data to challenge our assumptions about everything. In the book Freakonomics by Levitt Dubner, com pares and contrasts two groups of people or things by using their informationalRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book Freakonomics By Steven D. Levitt750 Words   |  3 PagesThe last section in chapter two of Freakonomics, written by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, attempts to answer the following questions; â€Å"How forthright (and honest) are people when it comes to sharing their personal information,† and â€Å"what kind of information in personal ads is considered the most (and least) desirable† (74)? Throughout this section the authors provide statistical data from an online dating site, which encompassed more than 20,000 users. This data showed that not only areRead MoreThe Importance Of Faulkners Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech By William Faulkner1405 Words   |  6 Pageswriters that Faulkner was speaking to, they would fulfill his wishes. Over 50 years later, University of Chicago economist, Steven D. Levitt, and New York Times journalist, Stephen J. Dubner, combined their knowledge and skills and created the book, Freakonomics. The book follows an economist, Levitt, as he explores the â€Å"hidden side of everything† and explains it all in a different, unconventional perspective. It takes on the topic of morality and economics as he, along with Dubner, ask and answer manyRead MoreEssay on Review of Freakonomics1663 Words   |  7 PagesReview of Freakonomics This chapters main idea is that the study of economics is the study of incentives. We find a differentiation between economic incentives, social incentives and moral incentives. Incentives are described in a funny way as means of urging people to do more of a good thing or less of a bad thing, and in this chapter we find some examples Ââ€"publicRead MoreThe Book Freakonomics By Steven D. Levitt2418 Words   |  10 Pages The book Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner consists of a series of essays in which a journalist and an economist work collectively to find, by applying everyday economic principles, how the world truly works, which reveals some fascinating truths about the world. Some background history of the authors, Steven D. Levitt interviewed Stephen J. Dubner for New York Times Magazine and this is where they initially met and became good friends. With them having similar ideals about

Characters in Conflict free essay sample

An review of The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck and The Death of Ivan Ilych by Leo Tolstoy with an emphasis on characters in conflict. This paper looks at two short stories: The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck and The Death of Ivan Ilych by Leo Tolstoy and compares the different themes of conflict within the two stories. John Steinbeck explores conflict in terms of gender differences and Tolstoy through a human heart in conflict with itself even after death. The key element in Elisas world is her bed of chrysanthemums, representing her strength, that which she does best and about which she is the most proud. She reacts with pride when her husband refers to her flowers. When she describes her flowers, she describes them as strong. The strength of the flowers represents her own inner strength. These images of strength and power contrast with the way the reader usually thinks of flowers and gardening, and indeed with the way society usually views women as weaker than men. We will write a custom essay sample on Characters in Conflict or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page

Employee Attitude / Organizational Behavior Essays (2017 words)

Employee Attitude / Organizational Behavior Employee attitude/Organizational Behavior Introduction A happy worker makes for a good worker you say? Well, United Airlines had somewhat of an all for one employee attitude in July 1994. They announced the purchase of their own company for which they work for $5 billion through ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan). So now, in the case of United Airlines, there obviously is a soar in employee productivity and spirits. Stocks have risen 120% due to this buyout (almost three times higher than the airline industry average gain). Every company or small business owner desires a positive employee attitude within his or her organization for high productivity and quality. United Airlines achieved this because the employees themselves took action, but for the majority, it is the managements first move. Taking the Apple from the tree The Idiots Guide for Changing Employee Attitudes would say to pay the employee what O.J. paid his defense team. Take away the money part of a job then no one except an old volunteer worker for a Save the World Foundation or a simple dork is going to show favorable attitudes towards the job. Now lets get realbut I thought that we were! Money can hypnotize some employees to become a more productive worker, but not all employees. (And even the ones that are motivated at the first glimpse of dead presidents will soon want. you guessed it, more money in order to drag their lazy ass up the next step). What about Bill Gates techno wizards at Microsoft? What sum of money short of Bills own bank account is going to motivate these 30-year-old Gulfstream owners to change their snobbish attitudes? On a more practical basis, what about those employees who value intrinsic rewards over the monetary type? Not all employees will be weaned with the flash of cash. So we all must consider the fact that human beings will be consistent towards the general sense of satisfaction, but what sort of things lead to this satisfaction? What kind of satisfaction are we looking for? More so, what is going to satis fy an employee? Most of the research in the study of OB (Organizational Behavior) are concerned with job satisfaction, job involvement and organizational commitment. (Robbins, 1997) The second two attitudes, job involvement and organizational