...GBA 490 – 007 23 September 2015 Vera Bradley Case Table of Contents Page Numbers Executive Summary……………………….…………………………………………….……………………………..3-6 Appendix A: Dominant Economic Characteristics…………………………………...…………………..6-7 Appendix B: PESTEL Analysis……………………………………………………………………….……..……….7-9 Appendix C: Five Forces Analysis……………………….…………………….………….……..…………….9-11 Appendix D: Industry Driving Forces………….………..………………..……………..……....………..11-12 Appendix E: Key Success Factors…..………………………………………………….………...............12-13 Appendix F: Financial Analysis..………………………………………….……..……..…….………………13-16 Appendix G: Resources and Capabilities Analysis (VRIN Test)…….…..…………….…………16-17 Appendix H: Weighted Competitive Strength Analysis…………………….……………………………17 Appendix I: Strategic Group Map…………….………………….……………………..………….……….18-19 Appendix J: Current Strategy…………………………………………………….………………………………….19 Appendix K: SWOT Analysis….…………………………………………………..………….………..….…...19-22 Executive Summary The industry for luxury goods, including handbags and leather accessories, was an extremely competitive market. This industry included three subcategories: haute couture, traditional luxury, and accessible luxury. The entire industry was estimated to be worth about $96 billion dollars in 2013 with large continued growth expected (Appendix A). The accessible luxury segment of the market was growing at a particularly high rate, faster than the rest of the industry. Sociocultural factors, such as the growth in the number...
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...Direct competitors of the company are Vera Bradley: Coach Inc, Michael Kors Holdings and Kate Spade & Company. The case says about Coach that "In 2013, says Coach operated 351 stores and 193 stores full price of factory outlets in North America and maintains more than 1,000 accounts department store wholesale. The company operated 191 stores in Japan and 218 stores in other Asian nations. Coach products were also available in 183 locations in other international markets. The coach also operates e-commerce websites in the United States, Canada, Japan, and China and had information websites in over 20 other countries. All these details make us see that this company is much larger than the Vera Bradley Company and this is normally a major threat....
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...Vera Bradley customers have a profound effect on the past, present and future of the company. The company's success depends on the ability to measure the fashion tastes of their customers and offer a good that satisfies consumer demand in a timely manner. Consumers of the company are of all age groups, including teenagers, young women, older women, mothers and grandmothers. This variety of age groups is due to the diversity of products we have in our company. Representing clients represent a wide range of demographics, and market research done by the company showed that usually have a common attitude toward the brand. Vera Bradley is a colorful way of allowing them to express their individuality and sense of style. (Bradley A. r., n.d.) In...
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...The gross profits of Vera Bradley steadily increased from 2010-2013. In 2014, however, revenue decreased by 1% while net income decreased by 15%. This happened after the company chose to focus on higher quality products which increased the cost of goods sold, decreasing gross profits. With an increased focus on expanded distribution, quality, and different outlets of sale, Vera Bradley hopes to offset the increased cost of the goods by attracting new customers through their new marketing approach. SWOT Analysis: Internal Strengths • New trademarked patterns constantly • Great quality at low price • Strategic store locations Internal Weaknesses • Seen as corporate gifts • Not heavy inflow of new customers • Outlet stores...
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...Patton Analysis In the film Patton, many events and important people were depicted, including the battle of the bulge, Sicily, France, General George Patton, Erwin Rommel, Omar Bradley, and Bernard Law Montgomery. General Patton was commander of the Third Army in which he led them ti victory after a crushing defeat in the Battle of Kasserines pass. Erwin Rommel was general of the German army and he was widely respected for his ability to lead. Omar Bradley was second in command to General Patton and was head of the operation in North Africa. Montgomery was general of the British army and at this time he was winning every battle he got into. All of these people were important during world war 2 because they all led an army into battle and were victorious throughout the war and because they all were highly thought of and respected. Sicily and France were both places in which Patton led the Third Army and took then from the Germans. The battle of the bulge was a German offensive in which rot hope was to split up and surround the British and American forces. The directors purpose of masking this film was to inform people of general Patton's accomplishments while he was commanding the American Army. It was to show the war through the life of George Patton and to show how Patton changed the course of the war by actually disciplining the US Army. This movie shows the theme that discipline is the key to winning a war because without discipline, no one will know what to do and...
