...1. Westpac PESTEL analysis 1. Political and Legal analysis There are huge amounts of regulations and laws supervising the banking system in Australia. In this paper, we focus on one important and famous regulation: ‘four pillars’ policy. Basically, the ‘four pillar’ is a specific Australian policy to maintain the separation of ‘big four’ banks including Westpac and to prevent any merge and acquisition among these four banks (1997) .In terms of the report from both TUNSTALL (2007) and The Age (2006), the main objective of the policy is to keep the competition of the banking industry. Such the policy is a threat to the Westpac because the increasing competition will lead to shrinking interest margin definitely. And the profit channel such as making loans in domestic market will be in tough condition. While the ‘four pillar’ policy is also a big opportunity for Westpac due to the fact Australian banks were force to borrow offshore under the policy based on the speech of Macfarlane (2009). Additionally, according to the analysis released by IMF (2012), ‘Australia has limited foreign bank presence’. Therefore, it’s a big opportunity for Westpac to build up foreign presence to join the international banks and adsorb the cheaper foreign capital. 1. 2 Social and Economic analysis After the GFC, based on BBC many important economic entities cut their interest rate with the quantity easing policy issued by US, including Australia, to stimulate the domestic economy...
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...Japan. Since inception in 1985, its growth has been attributed to its national and global expansion strategies, innovative product development and increasing sales in current markets (Starbucks Corporation, 2009, p.1). According to the 2009 annual report (Starbucks Corporation, 2009, p.2), the company’s 16,635 stores in over 50 countries generated $9.8 billion in revenue, a figure indicating a negative growth in sales. As a result, current restructuring efforts by CEO Howard Shultz aimed at increasing revenue to $23 billion by 2012 (Helm, 2007, para.4) have necessitated an evaluation of the business model and growth strategy. In this report, we will perform a SWOT analysis on Starbucks, followed by recommendations that can be implemented to improve the sales and strategies of the firm. 1.1 S.W.O.T Analysis Strengths * Starbucks has developed to outshine other coffee retailers in the market through its outstanding financial performance, and the ability to maintain its high end standards of offering premium and exotic coffee beverages. * They have managed to develop a “Starbucks culture” amongst customers by creating an atmosphere that makes the customers feel sophisticated, welcomed and more knowledgeable of their product information. When the customers feel that they are of top priority, it also helps to create a strong sense of loyalty to the brand. * Starbucks usually hires staff who are personality oriented and well educated so that they would be...
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...Country of Honduras – Comparative Economic Analysis The country of Honduras is located in Central America with neighboring countries of Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua. This country is located along the Caribbean Sea although does have western port access to the Pacific Ocean through the Gulf of Fonseca, with territorial waters of the gulf divided between Honduras, neighboring El Salvador, and Nicaragua. The country is mostly mountainous which has hindered communication and a sense of nationhood among its people. Development in this country has been extremely slow (National Geographic). The purpose of this analysis is to determine specific areas in need of economic improvement, and to make recommendations towards that overall economic condition of the Honduran economy. Historical Legacy and Context: Economically, Honduras ranks as the second poorest nation in the western hemisphere, second only to the country of Haiti. Other statistics report Honduras is the third poorest nation in all of Latin America, ahead of only Nicaragua and Guyana (Cordero). In analyzing a nation’s economy, it is important to look at history, how the country came into existence. Any country’s philosophy towards its economic development will have been influenced by the basic beliefs that have survived since the nation’s inception, so a general background is a logical starting point (Angresano, J.). The original inhabitants of this nation were the indigenous tribes of Central America, most...
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...Investment Analysis Paper on Apple Inc. Elijah Clark Walden University Investment Analysis Paper on Apple Inc. Apple Inc. (Apple) is a registered publicly traded company established in 1977 and is currently headquartered in Cupertino, California (Apple Inc., 2015a). The company’s products and services include mobile communication and media devices, portable digital music players, personal computers, software, accessories, services, networking solutions, and third-party digital content and applications. The company sells its products and digital services worldwide through online media, direct sales force, retail stores, through third-party wholesalers, and cellular network carriers. The company sells directly to consumers, small and mid-sized businesses, educational institutions, enterprises, and government agencies. The company’s operations are based in the Americas, Europe, Greater China, Japan, and retail. In 2014, the company’s direct and indirect distribution sales channels accounted for 28% and 72% of total net sales (Apple Inc., 2015a). The unit sales, which consisted of the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and iPod products, was 270,446 million units total within the company’s fiscal year (Apple Inc., 2015a). Board of Directors The 2015 proxy statement of Apple stated that the company annually selects its board of directors, which currently has 10 board members (Apple Inc., 2015a). Shareholders elect board of directors and the Board periodically reviews...