commitment, are more or less the results of job satisfaction. An employee who has a high level of job satisfaction tends to bear attitudes, which are favorable to the organization. When a prospective employee goes to that interview, there are going to be friends of that prospect who will give the most simple advice of Sell yourself! This is your chance to prove yourself to that important company! Little do those simpleton friends know that this is also the chance for the company to lay a sales pitch on the prospect too! Managers are concerned with the efficient operation and profit margin of the company more so than an employees job satisfaction. (Robbins, 1997) To managers, an employees job satisfaction is just an insurance that the employee w ill be productive and not skip work, and of course, to get the best man for the job. So of course, when a manager giving the interview favors a prospect, only the jobs favorable side will tend to be revealed. The prospect is told of a wonderland where the corporate ladder is actually a stepping stool. There is no mention of the negative sides, to which the manager does a David Copperfield on. The applicant now has expectations about this job that has to be met by the job or there will be a lot of dissatisfied employees. Balancing the positives with the negatives is important so that the employee will not be disappointed and become a problem that couldve been avoided from the beginning. (Robbins, 1997) Mirror, mirror on the wall. Successful leaders have vision, communicate well, make effective decisions, and motivate their followers. Employees are more likely to respond to a leader who is likable and credible. A leader who would want to change attitudes must have a very unbiased one. The managements attitude is going to give employees a very visual idea of how his or her job

Freeman Example

Freeman Example Freeman – Case Study Example Freeman Case-Study The market theory of capitalism, suggested by Milton Friedman majorly presents an opportunity for private ownership of resources. It refers to a state where new owners and firms are at liberty to inject additional funds in the economy with the intended purpose of actualizing new ideas. This theory has often been celebrated as it provides freedom and dynamism for investors because they have the independence to make their own decisions regarding the projects they are to support. Similarly, the theory has been credited because it supports innovation within the economy (Hill et.al 158). The market theory of capitalism on the other hand has been criticized on the basis that it comes with a lot of instability. The instability is in regard to the event that capitalism, if not properly handled can bring about a financial crisis, resulting in job insecurity and slump in the economy. In like manner, the theory has received disapproval for its tendency to favor the wealthy, w hile bringing continuous suffering to the financially disadvantaged within the society. The stakeholder’s framework of business takes into consideration the fact that stakeholders play a very critical role in the success of any project and the administration of any organization. In this regard, it is of great significance for a business to first identify its stakeholders as well as their key interests or issues that they want sorted. Similarly, a business should assess its prevailing status and the roles that are to be played by each of the stakeholders. Adam Smith’s free market economic theory brings in a new perspective, arguing that a market with several buyers and sellers will ensure that resources are not wastefully allocated. Similarly, it recognizes that for the earnings of one party to increase, then the other party must have a reduction in earnings. Works-CitedHill, Ronald P, and Ryan Langan. Handbook of Research on Marketing and Corporate Social Responsi bility. , 2014. Internet resource.

Grenner Pastures the Launch of StaGreen by HydroCan Company

Grenner Pastures the Launch of StaGreen by HydroCan Company Executive Summary HydroCan Company has been in operation for about one year. The company has come up with an innovative product known as StaGreen, which aims to address the environmental and cost needs in the two markets of USA and Canada. However, given that the company is relatively knew in the market, it has found the process of entering the market more challenging and somehow complex.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Grenner Pastures the Launch of StaGreen by HydroCan Company specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This dilemma has forced the company to seek consultancy services in order to provide key strategic ways and recommendations for the way forward. As a result, Stone Age Marketing Consultants has been able to carry out market research and analysis and identified key characteristics of the market, which the company can explore before settling on the appropriate market. Moreover, the aim of the market researc h has been to identify and recommend the appropriate entry strategy, given that the company is new and is likely to face stiff competition from established companies. Therefore, the report provides critical steps towards HydroCan Company introducing its innovative product in the market. Background HydroCan Company is one year old and its owners include four agricultural engineers and one accountant. The company has intentions of operating and serving in both USA and Canada’s markets. As a result, in the recent past, the company has been involved in obtaining patents in both markets for a new type of lawn-care product. The new product the company intends to introduce in to the market is known as StaGreen. The new product is applied to grasses and when this happens, it enables the roots system of grass to retain water longer. This reduces the need for both extra watering and frequent fertilizing. The owners of the company are much more ambitious on introducing the product to th e market. Although they have a wonderful product for