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...Aloe vera: The Healing Plant The aloe vera plant has a wide verity of medicinal purposes. Known widely as a healing herb, the aloe vera plant has been used in medicine since the beginning of the first century AD. In addition to medicine the extracts are used in cosmetics for their rejuvenating, healing and soothing properties. The scientific name for the Aloe Vera plant is, Aloe Vera (L.) Burm. f., This plant is well known for its thick, juicy, leaves and the many uses of the gel obtained from the leaf. The Aloe Vera plant is widely cultivated, as well as other members of the genus Aloe family and is not considered to be threatened. This plants naturalized habitat is dry, often rocky and exposed areas. very short stems and is a succulent plant that grows between 24-39 inches tall. The leaves green to grey-green and are fleshy and thick. Some varieties have white flecks on their upper and lower stem surfaces. The margin of the leaves have small white teeth that are serrated. Flowers are produced during the summer season. This plant is widely cultivated throughout the world. Although the natural range of Aloe Vera is unclear, naturalized stands of the species can be found in the southern half of the Arabian Peninsula, through North Africa, and as well as in Sudan and neighboring countries. You can also find it within the Canary, Cape Verde, and Madeira Islands. In the 17th century the species was introduced to China and various parts of southern Europe. Aloe vera...
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...FAQ Cleaners galore! Dissolve windshield frost – We’ve already discussed this. It’s an early wintry morning god-send! Keep it in the trunk, it won’t freeze! Keep windows frost-free – If you want to do a little frost prevention, wash them with a 1/2 cup Isocol mixed with 1 quart water. The next time the temperatures dip you shouldn’t have to do ANYTHING! Hairspray remover – If your bathroom mirror and countertops get covered with hairspray, like mine do, a quick wipe with some Isocol will remove it and leave them sparkling clean. Window cleaner – to make your own, mix 1/4 cup Isocol, 2 tablespoons ammonia, 3 1/2 cups water and a drop of dish soap. Granite cleaner – Vinegar and other acidic cleaners corrode granite, so use alcohol instead! 1/4 cup Isocol, 3 drops of dish detergent, 1 cup water, and a couple drops of essential oil, and you’ve got yourself a great DIY granite countertop cleaner. Silk plant/flower cleaner – fill a spray bottle with 1/2 water, 1/2 Isocol, spray on, and let air dry! Dust disappears! Laminate floor cleaner – Use 1/3 water, 1/3 Isocol, 1/3 vinegar and 4 drops of dish soap for an effective and quick-drying laminate floor cleaner. Spray it on. Wipe it with either a damp mop or a damp sponge. All-purpose de-greaser – pour some Isocol onto a cloth and wipe down greasy stove tops, vents and teapot. No need to rinse afterwards because the Isocol dries almost immediately. Remove ink stains – If you get ink on your clothing, try soaking the spot in...
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...The invasion of D-Day The invasion of D-Day was a very important battle during World War II. It was the battle in which the Allies landed on German-controlled beaches in an attempt to gain the upper hand on Hitler and the Axis powers. For me, I learned about the Axis and Allies through playing old WWII video games a s a kid, but not many people actually know what these two words mean or consist of. The Axis powers were the bad guys and consisted of Germany, Italy, and Japan. Oddly enough, Italy switched over to the Allied powers later in the war. The Allies were the supporters of the U.S., the good guys. They consisted of Poland, Britain, and Russia, formerly known as the USSR. The United States was also a part of the Allies but they didn’t join into the fighting until later in the war. A big portion of the credit of the victory on D-Day has to go to the 101st airborne division. They parachuted in and fought from behind enemy lines to flank the Germans from the rear. They had a huge impact on this very crucial battle. D-Day was the beginning of many Allied victories that led to the end of Hitler’s reign. The 101st airborne were a very big asset to the Allies. They were an elite force of skilled paratroopers that were the best of their kind. These highly trained killers were dropped in during the invasion. They actually had a lot of miscommunications on the landing zones and drop sites for these men because of the poor weather conditions. They had planned the invasion to...