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...Business Research Methods (2014) Decreasing number of box office hits per year in Telugu film industry (Tollywood) - analysis and recommendations Business Research Methods Submitted to Dr Arun Abraham Elias Victoria Management School Victoria University of Wellington New Zealand Submitted by M Rohit PGP/17/151 – Section C Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode India M Rohit (PGP/17/151) Page 1 Business Research Methods (2014) Abstract This paper talks about the emergence of Telugu films and subsequent growth and development of Telugu film industry (Tollywood). Indian film industry on a whole is facing serious issue in the decrease in number of hits per year. An attempt has been made to study this trend in Tollywood. Entertainment industry is a major source of income in the Indian GDP. Hence this topic of research has been chosen. The industry has seen transformation from Puranas to mass folklore to technological breakthroughs in the form of colour films and many more innovations. Tollywood holds a special place in Indian film industry in terms of quality of films, number of films released, box office collections and cultural and political impacts on India. This paper approaches the industry with behaviour over time analysis and then identifies various stakeholders involved in this complex network. The paper gives a brief idea of the effects of various parties on the industry. An attempt has been made to address various issues relating to technology,...
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...Analysis and recommendation on the capital structure of Hill Country Snack Foods Co. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report discusses the current operational and financial strategies of Hill Country Snack Foods Co. and analyses the proposed capital structure for it. Part I of the report reviews the company’s strategies and its latest financial performance. Part II illustrates a detailed valuation of the proposed capital structure. Valuation methods involved includes Dividend Discount Model and Discount Cash Flow valuation (the Hamada approach). It is recommended that the company adopt a 40% debt-to-capital structure to fully use its capital and benefit from the external funding. PART I THE OVERVIEW OF HILL COUNTRY SNACK FOODS CO. Background of Hill Country Snack Foods Co. Hill Country Snack Foods Co. is a middle-size snack food company located in Austin, Texas in the U.S.. The snack food industry is very competitive. The main competitors of Hill Country are industry giant PepsiCo and smaller companies like Synder’s-Lance. The current CEO Howard Keener, who is 62 years old and worked in the company for over 15 years, is approaching retirement. He has a very strong personal influence on the company culture and the way it is operated. He is passionate about maximizing shareholder value, believes in keeping tight control over costs, and is very risk adverse in the operation strategy as well as the financing decisions. Considering his near retirement, many investors think there will...
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...Situation analysis and strategic recommendations of BP After oil spill disaster in USA Table of content: Introduction 3 Executive Summary 3 Approaches 3 Background of BP 3 BP in USA 3 PESTEL analysis of BP in USA 4 Political Environment 4 Economic Environment 5 Socio-cultural Environment 6 Technological Environment 7 Legal Environment 7 Environmental Analysis 8 Summary 8 SWOT Analysis of BP 8 Strengths 9 Weaknesses 9 Opportunities 10 Threats 11 Summary 11 Strategic Recommendations 11 Porter’s Generic Competitive Strategy 11 Ansoff Model 12 Conclusion: 13 References & Bibliography: 15 Appendix: 17 Introduction: As the global business environment is turbulent and dynamic every business organisation should adopt their strategy with the changing business conditions and conduct external and internal analysis on regular basis to cope up with the changing environment. This paper will analyse the overall situation of BP in USA after the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster. The oil spill creates a new condition for their operation in USA and requires considerable and serious change in the strategic decision making and positioning of the company. Executive Summary: This paper will start with a brief background of BP. A PESTEL analysis will...