the market, the owners of HydroCan Company seem to have no idea about the best way to introduce the product to the market. They are mixed-up with regard to which particular market segment they should concentrate on and introduce the product to, how the new product can be positioned in the market, and also what best launch strategy can be used to introduce the product in the market more successful. This confusion is further made complex to due to presence of numerous competitors in the market, which the company has to contend with and subsequently, design appropriate marketing strategies in order to achieve competitive advantage over them. In this regard, the HydroCan Company owners have sought services of Stone Age Marketing Consultants, who are accredited marketing consultants and the company hopes to achieve the best form of advice in terms of launching and introducing the product to the market successful.Advertising Loo king for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Statement of Problems HydroCan Company is faced with a challenging and complex situation regarding introduction of StaGreen product into the market. At the same time, the company does not have a clear idea on how to market the product, both in USA and Canada. This problem is compounded by the fact that the owners of the company and subsequent product to be introduced do not have defined and clears knowledge about the market for the product. Two major markets exist in the two countries, which the product can be sold or introduced to. The two markets structures have divided the management team as to which is the appropriate one given the position, nature, and ability of the company in its current form. The two major target markets the company has potential in include consumer lawn and garden market, as well as commercial lawn and garden market. The two markets are totally different from each other, with diverse and unrelated characteristics. The two markets therefore require different launch strategies in selecting the appropriate market segment. The company’s CEO, Gary Gillis, favors and wants the company to target consumer lawn and garden market, while Carla Humphreys prefers the commercial lawn and garden market. The two top managers of the company seem to be determined in having their choices adopted by the company, and it is from this strong conviction of the two that marketing consultants have to be involved in determining which is the best strategy to adopt for the new product. At this point, it can be stated that, the primary problems of the company revolve around finding the best marketing strategy and the appropriate market in which to introduce the new product for the company. Therefore, a comprehensive strategy for the launch of StaGreen has to be developed and this will see successful introduction of the produ ct in the market. Situation Analysis The product to be launched has been described as similar in appearance to most brands of common lawn fertilizer. In fact, StaGreen has been categorized as chemical fertilizer but with distinct special characteristics, which make it superior to other available fertilizers. For instance, the major benefit that has been associated with the product is its ability and effect on the root system of most of the common types of grasses used for lawns. The product is manufactured in such a way that it has small pellets that are attached to roots, which enable attraction and retention of moisture. With these superior features, laboratory tests have been conducted on the product and indicated capacity to reduce the manual watering on most types of grass by up to 40%. As a result, the product is perceived by company managers to have the ability of attracting high demand from consumers. In order to find out the viability of the two markets and associated finan cial implications, the marketing consultants carried out a detailed study and analysis of the two markets.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Grenner Pastures the Launch of StaGreen by HydroCan Company specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Consumer lawn and garden market The first market concerns the consumer lawn and garden market. According to the findings generated for this particular type of market, it was established that majority of Canada consumers of lawn products spent an accumulated amount of about $2.3 billion in this market. Break-down of the figures in the consumer lawn and garment market show that consumers spend $945 millions to buy grass, trees and plants, $620 million on lawn maintenance, and in this case, fertilizer accounted for 52% of the total amount. Others include $815 million on hand tools, pots, window boxes, books, magazines, and landscaping services. As a result, these figures point to the im portance attached to gardening by majority of Canadians. On the other hand, lawn care in the country is perceived to be highly seasonal business, where 70% of business sales take place in the second and third fiscal quarters (April to September). The finding also postulate that, if the company was to target and venture into this kind of market, then it will largely compete with fertilizers, and that this market segment is highly competitive, with top two firms being Scotts Co. and Ortho Chemicals. These two companies have a control power of about 50% of this market segment. Moreover, the market leader in this market segment is the Scotts Co., which has established two strong market brands known as Turf Builder and Miracle-Gro. At the same time, Ortho’s products together with those of Turf Builder are priced competitively and have an added value, whereby, there is inclusion of pesticides within the fertilizer, and this has been seen to prevent most common lawn infestations. Fu rther research in this market segment shows that, 40% of consumers in the market have no concrete brand preferences, a situation likely to see them shift loyalty as far as brands are concerned. As a result, findings show that majority rely largely on in-store advertisements and sales staff for critical information and recommendations. More so, it has been found out that consumers express inability to recall brand name or manufacturer of the fertilizer. Findings also show that Miracle-Gro enjoys high brand name awareness but many consumers associate this brand name with plant foods and not lawn fertilizers. As a result, it has been concluded that, consumer behavior and attitude toward product in this market category have forced manufacturers to rely largely on the strong push strategy. Product sale strategy in this market segment tends to be carried out by three distinct retailers. First there are discount stores that include Canadian Tire, Wal-Mart, and Sears; secondly, there are sp ecialty stores that include nurseries; and thirdly, there are home improvement stores.