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...Times: More Than a Celebrity To the Sports Editor: Re “Portraying Bill Bradley, a Star Who Had a Sense of Where He Was,” March 29: As Bradley himself has acknowledged, the pressure of celebrity, to be all things to all people, at an age when most of us are just finding our way, was stifling. One reason he decamped to Oxford was to escape its grasp. I’ve always believed that the hallmark of Bradley’s career is not excellence per se, but his willingness to push beyond mere celebrity, to think for himself and find his own voice. Like Bradley said, “You’re also always working on who you are.” VIVEK VISWANATHAN, Palo Alto, Calif. Premise:” He decamped to Oxford was to escape its grasp.” Conclusion:” The pressure of celebrity, to be all things to all people, at an age when most of us are just finding our way, was stifling.” No argument:” I’ve always believed that the hallmark of Bradley’s career is not excellence per se, but his willingness to push beyond mere celebrity, to think for himself and find his own voice.” Rewrite: More Than a Celebrity To the Sports Editor: Re “Portraying Bill Bradley, a Star Who Had a Sense of Where He Was,” March 29: As Bradley himself has acknowledged, the pressure of celebrity, to be all things to all people, at an age when most of us are just finding our way, was stifling. Because he decamped to Oxford was to escape its grasp. The reason why Bradley said “You’re also always working on who you are” is that his willingness...
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...General George C. Marshall I selected General George C. Marshall for my leadership and management paper. Born George Catlett Marshall, December 31, 1880 in Pennsylvania, he was both a military leader and a diplomat. Regarded as one of the principal architects of America’s defeat of both Germany and Japan during World War II; I will define the ways in which he was a leader and manager. The leadership roles he had and their similarities. The obstacles he had to overcome and whether or not he was effective. How He Was a Leader and Manager General Marshall was one of a rare breed of people who are successful in all they do. While we all know people who are successful in one thing or another, seldom do we see someone who consistently are effective in such a broad range of jobs. If you look at General Marshall’s career, regardless of the challenge given him, his leadership and management was guided consistently by a set of never-changing principles. “His traits of honesty and candor gained the trust of millions of Americans and the respect of world leaders during his 50 years of selfless service” ("About George Marshall", 2009). He managed people, programs, and materials during both a time when the world was at war or during peace time. He strove to do the right thing in everything he did and quickly became a master of any situation. He earned the undying loyalty of those who either served him or served with him. Leadership Role Similarities and Differences ...
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...continuación te voy a dejar una lista de canciones hindú y africanas, que sirven sobre todo para la paz interior, y el bienestar con el resto. Cada canción va complementada con una vela, un incienso o una esencia de un olor específico que te hará llegar al punto máximo, de lo que promete cada uno. Espero que de verdad le des uso, por experiencia propia, sé que sirve y te relaja, y cuando quieras encontrarte contigo misma, solo recurre a este cd. AMBAR: Otorga energía y fuerza física. Prosperidad. Mejora las situaciones en general. Es utilizado para lograr serenidad. Potencia la atracción de la persona que deseamos y asegura su fidelidad. Elimina obstáculos, roces, resentimientos y rencores de las personas con las que convivimos. ALOE VERA: Se usa para concretar proyectos y armonizar el ambiente laboral. CANELA: Antidepresivo. Reanima y estimula en el proceso de auto superación. Ayuda a eliminar la rabia y la tensión. CANABIS: Produce buen humor, relax y una mente creativa, después de un día laboral agitado, te hace sentir en las nubes. COCO: Estimulación del placer sexual y autosatisfacción, sensación de placer, durante el tiempo de la canción, si lo acompañas con este incienso. CEREZA: Estimula el amor (en ti y en los demás) EUCALIPTO: Alivia todo tipo de alergias y estimula la fortaleza física y mental, en especial la agudeza y el ingenio. Además, su potencial balsámico ayuda a fortalecer la salud en el aspecto mágico. JAZMIN: Combate la depresión, otorga...
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...cleanse to remove any makeup on the skin. The products I used was the Skin truth equalizing range for oily/dry skin this product is calming on the skin, the ingredients are orange blossom which is soothing on the skin and helps with cell regeneration there is also ginger in this product which normalizes oil production. The skin looked normal after the first cleanse there was no erythema. I then did my analysis of the skin for 15 minutes. I exfoliated the skin using the gentle exfoliator; ingredients in this product were Aloe Vera and starflower. I worked extra on the chin area because the client had a breakout on that area. After the removal of the exfoliator the skin looked fresh and clear. I then did the eyebrow trim I decided to go with my client’s natural shape as she preferred this look; I ensured that I had my scissors and tweezers sterile. The skin was slightly red under the eyebrow, but this is normal after a trim, I ensured that I applied aloe vera gel to the area afterwards to cool and sooth. The end result was very good my client was pleased. I done a 20 minute massage using an oil based medium two ingredients in this product is sandal wood oil and rose oil. I did this massage because it increases lymph flow and aids in desquamation, it increases muscle tone and stimulates the skin which helps with mitosis. This massage is always good in easing tension in the trapezius and frontalis. After the message I started on the mask. I decided to use calamine which is soothing...