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...9 Formal Reports and Proposals he distinctions between formal and informal reports are often blurred. Nevertheless, a formal report is usually written to someone in another company or organization. Occasionally it is written for a senior manager in the same company, or for someone with whom the writer has little regular contact. Usually it is longer than an informal report and requires more extensive research. Unless you are a consultant, you are unlikely to be asked to write a formal report often. When you are, there may be a lot riding on it— including your reputation. The purpose of this chapter is to show you how to write a formal report and how to put together the kind of proposal that often precedes it. As Figure 9-1 shows, many of the elements of formal reports are the same as those for informal ones.You need to pay the same attention to headings, lists, and illustrations, for example. Although much of the advice in the previous chapter could be duplicated in this one, the emphasis here will be on those areas where there’s a difference. T Figure 9-1 Contrasting Features of Informal and Formal Reports Informal Formal Reader often internal often external or distant within organization Length • usually short • several sections • usually long (3 pages or more) • sections and subsections Tone • personal • contractions • more impersonal • no contractions Summary integrated on separate page Introduction ...
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...How to Write a Case Analysis Read a case at your normal speed without stopping to take notes. Read the assignment at the end of the case (if there is an assignment), and then carefully read the entire case again, taking notes in the margins as you read. Your task is to identify problems in the case, formulate recommendations to solve these problems, and then write your analysis with the following four headings: 1. 2. 3. 4. Summary of the facts presented. Analysis of the problems. Recommendations for solutions to the problems. Implications your recommendations will have on the operation of the organization. Follow the above format even if there are Assignment questions at the end of the case. Important: Weave the answers to the Assignment questions into your “Recommendations” section. As you write your case analysis, you must include appropriate references to the assigned reading. Your references should be in the following formats: For books and articles, (Brandenburger & Nalebuff, 1996. p. 126) and for Web articles and material, (www.charleswarner.us/articles/BUDGETS.html. September, 2004). The date in the Web reference is the month you accessed a Web site. Do not include a bibliography or references section at the end of your case analysis unless you refer to books or articles that are not Required or Recommended Reading. Summary Begin your write-up with a concise synthesis of the facts in the case, under the heading “Summary.” Stick to one or two sentences and do not put...
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...then specific information in the form of analysis, research or financial results that someone (you) need to look at and evaluate. The goal (your goal) is to provide a recommendation and advice on the right course of action and to back up your recommendation with solid analysis and reasoning. The actual format of the case would look like this: Executive Summary This is the section designed for the ADD executive who doesn’t have the time or inclination to read through all the analysis you’ve done and just wants the facts and your recommendation in summary form. It is usually a page in length and includes the relevant facts, how you analyzed the situation, your recommendation, and why you believe this is the right course of action. Situation Analysis This section, also about a page but maybe more, summarizes the situation and provides your analysis of the various alternatives and the pros and cons associated with the choices based on the hard facts and data that have been provided. You get points for the way you have thought about the business problem and the analysis you have done to develop your recommendations. Recommendations This is the section where you make your final recommendation(s). What should the company do, why are you making this recommendation, and what do you believe the outcome will be if the company accepts and implements your recommendation? Once again your recommendations must be consistent with the analysis you have presented. The company is not...
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...your sales data in order to provide recommendations for increasing your sales. The analysis and recommendations below are based on the data you provided, which covers a period from May 2004 through June 2006. The analysis below is based on this data alone. Therefore, our recommendations should be tempered by your knowledge of business realities and your market. Please let us know if we can answer any questions concerning the analysis or the recommendations provided. ANALYSIS 1 Category Performance Analysis Analysis This analysis compared each category based on the final selling price of the product within the category. The final price was determined by multiplying the selling price by the quantity and subtracting the discount given. This method uses the net dollars gained by sales whereas using the non-discounted price or quantities sold would give a false reading as to the revenue gained. Graphic Recommendation While this analysis provides an insight as to the category performance over the past few years, it provides an easy to understand overview of how the categories are performing in comparison to each other. Given the low volume of sales in the produce and condiments categories, it is my recommendation that inventory levels be reduces and the monies saved be applied inventory for the dairy and beverages categories. ANALYSIS 2 Sales by Date and Categories Analysis Like the Category Performance Analysis, this analysis is based on the net sales of each...