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Discount stores as compared to other stores tend to be popular and most preferred by consumers. For example, estimates show that about 60% of all consumer fertilizer is made in discount stores, a situation that has forced retailers using this type of sale strategy to increase budgetary allocation for their promotion and advertisements. Specialty stores on the other hand have been found to be popular among 30% of consumers, while home improvement stores have been found to control 10% of consumer purchases. Growth of home improvement stores is seen to be on the positive rise, especially due to price concessions and promotion support they get from manufacturers, just like in the case discount stores but unlike specialty stores. In consumer lawn and garden market, the research also establishes that manufacturers spend about 20% of sales on marketing activities. A large part of these monies goes to activities such as sales force, selling in general and also trade promotions. These are th e three main channels through which products in this market segment are sold and for a long time, strong sales force has become the most preferred and appropriate sales strategy. With regard to trade promotions, majority of manufacturers provide in-store literature, displays and sales training. Less important is the advertisement. As such, the product that is perceived to have strong market advertisement initiatives is the Miracle-Gro, which is a heavily advertised brand, and the company (Scotts Co) spends about 4% of sales on advertisement. This therefore may account for the high brand- name awareness for the product. With regard to advertisement in this market segment, it has been recognized that majority of companies run their advertisements for their existing brands and any new brand during spring and early months of summer season. Therefore, advertisement expenditures are in most cases likely to go up during the months of March, April, May, and June, and not at all during other months. Commercial lawn and garden market The second market is the commercial lawn and garden market, which differs a lot from the consumer lawn and garden market. Commercial market is heavily concentrated in the golf sector, and in Canada, this includes about 1800 golf courses. Other relevant and potential areas this market can thrive in include commercial properties that include office complexes and apartment buildings. Nevertheless, golf courses remain the lucrative market in this market segment. The study establishes that, at the moment, there are issues in the golf course sectors, where accusations have increased with regard to perception golf courses are responsible for groundwater pollution, and this is contributed by high and frequent levels of fertilizers used to keep courses green. This perception has forced greater concern in the golf community with concerted efforts to identify and, if possible, adopt the most appropriate strategies that can be used to cut both water an d fertilizers that are used to maintain grass in the golf courses. Golf courses owners spend large amount of money to maintain the courses and approximate estimates shows that, the owners spend up to$300 000 to maintain their golf course during the year. Break-down of the spending shows that, 42% is spent on water use and 24% goes to fertilizer purchases. But in case the golf courses are large, these costs go up and may accumulate to about $800 000. If the StaGreen product was to be accepted by majority of consumers in this market segment, then, the product has ability of reducing water usage by about one-half and fertilizer by one-third. In the recent times, there has been increase in popularity of golf especially after decrease in the 1980s. Some of the factors cited leading to popularity of game include growing number of public courses with reasonable fees, the continued aging of the Canadian population, and also the development of better equipment. These factors have combined an d today, they have contributed to the increase in enthusiasm and popularity of the golf game. Due to this, estimates have shown that the number of golf courses may increase by 22% to about 2200 in a period of five years. In Canada, golf courses are dispersed although regions of British Columbia and Vancouver have high concentration of golf courses. At the moment, majority of golf courses purchase maintenance supplies from wholesalers who specialize in products that are uniquely designed for the type of grasses used. Furthermore, manufacturers of these fertilizers tend to be small firms, or divisions of the larger chemical companies. At the moment, the market share leader in golf course fertilizers is Sierra Horticultural Products, which is a subsidiary of Scotts Company. The biggest competitor of the company in Canadian market is the Nu-Gro Corporation, which is a company based in Ontario since 1992. Compared to firms in the consumer lawn market, companies in commercial lawn market spend only 9% of their sales on marketing activities. Observation made is that, majority of firms in this market segment engage in little advertisement and in most cases prefer to use funds on sales