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...AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF EMPLOYEE SILENCE: ISSUES THAT EMPLOYEES DON’T COMMUNICATE UPWARD AND WHY FRANCES J. MILLIKEN New York University Stern School of Business Department of Management and Organizational Behavior 44 West 4th Street, 7th Floor New York, NY 10012 Tele: 212-998-0227 Fax: 212-995-4235 e-mail: fmillike@stern.nyu.edu ELIZABETH W. MORRISON New York University Stern School of Business Department of Management and Organizational Behavior 44 West 4th Street, 7th Floor New York, NY 10012 Tele: 212-998-0230 Fax: 212-995-4235 e-mail: emorriso@stern.nyu.edu PATRICIA F. HEWLIN New York University Stern School Of Business Department of Management and Organizational Behavior 40 West 4th Street, 7th Floor New York, N.Y. 10012 Tele: 212-998-0388 Fax: 212-995-4235 e-mail: phewlin@stern.nyu.edu November 4, 2003 We would like to thank Roger Dunbar for all his help with this paper and for acting as the consulting editor in charge of this manuscript, Jane Dutton, Amy Wrzesniewski and the anonymous reviewers for their very helpful comments on earlier drafts of this paper. 2 AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF EMPLOYEE SILENCE: ISSUES THAT EMPLOYEES DON’T COMMUNICATE UPWARD AND WHY Abstract There is evidence from a variety of sources that employees often do not feel comfortable speaking to their bosses about organizational problems or issues that concern them. The purpose of this study was to shed light on the types of issues that employees are reluctant to raise, and identify why...
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...I have chosen to do my paper on General George S. Patton. Patton was a famous General for the American Army during World War II. He was a hard-nosed, no nonsense leader. Patton was hard on his troops. With this being said, his troops respected him, and were willing to follow him to hell and back. Patton never asked his troops to do something that he would not do himself. His ability to be demanding of his troops and command their respect at the same time are a few reason why I respect Patton. I will go into leadership traits that Patton himself believed a leader should possess. Patton's fourteen written leadership traits are Bearing, courage, decisiveness, dependability, endurance, enthusiasm, initiative, integrity, judgment, justice, knowledge, loyalty, tact, and unselfishness. Patton always stayed true to his word, and never left his troops' side. These traits are actually taught in the Marine Corps today. They can also be used in the business world. Always maintain your bearing. You are always being watched by your employees. Never lose your temper. It’s important to always act as if you are in control. If you lose control, you just showed that you couldn’t keep your mind and emotions in check. If you cannot do that during regular times, what will happen when you’re faced with extreme stress or fear? Moral courage is important in the business world. Leaders should have the moral courage to step in and say when something is wrong, when it’s an unpopular thing to...
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...Both Generals Omar Bradley and George Patton were undoubtedly great battlefield commanders. While they both came from different backgrounds they both were intelligent men. Patton was born to a military family in California and Bradley was the son of a schoolteacher in Missouri. They were both graduates of West Point. One thing that I found interesting was the fact that in Africa, Bradley served under Patton and in Europe Patton served under Bradley. Bradley stated that Patton was a soldier first and the greatest example of this was even though Patton was his superior in service by six years, he never questioned the decision for Bradley to be his superior in the 12th Army Group. Patton was often outspoken and seemed to receive criticism for some of his comments and actions, including the all famous slapping incident. However, it is of note that happened on his way to Bradley’s Headquarters and when Bradley heard about the incident from Patton he felt that he would have done the same thing. Patton was said to have been a “glory hound” and quick to anger to the point that he would often overstep his bounds when it came to disciplining troops. Bradley was more of the calm and collected type personality, and is commonly referred to as the GIs General. There is an instance that Bradley was observed refusing the help of his Aide and smoothing out the ground with an entrenching tool for his bed. He expected his subordinates to get the job done and was quick to replace those...
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