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...------------------------------------------------- Case Analysis Guidelines & Checklist Overview: In many ways writing a short analysis paper (including recommendations and/or conclusions) is like writing an “action memo” or executive memo in business. The following sections go over how to organize and format your written work here in class and in the business world to be attractive to the reader and effective in getting your point across. Approach: * Read the entire case carefully before you actually begin to write the paper, and make careful notes (including your emotional reactions, which can be useful). Try to read the case once at least a few hours or a day earlier, and then again when you are writing the paper. This will give you time to reflect on the issues, and to think out effective recommendations before you actually have to articulate them. * Relate your analysis and recommendations as specifically as possible to concepts of the course as presented by the textbook, cases, materials on the course web site, articles, and the various guest speakers and class discussions This is where you show what you have learned and are able to apply. * Remember that you have to make careful selections of what is most important in a case, and then develop a coherent, logical way (including useful section titles) to present your arguments using the outline below. Although you may use the guidance questions to help call your attention to interesting phenomena...
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...A Framework for Case Analysis Case analysis is a problem solving process. You are demonstrating in a systematic way how you have defined a key problem/issue, identified plausible, realistic alternatives (not necessarily limited by those suggested in the case), analyzed these alternatives using common criteria, and finally developed a complete set of recommendations. This process challenges your organizational and communication skills as much as your analytical and quantitative skills. Step 1. Situation Analysis. The first step in systematically analyzing an organization's marketing problems is to conduct a situation analysis. This is not part of the written case brief but it is needed before you can begin the problem solving process. Step 2. Define the Problem/Issue. Once you have conducted a thorough situation analysis, you can identify the problem(s) facing the organization. Be careful not to assume that the characters in the case are objective or accurate in identifying the problem or make a rush to judgment about the problem. Step 3. Identify plausible alternatives. What are reasonable options for solving the identified problem? While you should at least initially consider the options discussed in the case, do not assume that these are the best or even appropriate alternatives, especially if these options are not consistent with the problem. Alternatives should be plausible, not "straw men" that are just knocked aside in order to make a bee line for some obvious solution...
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...Bette Smith's marketing plan is about a Chiropractic Center in Fremont, Nebraska. The plan outlines market analysis, recommendations, strategies and evaluation controls to establish Chiropractic business for the client. The plan submitted is poor in nature and has some specific problems and improvements in the designated marketing strategy areas. Lot of sections mismatched or misplaced and there are many problems in the case analysis. We have identified seven areas and recommendations provided that will improve the case analysis drastically. Those areas include Executive Summary, Situation Analysis, SWOT Analysis, Marketing Goals and Objectives, Marketing Strategy, Marketing Implementation, Evaluation and Control. Executive summary is a summarized version of overall marketing plan and should contain an effective paragraph about goals/objectives, strategy elements, implementation issues and expected outcomes. The current executive summary has only background of the firm and an Introduction. Even if the marketing plan is excellent, without a proper and concise executive summary the plan will fail to catch the attention of target executive audience. First recommendation is to rewrite the whole executive summary section. Situation Analysis is the analysis of three components Internal environment, External environment and Customer environment. This 3 prong analysis will explain about the firm's goals, strategies, objectives and how these are going to be achieved keeping in...
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...Strategic Analysis Report Guidelines Applied Strategy Inc. – Fall 2011 Company: Tesla Motors, Inc. (Tesla) Overall Objective: To analyze Tesla’s current operations and provide strategic recommendations to the board of directors of Tesla in order to answer how to protect and strengthen a current competitive advantage, or to create a new competitive advantage and then protect and strengthen it. The recommendations should be creative, should leverage Tesla’s current strengths and/or address Tesla’s biggest weakness, and should be supported with sound financial analysis and justification. Refer to the financial analysis provided by Paul Gregg, ASI’s CFO, and use this as your financial model for all analysis and projections. Introduction (up to 1 page) Executive Summary Please provide an executive summary in the front of the report outlining in a concise manner the most critical aspects of your analyses. Formatting for readability will be important in this section. Your executive summary should identify your most critical findings and then highlight key components of your strategic recommendation. Consider your audience here – based on your research for Tesla and the industry, what does the CEO or Chairman of the Board of Tesla need to know to achieve the company’s goals? Part 1 (2-4 pages) Identify Tesla’s current mission and analyze Tesla’s strategy In less than one page, identify Tesla’s mission. Consider all of the parts of Tesla when you reflect on the vision and mission statement...
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