calls to golf courses. Moreover, other strategies used by the companies include: providing free samples of their products to non-users and also concentrate on building solid and long-lasting relationships with course owners. The observation made among the golf course owners is that, majority tend to be loyal to one and specific brands hence it takes a lot of effort to convince them to switch brands. But two situations exist, which may trigger change of consumer behaviors among the golf course owners. First, there is the issue of increasing environmental concern, and public debate over it continues to draw mixed reactions, where majority tend to agree to the growing negative impacts of golf course to groundwater. The understanding is that, chemicals used in golf course pollute groundwater which also involves heavy chemical buildup in the nearby reservoirs. This scenario has even drawn attention of USA Environmental Protection Agency, which admits that the golf course chemicals constitute the major pollutants to groundwater. This in turn has increased negative publicity of golf courses in major media channels in the country. Another issue, which may make golf course owners to change their consumption behavior for a long time is the issue of shrinking profits. Although all indications show the popularity growth of golf and more courses being established, it is clear that the number of golfers that can be accommodated on any one course cannot be expanded. These are factors that are seen to have great potential of challenging loyalty of golf course owners for particular brands and may be forced to look for superior and promising brands. Analysis of Alternatives Two alternatives are presented for the company. First, the company can either adopt the first strategy where i t ventures and concentrates in consumer lawn market or the second option where it ventures and concentrates in the commercial lawn market. The first option has numerous strengths and weaknesses. For example, strengths of the first choice include the fact that it is the largest market and products are likely to be sold easily and at faster rate. At the same time, there is no strong brand loyalty, and consumers tend to shift loyalty easily and at faster rate. As a result, the company can easily endeavor to the hearts of consumers, hence making penetration effort in the market more easy. Furthermore, in consumer lawn market, the pricing strategy varies, a situation that can help the company to initiate a price strategy that endeavors well to majority of customers in the market. Also, the sale of smaller quantities in consumer market is likely to see faster movement of product, and this may eliminate the need for inventories, hence reduction in costs of maintenance. But, at same time, w eakness of this market segment, especially with regard to HydroCan is that, the company is new, and toppling some of the established names in the market may not be an easy task. This will require the company to increase its advertisement and promotion budget. Moreover, the product the company aims to produce in the market is less known and its key features are not well captured and conceptualized in the population. This therefore may not arouse the much needed enthusiasm in the market about the product. Hence, this may require the company to increase its advertisement and promotion activities, a situation that may be expensive. Furthermore, it has to be known that the consumer market is largely seasonal and consumers only buy during particular months (April-September), an aspect that may not auger well with the company’s returns on the investment. Furthermore, success in this market require strong market push strategy, and this for new comers may not be possible or appropriat e, given their overall financial and resource constraints. A strong market push strategy may require extensive advertisement, increased and intensified sales, and also increased promotion activities. With regard to commercial lawn and general market, opportunities of this market type are presented in the fact that the game of golf is gaining popularity currently. This has seen increase in the establishment of new golf courses, and this may be the opportunity to be exploited by the company. Moreover, with increase in the aging population and improvement of equipment, there is perception that the golf game is gaining more demand, and it may provide an opportune market for the new products. Another great opportunity lies in the fact that, golf courses have come under heavy criticisms due to ability of courses to pollute groundwater. Environmentalists and government watch agencies in the matters of environment have identified golf courses as major contributors to groundwater pollution. This has not augured well with majority of owners, who have no option but to look for new types and forms of fertilizers that guarantee sustainability of the environment. Furthermore, StaGreen as product has been experimented and found to provide solutions to various problems currently experienced in the golf courses with regard to environment. Hence, the company can successfully use this opportunity and introduce its product to course owners who are likely to embrace the product if found to be suitable. The challenge with this type of market segment has to do with high levels of consumer loyalty to one and specific brands. Unlike in consumer lawn markets, commercial lawn market is characterized by strong brand loyalty, which makes it difficulty to convince consumers to shift or change their consumer behaviors. Furthermore, sales strategies in this market segment move away from the convectional ones, while advertisement and promotion may not pay a lot in this market segment. But on overall, the identified issues of shrinking profits and environmental concerns may be the biggest reason for this kind of market to be penetrated by new entrants. Recommendations The first step towards identifying the appropriate market segment for a new product include identifying the customers and understanding the consumption needs and wants of the consumers (Hartline, 2010). This is especially important given that products are designed and introduced to the market with the aim of serving and satisfying the varied body of consumers available in the market. Therefore, HydroCan Company can establish the needs of consumers in the two markets and explore whether the products meet the threshold of satisfying consumers’ needs (Narayanan and O’Connor, 2009). In doing so, the company needs to introduce sample products in identified stores (Chaston, 1999), both for the consumer lawn market and commercial lawn market. In this way, the company should initiate another research to establish product acceptance among consumers in the two markets before having a final say on which market to have greater concentration or specialization (Rainey, 2005). Also, timing of the product with regard to launch is important, and the company should launch when the demand for the products (fertilizers) is high (Lyikoey and Qvist, 2006; Avlonitis and Papastathopoulou, 2006). Another recommendation is that, given the conditions and characteristics in both markets, it is appropriate for HydroCan Company to venture in both markets but make every effort to respond uniquely to the needs of each market. For example, in consumer lawn market, the company can increase advertisement and promotion of the product, especially by emphasizing on key and unique features of the product as opposed to competitor products. The emphasis should be on the environment benefits and suitability of the product as compared to other available products from competitors. In this regard, the company needs more demonstrations about the product to varied groups of customers to convince them about the suitability of the product. This should be followed by establishment of front-shops in major strategic areas that can be used for experimentation and demonstration of the product. With regard to commercial lawn market, the company can utilize the existing issues in the golf course and make some significant penetrations. For example, the company can adopt marketing strategies that reflect demonstration, free samples, and reduced prices in order to give owners of courses a chance to test the product. With many improvements and more consumers showing interest in the product, the company can in turn increase availability of the product to more consumers. The point of importance here is that, more sales calls should be conducted and the company should concentrate on building a strong customer base that is loyal. Conclusion The report was as a result of request by HydroCan Company, which intend s to launch a new product but has no information or knowledge about the market. Hence, Stone Age Marketing Consultants are invited to provide consultancy. The report provides a detailed analysis of the market and business environment, which confronts HydroCan Company. From this, it has been found out that companies of new products, which are relatively new in the market, face numerous challenges when introducing new products. These challenges are compounded by competition from established firms. Nevertheless, the analysis and recommendations provide a clear roadmap, which HydroCan Company can adopt in order to launch its product. However, more research work is needed, especially with regard to movement and performance of the product in the market. References Avlonitis, G. J. Papastathopoulou, P. (2006). Product and Services Management. NY: SAGE Press. Chaston, I. (1999). New Marketing Strategies: Evolving Flexible Processes to Fit Market Circumstances. NY: SAGE. Hartline, F. O. (20 10). Marketing Strategy. OH: Cengage Learning. Lyikoey, G. Qvist, K. (2006). The Timing of New Product Launch. Berlin, Germany: GRIN Verlag. Narayanan, V. K., O’Connor, G. C. (2009). Encyclopedia of Technology and Innovation Management. MA: John Wiley and Sons. Rainey, D. L. (2005). Product Innovation: Leading Change through Integrated Product Development. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

Case analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Case analysis - Essay Example So mergers take place when two or more existing companies decide to wipe out their business identities and activities and assumes a new identity jointly as a single entity. The topic of current discussion is the merger of two companies, that is England’s Royal Biscuit Company and Germany’s Edeling. According to Sir John Callaghan, Chairman of the London based, Royal Biscuit Company, there is no evidence available to suggest that both these executives, Mr. Michael Brighton, Head of HR of Royal Biscuits Ltd., and Mr. Dieter Wallach, his counterpart of Edeling worked together on this leadership development plan. The new company ‘Royal Edeling’ which would amicably blend both those existing companies, that is the merger of equals. By taking the two sides-one which is an entrepreneurial Powerhouse that had veritably single- handedly transformed British Snack food industry, and the other, a 120- year old, Munich based family, with a German brand. In this particular Case Study, it is the Royal Biscuits’ proposed merger with German Biscuit-maker major. The major problem for mergers are of integration planning, which was dreadfully behind schedule and merger of the leadership between the two Companies. Seven out of the 10 seats in the new Company’s Management Board of Directors would be held by Royal Biscuits. Regarding the composition of the executives, less than half of the positions on the Supervisory Board would go to Edelings stockholder. However, it was felt that in a merger of equals, leadership assignments should be shared equally. Should the merger take place, according to laws in Germany, the new company would be managed by a Management Board, that would look after operations and also by a Supervisory Board that would supervise the management and would represent all stakeholders Then, the national differences between both British and German